Basic Nettle String

Back to basics, how to harvest, prepare and make a 'bark-on' nettle string with minimal equipment.

[alisn.]

Sally is such a delightful presenter, with a relaxed manner. I’ve learnt a lot since finding her channel.

[masonborchardt]

This could quite possible be my favorite channel on YouTube, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[BrennaDraws]

Wow...I came on youtube to find a tutorial for this and did a double take when you said herefordshire, wasn't expecting the first video i clicked on to be from my home LOL

[libhranan]

We have lots of nettles growing in our shelter belt grove (we live out in the open farm land in the upper plains of the USA). I've used your tutorial on net bags to make a couple from cotton twine, and now I need to try making some cordage and do one from actual scratch.

[Trailsend]

I tried last year this video is so much better then the one I tried to follow update successfuly made two lengths of cordage and fashioned into 2 necklaces with deer bone center piece.

[TextileIndie]

Enjoyed watching your video and learning from it. When I was a kid, we had a massive nettle patch on the creek, and it was not my favorite! I'm going to give this a try. We've showcased your video on our nature weaving roundup on Textile Indie.

[vadusnisky]

Thanks for an amazing video, I've wanted to have a go for years!

[sunshineflyer]

Thank you for this first-steps tutorial, which explains how it all “works”!

[tracyharrison]

The only demo I’ve yet found by a female - thank you!

[deborahharding]

Love your videos, so calm and matter-of-fact. I'm adding nettle along a path along the side of the house in my urban yard. I've already got dogbane, milkweed, and yucca growing for fibers. They are also excellent pollinator plants for native bees.

[phoebebaker]

I love this video, for it has given me string!

[CEng-gesw]

Very interesting video. Thanks for keeping the ancient skill alive!

[carolynrapolas]

thanks for the great video, just made my first 1 yard of cordage, ....pleased as punch😄

[shakeystwelve]

thnks for this video
now will try to do step by steps guide, thnks tkcre

[onegreenev]

You know, I never once considered folding back upon itself the thin ends to keep the last bit thicker. I tried taking some thin flax plants straight from the field early in the morning yesterday. The dew had made the dry stalks of the flax rather pliable. Since these stalks are not yet retted the strands of fiber don't come off so easily like nettle. Being pliable from the dew meant none of the core would crack and fall away. The entire stalk was like string. I decided to try to braid three stalks of flax to see what I could get. I need an anchor point to help so I will try that but the resulting braid is very very strong. Video coming. The only issue with flax is that it is not typically found in the wild to find to help build a shelter or something. Bramble is our most abundant source of fiber here in my local area. Still need to go harvest some while the long stalks are still pliable. :)

[jewelleryhannah]

I just made my first string! So wonderful and satisfying!

[RuthLeGoff]

Thanks so much. I didn’t see this method before and it is much easier also I had joined cord break because I didn’t know your method of joining it. I shall try that one tomorrow.

[JoricioCagel]

thanks for this beautiful and inspiring video! i tried it today: gaining long fibres was a bit tricky, most tore off too easily. but the resulting string became way longer than expected!. great craft, i will do it more often. :) greetings from germany! :D

[RobYellowclaw]

Earned a sub from me - fantastic video, really clear, thanks a lot!

[FrauWNiemand]

I like tyou technique of lay the new fiber over both strains, I previously just put it at the end of one but this produces thicker parts (which we don't want). I also found that dried material just works better, when put some minutes into water before using it.