Fibers need to be worked through before they are ready.

Even strongly structured plants need a good squishing to be something that runs through your fingers.

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Spines need to be removed.

Leaves crushed.

Stalks broken open by stepping on them.

What should not surprise us is that the opening takes force, the kind you ignore until your hands get tired, 20 minutes in.

A master artisan can go all day and night.

The fiber is the structure. Getting to it might take an ancient scraper.