simple rope:
take a length of fiber (i have done this with silk sewing thread) at least 8 times longer than rope or cord desired.
fold in half.
fix one end (i use a cup hoop screwed into the wall)
in the loop at the other end, insert a dowel (a pencil will do
turn the dowel (for ever!)
(in advanced versions, you can use a auger or a power drill on low.. i screwed a second cup hook into a scrap of wood, and set wood into augers chuck..Use auger or drill to turn the yarn)
Eventully the yarn will start to kink.. resist this, (by keeping tension on the yarn
finally (you need help here) grasp twisted yarn at center (half way between the two hooks/hook and dowel and fold (bring the two hooks together..)
--in the egyptian version, you place a short length of rope, with a weight attached to center, and as it kinks, you let it-- and continue twisting. until the whole of yarn is double twisted. (this works if you have a 2 men working. and a pit of some sort. (for the cable to fall into.. and it has to be as deep as your rope will be long!
both men twist, the center point kinks, and fall, the men walk toward each other.. you can see how this would limit the length of the rope or cable .
as you release tension (by folding and bringing starting point and end point together, the cord will twist on its self, --starting at the center. it makes a neat strong cable. (that resists untwisting!)
Rope walks employ the same basic method, only they use gear driven machines, (even if man powered) an the rope walk often has bends, (to facilitate the folding)
Dr bill send me instructions for a third, more advanced method, one that more closely resembles how cable is made today.. i'll copy and post later.
i have made 4+ feet of twisted cord at a time, (it takes about 1 hour) and used it to trim 12 inch square embroidered pillows (and to make matching tie backs for drapes)
