Nesle

Our ancestors used nettle for food, fodder, fishing gear, baskets, rope, paper, soap, fertilizer, dye, medicine and much, much more. The plant is nature's magic wand on a stick, full of potential uses, health properties and nutritious superpowers. Our ancestors rubbed the fiber between their hands and got thread and rope that could be tied into fishing nets or tie a stone on a stick to create new products.

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Nettle is one of our most nutritious plants. It can be compared to spinach and has as much protein in dried form as salmon. A small sprout becomes a large family that in the wild can last for 12-15 years. As an agricultural plant, this would mean many years without having to plow. Absolutely EVERYTHING on the plant can be used from early spring to late autumn. Nettle covers a number of purposes and nothing goes to waste. In addition, it fertilizes its own soil (if you leave plant parts behind), counteracts erosion and can be sown in areas unsuitable for other agriculture.

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Today I am working on various projects where I am looking for forgotten and new knowledge about the use of nettle. The projects will build on future research projects on different uses of the plant. Could there be contributions to some of the climate challenges faced by our ancestors in the past? Old principles can be transferred to current solutions! The current project is:

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FROM PLANT TO CLOTHING

Textiles made from nettle

We follow the Trøndelag cycle on the farms of old, from small sprout to finished garment. 

 

THE BIG NETTLE BOOK

Everything you can make from stinging nettle

A practical recipe and activity book based on historical and new uses of stinging nettle in food, drink, health, beauty, crafts, textiles, rope, paper, fishing nets, shampoo, etc.

 

HISTORICAL USE OF NETTLE

Where past, present and future are woven together

A collection and documentation project that builds on the project "From plant to garment". I go into depth on the textile, and look at the additional use of the plant.

 

BLOG

The projects are discussed in the nettle blog.  Find chronological order of the blog posts for the project "From plant to garment" here.

 

Along the way, several invaluable nettle enthusiasts have joined us. Who knows what we will find in projects where absolutely everything can be used and nothing goes to waste? Or even better: Who knows what the discoveries may lead to? A new niche or model for forestry and agriculture? Or a textile industry that produces several types of products? I don't know, but I will share the knowledge with those who are fond of nettle, craft traditions and history, - such wild farmers like me!

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My name is Fride Kramer Riseng and I have created the sole proprietorship Nesle to learn about the traditional benefits of the plant through various projects. This blog will be my sketchbook along the way. Here I will write short updates, fun facts and historical glimpses related to nettle.

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Are you following?
We ride on at sunrise!