Hemp and Wild Nepali Hemp

At Wildweaves we are excited about natural fibres that don't consume vast amounts of resources to grow. We love hemp - it is easy on the land, springing up from seed in only 120 days without the need for chemical fertilisers. Because hemp is naturally pest-free it does not need pesticides. Hemp out-competes all the other weeds around it so there is no need for herbicides. Hemp thrives in over-fertilised and arid regions and actually leaves the soil in better condition than before. Importantly, it does not need vast amounts of water to grow. Hemp is an earth-friendly crop!

Hemp makes wonderful fabric - gone are the days when hemp only evoked a rough, sack-like fabric. Today's hemp can be spun to many different widths and mixed with other natural fibres for a vast array of different looks. Hemp clothes soften with every wash and yet remain hardwearing. The fibres are also longer, stronger and more absorbent than cotton.

Hemp cloth for summer is light and airy and wicks dampness away from the body, keeping you naturally cool and comfortable, as well as being more effective at screening out harmful UV rays. Yet in winter the same cloth can be layered with a warm sweater on top and will keep you warm. Hemp cloth, like silk, retains your body's heat to keep you cosy. Hemp's naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial properties mean that it is an ideal fabric for your travel clothes.

Wildweaves stocks the Heaven Hemp range of clothing and accessories from Nepal. Heaven Hemp weaves different weights and blends of hemp and other natural fibres for great-looking, natural fibre clothes, accessories and homeware.

Wild Nepali Hemp

Many of Heaven Hemp's products - including bags, wallets and slippers - are made from Wild Nepali Hemp.

Hemp has been used for generations in the mountains of Nepal because of its strength and durability. Farming families use it for ropes, clothes and bags. Hemp is indigenous to Nepal and grows wild in the hills. It flourishes on waste and marginal land, as well as binding the soil and holding upland slopes together. The plant regenerates quickly after it has been harvested.
The wild hemp is gathered and processed by hand in the traditional way by farming families using water retting (separation of the fibres from the woody core). This is achieved by soaking in a pit of water until the fibres start to separate and they are then picked apart. This is hand-spun into yarn and woven into lengths of cloth which are then walked to the nearest road - maybe three hours away - before coming to Kathmandu by bus. The farming families who produce this beautiful Himalayan textile receive a cash income from this business. This Wild Hemp is naturally organic and made entirely by hand. The products are then designed and crafted into finished products by Heaven Hemp.

All our clothes are pre-shrunk and the yarn is dyed at 90 degrees which sets the dye before the yarn is made into cloth.

Azo dyes are difficult to remove from the ecosystem as they resist biodegradation in aerobic environments, therefore we only use Swiss-made azo-free dyes for our clothes and accessories as these are more environmentally friendly.



© Copyright Rosie Thapa 2008. All rights reserved.