Nålbinding: Closing the start to form a ring

This start is useful to produce tube-like objects such as ,

wrist-warmers, bags, headbands or leggings.

Picture 1

Once our chain of loops is long enough, we keep on working with the same stitch variant, with the difference that now we work into the start of the loop chain (or should I call it the end?).

We are working a spiral.

Here it is very important to make sure that the loop chain is not twisted, when closed to a ring. It is advisable to stretch the chain of loops first, to ensure that the formed stitches are evenly spread. When looking behind the thumb the right side is the upper side on which we start sewing.
The upper side can be traced from here, behind the thumb, to the start of the loop chain. (Work correctly, otherwise the work is ruined and has to be thrown away, because pieces worked in Nålbinding cannot, in contrast to crocheted and knitted pieces, be pulled apart again.)

Picture 2

Here the loop chain has been taken off the thumb and formed into a ring.

The needle already points into the direction of the first two loops of the new row to work into (start of the spiral).

Picture 3

Prick the needle into the first two upper loops of the row before.

The start loop (start knot) is passed over here.

Picture 4

Now the stitches are worked as before into the chain of loops.
Prick into the backward thumb loop from the front, then into the forward thumb loop from the back and under the working thread.

(Also see page:
"Nålbinding - the start", picture 06-10)

Picture 5

The work is now continued in a way, that first the needle is pricked into the next free loop of the previous row and into the last used mesch of the previous row. Both loops are put onto the needle; they are separated by the present thumb loop. After this the backward loop follows etc. according to this stitch variation, until all loops are on the needle.

Picture 6

All loops are now on the needle.
 
We can see from right to the left:

2 loops from the previous row,,

the forward thumb loop crossed
over the backward thumb loop,

the working thread.

Picture 7

Here the Nålbinding work is taken off the thumb, after completing the second row.
 

The stitch is (U)U(U)O/UOO

(The loops of the previous row are set into brackets) .

Picture 8

Increasing and Decreasing
 
The increasing and decreasing in Nålbinding are regulated by the number of stitches that is taken up from the previous row.
 
If I wanted to decrease, I would have to take up one more stitch from the previous row, three altogether (sometimes even more).

Picture 9

If I wanted to increase, I would work a single new stitch into the last used loop of the previous row. This means that I work two stitches into one loop (sometimes more) .

Picture 10

If the work has to be interrupted at this stage, I recommend taking up all stitches onto the needle and leaving the needle stuck into the Nålbinding work.
When taking up the work again the stitches on the needle just have to be taken between thumb and forefinger and the work can be started; pull needle and thread through fully and a new thumb loop has formed etc. etc .
 
Another possibility to start a Nålbinding project is the "start from the middle".