Nettle fiber spinning yarn magic transform - Wild forage super herb tea

The process begins in a patch of tall, defiant stinging nettle, ideally harvested in late spring or early summer when the stalks are mature but not yet woody. A beginner mistake is harvesting too late; if you bend a stalk and it snaps with a sharp crack, it's too woody and the fibers will be brittle. You want a firm stalk that bends before it breaks. With thick, rubber-coated or leather gloves, select the tallest, straightest stems for your fiber, aiming for those over three feet tall for the longest, most useful strands. Use sharp shears for a clean cut near the base.

Your harvest serves two distinct purposes from the moment you cut the stalk. The first transformation is for sustenance. Carefully strip every leaf from the stalks you've gathered. The easiest way is to grip the top of the stalk and pull your gloved hand firmly downwards; the leaves will come off in one motion. The tender tops and vibrant green leaves are destined to become a deeply nourishing super herb tea. Lay these leaves in a single layer on drying screens in a warm, airy room away from direct sunlight. If you see any leaves starting to turn black or feel damp after a day, spread them out more to improve air circulation and prevent mold. In a few days, they will be crisp and ready. Test one by crushing it; if it crumbles to dust, it's perfectly dry. Store them in an airtight jar. A simple infusion of these dried leaves in hot water releases a rich, earthy flavor, reminiscent of spinach and green hay.

Now for the magic. The leafless stalks undergo a process called retting, which uses moisture and microbes to break down the pulpy plant matter, freeing the strong inner fibers. Submerge the stalks in a tub of water, weighing them down with rocks. After a week or two, pull one out and test it. If the green outer "skin" peels away from the woody core in long, ribbon-like strips, it's ready. If it’s still stuck fast, give it a few more days. Once retted, let the stalks dry completely until brittle. Now, break the inner woody core by snapping the stalk every inch along its length. You'll hear it crackling. Then, scrape away these broken woody bits (called shives) using the back of a butter knife. This is scutching. What remains is a rough bundle of long, tan fibers. To align them for spinning, comb them. You can use a dog brush for this, gently pulling the fiber bundle through the teeth until it becomes a soft, lustrous, and surprisingly strong mass of silvery-blonde fiber, ready to be spun into yarn on a drop spindle.