Soy, Lotus & Nettle Fibers – Exotic Eco-Yarns with a Future

There's more to natural yarn than cotton and wool. Across cultures and continents, plant-based fibers like soy, lotus, and nettle have long traditions – and are now gaining attention in the sustainable craft movement. These fibers are vegan, biodegradable, and wonderfully unique in both feel and story.

🌱 Soy Fiber – The Vegan Cashmere?

Soy yarn is made from the byproducts of tofu and soy milk production – meaning no extra cultivation required. The extracted protein is spun into a soft, silky yarn.

Benefits:

• smooth and soft, with a slight sheen

• breathable and moisture-absorbing

• fully biodegradable

• 100% vegan

🎯 Best for: shawls, baby clothes, summer tops, soft accessories

🪷 Lotus Fiber – A Textile Meditation

Lotus yarn comes from the stems of the lotus flower. The fibers are extracted by hand, then dried and spun into fine threads – a process primarily used in Myanmar and Vietnam.

Benefits:

• highly breathable and cooling

• temperature-regulating

• extremely rare and luxurious

• sustainable harvesting and processing

⚠️ Lotus yarn is expensive – but ideal for small luxury pieces or unique gifts.

🌾 Nettle Fiber – Traditional, Strong & Underrated

Nettle fiber might sound itchy – but it's not! Similar in look and feel to linen, it's stronger, lighter, and naturally glossy. In Europe, nettle was widely used for textiles until the 19th century.

Benefits:

• tear-resistant and durable

• elegant matte sheen

• regulates temperature

• easy to grow, no pesticides needed

🎯 Perfect for: market bags, breezy summer garments, wall hangings, dishcloths

🧵 How to Work With These Fibers   

Fiber | Best Needles | Works well with | Watch out for

• Soy: Best Needles medium needles | Works well with cotton, modal, bamboo | Watch out for don't overstretch
• Lotus: Best Needles fine needles | Works well with silk, alpaca, mohair | Watch out for keep tension even
• Nettle: Best Needles larger needles | Works well with linen, wool, ramie | Watch out for knit loosely

💡 Always swatch first – these fibers have little elasticity and behave differently from wool!

🛍️ Where to Buy (as of 2025)

• Soy yarn: Kremke Soul Wool "Sojawolle", Vegan Yarn (Canada)

• Lotus yarn: mYak (ethically sourced), Etsy shops (small-batch)

• Nettle yarn: Nettle Yarn Nepal, BC Garn "Nessel", local naturfiber retailers

🧶 Project Inspiration

• Soy: self-care set with headband & washcloth

• Lotus: airy shoulder wrap with lace pattern

• Nettle: market tote, wall hanging, coasters

💡 My Conclusion: Exotic Fibers, Eco Style

These yarns are not just unusual – they're part of a conscious, innovative, and global craft movement. Whether you're looking to reduce your impact, try something new, or simply expand your yarn horizon – soy, lotus, and nettle have something beautiful to offer. 

📣 Have you ever worked with these unique yarns? Or are you tempted now? 

Join the conversation in my Facebook group – I'd love to hear about your experience!

#strickenimtrend #exoticyarns #soyyarn #lotusfiber #nettlecraft

Keep openminded!

Yours,
Kathrin ☀️🧶