*Welcome Raven Ranson, author of "Homegrown Linen: Transforming flaxseed to fibre"

thank you for the warm welcome!

Welcome, Raven! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your book, and reading it! I've been watching your beautifully done videos, and am learning a lot!

Hi Raven;  Welcome and congratulation's on your book!

This is exciting news! Hi Raven! I am looking forward to reading your book, as well as your interactions on the forum. Flax fibre into linen has always been my favorite and most far away dream,  however we now are on 10 acres and MAYBE it will be a reality now. I have always been interested in the history  of seed to clothing production. I hope to explore how to make that a possible even if it's just dabbling!

Hi Raven,  I am so excited to read more about this.  I have been interested in this for some time, but have not seen anyone currently doing it.  I have a set of hetchels my dad made for me a few years back from a picture I showed him.  I'm not sure how efficient they will be but will always cherish them because they were made with love.

Raven, such an exciting opportunity! Welcome!

Planting my very first flax this year!!  It will be used in a cover crop mix to begin healing the over farmed land my husband and I recently purchased!  I’m excited that once the soil biology is restored I can explore growing flax for Linen!
Kelly - Central Texas

I have never ventured into homegrown fibers. This could be interesting.

Making my own linen is on my list!
I would very much just like to get the book. Can I get that somewhere?

Welcome, Raven! I've been interested in growing and processing flax for some time now. I live in the inner city and have been teaching my community about food gardening, but I think it would be fun to play with plant fibers and natural dyes. I've never thought about knitting or crocheting with linen, but I have looked into warp weight looms.

Thank you Raven for your wonderful book. I have read. I grew one tiny plot of flax and it is awaiting some of my attention--at the breaking stage. I want to plant some more flax this season. Someday I may even get through all the steps to linen, but I'm not holding my breath. In the meantime, I'm happy to see these conversations.

We've thought about trying growing flax. I'm looking forward to exploring this. Thanks!

This looks amazing!  Can't wait to see more.  Probably not easy, but great rewards.  Welcome, welcome!

This is timely! While we aren't growing flax this year, its in the plans for in the next 2 years to grow a small patch for our linens.

Hi Raven! We have finally moved to our property and I'm beginning the process of establishing our food/sustainable crops in a semi wooded 8a. Flax is on my list and I would love to learn more about the plant and the process.  I look forward to all the cool new things I'm going to learn!!

Welcome to the hoedown!

This book is great.  I've always wanted to know more about flax... food, clothing, wood finishing... seems so useful!

Hi Raven, do you think it's possible that we can find time and develop the skill to turn flax into fiber?  If so, what do you think are the most effective uses for linen cloth?  table napkins?  dish towels?  bath towels?  clothing?  if so, what type of clothing?   I'm thinking shower curtains would be a great use.  I tried using a linen shower curtain once, but didn't live in that place long enough to really TEST how much longer it would resist mold compared to, say, a nylon shower curtain (nylon being the much healthier alternative to PVC).

Hello Raven. I would love to read your book. Please provide information where it can be purchased. I’ve never grown it, but certainly would attempt to. Thanks, Cherrie

Thank you Raven for doing this wonderful book give-away. I've been learning a lot in the last couple of years about the whole concept of "local clothing" and "sustainable, non-toxic clothing" so I'm hoping that lots of people will start to explore these concepts thanks to your promotion. Welcome!

Thank you for hanging out in the forums this week Raven. I'm looking forward to gleaning more tidbits of your fiber wisdom!

Welcome. Looking forward to learn about this.

I have added this book to my wish list. I'm concentrating on other things this year but would love to learn more for the future.

Hi Raven. A book on homegrown linen!
I grow a small patch of flax in my front yard every year. This year I can change the place for growing flax to the allotment garden. Every year I sew the seeds from the flax of the year before. The first seeds came from France (my sister brought them) and from Canada (you, Raven, sent me).
Growing flax goes well here. But how to make flax into linen .... That's why I need that book!

Peter Chan wrote:Hi Raven, do you think it's possible that we can find time and develop the skill to turn flax into fiber?  If so, what do you think are the most effective uses for linen cloth?  table napkins?  dish towels?  bath towels?  clothing?  if so, what type of clothing?   I'm thinking shower curtains would be a great use.  I tried using a linen shower curtain once, but didn't live in that place long enough to really TEST how much longer it would resist mold compared to, say, a nylon shower curtain (nylon being the much healthier alternative to PVC).

