EDIBLE MOUNTAIN - How To Make Fiber From Stinging Nettle

[@cassiekay8633]

I found this so moving that I had tears in my eyes...the combination of skill, ingenuity and creativity to pursue this ancient skill is breath taking ! I am in awe !

[@Olhamo]

yes, I agree. And somehow, i was also reminded of my mother's hands, and all the good that she did; she only left this realm in 2022. I was touched too by the mention that wearing gloves to collect nettles for food seems disrespectful. I totally resonate with this way of thinking and perciving life. I love nettles, and in so many ways they are a great gift. One of their gifts is the way they kept the poet-saint as he is sometimes called, -and other times, the Tibetan yogi -Milarepa, alive. There's a good book created by a woman, composed like a comic book, or graphic novel, called The Magical Life of Milarepa. really appreciated this video, thanks.

[@Shubhamforall]

What does she say at 1:12 Water ___. & dew ___ ?

[@cassiekay8633]

@@Shubhamforall "dew retting" is when the plant stalks are spread evenly in grassy fields and bacteria, sun, air, and dew produces fermentation, dissolving much of the stem material surrounding the fibre bundles. Within two to three weeks the fibre can then be separated...."water retting" is more common . Bundles of stalks are submerged in water. The water penetrates the stalk portion and it swells the inner cells, bursting the outermost layer and the stalks absorb both moisture and decay-producing bacteria to break down the fibre....i hope that helps 😊

[@Shubhamforall]

@@cassiekay8633 Thanks Cassie, Isn't there the issue of decay of fiber due to microbial activity (dampening conditions)?

[@cassiekay8633]

​@@Shubhamforall You need to stick to making small batches and you can't leave it for days ! It is why some people prefer dew retting but this does take longer...The dew and weather break down the 'glue' a produce a much finer fibre than water retting does. However as I said it does take longer, but the 'sweet spot' where the glue is dissolved but the fibres are still strong is much larger than with water retting.

[@EliStu06]

Something about this is so soothing...idk but the plants, the lady, the music...it's so calm and peaceful.

[@Shubhamforall]

What does she say at 1:12 Water ___. & dew ___ ?

[@ablanccanvas]

I’m just learning about nettle as a fibre for knitting/making textiles. I love knitting simple cotton dishcloths for myself + friends. I also love linen textiles. So ‘nettle’ seems like a natural [see what I did there 😉] next step to explore. That nettle seems to be a strong fibre also gets extra points + for dishcloths, I figure there will be some good ‘scrubbing’ power there! I shall carry on. Thank you for this lovely video! It provided beautiful + useful entertainment for me. ♥️😌🇨🇦

[@Olhamo]

There's a film out called The Nettle Dress, depending on where you live, it might be watchable 'in theatres'. ( just love that expression) I missed the Canadian online viewing window, but i am sure with traction, it's going to be getting around.

[@ablanccanvas]

@@Olhamo | Thank you for this suggestion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIKxoqubr6mmgJYsi=qm9mpgJk3c-JtLCg

[@Shubhamforall]

What does she say at 1:12 Water ___. & dew ___ ?

[@samuilzaychev9636]

​@@Shubhamforallwater retting and dew retting

[@cozmikjeezqürd]

So cool. You should come to Shepherd’s Harvest Festival in Minnesota.

[@daryllynn5406]

Thanks

[@kathyhughes7074]

That is incredible! So very interesting. I had no idea you could do that with various plants. I just saw one where they used milkweed to this. Its amazing. I wish you were my neighbor so I could come & watch you do this. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts & knowledge with us.❤

[@Ssanihal]

Incredible

[@alspezial2747]

If you harfest in winter, the stems are already retted and you don't need to harm the plants Not getting stung is also an advantage I'm trying to make nettle clothing but haven't found a good way to seperate the pith in large quantities yet. Maybe a woolpicker will help

[@josswolf98]

Have you solved this problem? My mind immediately went to using a woolpicker or something similar as well. I'm sure there are established techniques you could use or adapt.

[@alspezial2747]

@joshuawolfenbarger513 i was too busy with other projects so far... I think around february will be time to build a woolpicker and try it out.

[@alspezial2747]

@@josswolf98 i found that there were some companies trying to make nettle textile commercially. But they all went bankrupt.

[@samuilzaychev9636]

@@alspezial2747 Hey hows it going with the wolpicker? Its almost the end of march so you might be done

[@alspezial2747]

@@samuilzaychev9636 hola I haven't even started yet. Am still working on a nutcracking machine.

[@barbadoskado2769]

we ALL need to learn this stuff again. modern societies have filled our heads with crap we need to go back into nature and observe it, learn old skills etc. reconnect. only THEN will we see clearly the way forward.

[@alfastur6833]

0:08 When using plants for food, she doesn't use gloves to be gentle to the plant. As if teeth were going to be more accommodating with the vegetal kingdom food!

[@myguitardidyermom212]

thank you for keeping this knowledge alive, but the nettle won't be offended if you wear gloves, I promise 😂. your skin, however, will thank you profusly.