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A Guide to Rope Play

blue rope

Congratulations, so you’ve decided to tie the know? You’ve already introduced the idea of bondage games, you’ve established safe words, and successfully brought bondage into your bedroom – now it’s time to take it up a notch. Rope work is kinky, fun, and a staple play for the majority of BDSM enthusiasts; it can be used to wrap, suspend, decorate, or restrain a person. So, if you’re ready to be tied down, let us show you the ropes.

Safety First

It may sound obvious, but always check that you’ve not tied the ropes too tightly. Movement and pressure can cause the knots to tighten, so leaving additional space for squirming is highly recommended. As a general rule, try to leave space for one or two fingers between your partner’s skin and the rope. As with all forms of rope play, plan ahead and bring scissors or a knife and don’t be afraid to cut someone out if things go awry.

Bondage is never risk-free, the biggest concern when it comes to rope play is nerve damage and circulatory problems. If your partner reports tingling or a loss of sensation, or you spot a change in temperature or skin colour – stop the scene immediately. Check in with your partner often using safe words and safe signal, and keep new bottoms in bondage for no more than 15-30 minutes at a time.

Communication is key

As mentioned above, you really need to communicate beforehand. So before you start tying things up, you should discuss a safe word. Double check that you are both aware of the word and that when it is said the session is stopped completely.

Bondage is all about mixing pain and pleasure, but you must always be aware of your partner’s needs. Communication, whether verbal or physical, is what bondage is about. You should take note of your partners’ reactions and tailor your games and techniques to that.

Choosing your rope

Generally speaking, all forms of rope and string could be used for bondage. Nevertheless, for first tie-ers, we recommend investing in some good quality rope. Silk ropes are friction free, feel smooth against the skin, and are extremely comfortable – an ideal rope for beginners. Natural fiber ropes, although more expensive than synthetic fiber, grip better and are more durable. Many people find these uncomfortable and difficult to untie, but it does soften after being a washed a few times. Cotton rope is soft and comfortable, but it doesn’t hold knots so well – this is ideal for those prefer to be wrapped in rope.

As with other toys and restraints, it’s a good idea to clean ropes before a scene. Wash the ropes with warm water and soap. It’s imperative to make sure that the rope is completely dry prior to storage. Hemp ropes can be washed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle and nylon ropes can be bleached. Some choose to softened their ropes with fabric softener, but this can really reduce the life span of your ropes.

Knots, knots, knots

We recommend one of the following three knots for beginners:

1) Square/Reef Knot – this is a good choice for rope bondage as it applies the least pressure to the skin. This knot can be used for tying two ropes together, or the end of the same rope. A demonstration can be found online

2) Lark’s Head – need to tie your rope to an object? This is the knot for you! However, this should not be used for tying rope around the body or for suspension bodange. A demonstration can be found online

3) Classic Single Column Tie – this is used to bind a single column such as an arm or leg. It won’t tighten, so there’s less risk of circulatory problems. A demonstration can be found online

If you’re feeling nervous at the prospect of tying up your partner, try the moves out on a stuffed toy or blow up doll beforehand. After all, practice makes perfect. Then all you need to do is look forward to the real thing!

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