Nettle Fibre Workshop – Forage your own Fibre 2025
In Person 2.5 hours Textiles
Summary
Join Brigitte on her time travels through textile history. Learn how to make fibre from local stinging nettles. An ancient fibre plant, nettles have been used for over 3000 years up until the 18th century for everything from heavy sailcloth to fine table linen. Plus, it is one of the most sustainable local fibre sources.
What you’ll do
In this introduction, you will learn about the history and tales of nettle as fibre plant, and also how to make fibre from local stinging nettles with very simple tools. Most likely you will have some of them in your household already! Once we have processed the nettle stalk to extract the fibre, we will explore a basic method to create spun yarn.
What to bring
Aprons or flat woven kitchen towels, masks (Fibre processing is dusty business :D).
What you’ll get
Tools and Nettle straw will be provided. You will walk away with your own hand processed nettle fibre, and a short length of nettle yarn, plus a detailed hand-out.
BeeKay Makes
Brigitte of BeeKayMakes is a sustainable hand weaver and textile educator who is passionate about sustainable and ethical textiles. She has an MA in Sustainable Textiles at UCA Farnham (University of Creative Arts). She also gives demonstrations and workshops at heritage museums which preserve traditional crafts.
