Author: Rope Source

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Craft twine ideas to keep the family busy

Twine craft heart design

How do you and your family spend rainy days? The thought of having to stay indoors, desperately finding something to keep the kids occupied is enough to frazzle any parents – this tricky scenario is all too common. We’re here to provide you with a number of solutions, all of which will involve getting those crafting hats on for a spot of DIY. Craft twine can be incorporated into a number of creative projects, so pick your favourites and get stuck in.

Scrapbooking

Who doesn’t love a nostalgic scrapbooking session? If you’re looking for a place to store all of your favourite memories, other than Instagram, this could be the perfect crafting idea for you and the family. When you next head off on a day out, take a few snaps and find certain objects that will remind you of your trips – whether that’s leaves, pinecones or a postcard, the choice is yours to make. The key is to create a medley of textures, with each page being completely different to the next. Create your own stencils using natural cotton string, or stick a few snips of jute craft twine to the page, positioning these between other objects, for a rough feel. 

Wall decor

Are your walls looking a little bland? We hope that your family will love this DIY craft string wall decor method as much as we do. Using a wood tile for the backing, a pencil to create your stencil, scissors, glue, and of course your craft twine to form a shape or word that’s meaningful to you; you can make something sentimental, and completely unique. For a splash of colour, decorate with stamps, paint and glitter. Don’t forget to secure a snip of twine to the back of your piece so that you can hang it up on the wall for all to admire. 

Gift wrapping

Sometimes it’s not all about what’s inside the parcel, but how it looks when it’s first presented. Being a super simple craft – and a great way to teach the kids how to wrap their own presents – anyone and everyone can get involved. Use your twine to make gift tags, or wrap your gift up in a bow, weaving in pinecones or dry flowers for a rustic feel. When paired with recyclable kraft paper and plastic free tape, everything is completely biodegradable, too.

Twine bunting

Whether you’ve got a big celebration planned, or maybe you’re just looking for a way to spruce up your home’s interior, craft twine can be used to string together paper party bunting. Once you’ve drawn and cut out your bunting templates in a shape of your choice and have decorated them to your heart’s content, you can measure out the placement of the holes, marking each with an X. Use a paper punch to cut them out and measure out a suitable twine length – this will depend on how far you’d like your bunting to reach around the room. Then you can start stringing the twine underneath each piece of bunting to keep it hidden. Add tape as you go along to secure everything in place – a grown-up’s help may be needed for this bit. 

Planters

For lovers of nautical home decor, a twine wrapped planter could be just the thing you need to finish off your table tops. Being yet another super simple method, all you’ll need to do is wrap twine around your plant pots, securing everything down every so often with a spot of glue (an adult can do this bit). Make sure there aren’t any gaps for a seamless finish.

Milk bottle vases

Twine-wrapped milk bottle vases

Got some empty milk or wine bottles that are taking up space? Why not put them to good use? A similar method can be used as above – either wrap your way from the bottom to the top, or paint your bottle and wrap your twine half way for some added interest. 

Twine bracelets

If you’ve read our previous blog post on how to make a friendship bracelet, you’ll know that twine can be weaved in all sorts of wonderful ways, with each variation creating a different effect. We’ve already discussed how coloured macrame string and decorative braids can be used for this, but if you want to make a chunkier bracelet with added texture, twine is another option. Personalise yours as you wish by weaving in buttons or beads. 


Looking for some more crafting ideas? Here at Rope Source, we have everything you need for your next DIY project. Get in touch with us today to discover the ideal resources for you.

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Top tips for new homeowners

Small house with keys

We understand that moving house can be a stressful process; with so many factors to consider, it’s easy for your head to become scrambled. To help you prepare for your next chapter, we’ll be sharing our new homeowner tips to make a smooth transition. We’ll be covering everything from when and how to start planning, right the way through to the exciting part; decorating. Now that you’ve got your pen and paper at the ready, let’s get started. 

How to plan moving out

It’s never too early to start planning the big move. It can be underestimated how long it takes to plastic wrap all of your valuables, form a collection of boxes in various different sizes, along with the tedious process of then labelling every box. Sounds draining, right? The key is to start as early as possible, creating a clear list of each task you need to complete before moving. You can then organise these based on priority. Nothing good comes from rushing, and you might even end up forgetting something. Take a gradual approach, hack away slowly, and try to keep calm. 

Home removals

Now that all of your belongings are safely packed up in boxes, don’t risk playing Tetris in your boot. The process will be made much simpler when relying on the help of a removal company – make sure to book them in advance. To help out, dismantle larger items prior to your move to prevent walls getting scraped.

