Wild Cordage Making

Forage and Make Cordage from Wild and Cornish Plants

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Handmade cordage from invasive Cornish plants
Examples of cordage (string)making from six different 'weeds' in Cornwall

Connect your hands, eyes and heart to nature through collecting wild and Cornish plants to make beautiful and practical cordage (aka string). Cordage can be used for multiple projects, basically anything that needs tying, securing, holding or decorating from jewellery, to bags, fishing nets and even rope.

Stages of making cordage from bramble fibres
Four different stages of making cordage (string) from invasive brambles

Discover how to transfer ‘weeds‘ and garden waste (pruned leaves and stems) into a strong and versatile material and make something that is genuinely sustainable, local, net-zero and plastic-free. The possibilities are endless with this simple process that can calm the mind and body.

Grass bowl of different cordage (string) made from plants, photographed in a hay field
Examples of five different strings made from wild and Cornish plants in Cornwall, made by forager Rachel Lambert

Wild cordage making is an ancient, meditative process dating back tens of thousands and years. Reconnecting to plant materials in this way can feel satisfying and empowering.

The day includes;

  • A foraging walk to learn about plants that can be used for cordage
  • Experience up to 8 local plants used for cordage
  • Harvesting some of your own plant fibres
  • Learn the ancient craft of cordage making using different techniques and tips
  • Make cordage from four different plants
  • Go away with materials and skills to create your own projects using cordage
Earring design made from Carex pendula
Bowl made from 100% waste from Cornish daffodil fields
Looped bag made of invasive grass in Cornwall