# Does knitting use the same topology as nail binding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 12, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991 "2025-09-12T19:25:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/1 "2025-09-12T19:25:02Z")
I guess there are a variety of “stitches” one can knit, and perhaps that’s true of nailbinding. But are there fabrics whose topology could have been produced by either one? (Don’t need answer fast.) @MrDibble ? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/2 "2025-09-12T19:30:50Z")
No. Superficially similar, but nalebinding doesn’t unravel like knitting does. It’s a series of closed loops not one long open looping. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/3 "2025-09-12T20:03:26Z")
Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/4 "2025-09-12T20:31:12Z")
> **[Nålebinding](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding)** > > Nålebinding (Danish and Norwegian: literally 'binding with a needle' or 'needle-binding', also naalbinding, nålbinding, nålbindning, or naalebinding) is a fabric creation technique predating both knitting and crochet. Also known in English as "knotless netting", "knotless knitting", or "single-needle knitting", the technique is distinct from crochet in that it involves passing the full length of the working thread through each loop, unlike crochet where the work is formed only of loops, never Nå... For those who wondered. Like I did. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/5 "2025-09-12T21:20:58Z")
_(since the question in the OP has now been answered…)_ The differences in spelling made me think of this: **not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail.** ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/6 "2025-09-12T21:44:44Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail. Nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/7 "2025-09-12T21:51:36Z")
That was a nail-biter of a saga all the way to the surprise twist ending. I totally did not see “jail” coming. Two thumbs up 👍👍 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991/8 "2025-09-13T00:55:53Z")
> **[367 Innocent Man - Giant in the Playground Games](https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0367.html)** , if anyone was wondering.