Transforming Nettles into Yarn

Did you know you can make cordage, yarn & cloth from our local nettles? Nettle fibre is surprisingly strong and silky and can be used for many things and is very sustainable.

Brigitte from BeeKay Makes returns to The Loom Shed this year to teach us how to process nettles in person. Please don’t be put off by their stings; full guidance on harvesting will be given. Our landlords are now very proud of the standard of their nettles, all thanks to Brigitte and they will be saving a crop especially for us!

Stinging nettles have been used as a fibre plant for textiles for over 3000 years in the UK, to make everything from heavy sailcloth to fine table linen up until the 18th century. Nettles are of great interest again since they one of most sustainable local fibres you can imagine.

During the workshop we will start by gathering nettles & discuss their history and folklore. Nettles won’t sting after being harvested and Brigitte will then show us how to extract nettle fibre from the plant, before teaching us how to spin it simply to create a length of yarn or cord.

You’ll head home with your own samples fibre and yarn samples, information and enthusiasm for nettle processing. You’ll never look at a patch of nettles in the same way again!

As always at The Loom Shed, your day will include a nourishing lunch and plenty of tea and cake. Let us know if you’d like our list of local accommodation.