Any strippers out there?

[DOC-CANADA]

I was out hiking today and came across a large patch of Velvet Leaf (Abutilon theophrasti). I've never seen it around here before. John McPherson uses it to make cordage so I thought I would give it a try. He says it strips better from bottom (large end) to top (small end). I didn't really notice this to be the case. I also found it very difficult to remove the outer skin from the fibre in all except one plant. The fibre in this one plant appeared weathered, like Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) does in late winter and it came off very easily.

Has anybody here worked with Velvet Leaf (AKA Pie Marker) before? Any tips? Is it better to harvest after the first frost? Can it be retted?

Doc