Cleaning

There’s no avoiding it, a big clean up of your new home will have to take place at some point. It’s easier to pay a visit before moving in (if possible) so that you can get everything looking shipshape, and you won’t need to worry about working around your furniture. If your home is a new build, check for any screws, nails or hooks on the floor, and give everything a good dusting. 

Meeting the neighbours

Introducing yourself to the neighbours may seem like a daunting task, but if you avoid it, you could end up missing out on making friends for life. As cringy as it sounds, why not say hello armed with a plate of bakes, with the hope that they’ll return the favour at some point. Alternatively, if the weather is warm, organise a BBQ to show off that wonderful new garden of yours. Alongside the social benefits, you could also take the opportunity to ask them whether there are any plumbers or electricians they regularly rely on – which is ideal if you experience any future hiccups. 

Decorating your new home

This is where you can start to turn your house into a home, and it’s the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity. Although it’s tempting to go overboard with brand new decor, why not save yourself some cash – and have a bit of fun – with a DIY project? For those who dream of a rustic aesthetic, get inspired and have a read of our previous blog post; simple nautical home decor ideas. Jute rope and manilla rope are ideal for home decor, so whether you choose to create a coaster, beachy mirror, or rope entry mat, let your imagination run wild. And don’t stop there. Kit out your new garden with decking ropes, outdoor furniture and twinkling fairy lights for ambiance. Need some inspiration? Head over to our previous blog post for some more fabulous decking for your garden ideas. 

Homeowner’s journal

It’s likely that you’ll start collecting plenty of paperwork as you settle into your new home, but storing all documentation – from maintenance receipts to insurance papers – in a homeowner’s journal is a great way to stay organised. 

From kitting out the inside of your home, to impressing your new neighbours with your garden decor skills, Rope Source has everything you need to get started. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our range of ropes, cords and twines! 

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How to create a rainbow rope wall hanging

Rainbow rope decoration

For all the crafting fanatics out there, this next DIY project certainly isn’t one to be missed. A rainbow rope wall hanging is ideal for adding a touch of playfulness to your home décor – be it for a child’s bedroom, for brightening up your lounge, or to be used as a fun gift to put a smile on a friend’s face. So, if you’re in search of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, this super simple method could be the one to clear away the clouds. 

What will you need?

To craft your very own rainbow rope wall hanging, you’ll need: 

  • Yarn in colours of your choice
  • Yarn needle
  • Twisted cotton rope  
  • Floral wire 
  • Wire cutters
  • Needle and thread 
  • Masking tape 
  • Glue gun 
  • Upholstery needle and thread
  • Jute craft twine

The method

Sizing

Being inspired by Marching North’s crafting method, you’ll need to start by deciding on the size of your rainbow wall hanging. Be it a small complimentary hanging, or the focal point of a room, choose the length and width of your rope accordingly.

Lining up

Once you’ve cut your rope into five sections – with each one getting progressively shorter – and you’ve used some masking tape to secure the ends, line them up into the classic curved shape of a rainbow. 

Fringing preparation

To get an even fringing, make sure that you’re lining your ropes up evenly. Armed with your pen, mark where you would like the yarn to begin and end. 

Attaching the wire

Next up, it’s time to attach your floral wire to the cotton ropes. Cut your wire so that it’s long enough to fit within the two marks you previously made. Thread your wire through the rope’s middle to secure it in place, using small blobs of glue. as you go along 

Wrapping

Starting with your longest piece of cotton rope, hold your first coloured yarn up to the first mark, wrapping it around until you reach the second mark. When you reach this point, tie a tight knot, snip your yarn and use your needle to thread down the end. Be sure to keep everything tight, covering the rope without any gaps, avoiding overlapping the yarn. Repeat this process with the other pieces of rope.

Assembling the rainbow

After completing the wrapping process for every piece of rope, it’s time to start sewing your rainbow together – you’re almost done now, promise. Beginning with your two smallest pieces of rope, sew them together in a zig-zag pattern, making sure to pull the thread tight with each stitch. This will be done at the back of your rainbow, so you can keep the front looking nice and neat, ready for your guests to admire. After you’ve repeated this process the whole way around, secure in place with a tight knot (using some glue to ensure that nothing will come undone) and begin working on your next piece of rope, eventually stacking each part of your rainbow together. 

Jute hanger

By this stage, your crafting project should really start coming together. However, the process wouldn’t be complete without a hanging mechanism. Jute craft twine is the ideal material for this- due to its durability and strength- so you won’t need to worry about your rainbow wall hanging crashing down to the floor. Your jute hanger only needs to be about five inches long, so once you’ve snipped off a piece, double it over and secure with an overhand knot. Sew this into the back of your rainbow, adding some glue for additional durability. 

