A Taste of the Sprang Technique with Carol James

What’s sprang? It’s a technique, used since antiquity, for making garments such as hats, mittens, socks, scarves, vests, leggings and more

One of the basic ‘stitches’ in sprang is the interlinking stitch. This video includes images of some articles made using this stitch. The video introduces the interlinking stitch as a braid, worked without a frame, and begins by showing you how to organise the threads. Detailed instructions help you to make the braid, and offers ways to avoid mistakes. The work produces two mirror-image friendship bracelets.

There is evidence of this technique starting in the Bronze age. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the mid 1800s, sprang almost completely disappeared in Europe and North America. It’s time to reawaken this amazing method.

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For this class you will need 2 colors of yarn, 2 sticks, tape, and scissors.

Other resources:

  • Sprang Unsprung. Carol James, self-published. 2011, ISBN 978-0-9784695-2-8, Second Edition 2016 ISBN 978-0-9784695-3-5
  • The Techniques of Sprang. Peter Collingwood. Faber and Faber Ltd. 1974. ISBN 1 55821 930 7
  • Sprang Thread Twisting, a Creative Textile Technique. Helen Skowronski and Mary Reddy. Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1974. ISBN 0 442 27642 7
  • Sprang Language & Techniques. Jules Kliot. Lacis Publications. 1974. ISBN 1 891656 46 5
  • Sprang een oude vlechttechniek. Tine Abrahamsson. Cantecleer. 1975. ISBN 90 213 1346 4
  • Sprang Egyptisch Vlechten. Nijman Fenny. Zomer & Keuning Boeken. 1977. ISBN 90 210 2075 0
Average rating:
(based on 7 ratings)

Customer reviews:

Great video.   Will look for more…..well worth the cost.
By  J Smith  on  Jul 17 2022 15:49 PM
tecnica interessante, spiegata in modo chiaro ed efficace...da provare e approfondire
By  Germana Russo  on  Jun 11 2021 16:37 PM
A nice clear introduction.  I have been playing with sprang off and on for over ten years. I have pieces and bits, heavy on the bits, but never anything I could really use.  This video has inspired me to try again!!  Susi
By  Susi  on  Oct 29 2020 08:33 AM
This short video refreshed my memory of the basic sprang technique, which I had learned two years ago via Carol James’ book and a class she taught at Convergence in Reno. I now will have such fun practicIng the basics and eagerly anticipating her coming sprang videos! 
By  Bernadette Benz  on  Sep 15 2020 05:01 AM
What a wonderful, hands on, introduction to this fascinating technique! Thank you so much. I’m off to try now!
By  Tara  on  Mar 30 2020 21:10 PM
A good start.  Explained very clearly.
By  Elizabeth P Fields  on  Mar 30 2020 04:28 AM
This is a wonderful introduction to the fiber technique of Sprang.  As a fiber arts teacher, I am always looking for new and interesting ways to engage my students.    I love the fact that it can be so low cost to get started.  Carol's teaching style is perfect for learning.  Can't wait to get started, learn and share to keep this technique alive.  .  
By  Robyn Becker  on  Jun 15 2019 11:42 AM
This is a great introduction to the Sprang weaving technique. Carol has an engaging, light-hearted manner and her explanations are clear. She also foresees and answers possible questions. With this video, you can try it out and have a finished product, a simple bracelet, with materials you have around the house. I suggest you use smooth yarns for the bracelet. (I used a sticky Shetland yarn, which worked, but not as easily as a smooth yarn would have. Also, the sticky yarn prevented me from being able to make the mirror image bracelet since the yarns didn't travel smoothly to the bottom half of my yarns.) Carol also shows examples of projects that can be made using more advanced sprang methods, some historical and some that she has created. She has a more in-depth beginner video should you wish to pursue this further. 
By  Moni  on  May 06 2019 14:59 PM
It was presented well. Good photographing and the speaker made the directions clear. I would be interested in the class. 
By  susan rindchen  on  Mar 06 2018 20:34 PM
This was the easiest to understand introduction to Sprang! I wasn't sure how interested I was in this technique but after seeing this I am excited to learn more. 
By  Linda G. Mesavage  on  Dec 13 2017 17:59 PM