I know incredible though it may sound fabrics made of fibres from nettles could soon be seen on the catwalk and on the High Street. Actually its nettles blended with wool...so why not blended with alpaca?

I guess having sampled bamboo which is every bit as smooth as silk then there is room for nettle fabrics as well as alpaca fabrics. What began as an experimental pair of knickers (panty to Americans) four years ago has evolved into office furnishings and car upholstery and is now set to make a debut in fashion.

A team from the textiles and design department at De Montfort University in Leicester, England has been working on making fabrics produced from stinging nettles commercially viable.



A team from the university has since been developing fabrics mixed with wool that are already being used in car furnishings and furniture upholstery
Since the technique of extracting fibres from nettles is decades old - generally used in times of shortages - the team has developed a new take on an old method.
And yes I know what you are thinking and correct they do sting, but they are a special type of nettles that are bred for the fibre.

Dr Matthew Horne, De Montfort University

"We are one of only a few places in the EU...to develop this idea."

"The crop requires very low inputs," Mr Horne said. "It does not require any pesticides, it does not require the high levels of fertilisers that things like cotton may... it also provides a habitat for various wildlife.

Nettle fabrics are being used in car furnishings and furniture upholstery
"They do sting, but they are a special type of nettles that are bred for the fibre. The fibres are contained within the skin on the outer stem of the plant," he added.

Now if I can only find a way to blend alpaca and star thistles I might be on to a winner......hold the herbicide!