@dec23k doesn't need the strength, but I found the stiffness to be useful to have them stand up on their own.
Trying something else is a good call, although I also like using the brake cables as they're a readily available (given my bike workshop mates) waste material
I got interrupted by other folk arriving for Maker Day yesterday, but I think the next step will be some more practicing of my plaiting - maybe with just the cables at first. It's been many, many years since I last did any!