Tracing the Origins of Our Natural Fibres
From Himalayan nettle and Merino wool to hemp, lotus and other rare fibres, discover the landscapes, communities and regenerative practices behind our natural yarns.
From landscape to fibre
Since 2019, Wovenbeyond has been researching natural fibres and regenerative ecosystems that reconnect the textile industry with land, farming communities, and ecological restoration.
From Himalayan nettle harvested in Nepal to regenerative wool sourced from carefully selected farms, we trace the origins of our fibres to better understand their environmental and social impact.
We believe fibre sourcing should go beyond reducing harm. By supporting traditional knowledge, biodiversity, soil health, and local livelihoods, our yarns contribute to a more responsible and regenerative textile future.
Himalayan nettle fibre from Nepal
Himalayan nettle is one of the world’s longest natural plant fibres, valued for its silky texture, strength, and low environmental impact. Growing wild at high altitudes in the Himalayan forests of Nepal, it has been used for centuries by local communities to create textiles, ropes, bags, and traditional garments.
Harvested manually by indigenous communities, the fibre is carefully cut by hand to preserve its natural length and quality. The plant regenerates rapidly, growing over three metres tall each year, while its deep root system helps stabilise soil in landslide-prone mountain regions.
Beyond its unique textile qualities, Himalayan nettle contributes to biodiversity, soil health, and rural livelihoods. We source our fibre through Himalayan Wild Fibers™, a social enterprise working with communities in Nepal’s Dolakha District to create fair economic opportunities through responsible fibre harvesting.
Why Himalayan nettle matters
- One of the world’s longest natural plant fibres
- Naturally glossy with a silk-like feel
- Grows wild without industrial cultivation
- Supports biodiversity and soil stabilisation
- Provides seasonal income for Himalayan communities
Read more here.
French Merino d’Arles wool
We source premium wool from the French Merinos d’Arles Selection© collective of herders in Provence, southern France, who continue to practice transhumance: an ancient pastoral tradition based on the seasonal migration of sheep between lowland plains and alpine mountain pastures.
Each spring, flocks travel from the landscapes of Provence to the French Alps, where sheep graze freely on high-altitude meadows rich in biodiversity. As temperatures begin to fall in autumn, the herds return to lower elevations for the winter months, following a cycle that has shaped landscapes, ecosystems, and rural communities for centuries.
Recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, transhumance reflects a deep understanding of ecological balance, animal care, and responsible land stewardship. This traditional grazing system helps preserve grassland biodiversity, supports soil health, and maintains resilient pastoral ecosystems.
Beyond its exceptional softness and quality, Merino d’Arles wool represents a connection between fibre, landscape, and cultural heritage – values that remain central to Wovenbeyond’s approach to sourcing natural fibres.
Why Merino d’Arles wool matters
- Sourced from herders practicing traditional transhumance
- Fine, soft wool with excellent durability
- Grazed between Provence and alpine pastures
- Supports traditional pastoral communities
- Encourages responsible land stewardship and ecosystem health
Lotus fibre
Deeply rooted in Chinese heritage, the lotus plant has long symbolised purity, resilience, and harmony with nature. Beyond its cultural significance, lotus plays an important role in traditional farming systems and wetland ecosystems across Asia.
Growing in ponds and waterways, lotus naturally helps purify water while supporting aquatic biodiversity. For centuries, it has been cultivated alongside fish farming in regenerative, symbiotic systems that reflect a deep understanding of ecological balance and resource sharing.
Every part of the plant is traditionally valued – from roots and seeds used in cuisine and medicine to fibres transformed into delicate textiles. This whole-plant approach reflects a philosophy of minimising waste while working in harmony with natural cycles.
At Wovenbeyond, lotus fibre represents both innovation and natural functionality. We use it as a plant-based alternative to synthetic nylon binders commonly found in bouclé yarns, helping create more biodegradable and natural fibre compositions.
Why lotus fibre matters
- Naturally supports wetland biodiversity
- Traditionally cultivated in regenerative farming systems
- Entire plant can be utilised with minimal waste
- Soft, lightweight fibre with unique texture
- Natural alternative to synthetic nylon binders
European hemp fibre
Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated textile fibres in the world, valued for centuries for its strength, durability, and versatility. Naturally resilient and fast-growing, hemp requires relatively low water input and can thrive without intensive chemical use, making it an important fibre within more responsible agricultural systems.