Fringing

Now you can remove your masking tape from the ends of your rope to start creating the fringing for some added interest. To do this, separate the loose strands using a comb, fluffing each piece up as you go along. 

And there you have it! A super easy method, yet impressive result. All you need to do now is decide where to position your rainbow rope wall hanging, but we’ll leave that part up to you. 

For more advice on the best materials to incorporate into your next big crafting project, get in touch with a friendly member of our team today! Being rope experts, we’ve got just about everything you could need to get the job done. 

Featured photo source: Marching North. 

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What should be in your fishing kit?

River Fishing

If you’re a first time angler and keen to land a catch, it’s essential that you do your homework and build your fishing checklist before heading for the water. Thankfully, we’re here to help you with that step, covering what should be in your fishing kit to guarantee that the whole process runs swimmingly. 

Tackle box

A tackle box is an efficient storage solution for all of your fishing must-haves, fitted with different compartments that keep items separate. The avid fisher knows that organisation is key when it comes to making a catch, so make sure to stay on top of this before heading off. Items that you could include in your tackle box are:

  • Additional fishing line
  • Floaters 
  • Weights
  • Hooks 
  • Bait
  • Small torch 
  • Suncream 

Fishing rod and reel

If you’re only now dipping your toe into the fishing world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of rods and reels that are out there. With so many different sizes and styles to choose from, how can you possibly go about finding the one? Quality is always key when it comes to making the selection, but try not to invest in a design that’s overly complex and difficult to navigate. 

When it comes to finding the right length, you’ll need to establish what type of fishing you’ll be doing. For example, longer rods are designed for longer casts, whereas rods on the shorter side do limit how far you can throw the line, but they are easier to control. Whichever fishing rod you decide to go for, it should definitely be included in your fishing kit. If you miss this off your checklist, you won’t be catching anything anytime soon. 

Fishing line

Fishing line will connect the bait to your fishing rod, which can then be cast at different distances to tempt a fish, hopefully leading to a winning catch. Just as before, it can be incredibly hard to make a final decision when there are so many varieties of fishing line available. Once you’re aware of the key factors to look out for, this job can be made so much easier. 

Firstly, you’ll need to evaluate the fishing line’s strength (which is measured in pounds). Your choice here will ultimately depend on the species of fish you’re going after, with bigger fish requiring a stronger line. At the same time, the key to fishing is to travel light, so make your choice wisely. 

Secondly, the fishing line’s material. Nylon is the most commonly used fibre, offering plenty of flexibility and strength. With this being a material that’s been used for centuries, there are newer brands coming into the mix, such as Spectra and Dyneema. Through high-tech technologies, they’ve been able to produce an ultra-strong polyethylene fibre that’s able to float as a result of its lightness. Alongside bearing the castability, line memory (whether it retains its shape after casting) and line stretch in mind, you should be on your way to selecting the best fishing line. 

Floats

So, what else should be in your fishing kit? Next up on the checklist are floats. These will be attached to the end of your fishing line, used to show whether a fish has become interested in your bait. If you see this bobbing up and down, you’re in luck! There are different sizes of fishing floats that each have varying uses, with some being more ideal for certain weather conditions or in certain areas. Again, you’ll need to firstly establish how and where you’ll be fishing, making your choice accordingly. 

Landing net

A landing net is another fishing essential, so don’t forget to bring one along with you. This will be used to safely hold the fish so that you can take a peek at it before releasing it back into its habitat. Before purchasing this, consider the species that you’re intending on catching, which will consequently affect the size of the net mesh and of the net as a whole. Just as before, bigger species will require stronger nets, and those of the small variety won’t require something with as much strength and size. 

Bait

From live baits to grocery baits, you won’t be able to tempt a fish without offering it a tasty snack first. Whether you’re planning on getting rid of some fish-friendly food waste, such as hot dogs, cheese, or frozen shrimp, or maybe you can get your hands on some live bait, such as worms, minnows, leeches or frogs, your choice may depend on how squeamish you are. Luckily there are plenty of options out there to suit every fish and fisher alike. 

DIY fishing rod rack

For items that you can’t fit in your tackle box – such as your fishing rod – keep them secure and organised by making a DIY fishing rod rack; polypropylene ropes are ideal for the purpose, with their strength, durability and flexibility. 

If you look at the back seat of your car, there’s a handle situated near the roof that’s often used as a makeshift clothes hanger. In this scenario, it’ll act as the base for your DIY rod rack. To begin crafting this handy piece of equipment, choose a long rope that can fit the width of your car, stretch it across from one side to the other, looping each end through the handles we mentioned. 

