Where to learn rope work?

lorelei_echo

Virgin
Joined
Mar 22, 2008
Posts
14
I'd like to learn a lot more about rope work, tying knots, etc... I know there's tonnes of resources online, but I'm really much better learning in person in a class. Assuming there are no BDSM-specific workshops on this in my area any time soon (haven't seen any on the schedule), what are some alternatives? I was thinking maybe backpacking/outdoor survival type classes?

Thank you!
 
Nautical classes?

Personally, I just bought an illustrated book to learn knots. The rest can be learned from your imagination.
 
I disagree about the knots - Really I think you only need one or two (any more is just decoration) - most of the knots in those books are for purposes that aren't really great for sexual bondage.

What area do you live in? Might help us link you to local classes.
 
Chicklet is spot on. I use a minimal handful of knots and hitches. Very, very few really.

There are plenty of resources depending on where you live. My ropework thread on chat has a lot of online resources (click the hat for a link to it) and I can possibly suggest various groups depending on where you're at. If you don't want to post in the clear, PM me, and I'll see if I can locate a group or individual for you.

As an aside, I use reef knots, overhand, half hitches (and various combinations of those), Lapp bends, and sliding and fixed bowlines. I use other knots for special purposes (such as footrope/crown knots to finish rope ends), but those don't occur often enough to really warrant mention, and can usually use one of the ones mentioned as a substitution. Learn reef, overhand, half hitch, and a bend (sheet or lapp), and you've got 90% of what you'll need.

I've also got some tips scattered throughout my thread on learning the ropes, as it were. I'm no expert, but there's a lot of info there, and the first post has links to a number of the more informative posts (and pic-filled ones as well)
 
You don't say where you are, so I can't point you directly to a local or reasonably close group or class. Most groups will have someone who is seriously into rope. Perhaps they give classes to the group as a whole, or they may be willing to teach you one-on-one.

To find local Munches, email groups, and events in your area, try:

SceneUSA - http://www.darkheart.com/sceneusa.html
Caryl's Page - http://www.drkdesyre.com/
The BDSM Events Page - http://www.thebdsmeventspage.com/ which has links to both organizations AND events.
SirPaul's National Munch Page - http://phoenixdragon.dreamknight87.com/nmp.htm

Sadly, the person who got me started with ropework, Tammad Rimilia, passed away, but some of his ropework instruction lives on here - http://ms.ha.md.us/~tammad/over21/bondage/

Midori is flat out awesome. You can find out about what she is doing and where and when by going to http://www.planetmidori.

Near Chicago? Try their rope group - http://www.NawaShibariChicago.com

Bridgette Harrington is a great rope artist and teacher (and fabulously hot in a shaved headed amazon kinda way) - http://www.ropelover.com/

Numinous (and his lovely laciee) is another excellent rope artist and teacher - unfortunately his website - http://www.nawashi.com/ - which had tutorials and advice, seems to have been replaced by a pay video site.

David El is another well known instructor - http://www.ropeforpleasure.com/

Austin Ropecraft Symposium 3 should happen sometime in 2008 - http://www.ropecraft.info/

Hope that helps you find a rope teacher!
 
Tammad's page is back up? Sweet! I got my start there too =)

The page is indeed back up. But I didn't learn from the site, I got hands on instruction from him at April Bash, a BDSM event held in Raleigh, NC several years ago. He was truly a gentleman and excellent instructor. I had the opportunity after the class to spend time with him and get additional info, as well as getting to watch him play that evening. I didn't find out about the site until I took the class.

I got a lot from the experience! His love of ropework lives on in all of us he taught. :D
 
The page is indeed back up. But I didn't learn from the site, I got hands on instruction from him at April Bash, a BDSM event held in Raleigh, NC several years ago. He was truly a gentleman and excellent instructor. I had the opportunity after the class to spend time with him and get additional info, as well as getting to watch him play that evening. I didn't find out about the site until I took the class.

I got a lot from the experience! His love of ropework lives on in all of us he taught. :D

Wow, that's awesome. Never got the chance to meet him, but loved his page. He seemed like a fantastic person from his writing.
 
If you want to be pro, I would say practicing like crazy would be the first step.

Second, make some pilgrimages, buy technical books, etc.

Basically the same as you would do with anything else to get really good at it.
 
If you are a visual learner and there aren't any events/workshops/classes that you can readily attend, you can always have a look at Two Knotty Boys on YouTube. It's not quite the same, but it's at least a visual in real time.

And just as an FYI - Bridgette Harrington is now Lee Harrington. He's been undergoing his FtM transition for some time and is now living as male.
 
I was going to comment on Lee Harrington but someone beat me!

*looks for marks*

The BodyBound event I'm going to is being put together by him. YAY! (Still need a rope top, btw)
 
I was going to comment on Lee Harrington but someone beat me!

*looks for marks*

The BodyBound event I'm going to is being put together by him. YAY! (Still need a rope top, btw)

Sorry, I don't hit hard enough to leave marks :D:p

I'm sure you'll enjoy his event. He was here in NZ 2 years ago (was still Bridget back then) and attended two of his class times. A passion for everything and time in his heart for everyone. Just awesome :)

(sorry for the hijack!)
 
I disagree about the knots - Really I think you only need one or two (any more is just decoration)...

Question - How exactly does one go about disagreeing with another's personal experience? Do you question the integrity of my statement or the validity of my reality? Perhaps you meant to say that I've learned too much?

I wanted to learn beyond how to tie my own shoes. So, I bought a book. You could have easily stated the same facts about the lack of use for many types of knots in sexual bondage and your opinions on what conejita could learn without being insulting.
 
