Creeping thistle

The creeping thistle thrives in the northern hemisphere and grows on nutrient-rich soils and in many cases in the same fields as wheat, barley, and peas. The creeping thistle can grow up to 1,5 meters a month from April to October. The plant is important for pollinating insects that rely on nectar.

The creeping thistle is a nightmare for farmers because of its resilience. An ecological farmer's harvest can in many cases consist of 50 % creeping thistle and this results in fees when the farmer sells the grains. The plant also attracts pests and other unwanted insects to the fields, which causes the farmer to use different pesticides. One of the biggest issues with the creeping thistle is that it’s seen as an unwanted weed and there is no incentive for the farmer to collect and make use of the plant, something we want to change.

The creeping thistle has many impressive properties. The stem which is hollow is very durable and relative light in comparison to its strength, its eatable, and when the flowers withers, the flower can be turned into something that resembles fabric. To highlight these properties, we have made a chair and kitchen utensils made of creeping thistle stems.