Knot a Thong

I never knew learning basic knots could be so useful *smiles*

Still Knot Crazy: The Switchback Rope Strap

A variation on the rope strap that produces an even larger surface area for cushioning a limb is called the Switchback Rope Strap.

I love the look and feel of this strap. It's easy to do, though it takes quite sometime to fashion a long length of it, and the resulting construct looks remarkably like the tail of a rattlesnake.

In addition to being quite pretty, the strap is also flexible and my use of nylon rope means it's somewhat stretchable as well.

The fact that it takes some time to put it together means if you're working with a partner, you might want to weave it together before your practice to save some time.

As you can see from the pic below, it functions quite nicely in holding up various object such as this lucky aluminum soda can.

Knot Crazy: The Rope Strap

Although learning knots for the sake of learning knots is fine, it feels even better to create something that can be actually used directly to restrain a limb.

The Sliding Sheet Bend was one such technique, and today I learned to set up a quite beautiful looking construct called a Rope Strap.

The Rope Strap is important because it allows you to distribute the pressure of the rope over a larger surface area, thus decreasing the risk of pinching and circulation loss for the person being tied.

That ankle in jeans is goin' nowhere

It's also fairly easy to master. In fact once you've done it 2-3 times you quickly can repeat the entire process with no mistakes ad infinitum because there are only 5 non-repetitious steps to master no matter how long the resulting strap.

And there are tons of uses for the strap, including using it as shackles, as a bracelet, or even as a collar.

Here's a youtube vid that shows how to easily make a Rope Strap.

Today's Knot: The Sliding Sheet Bend

I am fascinated by this knot that I learned today.

It's called the Sliding Sheet Bend, and it's interesting because you can "slide" the knot up and down its length in order to do adjustments without weakening its strength, but the knot can also be completely and easily untied with a single pull of one end. One use that was given as an example is that it can be tied to secure the limbs of someone placed onto a BDSM Cross.

Here I easily untie an SSB knot with a single pull at its short end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftXbH4s19eE

Here is a youtube video from TKB showing how to make such a  knot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WSS5JEPp3g

How to Start Learning

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Today's Knot: The Double Coin Knot

Today's knot is the Double Coin Knot, which according to the reference book I am using ("Two Knotty Boys on the Ropes") is heavily used for body harnesses. The name comes from the fact the knot when first used in China resembled the coinage used by the Chinese at the time.

I'll put my pic here because I find the construct quite symmetrically beautiful.

Because of the complexity of the knot I had to go beyond my reference book and figure it out using this youtube video from the knotty boys.

To a Rigger Everyone Looks Like a Bunny

Front...

Our gym has several outdoor pools, as well as a lap indoor pool, and when I went to do some weights and running today I noticed something different about me.

Normally, I pay little attention to most of the scantily-clad women (yes yes, it's true, I'm married), though the more athletic and slimmer girls do merit a surreptitious male oink oink glance.

But today was different. Today I found myself almost staring at various women, of whatever body type, and dreamily imagining how they would look roped and immobile, perhaps even suspended while I worked on running lines around and through them.

It was a weird feeling to say the least.

...and back!

The Journey Begins: A Knotty Problem

Kinbaku is a Japanese style of bondage or BDSM which involves tying up the bottom using simple yet visually intricate patterns, usually with several pieces of thin rope - often jute, hemp or linen and generally around 6 mm in diameter, but sometimes as small as 4mm, and between 7m-8m long.

I start by learning the various knots. I've pushed myself to learn one knot a day, practicing endlessly those knots that I've already mastered.

I begin with the simple Square Knot on the first day.

I learn and master the Double Slipknot on the second day. And today I managed to figure out the much more intricate True Lover's Knot.

If nothing else, I'll be able to pass for a real sailor.