cordage fiber

[bowtarist]

Finally got the yucca retted I started back in May.  Came out alright, been waxing it and twisting it, kinda short, but strong.  First two picks are milk weed I collected w/ a buddy last Saturday. We stripped about 1/3 of it, but he took that.  I got the rest.  I've been stripping a few a night.  Seems like real long fibers.  Not going to ret, but going to dry and comb.  We'll see. Thanks for lookin, dpgratz

[PrimitiveTim]

Now you done it!  What are your plans for these fibers?  It seems like the yucca fibers aren't separated real well.  That has always been my experience with the stuff.  Difficult to separate.

[bowtarist]

Well....not sure of all the plans yet.  I've taught my oldest boy, 9yrs, to do the flemish twist, so he's making a long cord.  I'd like to possibly make a bow string, maybe some necklaces. Dye some of it to see how that works.  I'm planning on combing the yucca too.  Then gonna give the short bundled stuff to a friend who spins and see what she can come up with.  Just wanted to give it a try Tim.  The retting took way to long, but I really didn't have to do much with it either.  Just at the beginning and the end ya know.  Thanks for the reply!  Sorta like what my wife thinks, "Oh here he goes again".  dpg

[toomanyknots]

So is that water retting? How'd ya ret it? I haven't had much luck with water retting nettle, but I didn't give it that long either?

[bowtarist]

Yea water retting. I didn't think I was having much luck either, but ended up getting a prett good bunch.  I think the maceration(sp?), might not even be the right word  , is a really important part.  Gotta bruise those chloraphyl cells and they rot/ret quicker.  I pulled mine out of the water after a week or so and did it, then I felt like things were working a bit better. I changed the water a lot too, I think that slowed down the process too. I don't know Man, I just gave it a try and got what I got. My kid likes it, I guess that's something.  dpg