Main Discussion Area > English Warbow

nettle Fibre Strings

(1/7) > >>

Phil Rees:
I've set aside about an acre of land to let the abundant nettles grow. I'll harvest them in mid September and drop them into a retting pond for six months or so and tease out the fibres once the outer has rotted off. I have a friend who hand spins wool and she's  kindlly agreed to spin the fibres into yarn.
It all sound very simple.
Has anyone ever tried making cordage from nettle fibres? ... if so what advice would you give.

aero86:
wow, thats gonna be a lot of nettle...  ive never done it, but there some growing behind my house now im thinking of harvesting soon

Davepim:

--- Quote from: Horace Ford on May 25, 2010, 07:56:46 pm ---I've set aside about an acre of land to let the abundant nettles grow. I'll harvest them in mid September and drop them into a retting pond for six months or so and tease out the fibres once the outer has rotted off. I have a friend who hand spins wool and she's  kindlly agreed to spin the fibres into yarn.
It all sound very simple.
Has anyone ever tried making cordage from nettle fibres? ... if so what advice would you give.

--- End quote ---

Sounds an interesting project Horace; I wonder if nettle fibre compares well to linen? One thing is certain, it's a crop that won't require much maintenance! ;) Would be nice to obtain full-length hemp fibres wouldn't it?

Regards, Dave

Badger:
  I am no expert on nettle but six months sounds like an awful long time. Have you studied up on nettle specificaly. I have made one string from nettle and it is as good if not stronger than linen. I soaked mine for about 7 days if I remember correctly and they seem to strip down pretty nicely. I had someone else actually spin the fibers for me. Steve

aero86:
if you get an acre worth of nettle, and get it spun, youd have lots and lots of cordage.  ill take a bit! >:D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page