How to Make a Rope Out of Dead Vines

Dead vines may seem brittle and useless to the average person, but if you know what lies beneath the exterior, you would see the many possibilities the internal fiber of a dead vine holds. In outdoor or even survival scenarios, a dead vine can be used to make rope, also known as cordage. Though this rope won't be extraordinarily thick, it will still be very useful and will make do until a larger rope can be substituted.

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a slit down the length of the vine, careful not to cut through to the other side. Cutting all the way through can damage the fibers.

    • 2

      Peel back the two sides at the slit carefully. This will expose the fibers inside.

    • 3

      Grip some of the fibers at the top of the vine and gently pull down to pull them away from outer shell.

    • 4

      Grab a small group of the fibers and roughly rub them between your two palms. This removes any dirt or other debris from the fibers. Repeat this for a second group of fibers.

    • 5

      Hold the two cleaned groups together in your left hand -- if you are right handed, the opposite if you are left handed -- with your thumb and index finger.

    • 6

      Take the first group and twirl it away from your body, forming a twist on the strands.

    • 7

      Pull the twisted strand towards your body and under the other strand.

    • 8

      Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for the other strand. Continue alternating strands using these same series of motions until all of the fiber is used up. Tie the end in a knot to secure the end of the rope.