Handmade Wool Socks Using the Oslo Stitch

These nalbinding socks are crafted entirely by hand using the Oslo stitch, one of the most widely known nalbinding techniques. This stitch produces a fabric that is both warm and flexible, offering excellent comfort during prolonged wear while retaining high durability.

Each pair is made individually from natural wool fibres, following traditional methods and prioritising functionality rooted in historical practice.

Construction & Materials

• Technique:
  Nalbinding – Oslo stitch
  Worked with a single needle

• Material:
  100% natural wool

• Structure:
  Flexible, warm, and resistant to wear
  Suitable for everyday use and reenactment

Design Options

• Classic closed-toe form

• Separated toe version, ideal for wearing with historical sandals

Each pair is made to order, allowing adjustment in size and shape to suit the wearer.

Historical Context & Evidence

Although socks are often perceived as a modern garment, multiple archaeological and written sources confirm that sock-type footwear was known and used in the Roman world, particularly in colder provinces:

• In North Yorkshire (2012), rust preserved on a nail from a Roman sandal was found to contain textile fibres, suggesting the presence of a sock-like garment worn with footwear.

• In a Roman temple in Southwark (2017), a life-size statue depicts a man wearing sandals together with socks, providing clear iconographic evidence.

• A wooden tablet discovered in Northumberland (2019) contains a letter stating:
  “I am sending you a pair of socks, two pairs of sandals and two pairs of panties.”
  The message was written by the wife or mother of an anonymous Roman soldier stationed in Britain.

• At the Roman fort of Vindolanda, archaeologist Robert Birley uncovered over 150 written documents on birch and alder slats, many of which mention soldiers’ requests for socks, highlighting their importance in daily military life.

Ancient udones likely took the form of shoe-shaped garments made from pieces of woollen fabric. While there is no direct archaeological proof for nalbinding socks in the Roman period, it is entirely plausible that in colder regions of Europe — possibly as early as the Neolithic — woollen socks were produced using thick bone needles. Our socks follow this proven technique, known as nalbinding, combining experimental archaeology with practical wearability.

Why Choose Oslo Stitch Nalbinding Socks?

• Authenticity
  Inspired by historical textile traditions and supported by Roman-period evidence for sock use

• Comfort & Warmth
  Oslo stitch offers a flexible fit while maintaining excellent insulation

• Durability
  Resistant to abrasion and deformation, even during intensive use

• Versatility
  Suitable for reenactment, living history, outdoor use, and everyday wear

It appears we may have inherited one of our greatest sartorial controversies from the Romans — socks with sandals.
But anyone who has stood night watch in the cold knows one thing for certain: nothing is better than warm udones.