FANEEL – Indigo-Dyed Handwoven Himalayan Nettle Fabric
Origin: Nepal | Weave: Straight | Width: Approx. 65cm
Orders of more than one piece will be cut in one continuous length (up to 5 metres) unless directed otherwise.
Each order comes with care instructions.
This edition of FANEEL has been dyed in-house at AppleOak FibreWorks in Co. Clare, Ireland, using our natural indigo mineral vat. Free from synthetic dyes and harsh chemicals, the colour is achieved through a slow, mindful process using plant-based indigo and small-batch dyeing techniques, creating a different kind of denim!
Our studio runs on a closed-loop, regenerative system. All water used in dyeing is collected via rainwater harvesting, and filtered through aquatic plants, gravel, and a final woodland filtration zone before returning to the environment. Worm composting is used to enrich the soil that grows our dye plants—closing the loop between land, water, and colour.
The Companies
AppleOak FibreWorks
Located in Co. Clare, Ireland, AppleOak FibreWorks is a natural dye and textile studio dedicated to ecological craft. We grow most of our dye plants, hand-dye textiles, yarns and clothing in small batches, and work with heritage fibres. Our production is low-impact, transparent, and rooted in place—driven by rain, soil, and slow process.
Our Weaving Partners
This fabric is handwoven in Nepal from wild-harvested Girardinia diversifolia (Himalayan nettle). The fibre is softened using traditional wood ash baths, beaten on stone, and spun by hand. The weaving supports fair wages and home-based work, particularly for women and rural families.
The Fabric
FANEEL has a straight weave and a structured feel. Naturally insulating and breathable, it softens beautifully with use. The hand-dyed indigo gives each piece subtle depth and variation.
In a Nutshell
• 100% Himalayan nettle
• Dyed in-house with natural indigo (mineral vat)
• Hand-spun and handwoven in Nepal
• Approx. 65cm wide
• Approx. 315 g/m²
• Natural variation in tone and weave
• 40–60°C wash with mild soap
• Approx. 10% shrinkage
• Maximum continuous length: 5 metres
• Comes with care instructions
Uses
Perfect for: jackets, vests, winter garments, trousers, artisan interiors, cushions, curtains, bags, and embroidery.
History
Nettle fibre, in this case European nettle, has a long and rich history in Europe, once rivaling flax and hemp. Thomas Campbell, an 18th-century poet, wrote:
“I have slept in nettle sheets, and I have dined off a nettle tablecloth... The stalks of the old nettle are as good as flax for making cloth.”
FANEEL carries this tradition forward—with deep indigo, fair weaving, and a soil-to-cloth philosophy.
