And then there was the humble Nettle, so often despised for its sting. Nonetheless, it is a treasure. It can be used like Spinach, drank as a healing herbal tea, used for dyeing green and yellow, used in gardening as a pesticide and last but not least it creates fibre like Flax... 

The Company:

Made from Himalayan Nettles, wild harvested in Nepal. This yarn is ethically made in Nepal, by a company that is supporting homemakers, women and families to receive a decent income and to enable them to work from home, rather than finding employment abroad.

The yarn:

Untreated and collected in the wild of the Himalayas, this yarn has been hand harvested and naturally processed using a combination of water and wood ash (lye) to break down the outer fibres of the nettle, before it gets spun by hand in Nepal. The colour of the yarn is natural and varies from light grey/beige to brown brown/beige. Available in hank form only and ethically produced. The last two pictures show the yarn woven.

History:

Nettle yarn was once used widely in Europe and was known as the 'Poor man's Linen'. Nettles once rivaled flax and hemp (and later, cotton) as a staple fiber for thread and yarn, used to make everything from heavy sailcloth to fine table linen up to the 17th/18th centuries. "In Scotland, I have eaten nettles," said the 18th century poet Thomas Campbell, "I have slept in nettle sheets, and I have dined off a nettle tablecloth. The young and tender nettle is an excellent potherb. The stalks of the old nettle are as good as flax for making cloth. I have heard my mother say that she thought nettle cloth more durable than any other linen."


Use:

This yarn can be used for knitting, crochet and weaving as well as sewing.

The yarn is a medium size, semi rough and can be stiff at times and is not suitable for fine knitting or crochet work. 

In a nutshell for 100g:

approx. 265m
hand spun
hand harvested in the wild
naturally processed with Wood Ash and water
Origin: Himalaya, Nepal

And then there was the humble Nettle, so often despised for its sting. Nonetheless, it is a treasure. It can be used like Spinach, drank as a healing herbal tea, used for dyeing green and yellow, used in gardening as a pesticide and last but not least it creates fibre like Flax... 

The Company:

NETTLE FABRIC ~ Made from Himalayan Nettles, wild harvested in Nepal. This fabric is ethically made in Nepal, by a company that is supporting homemakers, women and families to receive a decent income and to enable them to work from home, rather than finding employment abroad.

Nettle Fabric

In Europe, it used to be the linen for the poor. Cloisters and many other places devoted their time to the production of nettle yarn, nowadays pretty much forgotten and replaced by linen and cotton.

The Nepalian nettle, Girardinia diversifolia, grows up to 3m tall. There, the Nepalese still harvest and peel the nettle by hand, then it is placed in a semi boiling wood ash bath over night, which is used later for fertilizing the fields. The next day, the loosened fibers are beaten across a stone several times and rubbed with clay to loosen the remaining plant debris.

like most things in nature, this fabric has no one colour. The colour of one piece can vary from straw yellow to grey brown and even dark brown. Each length of fabric is a unique handwoven piece, in its truest, cleanest and most ecological form.

The fabric keeps and protects body warmth, can be boiled and becomes softer and more beautiful with time and wear.


In a nutshell:

100% sting nettle
Approx. 65cm wide
Hands pun and woven
Each piece is unique and can vary to the picture shown
Rinse in a light soap wash
40-60degree wash
Shrinkage 10%


Suitable for making: Blazers, jackets, winter clothing, children's clothing, trousers, vests.
Cushions, table cloth, curtains.
Bags, upholstery, embroidery and much more


Because this cloth is produced by hand and in small amounts there isn't an endless supply of cloth. Please contact me, if you would like bigger quantities.

History:

Nettle yarn was once used widely in Europe and was known as the 'Poor man's Linen'. Nettles once rivaled flax and hemp (and later, cotton) as a staple fiber for thread and yarn, used to make everything from heavy sailcloth to fine table linen up to the 17th/18th centuries. "In Scotland, I have eaten nettles," said the 18th century poet Thomas Campbell, "I have slept in nettle sheets, and I have dined off a nettle tablecloth. The young and tender nettle is an excellent potherb. The stalks of the old nettle are as good as flax for making cloth. I have heard my mother say that she thought nettle cloth more durable than any other linen."

A one day workshop - similar to painting, bundle dyeing is an enjoyable craft of creating multi colour and print on fabric and yarn. This workshop facilitates the opportunity for you to experiment, combine and change colour to your heart's content with professional guidance. Bundle dyeing can be very therapeutic and will allow you to let go of your daily schedule and immerse yourself for a few hours in a world of plants and colours. 

Venue: AppleOak FibreWorks Dye House - McLysaght's Units, Unit 1, Raheen Rd, Tuamgraney, Co Clare.

