The Rope Maker

The other day Tadre Mølle was visited. Our two grandchildren was on vacation and it was decided to visit the old, but still functioning watermill, Tadre Mølle (take a look at a danish blogpost with a few shots from the mill). Tadre Mølle is now part of Roskilde Museum.

We were lucky to visit the mill the day the rope maker was working.

I asked Aksel to be part of this miniportrait of his skills. Aksel told he learned to make ropes at the family farm 70 years ago, and because he had practiced ever since he still is able to make some ropes at special  occasions at Tadre Mølle. He has a simple tool, but as you see at the end of the photos, he makes excellent ropes. Aksel told he has the feeling of ropemaking in his hands.

First Aksel placed 3 x 4 strings between the blue plate and “the other end”. He turns and turn – and suddenly there are 4 strings.

The the rope is made from the other end using another simple tool and by help of my gandchild turning and turning the moving part.

Here is the good, old tool.

And Aksels “rope-sensitive” hand.

The rope has to be secured in both ends.

Here is the result.

It was a cold day – and a pancake was good to have.