Next, bring the two ends of the rope together into the middle and use hooks to secure them in place, sliding them out of the way once you’re done. 

After testing the tension of your rope fishing rod rack and ensuring that everything is firm, you can carefully slide your fishing rod or rods between the cord and roof of the car, with the eyelets facing downwards. A simple yet cost-effective solution.

DIY rope shelter

If you’ve read our previous post that highlights the different rope types and their strength, you’ll know that polyester rope and tarp will be your saving grace when it comes to sheltering from inevitable British showers, due to its durability and strength. When you’re out fishing, it’s highly likely that the weather will turn at some point in the day, so you’ll need to be prepared – regardless of the season. 

Some polyester rope, a pair of trees to tie your cord around and a sheet of tarpaulin work together to create the perfect fishing DIY tarpaulin shelter, keeping the ground beneath your feet and your fishing equipment dry, whatever the weather. 

You can rely on rope source to find all of the materials you need for your next fishing adventure, crafting project, or for within the workplace. Give us a call today to find the materials best suited for the job at hand. 

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Simple nautical home decor ideas

Home Décor on a Chair

If your home is in need of a revamp, what better way to transform your space from bland to beachy than with a few easy DIY projects? With these simple nautical home decor ideas, you can craft your very own pieces of furniture using easy-to-find materials, making use of natural, earthy tones, alongside the traditional sea blues and peaceful whites for a wonderfully playful theme. Let’s set sail and get straight to it… 

Nautical wreath

There’s no better way to get your front porch looking shipshape than with a DIY nautical wreath, a decorative take on a life preserver. All you’ll need for this easy crafting exercise is a foam wreath – you’ll be able to find one of these in a pound shop or hobby shop – a ruler, scissors, straight pins, cotton rope and two different colours of fabric – take blue and white as a classic, sea-themed example. Once you’re equipped with the materials, start to wrap your white fabric around the foam wreath, securing the beginning and end of your fabric strips down with the pins. Continue the wrapping motion until you’ve made your way around the whole wreath. Next, add the contrasting blue fabric to around ¼ of the wreath. 

To add the finishing touches, use your decorative cotton rope to place evenly around the wreath’s edges, pinning in place once complete. 

Rope vases 

Rope-wrapped vases make the perfect nautical decorative pieces, being a DIY method that’s as easy to follow as it is cost-effective. It’s a brilliant way to upcycle bits and bobs you may have lying around the house, such as empty food cans, that can be transformed into a fancy piece of furniture (although it may seem impossible at first). You’ll also need to equip yourself with jute rope – which is the ideal choice for adding a touch of nautical flair – super glue and scissors. Simply start at the bottom of your chosen can, swirling your rope around the edge and using a small dot of glue every so often to secure everything down. Work your way up to the top, snipping the rope and gluing the end down when complete. Who says that redecorating can’t be cheap? 

Nautical mirror 

A fun way to spruce up any basic mirror; why not wrap manilla rope around the edge to look as though it were hanging in a beach hut? To craft your own DIY nautical mirror, find a board that it can be super glued onto for a sturdy base, using your manilla rope to wrap around the outer edge of the mirror to make the frame. Prop your new mirror against a wall as it is, or you could add screws and wire to the back to make a hanging mechanism. 

Coasters

DIY nautical coasters are yet another super simple craft, and a great way to make your dining table look more inviting. You can use manilla rope for this one due to it’s durable, flexible and water-resistant qualities – protecting your table against any inevitable spillages. To make your base, you’ll need to find a circular object, such as a CD, and fabric to super glue onto your template. When choosing the latter, just make sure that the material is strong and won’t be prone to fraying. Using your circular object as a stencil, trace around onto the material and cut out when you’re done. Next, hold your rope in the centre of the circle, and start spiralling it around, working your way to the outer edge. Snip your rope at an angle when you’re done, and secure it in place. And that’s all there is to it! Another simple nautical home decor idea that only takes a few minutes to create. 

DIY rope entry mat

The technique used to craft a DIY rope entry mat is almost identical to your nautical coasters, but you’ll need a lot more rope – depending on how big you want to make it. To set-up your crafting space, lay tarp or a cloth on the floor to protect the surface from superglue. Tape in place for sturdiness, and now you can begin spiralling your rope from the centre to the outer edge. When you feel as though your mat is big enough, snip off the end of your rope and secure it down. Simple.

