Stinging Nettle Paper

1. Collect stinging nettles (wear gloves)
2. Remove the leaves and press to remove the sting (wear gloves)
3. Using a knife or your nail cut up the centre of the stalk.
4. Flatten the stalk.
5. Remove the woody centre from the fibrous bast.
6. Cut the bast fibre in to 1 inch lengths.
7. Ret in potash (10 days)
8. Wash thoroughly.
9. Place the pulp in a paper bath and pull a sheet using a deckle and mould.
10. Needs to be dry pressed or it will bow a lot.

The paper feels like a sheet of fabric. Quite successful!

nettle paper