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Outdoor Wonders you should get out more ... |
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Here's some of my first real attempts at making string, or cordage. This piece is about a foot long and is made from milkweed, which grows everywhere in my area. Once I got the technique down, it took about 10 minutes to make this section. I can add to it and maybe make a piece long enough to use for fishing.
Both my method and my description of making cordage need improvement. However, here's how I did it: I'm left handed, so you may need to modify these directions accordingly: Take a bundle of fiber about a foot long. Hold it between your right index finger and thumb, about 2 inches in from one end. Then grip the other end about 2 inches in from the other end, in your left hand. Twist the bundle by rolling it between your thumb and index finger, until it starts to "twist up" or "crimp." Then twist a little more and let your fingers come together. The twisted section will crimp up. Congratulations - you just made your first small piece of rope! When twisting, twist away from you. Using your right hand, pinch the fiber bundle at the "V" intersection where the two sections of fiber become a crimped-double line. Now come the trickier part. You need to twist each fiber bundle section until they start to crimp. I do each bundle one at a time. So twist one, hold it tight, then twist the other. At this point is should seem like you need three hands. But if you twist and hold them until they are both twisted, all you need to do is let go of the pinch, and the two ends of the "V" will twist together to form a new section of cordage. When your fiber bundle starts to get small on one side, you'll need to add another section of fiber to it. Ideally, you don't want to add fibers to two sides at the same spot. For some good information, check out Native Tech's Cordage Page. It helped me get started. Materials I did the section above, as I mentioned, using milkweed. It's a common plant in Southern New England and readily identified. I used the stalks, harvested after they have dried. I usually gather them late summer through early spring. I peel the layer of fiber off, then separate the fibers by rubbing bundles of them between your hands. This is messy, but removes the outer covering/chaff. I've also tried yucca leaves, cattail leaves and basswood cambium. The latter may require different preparation techniques, such as soaking/pounding. |
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