Roman socks

[RiaOverTheRainbow]

I've recently joined a Roman reenactment group, and when they found out I knit everyone wanted me to make them socks as it's hard to get hold of authentic ones. I blithely agreed to make them loads (and earn a few pennies with it if I'm lucky) but can I find a pattern?

The best link I've found tells me the Romans didn't even knit, they used 'naalbinding' which seems to be a sort of crochet. Can anyone give me any tips on it, or finding authentic patterns?

Here's a picture if anyone's interested.

You could phone the vindolanda tourist site and ask there, its famous for all the shoes they found so maybe the archeologists might know?

Instructions on Naalbinding socks

That's the best thing I've written all day!

Lot's of things on it here on Craftster too

Have you thought about tweeting Mary Beard? Seriously - the woman will know the answer to the question if anyone does!

I'm assuming you came across this article which refers to crossed knitting or single-needle knitting. This has a video on it - which looks to correspond to Neo's naalbinding link.

Thanks everyone! I hadn't thought to look for videos, that definitely helps, and great idea about asking the experts.

Now I think it looks like making friendship bracelets with a needle, which is less daunting

Yes, I'm quite intrigued by it :)