Live Like the World is Dying Rowan on Making Things Out of Plants
Mar 7, 2025
Explore the enchanting world of crafting with plants, from making cordage to eco-friendly laundry detergent. Discover the art of foraging nettles and transforming them into usable fibers for ropes and threads. Hear whimsical stories of childhood creativity and the joy of connecting with local flora. Learn about sustainable practices and the fascinating properties of plants like horse chestnuts in natural soap making. Dive into the vibrant realm of plant-based dyeing projects and the community connections that nature can foster.
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Rowan's Early Plant Crafting
- Rowan shared making bird nests from grass as a child and discovering nettle fibers in their yard by accident.
- These early experiences sparked a lifelong passion for making things out of plants.
Harvesting and Processing Nettles
- Wear good gardening gloves when harvesting nettles to avoid stings and pick them when they're full height in August.
- Process nettles by breaking open stems, peeling away bark, and letting fibers dry for strong cordage.
Making Cordage from Fibers
- Twist nettle fibers by spinning two strands in opposite directions to make strong cordage or rope.
- Add more fibers with overlap as you go to make cordage as long as you need.