Braiding, Naalbinding & Sprang

A form of textile similar to netting but constructed entirely from warp threads.

The following description is based on that of Wild. He also supplies some very useful diagrams to help explain the process ^{[WILD 2003]:p.50}.
Sprang is constructed by spanning the yarn between two bars. Starting from the right side the yarn is then plaited around the adjacent yarn. Two rods are then inserted through the yarns to hold the plaits top and bottom. The process is repeated and two more rods inserted. After subsequent repeats the first rods are removed to hold the most recent plait. In total 4 rods are needed. The final plait is sown to prevent the whole thing from unraveling.

Art
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Literature
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Archaeology

• Isle of Man, St Patrick's Isle. 'Pagan Lady', either from a head-dress or work-bag ^{[GRAHAM-CAMPBELL 2002]:p.86}.
• Ireland, Dublin. A 5" wide strip of silk sprang ^{[EWING 2007]:p.149}.
• Sweden, Birka. ^{[HAGG 1986]:p.51}

From other periods:

• Norway, Tegle. Leggings C6th Wikipedia
• Denmark. Sprang hair nets have been recovered from Danish bog finds 800-500BC. Wikipedia
• Switzerland, Vindonissa. c.100AD Wikipedia

Discussion
A beech frame interpreted as a possible sprang loom was found in the Oseberg burial ^{[EWING 2007]:p.149}. Although this was probably a tapestry loom ^{[INGSTAD 1992]}. Wild states that sprang first appears in Scandinavia in around 2000BC ^{[WILD 2003]:p.50}. Ewing makes the point that most Viking Age sprang was 'probably made in linen which rarely survives in the archaeological record' ^{[EWING 2007]:p.149}.

Other possible unpublished finds:

• Scotland, Shetland. Impression on the back of a pair of oval brooches.
• Scotland, Perth. Textile fragment.
• England, York. Textile fragment found in 1800's now in the Yorkshire museum. Interpreted as a leg binding and from the Roman era.

Images of sprang looms can be found on Greek vases ^{[WILD 2003]:p.50}.

Sprang hair net