Just a walk in the park

[SouthernCross]

G'day RR

What a great post :thumbup::thumbup:

Very good examples of identification & use of the resources that were available to you in the area.



Kind regards
Mick

 

[Mistwalker]

Really nice pics RR, reminds me of one of my "man I need a dose of the woods, don't have time to go far days". Several times I've sat in some shallow woods in a secluded corner of Coolidge Park studying and testing theories. I really need to devote more time to practice with natural cordage.

 

[Shotgun]

Very cool. I need to get out and experiment with cattails. Never made cordage from them.

 

[sadiejane]

Hey RR,

Nice pictures and a good point. All you need to practice primitive/bushcraft skills is a ditch with native plants growing. Anything else is just icing.

BTW, are you making your Cattail cordage from green leaves or are you drying them, then soaking them?

I find for basket making, soaking the leaves is counterproductive. What I do is spray the leaves quickly, shake off the excess water, and 'mellow' them overnight between 2 damp towels. This makes them more user friendly for cordage and basket making.

A few years ago, I sought out a basket making instructor because I wanted to make a Cattail hat. She, obviously, had no experience with Cattails because she soaked them in her bathtub overnight. It was like working with limp sphaghetti. I tried for a bit (with no help from her), until I gave up.

Years later, I learned the proper method for preparing them.

I have some Cattail leaves in my apartment that have been there for about 5 or 6 years and I want to see how well they reconstitute, so I've been thinking about doing a tutorial on making a basic Cattail basket, if anybody's interested. The basket:

Doc

yes doc. please!