I purchased okra stalk fiber from the Conserving Threads shop on Etsy. This is a thick papery plant material, so to make it more pliable for twining I wrapped it in a damp towel overnight. The cordage I was able to twine is strong and sturdy, but rough.
Photo description: okra stalk fiber twined onto a laser cut flat wood spool laying on a pile of damp okra stalk
I put the entire bundle of fiber in the damp towel, but I didn’t need it all for the example card. Rather than drying out the extra, I decided to twine it and make a looped basket.
Photo description: beginning of a twined simple loop basket made from okra stalk
Using all the rest of the okra stalk in my bundle made a rather shallow basket, so I think I will supplement with another material.
Photo description: okra stalk basket after several rows of looping
I collected canna leaves and stalks from very willing donors around town. These very tall herbaceous plants have large leaves and strong stems that have to be cut, not pulled. I dried the leaves, then rehydrated gently by wrapping them in a damp towel overnight. If twined or woven before drying, the material has too much moisture and will shrink significantly. By drying first, then adding back moisture just until the material is pliable, the shrinkage is minimized.
Photo description: dried canna leaves on a damp cotton towel
I tore the leaves into about one inch sections, separating most of the thin papery leaf from the long strands of the stem. Some stem fibers came away with the leaf.
Photo description: strips of canna leaf in the process of twiningPhoto description: laser cut flat wood spool with canna leaf twine, loose strips of canna leaf next to the cardPhoto description: two twined cards, one made from the canna leaf, one made from the separated stems
The twined leaves have a fuller more even appearance, but the twined stem feels stronger.
I still have the stalks to process, which will involve retting, which is something new for me. I am hoping the retting process, which breaks down the material around the fibers, makes it easier to free the very strong stalk fibers.
It is easy to go out in the yard and gather dead irises leaves, wrap them in a damp towel for a few hours until they are supple, and twine them.
Photo description: dried iris leaves on damp flannel towels with a laser cut flat wood spool holding twined iris leaves
I used whole leaves for this twine, making it thicker than other twining examples.
All my twine is Z twist because I twine right handed, twisting one side away from me, then bringing it forward. This feels like the most ergonomic way for me to twine. I have tried twining left handed and I can do it but it is frustrating and slow.
I have been using Texas grown cotton sliver, a combed preparation, to spin on a Great Wheel at the Doss Heritage center. The sliver is very smooth and all the fibers are aligned, but it has been fighting me when I spin. So I took it back a step and carded it. This mixes the alignment of the fibers, especially when I roll it up into a rolag.
Photo description: fine carder loaded with cotton, bag of sliver in the backgroundPhoto description: cotton rolag held in my hand, after taking it off the card
This woolen preparation (fibers not aligned is “woolen”, fibers aligned is “worsted”) actually spins much easier with fewer clumps and bumps. The draft zone flows better and the wheel and I happily spun for an hour (three rolags) with very few issues. The wheel did pick up a squeak, which I remedied with spinning wheel oil.
Photo description: cop of single spun cotton yarn on a Great Wheel spindle
I will be demonstrating at the Pioneer Festival at the Doss Heritage Center in Weatherford, Texas on October 3rd, 2026!
Next up for twining was some combed hemp fibers. I was rather surprised how short these fibers are, especially compared to flax, with a staple length of 3-4” for what I had. Other preparations can be longer. Still, it twines up well, especially using a small sponge to keep my fingertips hydrated.
Photo description: flat wood spool with twined hemp next to the sliver of hemp fibers, off-white with a gentle sheen
Another fiber artist was trying to figure out a mystery fiber and what they described seemed very similar to hemp: staple length, sheen, feel. I did a burn test to compare data and the hemp burned fast, leaving very little ash, and had a smell of burned paper, which is typical of cellulose fibers.
The twine itself is strong and flexible, and surprisingly soft.
