Posted by Barbara on Monday, 24 March 2008, at 5:13 p.m.:
In Reply to: Ramie/ Source posted by Susan Wolven on Saturday, 22 March 2008, at 2:29 p.m.:
Although there are many similarities, ramie is a different fiber from linen. It comes from a member of the nettle family. If you are curious, this site has interesting information about it, including properties:
http://www.swicofil.com/products/007ramie.html
Ramie is more expensive to produce than linen because sticky gum in the plant has to be removed to free the fiber.
Clothing made with ramie was promoted as a luxury item in the 1980's and (as far as I know) it reached handweavers mostly as mill ends. Check with your favorite mill-end dealer.
As for a linen replacent, maybe tow linen at similar yards per pound? Becky Ashenden at www.vavstuga.com has a wide assortment of linen, both line and tow, all at very good prices.