I spin and weave both nettle and flax (hemp too) and make ropes and nets from them all. I agree, just before flowering to pull for fibres, and if you walk along the stems to crush them lengthwise it makes it easier to pull the fibrous skin off in one piece. Urtica dioica for preference, but if D. urens is what you've got, it'll do.....)
Nettle is *very* strong and lasting, (bootlaces lasted three years continuous use) and it doesn't seem to crack the way linen can once woven. However, the fibres are finer, softer, and whiter than linen and not as strong when wet as the flax. If you boil and mash up the residue after taking out the main fibres and mould it around something like a pot or a stump it'll make a bowl that can be waxed to hold food or to collect berries, etc.
Toddy
Nettle is *very* strong and lasting, (bootlaces lasted three years continuous use) and it doesn't seem to crack the way linen can once woven. However, the fibres are finer, softer, and whiter than linen and not as strong when wet as the flax. If you boil and mash up the residue after taking out the main fibres and mould it around something like a pot or a stump it'll make a bowl that can be waxed to hold food or to collect berries, etc.
Toddy