Beachy garland

Who doesn’t love a bit of bunting? Not only will this brighten up your home and look fantastic on show during summer garden parties, it’s even more rewarding to step back and admire a product that’s been crafted from scratch. To start your next DIY project, you’ll need a heavy duty rope that’s able to support your hanging decorations – again, manilla rope is a good one for this – and twine to tie your decorative pieces to the main rope. Taking inspiration from Finding Home’s method, you could use mason jar caps, shells, starfish and even driftwood to really bring out your maritime aesthetic – so if there’s any excuse to go scavenging on a beachy getaway, it’s this. All you’ll need to do is glue your nautical objects onto the twine, tying each one onto your main rope to finish off your nautical garland. 

If these simple nautical home decor ideas have piqued your interest, we have all the resources to support your next crafting project. Get in touch with our team today to see which of our high quality materials, from rope to twine, is best for you. 

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How to make a friendship bracelet

Friendship Bracelets

Origin of the friendship bracelet

The origin of the friendship bracelet is thought to have started with the Indigenous Peoples in Central and South America, being a common tradition that symbolised the bonding of souls. It honours the energy and time put into a friendship, used as a meaningful gift that would be worn with pride. 

They have made a lasting impact too, with friends continuing to craft their very own friendship bracelets for each other to show just how much they care well into the 21st century. Whether as a birthday present, for a special occasion, or simply an excuse to get involved with a touch of crafting, they make the perfect gift. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to create one, you’ve come to the right place. 

What will you need to make a friendship bracelet?

Before you start weaving, make sure to get your crafting tools together. Thankfully, you won’t be needing an awful lot for this delightfully simple DIY project. Coloured macrame string or decorative braids are ideal to use when crafting your friendship bracelet, as they come in an array of colours, they’re versatile, and slide effortlessly between the fingers. With so many combinations to choose from, you’ll be able to make your design completely unique. 

Now you’ve got the string, grab yourself some masking tape or a safety pin to keep everything in place whilst making the braid. This is a crucial step (especially for beginners), because it means you can focus all of your attention on the weaving process, rather than struggling to hold everything in place.

Finally, and this step is optional, you could incorporate letter beads and charms into your friendship bracelet for added personalisation. This will ultimately depend on your friend’s style, so choose whatever you think they would like best. Weave into any of the following designs as you see fit.

Friendship bracelet patterns

Alternating half hitch

Alternating half hitch

To make a friendship bracelet with an alternating half hitch pattern, you’ll need to cut two strands of string in colours of your choice to around 5 foot long. Begin by making your loop by folding the top of the string in half, knotting in place in the middle. As mentioned previously, secure everything down with tape so that you can get an even braid. 

For the half hitch tie, you’ll need to make a clockwise loop with the string on your left (we’ll call this cord 2), wrapping it around cord one whilst holding everything tight. Now, use a similar technique with cord 1, this time making a counter-clockwise loop. Tighten as before. 

Alternate until you reach the end of your string. Et voila! 

5-strand braid

5-strand braid

As the name suggests, you’ll need to start with five different shades of string to make your braid for the perfect colour explosion. Begin by snipping your string into ten pieces (which will be two per colour) to around 32” in length. Group your colours together, tying a knot at the top and securing down as with the alternating half hitch. 

Take the far left string and loop underneath the adjacent strand, then go over the next strand. Repeat this process on the other side, continuing with the under-over motion. 

Zipper bracelet

Zipper friendship bracelet

To make the zipper friendship bracelet, knot and secure two string cuttings for the top of your braid. Take the string on your left and make a forward backward knot around your base string, bringing it back to the side you originally started on. Repeat the process with your other string and tie a knot once you’ve reached the end.

Spiral staircase

Spiral staircase friendship bracelet

For this next friendship bracelet pattern, get three colours of string and make your loop at the top to begin braiding. Separate one string apart from the other two and loop over both of them, pulling through to bring it back to the side you started on. Repeat this as many times as you like (the more you do it, the longer the chunk of colour will be), continuing on the process with the other two colours. 


From crafting friendship bracelets to aiding your work life, we have ropes, twines, cords and more to suit all of your needs. Get in touch with us today to find the materials for your next project.

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How to do eco-friendly gift wrapping

wrapped gift

The environmental effects of gift wrapping

Although wrapping a gift may seem perfectly harmless, it can end up costing the earth. A whopping 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is binned each year (with Christmas being a particularly wasteful period), which ends up slowly decomposing in landfills, releasing dangerous pollutants in the process. Research by Greenpeace revealed the scary reality; that 1kg of wrapping paper is responsible for emitting 3kg of CO2 into the atmosphere during production, which certainly isn’t contributing to a sustainable future. Not forgetting the countless gift bows, decorative glitter and reams of sticky tape that are particularly difficult to recycle. 

