Inside Crochet August/September Issue 3

Banana silk
These are ﬁ bres spun from the abaca
plant or banana plant, which is also called
“
Nettles can grow
anywhere and nettle
“
manilla hemp, and has been spun to make
yarn has a good drape
textiles since the 16th century. The plant
source for banana silk does not produce
and soft handle
fruit but is grown in similar tropical regions
to banana fruits, including the Philippines linen, coarser than cotton, and more elastic
and India. The production of banana than hemp. Like linen, nettle ﬁ bres have
silk yarn is still a cottage industry, but is a cooling effect in warm weather, but in
steadily growing, due to the sublime quality cold climates, nettle yarn traps heat in its
of the yarn. hollow ﬁ bres. Nettle yarn is also naturally
Much of the yarn available is hand spun anti-bacterial and mould resistant, making
in Nepalese villages and varies in thickness, it ideal for clothing all year round.
which adds to the charming, hand-made Marie Wallin, Head Designer at Rowan
look of crochet and knitted pieces. The Yarns says: “Nettles can grow anywhere
textured sheen of the banana yarn is similar and nettle yarn tends to have a good drape
to silk, and the feel of the yarn is just as and soft handle. I’m very keen to get
luxurious, while the price per skein is also nettle ﬁ bres into the Rowan range – the
very similar. The yarn itself has a low main obstacle is sourcing nettles in large,
elasticity but a lovely, soft drape that’s commercial quantities.”
perfect for making accessories or really
special projects. Washing needs to be done Semi-synthetic yarns
with care, but the amazing ﬁ nish is worth Many other plant ﬁ bres are used to create
the extra effort and cost. yarns, using an intensive chemical process.
Rayon, Viscose, Modal, Ingeo and Lenpur
Ethnic Crafts Banana Silk yarn
are created using plant ﬁ bres as their raw FIND OUT MORE
100% banana fibre, 25 shades, material, often wood pulp. However, the For more information,
handwash, 100g skeins, 68m,
chemical processing involved means that as well as yarns to buy, visit:
5-6mm hook, RRP £2.90,
these yarns are classed as ‘semi-synthetic’.
www.ethniccrafts.co.uk.
These ﬁ bres can be used to create yarns • www.SaveTheSheep.com
of a huge variety, which may be similar to • www.nearseanaturals.com
cotton, wool or silk. They are easily dyed • www.nutmeg.gen.nz/fakesheep
to a range of colours and tend to be soft and • www.greenchoices.org
cool. However, washing is often an issue • www.yarndex.com
and some can only be dry cleaned. • www.knittingcrochet.suite101.com
• www.wildweaves.co.uk
Other plant yarns • www.snowberrylime.blogspot.
Various other plants are used to create com/2008/05/new-plant-based-
ﬁ bres and yarns, although on a rather small yarns.html
Nettle scale at the moment. Ramie is one plant
Typically considered a weed, nettle stalks that’s processed into strong ﬁ bres that are
have been used for 2,000 years to create resistant to mould and bacteria, but tend to
textiles similar to linen in Europe, where be brittle so it’s usually blended with other NEW
most of us have seen it growing wild. ﬁ bres. Other plant ﬁ bres for yarn come PLANT
Germany used nettle ﬁ bre during the from Jute, Kenaf, Fique Pineapple ﬁ bre, YARNS
First World War to create army uniforms. Corn, Washi and Pine. BOOK,
Nowadays, its use in commercial textiles is The Yarn Garden:
growing and several different nettle yarns 30 Knits Using
are now available, some from Nepal, which Plant-Based
boasts the Himalayan Giant Nettle. Fibers, to be
Nettles grow quickly and easily released in
without pesticides, and can be harvested December 2009 (ISBN 978-
in a sustainable way. These eco-friendly 0896898271), with 30 designs
plants also offer a very important home that shows how plant-based fibres
and food source for various insects and can be used to create a variety of
birds, some of which are in decline. The attractive knit and crochet projects,
soft yet strong nettle ﬁ bres are similar to for every season.
www.insidecrochet.co.uk
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