Date: Sunday, 8th of July 2021

Time: 10am - 3/4pm 

All materials are provided, each participant will be contacted beforehand to determine if they prefer to dye yarn or fabric or both. 

The day in detail:

A short introduction to bundle dyeing, covering basics of mordants. dye and influencers and how to make the most of your bundle dyeing experience

Bundle Dyeing, using fresh plants for dye and print, full access to all dried Materials, Colour shifters and influencers. Guidance in colour works and print.

Lunch Break  

Workshop Tour, while we are waiting for the dyes to finish, I will show you around our dyeing facility and how it operates.

Admiring the outcomes, undoing bundles, cleaning & washing the fabrics and yarns, ironing fabrics. Q&A time.

Shopping time our shop will be open for purchases after the workshop

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I usually provide lunch, but due to Covid restrictions, you will have to bring your own.

To bring: An old apron and sturdy footwear (wellies or walking boots), lunch and a mug for tea or coffee

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Covid Info:

• Classes are restricted to 8 participants (Class will go ahead with a minimum of 4 participants)
• Please do not come, if you are unwell we can work out a refund option
• Please wear a mask.
• Use sanitizer when entering and exiting the workshop.
• Please bring your own lunch/cutlery and mug

 For directions: 

A one day Class - I am very excited about this one! This course is for people who know the basics and want to go deeper, sell their work or are planning on it and want to create and sell with confidence. This Class will focus more on discussion and sampling rather than finished results. This workshop focuses mainly on Wool, but will cover important aspects of Silk dyeing and Cotton/Linen.

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Venue: AppleOak FibreWorks Workshop - McLysaght's Units, Unit 1, Raheen Rd, TuamgraneyCo Clare.

Date: Sunday, 25th of July

Time: 10am - 4pm

The day in detail:

 Mordants and more importance, full range of mordants and their differences in application, sustainable practices, professional use versus hobby use, re-use and disposal

Dyeing Processes on protein & cellulose with and without mordants, important dyes and their differences, storing of left over dye, alternative immersion dye processes, successful even dyeing, Indigo dyeing processes in theory. 

Important practices for protein and cellulose fibres: dye fastness, finishing off dyed textiles, care of naturally dyed textiles, aging textiles

Open discussion on the Sustainability of natural Dyeing (depending on time)

__________________________

I usually provide lunch, but due to Covid restrictions, you will have to bring your own.

To bring: An old apron and sturdy footwear (wellies or walking boots), lunch and a mug for tea or coffee

_________________________

Covid Info:

• Classes are restricted to 8 participants (Class will go ahead with a minimum of 4 participants)
• Please do not come, if you are unwell we can work out a refund option
• Please wear a mask.
• Use sanitizer when entering and exiting the workshop.
• Please bring your own lunch/cutlery and mug, tea, coffee and oat milk will be provided. 

 For directions: 

A one day workshop - teaching you how to naturally dye your own yarn & fabric using sustainable and Eco friendly methods. You will learn about mordants, the importance of plant knowledge, what your kitchen, garden & local hedgerows have to offer, how to extract dye successfully and having fun doing it!

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Venue: AppleOak FibreWorks Dye House - McLysaght's Units, Unit 1, Raheen Rd, Tuamgraney, Co Clare.

Date: Sunday, 4th of July 2021

Time: 10am - 2pm (it might go on a little longer, please allow for extra time)

All materials are provided, but if you have a small amount of yarn/fabric you would like to dye, please bring it along.

The day in detail:

Introduction to plant sources covering foraging, garden, kitchen and imported dyes
Discovering different Mordant methods for protein and cellulose fibres
Learning how to extract and dye with natural dyes
How to Influence Colours, using sustainable ingredients

__________________________

I usually provide lunch, but due to Covid restrictions, you will have to bring your own.

To bring: An old apron and sturdy footwear (wellies or walking boots), lunch and a mug for tea or coffee

_________________________

Covid Info:

• Classes are restricted to 8 participants (Class will go ahead with a minimum of 4 participants)
• Please do not come, if you are unwell we can work out a refund option
• Please wear a mask.
• Use sanitizer when entering and exiting the workshop.
• Please bring your own lunch/cutlery and mug

 For directions: 

A single layered gauze or muslin, made from untreated organic cotton with a fine striped natural structure naturally dyed by us ~ semi Solid.

NOTE: Some pieces, especially the darker blues, can have markings, as shown on the last picture. Every piece is unique and some have none others have more markings. You can state in the message to seller box if you prefer less or more, otherwise we will just pick randomly. 

1 Unit ordered = 80 x 80 cm 

The individual pieces are 80 x 80 cm, but we can cut them in one long piece if you prefer, long lengths would make lovely narrow curtains, with a checkered appearance. Every 80cm will be a broad strip.

