fun facts
The fiber length of hemp is a whopping 2.5m, 100 times as long as cotton fibers with an average length of 10-50mm.
Only 1/20th of the water is needed to grow hemp compared to cotton.
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Every part of the plant can be processed: the seeds (pressed as an oil, peeled or unpeeled as a food additive), the fibers (clothing, insulation, paper), the shives (filler, biofuel, building materials), the leaves (essential oils, Flavors or fragrances in e.g. detergents) and the flowers (medicinal applications)
In 1982, any cultivation of hemp was made a punishable offense in Germany due to the cannabis problem. The cultivation of fiber hemp with an active ingredient content of less than 0.3% THC has only been legal again since 1996.
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Both the Gutenberg Bible and the American Declaration of Independence were printed on hemp paper
And ohohhh - moths don't like hemp. ;-) because the hemp fibers do not contain any protein that the pests could feed on.
Why a wool/hemp mixture?
Wool doesn't mix well with many other fibers because most types of fabric require more care and need to be washed at higher temperatures to get clean. Wool, on the other hand, requires very little care due to its self-cleaning properties. Mixtures with cotton, for example, are therefore not logical in our opinion.
Hemp, on the other hand, has a similarly low maintenance requirement as wool in many respects. Hemp fibers are also self-cleaning and can also ventilate odors such as sweat or (small amounts) of urine.
Benefits of Hemp
In addition, the hemp fiber is famous for its enormous robustness and tear resistance. The gold diggers' first jeans were made of hemp and were virtually indestructible. Only the wearing comfort of a pure hemp fabric was not such that the fabric became established worldwide.
Here we have a knitted blend of soft merino wool with hemp. The knitting ensures that the fabric is slightly stretchy and the wool makes the fabric more supple than pure hemp fabric.
Hemp and the Environment
The hemp plant is naturally very robust and resistant to insect infestation and plant diseases. Therefore, no insecticides or pesticides are usually required for their cultivation. To maintain its eco-friendly properties, hemp fiber just needs to be careful not to use chemical methods to artificially soften or severely bleach it. The chemically untreated hemp fiber is therefore not pure white and cannot be colored arbitrarily. The color of our jacquard knit comes from the anthracite or red wool.
effect on the skin
Hemp has special skin-climatic properties. Its fibers have a completely natural temperature-regulating effect. In summer they keep you cool and in winter they create a cozy climate. Under the microscope it becomes clear why: The fibers have small air pockets through which the fiber "breathes". On cold days, they fill up with body heat and store it. On warm days, they ensure an airy feel.
Robustness especially in children's clothing
Hemp is one of the most robust natural fibers there is. Clothing made of hemp is known to last forever, even with daily wear.
Tests have shown that hemp fibers are four to seven times more resilient than cotton threads of comparable thickness. It is therefore also perfectly suitable for children of romping and climbing age.
washing recommendation
Like wool garments, our hemp/wool blend can be hand and machine washed. We recommend machine washing on a wool cycle up to a maximum of 30 degrees with liquid organic wool detergent
Sources:
http://www.hemptrade.ca/eguide/background/hemps-environmental-impact
https://www.thcint.com/uploads/1/9/3/7/19371199/2011_ecological_benefits_of_hemp_and_flax.pdf
http://archiv.hanlobby.de/infohanf/textil.html
http://www.hempopedia.com/oekonomischesichtspunkte/hanfanbauindereu.html
http://cannamoda.de/Hanf-Textilien
Photos by Stephanie von Becker - Photodesign and Silvia Lehmann