Nettles For A Sustainable Future
Nettles produce hollow fibres - ideal as an insulating sustainable weaving yarn which has been in use since the Bronze Age. Nettles grow prolifically and can thrive anywhere, with little need for water or pesticides and they can be worn, consumed and even used as a medicine. Many common garden butterflies, such as Red Admiral, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell, lay eggs on stinging nettles which provide a habitat for many other insects. I weave with Himalayan Allo nettles sourced directly from Pokhara, Nepal where the long tradition of ethical production continues today. Scroll down to the foot of this page where you can watch a short video of my work with nettle fibre and a slide show which illustrates the various stages in the production of Himalayan nettle fibre.