Its deep root system helps improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and support long-term soil health, while dense growth naturally suppresses weeds and encourages biodiversity within farming landscapes. These qualities have made hemp an enduring material across cultures for textiles, ropes, paper, and everyday utility products.
Beyond its environmental benefits, hemp fibre offers a unique texture and character within yarns – bringing strength, breathability, and a natural rustic elegance that softens beautifully over time.
At Wovenbeyond, we value hemp as part of a broader movement towards biodegradable, plant-based fibres that reconnect textile production with resilient ecosystems and traditional fibre knowledge.
Why hemp fibre matters
- One of the world’s oldest textile fibres
- Naturally durable and breathable
- Requires relatively low water input
- Supports soil health and biodiversity
- Biodegradable plant-based alternative to synthetic fibres
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibre
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a cellulose fibre made from responsibly sourced wood pulp, valued for its softness, breathability, and lower-impact production process. Produced through a closed-loop system designed to recover and reuse water and solvents, it represents a more thoughtful approach to modern fibre innovation.
Known for its smooth texture and fluid drape, TENCEL™ brings softness, lightness, and durability to yarn blends while remaining biodegradable under the right conditions. Its ability to blend beautifully with natural fibres such as wool, hemp, and Himalayan nettle allows us to create yarns with enhanced comfort and performance while maintaining a connection to plant-based and renewable materials.
Beyond its textile qualities, TENCEL™ reflects a growing shift towards fibres designed with resource efficiency and circularity in mind – helping reduce reliance on conventional synthetic materials within the textile industry.
At Wovenbeyond, we use TENCEL™ selectively to complement natural fibres and support the creation of softer, longer-lasting yarns with a lighter environmental footprint.
Why TENCEL™ matters
- Made from responsibly sourced wood pulp
- Produced using a closed-loop manufacturing process
- Soft, breathable, and lightweight
- Biodegradable under the right conditions
- Blends well with natural and regenerative fibres
British alpaca fibre
Our alpaca fibre is sourced from British breeders we have met directly, working with carefully raised alpacas whose fleeces are transformed into fine yarns and spun in the UK. Available in natural undyed shades, these fibres celebrate the beauty and diversity of alpaca fleece in its purest form.
Known for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightness, alpaca fibre has been valued for centuries for creating insulating yet breathable textiles. Its smooth fibres contain very little lanolin, giving alpaca yarns a soft handle and distinctive drape while remaining naturally durable.
By working with small-scale British breeders and local spinning partners, we aim to support more transparent and regionally connected fibre systems – helping retain value, craftsmanship, and fibre knowledge within local supply chains.
Beyond its luxurious qualities, alpaca fibre represents an opportunity to reconnect textile production with provenance, traceability, and slower forms of making rooted in relationships between animals, land, and people.
Why British alpaca fibre matters
- Sourced from British alpaca breeders
- Spun locally in the UK
- Naturally soft, lightweight, and warm
- Available in beautiful undyed natural shades
- Supports transparent regional fibre systems
A Guide to Our Natural Fibres
Every fibre has its own story, qualities, and connection to place.
Here’s a quick overview of the natural fibres used across the Wovenbeyond collection.
Himalayan Nettle
Merino d'Arles
Lotus Fibre
Hemp
TENCEL™ Lyocell
British Alpaca
Why fibre traceability matters
Knowing where fibres come from helps build trust, accountability, and deeper connections between materials, people, and place.
Customer trust
Consumers are increasingly looking for products that align with their values, yet navigating sustainability claims can be confusing. Traceability helps provide clarity by connecting fibres to their origins, allowing customers to make informed choices based on transparency rather than marketing claims alone.
Transparent supply chains
At Wovenbeyond, meaningful change starts with understanding where materials come from and how they are produced. By working through shorter, more transparent supply chains, we build direct relationships with farmers, fibre producers, and processors, helping us better understand and communicate the impact behind our yarns.
Product & brand integrity
Traceability helps ensure that environmental and social claims can be supported by evidence. For us, transparency is fundamental to building products that reflect the principles of circularity, regeneration, and responsible sourcing. It creates accountability throughout the supply chain and helps protect the integrity of both the materials and the stories behind them.