Nettles for Fibre

Dec 27, 2021 16:29:51

This may have already been posted, but just in case - fab site on using nettles for fibre: http://www.nettlesfortextiles.org.uk/wp/
The process seems labour-intensive, but straightforward, and useful for vegans who may prefer not to use animal fibre and to avoid the ecological issues with cotton.
Has anyone here actual worn nettle fibre garments?

Dec 29, 2021 14:58:21

I'm just a knitter, using animal fiber. But that nettle page / video is very cool! Nettles grow freely in the woods and fields where I live (central Colorado). But as you note - what a labor intensive process, to harvest those fibers, dry / process them, spin into thread, weave, and make a garment! Strikes me as entirely appropriate to the fiber artist (Allan Brown) but a lot of work for those who don't want to wear animal fiber. Fascinating!

Dec 29, 2021 15:31:26

Agreed, Nele!
It looks like Allan has finished a length of finely spun and woven dress weight fabric, which is beautiful. But so much work! I guess though, back when most people only owned one or two sets of clothes, they could plus away for a year on a garment in their spare time.

Dec 29, 2021 15:49:31

After finding the forum back in 2016, I was amazed at all the talented people we have on the forum.

Learning to spin and making yarn out of nettles fascinated me.

Here are a couple of threads that might be enjoyable as I thought they were:

https://permies.com/t/25805/Stinging-Nettle-Urtica-Dioica

https://permies.com/t/50840/fiber-arts/Nettle-Long-harvesting-stinging-nettle

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Dec 29, 2021 16:49:19

Thank you, Anne! :)

Holly was looking awful sad. I gave her this tiny ad to cheer her up!

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