My mother is gravitating towards SCAdian participation.  She mostly wants to tag along after me, having no time to do her own research.  So we're plunging into the Dark together.  (I have promised that I will garb her.)  Since she's a knitter, I suggested that she also check out nalbinding.

Nalbinding is cool because:

• It's earlier than knitting.  Knitted structures seem to follow the historical ability to make knitting needles – dowels or rods consistent in size.  See Richard Rutt's History on Knitting for a dedicated amateur's Brit-centric introduction.
• It's unusual.  I do know several people who can do it, but I don't see a lot of people wearing nalbinded items.  Perhaps because those several people do lots of other things.  So, perhaps in result;
• There's a desire for nalbinded items.  Mom likes to make things for other people, that she's pretty sure they will like.  Totally understandable.
• The items are small and portable: hats, mittens, socks.  Mom likes to take her knitting around with her.
• The process of nalbinding involves engineering on the fly – this is perhaps the most powerful lever for her.  My mother cannot follow a pattern without changing: the color. the yarn.  the fit.  the order of construction.  the lace pattern.  Some unknowing soul will ask politely what pattern she's making, and the dissertation begins.  (I admit I may have gotten this from her.)

So she's found a nalbinding site, and is now wanting me to "learn with her".  This will probably happen.  😉