However, there are small aspects of daily life that you can change, with making a conscious habit to discover new ways to do eco-friendly gift wrapping being one of them. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get your crafting hat on, whilst adding a touch of uniqueness to your presents. 

Eco-friendly wrapping paper 

Reach for gift wrapping materials that are recyclable and biodegradable, with brown paper being especially environmentally-friendly. You could even use bits and bots lying around the house, such as decorative fabrics for regiftable “wrapping”, or even a newspaper that’s collecting dust on the side. Once tied up with some natural rope, you’ll start to see that this greener method is a much more cost-effective and clutter reducing. Perfect for all of your gifting needs. 

Reuse your wrapping

Although it seems like the natural thing to do, do NOT throw away any form of wrapping that remains intact. Many of your regular deliveries will be protected with bubble wrap, often coated in decorative tissue paper. When unwrapped carefully, you can then reuse these to gift your own presents, rather than purchasing new materials. 

Reuse shipping boxes

The same applies to shipping boxes too, which work particularly well if you don’t want your gift to get bent in transit. Again, unwrap your own deliveries carefully, storing them in a designated ‘reusing’ cupboard, ready for your next gift wrapping extravaganza. Just the same as previous methods, you’ll be saving not just the environment, but your money too. 

DIY stamps 

As mentioned in our wrapping ideas for Christmas blog post, it’s actually surprisingly easy to craft your own stamper. This DIY method will create the perfect finishing touch to your gift, and you can cut out your own stamping stencil into a variety of shapes. To remain as eco-friendly as possible, you could even make your own ink by using crushed berries for deep red tones. 

Taping your gift

Unfortunately, sticky tape that isn’t made of paper can’t be recycled, so think consciously when wrapping your presents. You might want to consider compostable paper tape or washi tape instead, which are both biodegradable alternatives. Crafted from wood fibres, pulp and natural adhesives, these materials break down faster in comparison to regular packaging tapes, without polluting the atmosphere.  

Tying up your gift

If you’ve already checked out our blog post on how to use ropes for crafting, you’ll know that there are many eco-friendly alternatives out there for adding the finishing touches to your gift wrapping. Natural ropes are the perfect green solution, such a twisted jute rope and hemp rope, being two brilliant, reusable examples. Alongside being biodegradable and recyclable fibres, they will give your gift wrapping a delightfully rustic feel too! What’s not to love? 

If you’ve been inspired by these ideas on how to do eco-friendly gift wrapping, what are you waiting for? Have a chat with our team today to replenish your crafting cupboard. 

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Rope exercises to get you into shape

woman working out with rope

What are the benefits of rope exercises?

We all know that keeping active is the best way to achieve a healthy body and mind, but do you ever feel as though you’re stuck in the same old fitness routine? For those that do want to incorporate some brand new exercises into their workout, that are not only brilliant heart raisers, but massive calorie burners, this post could be just what you’re looking for. 

The flexibility and strength of certain types of rope makes them the perfect fitness equipment, allowing those using them to exercise different muscles at the same time. This statement has also been backed by a study, finding that people burn an average of 112 calories after exercising with battle ropes for just 10 minutes. 

DIY battle rope

If you’ve had a read of our previous post on different rope types and their strength, you’ll know that certain varieties will be better than others when using them as fitness equipment. Manilla rope or natural hemp rope offer easy handling, and boast excellent strength at the same time, making them ideal for exercising. 

After acquiring two ropes and ensuring that they’re each at least 50 foot in length (you can experiment with the size based on how easy or hard you want to make the rope exercises for yourself), you’ll need to find a way to secure them down. This could be done by using a tree – after making sure it’s sturdy enough – or you could knot them around some dumbbells. 

Next, ensure that the ropes are easy to grip onto, and won’t cause you any burns when exercising. To make the ends as comfortable as possible, whilst also ensuring the durability of your rope, wrap the part you’ll be holding onto with a few layers of duct tape. 

Finally, whack on your favourite fitness playlist to get your heart pumping, and you’re good to go.

Rope exercises

Bicep waves

Start by standing with your feet apart in a quarter squat position and begin to wave both of your ropes as fast as you can, making sure that every movement you make is backed with power. Be sure to keep your back straight throughout the process, focusing all of your efforts on your biceps by keeping your elbows tucked in. 

Lateral whip

Keeping your elbows slightly bent, bring both of your ropes up towards you – ensuring that you have a good grip – and whip them down with force. Repeat this movement as quickly as you can, increasing the pace if you feel comfortable to do so. 

