Did you know you can make cordage, yarn & cloth from our local nettles? 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.
Following her talk for us last year, we had to invite Brigitte from BeeKay Makes to The Loom Shed to teach us how to process nettles in person. Initially off putting for their stings, nettles produce a surprisingly lustrous, strong fibre extremely sustainably.
During the workshop we will gather local nettles; discuss their history and folklore.
Nettles won’t sting after being harvested – you will be taught how to safely harvest and use them. 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.