Medieval rope making with bast using a reel and a stick

A short introduction to the history of rope making in the middle ages from a north western european perspective and a demonstration of a simple way to make bast ropes using a reel and a stick.

This is a re-upload with better editing.

Keep in mind that I'm just a novice and my tools are prototypes.

Sources:
General history of rope making
Weber, W 1971: Zukunft der Seilerei, Ciba-Geigy Rundschau 1

Medieval rope finds in Norway
Schjølberg, E. 1988: Cordage and similar products from Bryggen in Bergen. The Bryggen Papers , Supplementary Series No. 3.

History of this kind of rope making in Sweden in the last century with detailed instructions
Modéer, I 1928: Öländskt tallrepslageri

Bast ropes at a viking museum

[michaelmoceri]

I've seen people using a reel like this to make rope, but no one ever stopped and explained what they were doing. Thanks for that.

[Donnies_lil_ding_ding]

I’ve got yucca plants in the yard that I can’t kill, but I’ve recently read they can make some decent rope fibers. So, I’m about to build this setup and take a stab at it. Thank you!

[simvrod]

Cat needs to play with string, nothing better than to see an artisan at work with his kitten👍👍

[MissGroves]

I have never seen rope made like this before, only with some strange toggle things and later with a hook or crank. I have to try this way of spinning! Looks so fun and soothing

[tauIrrydah]

Oh this is delightful I've been looking for low impact activities to demonstrate at events!

[pegrande]

I have never seen this technique before, that’s simple, yet a very clever and faster than the previous form (probably) of twisting and turning by hand, thanks for sharing and love your cat XD

[totocologne]

Excellent video. I have the highest respect for everyone who teaches me something new and practical. Thank you.

[misscdog]

My mom did this with yarn to make ties on a vest she knitted for me. She didn’t have the reel, but same technique.. cool to see this 50 years later and find out how old the method was.

[jeffreydustin]

Well done, sir. Makes rope making from bast so clear. Very clever!

[astorniit]

Tack! Äntligen en bra video som demonstrerar denna tekniken i mer detalj! Mycket bra jobbat

[aaronburson]

Never seen this method before. Thanks. Mouth harp was a nice touch.

[m.c.]

This is so much more compact and easy to understand than some of the other videos I saw that used complicated tools and/or multiple people!

[petejandrell]

The kitten represents the original use of the phrase 'You little BAST-ard!!

[abcstardust]

Thank you for showing and explaining how it’s Done!! Excellent video! Cute kitten!

[giancarloperez]

🎉Wow anothere rooe making ideaa👍😍💕😊😊thank you for sahring.👌👌👌❤️

[QuantumMechanic_]

Thank you for a fascinating video with a beautiful cat.

[ShotgunLlama]

I don't have access to a cat. Does it work just as well if you chew on it yourself, instead?

[curtis]

This demonstrates in an unabridged form what skills I developed for my undergrad degree. Granted I went on from there and turned the products of those skills into baskets for my graduate degree, but I don’t want to toot my own buisine. (The collegiate level of work is quite adequate in its own right.) I better stop writing now . . . I wouldn’t want to string you along any further.

[anklebreaker]

Thanks you for making this informative video i’d learned another technique in making rope👍🎊👍👍✌️

[FlintStryker]

Wonderful! Can you provide dimensions of your rope making jig. I'd like to make one. Thanks!