Hemp! Straw to Spinnable Fibre: A Hands-On Fibre Processing Workshop

Join Kitty & Claire from Contemporary Hempery for an engaging, hands-on introduction to transforming raw hemp straw into beautiful, workable fibre. 

This workshop is open to everyone...no spinning experience is needed. Whether you’re completely new to fibre crafts, curious about sustainable textiles, or already a spinner looking to deepen your understanding of fibre preparation, you’ll find something valuable here. 

Using their bespoke handmade tools - designed in the spirit of traditional equipment - you’ll be guided through each stage of the process, including: Breaking, Scutching, Heckling and Bunching 

You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience at every step, developing a clear understanding of how raw hemp straw is carefully prepared into fibre ready for spinning. 

Once the fibre is prepared, Kitty will demonstrate how it can be spun into yarn. Hemp fibre can be spun using either a spinning wheel or a drop spindle, and this demonstration will give insight into how the processed fibre behaves in practice. By the end of the session, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of the journey from field to fibre, and the skills and knowledge involved in working with this remarkable material. 

Contemporary Hempery is a project dedicated to reviving the cultivation of hemp for fine textiles in the UK, creating beautiful, high-quality hemp fabrics, and building community through shared knowledge, skills, and collaboration.