HAND SPUN NETTLE YARN
Available in Thin & Medium Weight | Colour: Natural Grey & Beige | Origin: 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...
Our hand-spun Himalayan Nettle Yarn is available in thin and medium weights, each offering unique qualities. The medium weight yarn is slightly uneven and can be stiff at times, while the thin yarn is smooth and even, making it ideal for clothing items. The yarn naturally varies in colour from grey to beige, creating a beautiful, rustic effect.
The Company:
Made from Himalayan Nettles, wild harvested in Nepal, this yarn is ethically produced by a company that supports homemakers, women, and families, providing them with a decent income and the opportunity to work from home rather than seeking employment abroad.
The Yarn:
Untreated and naturally processed with a combination of water and wood ash (lye), this yarn is hand-harvested and hand-spun in Nepal. The colour varies naturally from light grey/beige to brown. Available in hank form, this yarn is ethically produced and perfect for various crafts.
History:
Nettle yarn was once widely used in Europe and was known as the "Poor Man's Linen." Nettles once rivalled flax, hemp, and cotton as a staple fibre. Thomas Campbell, the 18th-century poet, famously wrote about the practical uses of nettles, from food to fabric. "I have eaten nettles, slept in nettle sheets, and dined off a nettle tablecloth," he said.
Use:
This yarn can be used for knitting, crochet, weaving, and sewing (thin yarn only). The medium yarn is semi-rough and not suitable for fine knitting or crochet work.
The Nettle Dress:
The nettle dress, handwoven using thin nettle yarn by Sofia C. in Sweden, showcases the versatility of this fibre. For more information about the dress, please email: wsm.shc@gmail.com.
In a Nutshell (100g):
- Approx. 265m
- Hand-spun
- Hand-harvested in the wild in Nepal
- Naturally processed with wood ash and water
- Origin: Himalaya, Nepal
- Sample Size: Approx. 3m
Note:
Please get in touch if you prefer a centre-pulled ball instead of a skein. Medium comes in skeins, thin in ball form.