Peter, I don't think linen is good for shower curtains. It can get moldy when it stays wet too long. But all other uses you mention are okay. I have linen trousers (pants) and skirts and I had linen curtains for many years, but not now anymore. Because of those curtains I know linen can get moldy. And they were too large and heavy to wash them.

Linen is mould and mildew resistant compared to other fibres (like cotton).  But for shower curtains, I would go with a thin fabric that can dry quickly.  One friend I know has two layers of thin linen fabric so that they block the moisture from getting out but are easy to wash.

With a shower, it's really important to have good airflow so that everything can dry out after.

Congrats on the book! I hope it gets more linen planted anywhere and everywhere

A few years ago I read some article about linen being in trouble world wide (wasn't exactly verified news or FB *growlhiss*). That's about all I can remember from it tbh, however that was interesting to me that such a versatile plant could be in danger. Not from over use, but because cotton (and plastic) has taken over so much.

Anyhoo, part of that article also had folk looking for stateside seeds and weren't able to find them. I hope once we get this place cleaned up (or we move) to put some linen in the ground and have some weird little plot for bees. Hopefully, maybe there will be enough to experiment with for the fiber! It might not be wool, but I could spin it then!

I grew a few scarlet flax plants last year and love the pretty flowers. I saved the seeds and will grow a bigger patch this year. I will collect the fibers too, maybe make some cords out of them.

Ms Ydok wrote:Congrats on the book! I hope it gets more linen planted anywhere and everywhere

A few years ago I read some article about linen being in trouble world wide (wasn't exactly verified news or FB *growlhiss*). That's about all I can remember from it tbh, however that was interesting to me that such a versatile plant could be in danger. Not from over use, but because cotton (and plastic) has taken over so much.

Anyhoo, part of that article also had folk looking for stateside seeds and weren't able to find them. I hope once we get this place cleaned up (or we move) to put some linen in the ground and have some weird little plot for bees. Hopefully, maybe there will be enough to experiment with for the fiber! It might not be wool, but I could spin it then!

One of the neat things from Raven's book is that she sourced a lot of her seeds from normal flax seed bought at the grocery store. She then selected the best ones, and after a few years, she had a landrace of awesome seeds selected for linen. So, even if you can't find "linen" seeds, normal flax seeds work, too!

Welcome, Raven! Awesome!! I live in eastern Montana, which is part of the flax capital of the planet! Also sunflowers  I have plans to plant an acre on some dryland next to alfalfa, rotating the flax field through the alfalfa stand in the following four years. Totally new to fiber crops, but I've found a lot of help for the beginner at https://flaxcouncil.ca/growing-flax/

Funny enough I just bought two different kinds of flax to grow this year. Looking forward to reading this book - will probably have to buy it if I don't win it ;D

Big reminder to everyone

Posts in this thread don't count toward the giveaway! Any other posts or new threads in Plant Fibre forum DO count

And, higher quality posts count higher. So join in the discussions, ask good questions and learn about plant fibres. You can talk about plantings, growing, caring for, harvesting, spinning, weaving, knitting, dying, caring for, washing of plant fibres, and more that I'm not likely thinking of. There's lots of plant fibres to talk about, too! Just take a look at the twine making thread to see just how many plant fibres there are!

I'm super interested in this topic because I'm allergic to both feathers and wool, but I love to crochet. <3

Cat Knight wrote:I'm super interested in this topic because I'm allergic to both feathers and wool, but I love to crochet. <3

Me too. I've been researching this recently and would like to make more of my clothes from linen.
Welcome! The book sounds great!

We have winners!

Congratulations to:

Dian Hong
Carla Coleman
Laura Rutherford
Cindy Haskin

Huge thanks to Raven for devoting SO MUCH time this week to teaching us about linen and other plant fibres, and for making such an excellent book! If you're bummed that you didn't win, you can purchase Raven's book here

Woot!
Congratulations guys!

I sent each of you a PM and when you let me know your address, I can send you the book.
It would be a huge help if you could get back to me within the week.  

I wish everyone else happy growing.  I'm off to dig a patch for my flaxseed.  

Congrats guys! Happy linening!

Congratulations on your posts that lead to being the big winners.  Thank you Raven for the wonderful gifts and input to Permies knowledge.

Congratulations to all the lucky winners.blessings to all.

The last of the prizes went out yesterday and the post office says that the first arrived today (two weeks earlier than I expected!).  

Thank you everyone for participating!  I enjoyed my week with you.