Ramie, pronounced either ray-mee or rah-mee, is a natural fiber produced from a plant that is part of the nettle family. Although not well known in the United States, cloth made from ramie has around since ancient times – it was used to wrap Egyptian mummies as early as 5000 B.C., and it has been used in China for over 2000 years.
Ramie has an unevenness of fiber that resembles the thick-and-thin appearance of linen. It is one of the strongest natural fibers, somewhat stronger than linen, particularly when wet. Ramie is extremely absorbent, softer than linen, and more easily dyed. It does not shrink, so it is frequently used as a blend with cotton to reduce shrinkage of a fabric item.
Ramie, like linen and cotton, wrinkles easily. Like linen, sharply pressed creases tend to be difficult to change, so it is best stored flat. Ramie shares linen’s natural stain resistance, and it can be machine washed with cold water and then line-dried.