If you want to learn how to turn plant fibers into usable cordage, YouTube has no shortage of demonstrations – but quality and focus vary a lot. This list rounds up the ten most-viewed videos on the topic, ranked by actual YouTube view count, so you can see which ones millions of other learners chose first.
Across the list you’ll find a mix of quick two-to-four-minute field demonstrations, historical and TV-broadcast clips, one full start-to-finish processing project, and even a machine build. Whether you want a fast answer for a specific plant or a longer deep-dive, one of these should fit.
1. Flax to linen: from sowing to sewing.
Rob Stephens · 5.2M views · 20:21 · 2021
Rob Stephens' most popular upload by a wide margin, with over five million views. This 20-minute video documents his full personal venture into processing flax from seed all the way to thread and cloth – a patient, start-to-finish project video rather than a quick tutorial. Best for viewers who want the whole picture and don't mind settling in.
This one can only be played on YouTube – the channel has embedding turned off. Open it on YouTube.
2. Did You Know You Can Turn Coconuts Into Rope?
TKOR · 3.2M views · 4:00 · 2016
A short, punchy four-minute video from TKOR (The King of Random) showing a no-tools coconut-to-rope trick. It's in the channel's trademark quick life-hack style, so it's ideal if you want one fast, simple takeaway rather than a lengthy lesson.
3. Making Rope – Medieval to Edwardian technique
archanth · 3M views · 2:50 · 2011
A sub-three-minute clip sourced from the TV series Edwardian Farm, covering rope making from a historical angle with links to related medieval footage in the description. Good for viewers curious about traditional and historical methods, though it moves quickly given its length.
4. The Beautiful and Deadly Wisteria – An Amazing Plant!
StoneAgeMan · 1.3M views · 6:48 · 2020
StoneAgeMan focuses on a single plant – wisteria – in this roughly seven-minute video filmed out among a large patch of vines. It's as much about the plant itself and what makes it remarkable as it is about cordage, suiting viewers who like naturalist context alongside the practical content.
5. Medieval rope-making in Visby market
Lindybeige · 1.1M views · 6:56 · 2015
Lindybeige films himself making a short rope with help at a medieval market in Visby, Sweden, using jute fiber. At around seven minutes with his characteristic observational commentary, it's a good pick for history-minded viewers who enjoy watching an amateur attempt rather than a polished expert demo.
6. How to Make Rope | How It's Made
Science Channel · 861.7K views · 2:36 · 2018
A two-and-a-half-minute segment from Science Channel's How It's Made, showing plant-fiber rope production in a broadcast-documentary style. It's the fastest watch on the list and suits viewers who want a concise, professionally produced overview rather than field instruction.
7. A Machine That Turns Plants Into Rope
NightHawkInLight · 634.5K views · 16:43 · 2022
NightHawkInLight assembles and tests a roughly $900 rope-making machine purchased from Aliexpress, feeding various plant materials through it. At nearly 17 minutes it's a longer build-and-test video, aimed at viewers who enjoy the engineering and experimentation side as much as the outcome.
8. Survival Guide: Make YARDS of natural cordage in MINUTES
SageSmokeSurvival · 616K views · 11:14 · 2024
This 2024 upload from SageSmokeSurvival is a dedicated survival-oriented tutorial promising large quantities of natural cordage quickly, and it also touches on the broader mindset of recognizing useful plants. At just over 11 minutes, it suits viewers wanting a thorough, modern bushcraft-focused lesson.
9. How To Make Rope From Grass [Easy Method] – NightHawkInLight
NightHawkInLight · 562.2K views · 2:42 · 2015
Another NightHawkInLight entry, this one a compact two-and-a-half-minute demonstration using grass as the raw material. It's the fastest pure how-to on the list and a good first stop for anyone wanting the core method in minimal time, with notes in the description about other usable fibers.
10. Ray Mears – How to make natural cordage from nettles, Bushcraft Survival
Ray Mears & Woodlore Ltd. · 497.3K views · 6:21 · 2011
Ray Mears demonstrates making cordage from nettles in this six-minute clip taken from the DVD extras of Bushcraft Survival Series 1. It's classic expert-led bushcraft television from a widely respected name, well suited to viewers who want to watch an experienced practitioner work.
Ranked by YouTube view count as of October 7, 2026. View counts move around, so the order here reflects the day this list was compiled. All videos belong to their respective creators – watching them here plays them directly from YouTube, so views and any ad revenue still go to the channel.