This fabric is best known as the Muslin Nappy cloth and that is its original purpose.

Material: 100% kbA (GOTS)-Cotton
Size: 80x80cm
Colour: natural
Weight :110g/sqm
Shrinkage: 5-10%
Wash: 60-90 Degrees Celcius

Certification: BIO/ORGANIC/GOTS certified by CERES-082 GOTS kbA-Cotton
Made in France

A double layered gauze or muslin, made from organic cotton with a fine striped natural structure. Versatile use as household fabric, for clothing, for diapers and wraps, for curtains & cushions. Made from untreated organic cotton with a fine striped natural structure, naturally dyed by us ~ semi Solid

Please be aware, that dye lots vary and fabrics are dyed as semi solid, with variations showing on occasion, especially in the darker blues and greens.

Material: 100% kbA-Cotton
Width: 155 cm
Colour: blue
Weight :288g/qm
Certification: BIO/ORGANIC/GOTS certified by CERES-082 GOTS kbA-Cotton
Dyed: Natural Dyes, organic when possible
Fabric Origin: France

Wash: 30-40 degrees Celsius.

*Vegan Note: Cochineal is a small louse/insect

I would love to describe Linen as the European version of Silk. The best linen is produced in Ireland, Belgium and some other European countries.

A fine and softly woven linen fabric, using oxygen bleached fibres to create a soft flowing textured cloth. This Linen fabric comes unwashed and is a little stiff for starters. Once it has been washed it will be softer and we would recommend to wash the fabric first, before sewing.

Our Linen Fabric 'Linon' is suitable for:

Clothing:
Summer clothing, skirts, dresses, Blouses, Shirts 

Homeware and Crafts:
Patchwork, Quilting, home accessories and embroidery.

Environment:
Linen can be expensive, but it is also much better for the environment. Flax plants are very resilient, they can grow in poor soil, and require very little water. What’s more, every single part of the flax plant is then used in making all types of products, from linen clothing to varnishes.

Health:
Similar to silk, 100% linen is wonderful for people with sensitive skin and those prone to allergic reactions like "prickly heat" in hot weather. For women who suffer from "hot flushes", 100% linen is the most comfortable answer in warm environments.

Care:
Linen can't and shouldn't be ironed. The creasing is part of the natural allure. The creasing also molds the garment, and in practice the more creasing there is, the less evident it becomes as the whole garment softens.
Linen loves being washed and dries much quicker than Cotton. The more it is worn and washed the softer the fabric becomes. It also lasts much longer than cotton, as it is harder wearing and a much stronger material.


In a nutshell:

Material: 100% Linen
Width approx.: 150 cm
Colour: White
Weight: 125 g/square meter
Oxygen bleached
Not pre-washed
Expected Shrinkage: 10%
Wash: 60-90 degrees Celcius

A double layered gauze or muslin, made from organic cotton with a fine striped natural structure. Versatile use as household fabric, for clothing, for diapers and wraps, for curtains & cushions. Made from untreated organic cotton with a fine striped natural structure.

Material: 100% kbA-Cotton
Width: 155 cm
Colour: natural 
Weight :288g/qm
Certification: BIO/ORGANIC/GOTS certified by CERES-082 GOTS kbA-Cotton
Fabric Origin: France

Wash: 30-40 degrees Celsius.

Made from 100% Pure Wool  ~ True Felt distinguishes itself from others by its woollier look and a slightly greater weight per meter (450g/m)

Origin: The wool comes from South American sheep breeds and the felt is produced in Europe.

The properties of TrueFelt make this material extremely suitable and safe for children’s toys 4 years and older.
Due to its heavier wait True Felt is used in interior design, wall finish, photography, upholstery and much more.

This lovely felt is also available in bigger sizes starting in 50cm steps 50x182cm; 100x182cm

Price for 1m: 67.65Euros

Bigger sizes will have to be ordered in for you, simply drop us a message and we will set it up for you.

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*Please keep in mind, that the colours can change from monitor to monitor. 

In a nutshell:

TrueFelt is made from 100% wool
TrueFelt wool comes from South American sheep
TrueFelt is produced in Europe
TrueFelt satisfies the European guidelines (REACH) for the fabricating of pure woolen products
TrueFelt is GOTS certified

TrueFelt is dyed with non-toxic and heavy metal-free dyes which satisfy the EN 71, art. 1, 2 and 3 guidelines
TreuFelt is safe for children and can be used in children’s toys
TrueFelt is machine-washable using a wool program no warmer than 30 degrees

TrueFelt can shrink just slightly, but usually no more than 5%.
TrueFelt can be ironed using an average warm temperature
TrueFelt is flame retardant and can be used for heat and sound insulation.