Naalbinding is a heritage craft still practiced across many countries today.  It has Scandinavian or Viking roots, and the name translates to "needle binding".

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Naalbinding consists of many stitches worked in rounds, to create smaller garments such as socks, hats or mittens.  The fabric created by the technique is extremely strong, durable, well structured and waterproof if made using wool.

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If you were to watch someone naalbinding, you would quickly realise it's not too similar to crochet or knitting.  It pre-dates either of these crafts and the structure of the stitches is more complex.  It's also impossible to naalbind with a ball of yarn at your feet, as you have to pass the entire length of the yarn through every stitch!  So it is done with lengths of yarn and when each end approaches, another length is linked on.