Weak Nettle Cordage.

[IntrepidStu]

Maybe im doing it wrong but my nettle cordage is weak. Im harvesting the nettles, using a rolling pin to help separate the pith and then stripping the outside:

Do you use one FULL stem to start the twisting, or do you separate the flattened stem into multiple lengths??

Is it simply to early in the year to harvest the stems??

 

[Joe]

It depends on the desired thickness of your cordage. Even if you use a whole stem it's still only a bundle of smaller strands all bunched together. For strong cordage, dry the fibres out first then slightly re-wet before laying up into cordage. Make sure you keep a uniformal thickness along the length (any thin or thick bits will be a snapping prone area) and most importantly, ensure that you are twisting both strands together equally. A common mistake when first starting out (or when you get tired fingers) is to just have one strand wrapped around the other strand which is just pulled tight. This is only going to be as strong as one strand of nettle fibre - the strength of natural cordage is all in the uniformity of the twists.

You can make really thin but strong cordage if you perfect the technique - even fishing line!