How to Make Sisal Twine

Sisal twine is made from the leaves of this member of the agave family.

Rope- and twine-making were universal prehistoric skills. Rope was made from tree bark, plant fibers, hair, vines and other materials that were found in the environment. Twine is a simple cord of spun fibers, while sisal is a fibrous material from the agave sisalana. This plant is grown in Brazil and Tanzania for twine production, but it also grows in Haiti and the Philippines. Sisal leaves grow to over 4 feet long, and the plant has hard, coarse fibers that are ideal for twine and rope. Make twine yourself by twisting the fibers by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Sisal plant or fibers
• Large rounded stone
• 3 helpers
• Steel comb

Instructions

1. Harvest a three-year-old sisal plant. Beat the leaves to shred and cut the fibers out from inside the leaves with a rounded stone. It may be easier to do this in water. Native Americans beat agave plant leaves in creeks and rivers.

2. Hang the raw fibers in the sun to dry. After they are dry, beat the fibers and comb them with a steel comb.

3. Sift the raw fibers into manageable bunches. Put equal lengths together. Tie a small loop at one end with three sisal fibers together.

4. Ask a helper to hold the loop, keeping the tension tight at all times. Ask two other helpers to hold one fiber each, while you hold another.

5. Twist the fibers clockwise individually, with each person twisting in the same direction and keeping the tension tight at all times. Twist all three fibers together in the opposite direction, keeping the tension tight. You may want to use another hand to be sure the twisting is even.

6. Twist on more fibers to increase the length of the twine. Then twist all three fibers in the opposite direction to create the twine.

Tips & Warnings

• You may use yarn or untwist store-bought sisal twine for this project.

• You may use other tree material or find agave locally to twist into twine.

• This is a good project for children or Boy Scouts.

• Use caution when beating the sisal leaves for the fibers. Some agave plants can be sharp; take care not to cut yourself.

References

• Bridon Cordage: The Role of Twine in North American Agriculture
• Rope Maker's Bible in the Making: The Story of Homemade Rope---Handmade Rope
• Whatknot: Making Rope: A Method With Minimum Equipment
• The Survival and Self-Reliance Studies Institute: Rope and Net Making

Resources

• California State Parks: Rope Making
• The Free Dictionary: Twine