Full circle

This rope exercise is great for your core muscles, so be prepared for some serious burn. Make sure your back is straight and tall, ensuring that you’re sideways facing to the fixed rope ends. Now move your hand in a circular motion in a full, clockwise circle, going anticlockwise after completing at 12 reps (or whatever feels comfortable for you). Rest in-between sets, completing three times, or more if you’re feeling ambitious. 

Slam jump

Jump up as high as you can, whipping the ropes down with force as you fall back towards the ground. Make sure to keep your elbows as straight as you can, maintaining a neutral torso. The more effort you put into the slam, the greater the benefits you will feel. 

Squat and shoulder press

Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, keeping your rope on your shoulders and ensuring that there isn’t too much slack. Maintain a strong form, and start to lower yourself to the ground into a squat. Each time you stand back up, raise your rope above your head to keep your arms moving. 

Star jumps

This one is a great exercise to increase your heart rate, benefiting both your core muscles and obliques. Get a good grip on both ropes in each hand and keep your elbows bent, lift up to shoulder height, jump up and land with your feet wide apart. Each time you hit the floor, make sure to slam down your ropes with power to feel the full benefit. 

Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness routine, embarking on your next DIY project or are searching for the correct work equipment, our stock is able to suit your every need. Have a chat with a friendly member of our team today to see what we have on offer. 

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Arts & crafts in 2021: The winners and losers…

macrame for hobbies

Over the past 18 months to two years, we’ve all gone a little bit crazy for crafting. Whether it be the thousands up and down the country carefully sewing face masks to keep the nation safe, or the dozens of dads installing brand new beer pumps in their sheds, we’ve all had hobbies and small interests to keep us occupied. 2021 has certainly been the year for arts and crafts. Or at least some…

Since April of 2020, there has been a huge rise in sales across various arts and crafts. It’s been widely reported, with the NPD Group revealing a 70% increase in arts and craft sales, whilst here at Rope Source, we’ve also welcomed a host of new customers looking to develop their crafting skills. 

But when it comes to the individual art and crafts, which have really shone throughout 2021? We crunched the numbers, analysing UK-based Google search-term data, to discover exactly that.

The most popular arts and craft activities in 2021

Based upon what people were searching over the last 12 months, it’s perhaps no surprise to see that painting tops the list when it comes to average searches per month. However, it doesn’t tell the full story.

Whilst painting is by far the most popular pastime when it comes to arts and crafts, with ‘painting’ welcoming almost 134,000 searches per month, that figure is actually less than the previous 12 months. During the height of lockdown in 2020, ‘painting’ welcomed on average 138,000 searches per month, with both ‘watercolour painting’ and ‘acrylic painting’ seeing around 14,000 searches per month, both of which have dropped in the last 12 months.

Of the five most popular search terms around the hobby of painting, the average total per month (216,000) far exceeds the second most popular arts and crafts hobby – ‘sketching’ – which notches 160,000 searches per month, and ‘sewing’ (134,000 searches per month). 

Interestingly, of the 15 search terms analysed across painting, sketching and sewing, it was only ‘diamond painting’, ‘paint by numbers’ and ‘sketchpad’ which saw an increase in searches compared to the previous year. 

The top arts and crafts of 2021

The winners and losers of arts and craft in 2021

The table above shows that only five of the 14 art and craft hobbies experienced an uplift in Google searches over the previous 12 months, with the top three all suffering after the lifting of restrictions in the UK. However, crocheting, which is the fourth most popular arts and crafts hobby of 2021 saw an 8% increase in searches. 

The ‘Tom Daley Effect’ has certainly played its part in the rise of crocheting. Between June and August, searches for ‘how to crochet’ jumped 12%, whilst ‘crochet’ searches increased by around 30% and ‘crochet pattern’ saw a whopping 60% increase. 

At the other end of the spectrum, ‘paper mache’ has seen the biggest drop in search volume. With children going back to school and more family activities available outside of the home, the messy activity saw a 38% drop in searches year-on-year, to an average of just 30,000 per month today. 

‘Photography’, rather surprisingly, has also seen a drop in interest over the last 12 months. Overall, the top five photography search terms have seen a 16% drop in searches, whilst there’s been almost a 30% drop in people searching for ‘photography courses’. 

The rise of macrame

Macrame turned out to be the biggest winner of the year. Over the past 12 months, searches for ‘macrame products’ and patterns have increased by over 20%, and over a five-year period, that increase lies at over 467%.

Search terms such as ‘how to macrame’ have jumped 66% in the last 12 months, with ‘macrame’ seeing a 446% increase across five months from a mere 6,500 searches per month back in 2016, to over 35,000 today. 

It was lockdown that saw the biggest jump in searches and people actively creating macrame products, however. During the shut-down period, searches jumped 90%, with many people looking to turn their hobby into a small business and raise some funds during the difficult period.