Question - How exactly does one go about disagreeing with another's personal experience? Do you question the integrity of my statement or the validity of my reality? Perhaps you meant to say that I've learned too much?

I wanted to learn beyond how to tie my own shoes. So, I bought a book. You could have easily stated the same facts about the lack of use for many types of knots in sexual bondage and your opinions on what conejita could learn without being insulting.

How do you disagree with another's personal experience? Easily. You declare disagreement. If you went to a movie and disliked it, would you get snippy towards someone that liked it? they're disagreeing with your personal opinion after all. And, to be frank, there was nothing even insulting about Chicklet's post.

You stated your personal experience (which I also disagree with), and she stated hers. There are a handful of knots that are used so commonly that they're damned near required for functional bondage (well, bondage that won't take hours to do and undo). The rest are window dressing generally.

There is a serious functional difference between nautical ropework and bondage for sex and aesthetics. No, nautical knots are not useless, but they are not always the best choice for the job. One example of that would be the time it takes to tie certain knots and hitches. It may not be an issue in a nautical setting, but it can be when you have a live bottom in your ropes. Also you need to be well aware that some nautical knots jam. It's actually a design feature for some, as they are meant to be extra secure. This is fine when you are trying to control a 400# sheet, but sucks ass when you've got a bottom in pain and you're trying to adjust your tie.

And, honestly, imagination is insufficient unless your imagination also includes a solid working knowledge of anatomy so you can avoid nerve compression injuries, and bloodflow issues. Nerve compression injuries are a great way to permanently harm a bottom, so I'm not a big fan of grabbing a book only vaguely related to ropework applied to human bodies, and then just going.

*shrug* This is just my personal experience though. Feel free to disagree with it :D
 
Question - How exactly does one go about disagreeing with another's personal experience?

I wasn't disagreeing about your personal experience - that's pretty much an impossibility. Like if you said, "I went to Italy and it was beautiful" I wouldn't say "No, it wasn't."

You stated that the OP, in your opinion, ought to purchase a book on knots to learn how to tie someone up. That is what I was disagreeing with. Your comment didn't declare "In my personal experience, knots are the way to go." Your statment said "You should buy a book on knots." That's what I disagree about.

There are a LOT of different styles of rope work. LOTS AND LOTS. Shibari doesn't even use knots, traditionally, does it? Not that our OP specifically said "Where do I learn to do Shibari?" But I think that a lot of newbies picture a shibari type of bondage when they think about bondage for sex.

Knots are fine, sure, but for the price of one of those books on knots, you could go out and buy a gorgeous book on bondage for the specific purpose of binding someone up for sex = )

Honestly, I wasn't trying to insult with my comments, just like I'm pretty sure you weren't meaning to insult me with yours. I do, however, apologize for the miscommunication, and was sincerely just trying to state my personal opinion and experience.
 
Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H, Girl Scouts, there are lots of non kinky resources.

Now personally I'd rather go to a local demo and learn hands on. That's just what I did. Where are you? Have you looked for local groups?

:rose:
 
Thanks, everyone. Sorry it took me so long to respond - been a crazy few days!

Anyway, I'm in Calgary, AB. I think I have a decent knowledge of the local groups, but it's always possible I'm missing something. I know one group in particular that does a couple of workshops a month, but I don't see anything on rope work in their upcoming events.

As for types of ropework, I'm not necessarily looking for Shibari right now (although it's gorgeous, and I definitely want to try it sometime!). To start I'm looking for something more basic and functional, and then I'll work my way up.
 
I know one group in particular that does a couple of workshops a month, but I don't see anything on rope work in their upcoming events.

If you don't see it on the calendar, why don't you ask if one can be put on? From personal experience, there are lots of people who are interested in learning in any given area. Maybe email the people who run the group and ask.
 
*nod* I likely will. I just may have a good opportunity to put some of it to work before the next open spot on their schedule comes up. :)
 
Calgary hmm?

Why, why did I move north from there? (lol)

The area that i'm in there is practically zip zero ziltch (if you find something in that neck of the woods let me know maybe?) I might have to plan a trip back home for such a thing ;)
 
As for types of ropework, I'm not necessarily looking for Shibari right now (although it's gorgeous, and I definitely want to try it sometime!). To start I'm looking for something more basic and functional, and then I'll work my way up.

Well, I can't really help much in Calgary, but functional, for most people, works out to cuffs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOnrKymEyI

This Youtube video is unnattributed, but it is Jack Elfrink teaching how to do the Fool's Cuff, which was designed by the inestimable Phillip the Foole. None of these names will likely mean much, but they're all good folk.

Regardless, the fool's cuff is dead simple, easy to learn, quick to tie, secure, and non-tightening. I've tied a LOT of cuffs, and this one is easily my favourite for a simple, functional piece. And Jack's video is really clear, and easy to follow along with. Grab some rope, sit in front of your computer, cross an anlke over the opposite knee, and practice tying the cuff on your leg. (yes, this is how I practice new cuffs)

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.
 
Anyway, I'm in Calgary, AB. I think I have a decent knowledge of the local groups, but it's always possible I'm missing something. I know one group in particular that does a couple of workshops a month, but I don't see anything on rope work in their upcoming events.

If you know an e-mail address or a way to contact this group, it might be worth your time to put in a specific request for a rope workshop - could be that one or two people voicing interest would be enough for them to schedule something.

OR, if you contact them with that request, they might be able to give you a hand finding someone local to teach.
 
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