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| 31 Dec 10, 12:40 PM manonwire UK(N), 3 yrs  |
Thanks. I will keep that in mind. I boiled it for about 40 mins and though it is still wet it looked like it took a lot more of the streaks out (?). Anyway.. I got to go out and although some recommendations are for longer boiling periods (8 - 12 hours? Really?) I've stuck it in the washing machine again with a touch more fabric conditioner and a much higher heat wash. I've got an twinkle in my eye with hemp and I want to try it out a bit more to see what it's like... Officially known as the Slackline guy. | |
| 31 Dec 10, 12:46 PM rupert_bare UK(B), 3 yrs  |
Have you tried linen rope its sort of like hemp without the hassle (and a nicer odour) you can get a nice one from www.bound-to-please.co.uk | |
| 31 Dec 10, 12:55 PM LotsOfKnots UK(N), 2 yrs |
Most rope sold as hemp is actually mostly flax these days as true hemp is hard to get.
The farm yard smell comes from natural oils in the rope that are partly water soluble but can be got out with a little detergent. Lotsofknots recipe for smell free hemp as follows: 1) Boil for 1 hour in a covered pan with a little biological washing liquid added. (use the bleach free colour friendly liquids) 2) Throw away the water and add fresh water and a little more washing liquid. Boil for another 2 hours. 3) Throw away the water and add fresh water but NO DETERGENT. Boil for another hour or two. 4)Give a final wash with cold water. 5) (optional) If you want coloured rope stick it in bucket with dylon for a few days and stir well every day. 6)Dry under tension (about 5kg for 6mm rope). It will take 2-3 days to completely dry out all the way through. 7) Burn off the fuzzy bits. 8) Rub oil into it (camellia oil, jojoba, baby oil or whatever) This produces a very soft rope that has a sweet grassy smell rather than smelling like a cows backside. Hope this helps.
Edited 31 Dec 10, 1:01 PM by LotsOfKnots | |
| 31 Dec 10, 3:41 PM Rigour UK, 21 mths |
I've boiled both hemp and jute for up to 24 hours, as I understand it it gets better the longer it's in. My jute does have a sort of two tone look to it, sounds similar to yours, maybe it's jute not hemp. I also use the tumble drier as I've no where to hang it, drys it a treat but you need to check the lint filter regularly as a lot of loose fibre comes out.
More hedonism NOW | |
| 31 Dec 10, 3:57 PM trillium UK(N), 4 yrs |
I've not used hemp in ages (mainly as it's not that great for tying/doesn't flow in the hands, but it does feel nice to be tied with). Have you considered that the hemp might have oil/wax/jelly on the side(s) that had to rub against something while getting made? water won't get rid of it but enough time airing should.
"It's pointless to be hesitant when you're absorbed in play. It's like throwing cold water on ecstasy once it's finally caught flame." (from Tsujimura Takashi's Camera Hunt) | |
| 31 Dec 10, 3:59 PM trillium UK(N), 4 yrs |
ow and over boiling it will loosen the lay too much, so let how tight the lay is to start determine how long to boil. "It's pointless to be hesitant when you're absorbed in play. It's like throwing cold water on ecstasy once it's finally caught flame." (from Tsujimura Takashi's Camera Hunt) | |
| 31 Dec 10, 9:41 PM manonwire UK(N), 3 yrs |
Wow... so many different approaches. Thanks for your answers guys and girls. I came home to find that my processing has (so far) managed to produce satisfactory results! All it's got to do is dry now. It's interesting that after the first time I washed it and was just playing with it that I thought, 'Can this really be 8m worth?' So I guess it really does shrink considerably more than I imagined. So to recap. I washed it (40 degrees) with a splash of fabric conditioner. Left it in the machine for a few hours, rinsed it off, rung it out, manipulated it and let it dry. Boiled it for approx 3 minutes and rinsed it immediately. Rung it out and dried it. Two days later I boiled it for more like 40 minutes, rinsed it out and stuck it back in the washing machine on 60 degrees. This time I added something more like half a cup of fabric conditioner. I've no been ringing it out, manipulating it and stretching it. The odour is still there but it is at the level that I'd like it to be at. It's strung up under some tension now. Can't wait for it to dry and then I can burn it off and oil it to see how that goes. This is the bit I really like doing! Officially known as the Slackline guy. |