The UK’s top search increases

Over the past 12 months, there has been a large percentage increase in searches for more unusual crafts, with both ‘quilling’ and ‘calligraphy’ making a return to the public consciousness. 

Whilst search volume is relatively low at just 790 searches a month for ‘quilling tool’, it represents the largest increase year-on-year at 201%, and could see the paper-based craft follow in the footsteps of macrame over the next few years. Two quilling keywords feature in the top five when it comes to percentage increase, whilst ‘calligraphy letters’ jumped 106% over the past 12 months – from 14,590 searches per month to 30,170. 

The top 10 search increases

The UK’s top search decreases

When it comes to the arts and crafts people are starting to leave behind, it appears that aside from furniture, thanks to the Repair Shop, the upcycling phenomenon may be wearing off, with searches for ‘upcycling ideas’ dropping 42%, and ‘upcycling clothes’ plummeting a staggering 70% as retail stores open their doors once again.

Paper mache search terms are among the more common in the top 10 biggest drops in searches, with all five of the most common paper mache search terms featuring. 

The top 10 search decreases

Methodology

All data was collected using respected search tool ahrefs. Data was collected for 12-month periods dating back to September 2016 across the five highest volume searches across 14 of the most popular arts and crafts hobbies in 2021. A series of averages were then produced.

Resources:

Retailers are betting on the crafting boom to continue into 2021

https://ahrefs.com/

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The perfect wrapping ideas for Christmas

Christmas wrapped gifts

For those who like to beat the Christmas rush and get their gift list crossed off early, it’s now time to unleash your inner crafter and give some of these present wrapping ideas a whirl. Rather than sticking to your basic paper and ribbon, why not get creative and think outside the box this year? We hope you’ve got your scissors, glue and crafting supplies at the ready, because things are about to get fantastically festive. 

Eco-friendly ties

If you’ve already checked out our previous blog post on how to use rope for crafting, you’ll know that the options are endless. The rise of rustic wrapping means that you can never have enough natural twines in your crafting cupboard, serving as the perfect environmentally-friendly alternative to ribbon. Whether you’d like to keep things earthy with twisted jute, or you’re looking to experiment with a splash of colour by using our Christmas twines, we’ve got you covered for all of your gift wrapping needs. 

DIY Christmas stamps

DIY Christmas stamps

Give your Christmas wrapping some extra pizzazz by crafting your very own DIY stamps, using a lint roller, craft foam, bakers twine, a skewer stick, scissors, an ink pad (in a colour of your choice) and gift paper. 

Start by cutting tree shapes (or any Christmas themed objects) out of your craft foam, using your skewer to punch a few holes in them for some extra texture. Next, take your bakers twine and assemble to create your Christmas scene, creating the impression of a hilly backdrop or pathway.

Once you’ve stuck everything to your roller, it’s time to get messy. Roll your DIY Christmas stamper in the ink pad, making sure it’s coated evenly. Roll onto your paper and let the ink dry, adding stickers or any other decorative pieces as a finishing touch if you wish. 

Natural decorations

Embrace your natural surroundings and team up with Mother Nature for this next Christmas wrapping idea. Once you’ve chosen your paper, decorative twine, and have used your DIY stamper to your heart’s content, select a few festive objects to secure on top. Here’s a touch of inspiration; you could use holly, fallen leaves, cinnamon sticks, or pine leaves to assemble a mini Christmas tree. 

DIY snowman box

To take your Christmas wrapping skills to the next level, we’ve taken inspiration from Kelly Dixon’s cardboard box snowman for this next one. This is perfect for when you’ve got boxes lying around the house that you want to repurpose, using them to stack and decorate with coloured card to craft a festive friend. Create a cosy scarf using ribbon, stick on decorative buttons and upcycle a cork to form a smoking pipe. 

Fabric gift wrapping

Another eco-friendly gift wrapping alternative is swapping out paper for funky fabric. Although it may look pretty, wrapping paper is created with dyes, often containing non-paper additives, such as decorative coloured shapes, glitter, and plastics. Unfortunately, none of these materials can be recycled. 

There are plenty of methods you can use to wrap a gift with fabric, and you can always refer back to YouTube for easy-to-follow tutorials to get you on your way. All you’ll need to do is secure everything in place with a knot, using additional twine if you wish, and remember to ask your gift receivers to save the fabric afterwards so that they too can get involved with a spot of upcycling.

If you’ve been inspired by these creative Christmas wrapping ideas, why not take a look at some of the stock we have on offer to get you started? From ropes to cords, we have everything you need to support your next big project.