How is Hemp Processed for Fiber?

While hemp is part of the cannabis plant, it is not marijuana. Because of its adaptability, it is commonly used to create a wide range of products. Hemp is a common fiber used to make rope; it can also be used to make paper and hemp cloth. Hemp is also used to make a variety of products such as textiles, biofuel, biodegradable plastics, cosmetics, medicine, and so on. Hemp seeds are often used in bird feed and could be used to make oil-based paints, creams as a saturating agent, for cooking, and plastics.

Picking  

Some of the exceptional properties of hemp are that compared to cotton fiber, hemp fiber is eight times more stretchable and four times sturdier. Hemp garments absorb up to 30% of their weight in moisture and dry quicker. Since hemp is drought resistant, its cultivation requires less water. Because it is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew, it requires few or no insecticides and pesticides. In one acre of land, hemp can produce 250 percent or more fabric than cotton.

Hemp is grown in many districts of western Nepal at upper-middle altitudes at approximately 1,500-3,500 meters elevation. The majority of cultivation takes place in the more remote regions around 3,000 meters elevation. Darchula, Bajura, Rukum, Bajhang, Dailekh, Rolpa, and Jajarkot are among the districts in western Nepal that produce hemp textiles. The source of the best quality Nepali hemp cloth is considered to be the upper Darchula District’s higher altitude of areas. Hemp fiber is twisted into twine and rope, smoother yarn for weaving their traditional cloth used for blankets, sash belts, and grain storage sacks, and coarse yarn for weaving retail market cloth and ragged sacking.

Hemp crops coexist with trees such as plums, apples, and pears and grain crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, mustard, wheat, and maize. From October to early December, mature plants are harvested. After the dew has evaporated, plants are collected in the morning, beginning with the larger rapidly growing plants. Plants for fiber are collected by pulling them from the ground and cutting the roots off with a sickle. 100-300 bundles of plants are taken back home and kept to warm in the sunlight.

Processing

The stalks range in length at the bottom from 4 to 15 millimeters at harvest, with taller plants having a bigger diameter. For spinning finer yarn for weaving, smaller diameter stalks are preferred. Large, branched stalks are only used for rough cordage and are frequently gotten rid of their bark while still fresh and green. For 3 to 5 days the stems are left to dry after cutting. After that it will be soaked, for one or two days the stems are left in still or running water. With the teeth, the fibrous portion is teased out, the process is similar to how all is taken out, then it is twisted and pulled clear. To make them soft, the fibers are slathered with clay and left to sun dry for two to three days. During the drying process, the fibers are beaten with a long paddle to make them soft and to free the fiber. For half an hour, the thread is boiled with wood ash and water after spinning. The thread is washed until it is free of ash and then it is dried again.

Spinning

For spinning softened hemp fibers, a wooden top or charkha (spinning wheel) is typically used. The fiber is sometimes spun from around the waist and the free end is tightened between the teeth. One hand rapidly turns the fiber down via the teeth, which serve as a filter for the spinner. The fiber’s quality and the spinner’s skill largely determine the composition of the yarn. The thread produced is good for creating bags, cloth, rope, head-straps, fishnets, and sacks, among other things. Hemp thread crocheted into vests and shawls, as well as a range of new products such as bags, cushion covers, wallets, and men and ladies clothing with natural fibers, are designed in Kathmandu for export.

Hemp’s use in textiles, on the other hand, is not new. Hemp has been cultivated for a longer period than any other textile fiber. Its use in textiles dates back to 8000 B.C. when it was woven into the fabric for the first time, and eventually, it provided 80 percent of the world’s textiles. Very few dealers use locally grown and processed hemp for their natural fiber clothing although there are a plethora of hemp goods dealers and exporters in the Kathmandu Valley today. Along with business, the natural fibers industry in Nepal is also important for economic and rural development. Hemp, as an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and versatile fiber, is consistently providing jobs to Nepalese villagers.

Handicrafts In Nepal can assist you if you want to buy hemp bags or other hemp products from Nepal. If you want hemp bags in large quantities at wholesale prices, you can place your orders. If you prefer, we can also change the designs, shapes, and sizes. Contact Us!