Banana Spinning Fibre

Natural Banana Viscose Top Roving Vegan Spinning Fiber

The banana plant has been cultivated in Japan since the 13th Century for use in making fabrics and textiles. The tender shoots of the banana plant were harvested and boiled in lye to soften them. The banana fibre was spun into yarn and woven for making kimono and kamishimo.

In Nepal, the trunk of the banana plant was used instead of the shoots. The aged bark or outer layers were soaked in water and allowed to decay to dissolve the chlorofyl leaving the cellulose fibres that are softened into a pulp. The pulp is dried and spun into yarn.

Banana is a strong fibre with a shiny appearance. Banana is a light weight fibre with high moisture absorption as well as quick moisture release, so banana fibre dries quickly. Banana fiber is bio-degradable and has little impact on the environment.

Banana fibre is best spun with a medium to tight twist. The yarn can be used as a single ply or plied with itself or another fibre. The single ply is also lovely when used as weft in handwoven fabrics. Banana fiber can also be used in felting, doll hair and paper making.

Banana Spinning Fibre

Banana Spinning Fibre 2

Update

I used to spin and weave with a lot of plant based fibres. Then a few years ago, I suddenly developed a severe allergy to Bamboo fibre. I now have to carry an epi-pen with me in case I come into contact with anything Bamboo. So I am now cautious of any plant fibres, cloth or clothing. I now only use wool, cotton, flax, hemp nettles – plant fibres that have been used safely by humans throughout the centuries.

My Bamboo Allergy