Sorry for click bait title…  ;D

I attempted to make a balearic sling from sisal a few weeks ago, it sucked and it’s now decomposing in my garden.

Yet even now I’m finding sisal fibre in my carpet, and has appeared in the bed, in my sock drawer and I found one in my locker at work which is 15kms from my house!!

I put a sheet down when working, but a few got out and I there’s a few I can’t get out of the carpet, it’s properly embedded in there  ;D no matter how much I pick up it seems to clone itself and spread itself around

Anyone have any experience in this ?

Cheers guys n gals

I will also add I’ve vacuumed about 30,000 times and it don’t get it out  :o

The title is very accurate... sisal is like a hydra, cut off one fiber and two more take its place. ;D

I've had the same experience. I've made a couple of slings from sisal twine (I have been too lazy to strip it to plain fiber), and the fibers are everywhere. All of the slings came out hairy, too. I haven't tried to clean up yet, but I should soon.

Hopefully your rogue sisal fibers will disappear eventually. If every time you come across one you throw it away, you should eventually be rid of them. Even though each fiber disposed of is a small dent, it will add up. Good luck! :)

This is the case with sisal or loose fiber. It's just part of slinging life :) 

Jute, cotton, wool are much less messy. But I love my sisal.

Eino- thanks for the tips haha, you’re not wrong; eventually it will all go away if I pick up piece everyday! Just need to think k of it like an advent calendar, just a sad, lame one that no one buys and gets put on sale in January  ;D

And Irongoober, any tips on braiding with sisal? I can’t seem to find any loose stuff ( been wanting esparto as well!) so I’ve been extracting it from rope but the fibres become very unmanageable as it has great memory and twists around a lot.

My aunt has a monster of a flax bush at her house and I’m going to grab some leaves from that and try it out.

Cheers

Many members love sisal.  The first time I used it I braided my sling from start to finish in one long sitting.  Shortly after my hands were very sore.  Sisal does make a good looking, functional sling but it's not the easiest material to work with and not my favorite natural fiber.  I find jute, hemp, cotton... almost anything easier to work with.

For loose fiber, I'd use the flax plant.  Here are two videos I made on how I extract fiber from New Zealand flax.

https://youtu.be/BCbtz9xLafQ
https://youtu.be/bT9yY5dE5rE

As far as tips go, untangle your braids often, don't keep braiding for a long time without untangling the loose ends, it will make you loose less material out of the twine and it will make it faster overall.

If you are having trouble with loose sisal, try soaking the fibre multiple times and getting the gunk out that usually comes with it. Should be a lot smoother and easier to work with. Cord/rope quality does vary though.

I love the texture of sisal, even though it’s a tad rough on the hands. Definitely need to try these tips, and thanks for the videos !! Should be good I’m excited to try and extract it all myself and turn it into something !

Cheers guys