Category: Hobbies

Are you looking to take up a new, exciting hobby? Or, maybe you want to expand your range of impressive magic tricks. Well, rope magic is an incredible type of illusion that can wow spectators anytime and anywhere. It involves manipulating a piece of rope and fooling spectators with clever sleight of hand. So, why not learn some exhilarating rope magic for your next party trick? Keep reading for advice about how to get started with rope magic.

What kind of rope is best for rope magic tricks?

When it comes to rope magic, not just any kind of rope will do. This is especially true for beginners, as a rope that’s too tough will result in messy, clumsy attempts at rope magic. Luckily, this is why magician’s rope exists – it’s incredibly soft and flexible, making it ideal for rope magicians to use during their tricks. The reason why magician’s rope is so easy to manipulate is due to its hollow core and soft cotton material, which combined make up a finely woven piece of rope that’s perfect for a variety of tricks.

How to do rope magic

Rope magic, as with any new hobby, takes lots of time and practice to perfect. It’s unlikely that you’ll magically – pardon the pun – be able to perform all sorts of rope magic tricks within an hour. Take the time to become confident with a couple of beginner-level rope magic tricks, rather than trying to tackle all sorts of tricks at once. You’ll also need lots of practice working on sleight of hand, misdirection, and the speed at which you move your hands. There are countless books and video tutorials out there to learn from, but in the meantime, we will walk you through a beginner rope magic trick.

The cut and restore rope trick

If you have your magician’s rope at the ready and are raring to try a simple rope magic trick, here is a fun trick for you to try. Don’t be put off if you don’t get it right the first time – practice makes perfect!

The cut and restore rope magic trick is famously associated with magicians Penn and Teller, and consists of cutting a rope in two and then restoring it back to its original state. You’ll need to work on misdirection and sleight of hand to pull off this magic trick. Read the steps below:

1. Start with about four to six feet of magician’s rope.
2. With the back of your left hand facing your audience, holding both ends of the rope between your thumb and index finger. The looped middle of the rope should be hanging down.
3. Grab ahold of the centre of the rope loop with your right hand, and bring it up to where your left hand is holding the rope ends. With a small loop appearing above your hand, grab the looped piece of rope with your left hand, so that all of the rope is now held in your left hand.
4. Reach for a pair of scissors with your right hand. While you do, “accidentally” drop the looped part of the rope with your left hand, so that it hangs down.
5. This is where the magic happens. With your right hand facing palm up, take the centre of the rope and raise it up to your left hand. Your right-hand thumb should move through the loop of the rope, so that it’s draped over your right hand.
6. Once your right hand reaches your left, grab the rightmost end of the rope using your right thumb and index finger. You should be holding the end of the rope a couple of inches below your left thumb. At the same time, tilt your right hand downwards so that the centre of the rope slides off the back of the hand.
7. Continue moving your right hand up above your left. It will now be holding a new loop of rope that you just created, but to the audience, this will look like it’s the original centre loop of the rope. Make sure that this loop is positioned to the right of the two rope ends, and that your left thumb is holding this new loop in place out of sight of the audience.
8. With your right hand, take your scissors and cut the new, short loop that’s held above your left hand. To the audience, it will seem as if you have just cut the rope in half. As your right hand moves to place the scissors down, grab the leftmost and rightmost ends of rope so that they hang down below your hand. It will now look as though you are holding two ropes of equal length, when in reality you have a long rope that’s looped around a short rope.
9. Take the two ends of the short rope (the one that’s above your left hand) and tie them together with two overhand knots. 
10. With your left hand, hold the rope between the knot and one of the ends so that the whole rope and the knot are exposed. 
11. Take a hold of the knot with your right hand and theatrically slide it a small way down the length of the rope. Move the knot as many times as you wish, and finally slide off the knot completely. It will seem as though you have restored the original rope, and your rope magic trick is complete!

Ready to get started on a rope magic trick? After you’ve tried our step-by-step instructions, feel free to expand your repertoire and become a rope magician of many tricks! The more advanced you become at rope magic, the more confident you will be using any type of rope. So, take a look at all the different ropes, twines, and cords that we offer, and get creative with your magic routine. Contact us to learn more.

Many people around the world love to take part in yoga, for both their mental and physical wellbeing. Yoga is a fantastic form of exercise, capable of strengthening muscle, improving flexibility, and even contributing to weight loss. However, this activity is also very relaxing and used by many as a form of meditation. No matter your reasons for trying yoga, there are many different poses and styles, some of which include additional equipment. For example, yoga sandbags are a cheap, easy to use accessory to incorporate into your yoga routine. Keep reading to learn how to make yoga sandbags.

How to make yoga sandbags

It is fairly straightforward to make yoga sandbags, however you should take care not to overfill the sandbags or make them too heavy. Many yoga poses involving sandbags may require you to lift or place the sandbags on your body, so take caution with how heavy you make the sandbags. It’s better to start lighter, and add more filling as you become more confident using yoga sandbags.

Filling your yoga sandbags

One of the quickest, cheapest, and easiest ways to make yoga sandbags is simply to fill a hessian sandbag with a material of your choice. Of course, the most obvious choice of filling would be sand, however this isn’t essential for yoga sandbags if you don’t have any to hand. There are in fact a number of different materials available to fill your yoga sandbags, some of which you may not have thought of before. An easy substitution is to use rice and/or beans to fill your sandbag – these are items that most people may have stored away in their cupboards. This definitely doesn’t mean tinned baked beans; stick to dry beans such as kidney or pinto beans for filling your yoga sandbags. A slightly more unconventional way to fill yoga sandbags is to use cat litter – unused, obviously. Cat litter is cheap to buy in bulk and can be easily used to fill a sandbag. It often smells pretty nice, too.

It’s important to point out that while pretty much any filling will do for yoga sandbags, if you intend to prevent flood damage with sandbags, then sand should always be used. This is because yoga sandbags only act as a weighty prop to use during yoga, whereas sandbags for flooding need to be incredibly resistant and absorbent. So, don’t attempt to use your yoga sandbags for other purposes unless they are filled correctly with sand.

Decorate your yoga sandbags

If you want your yoga sandbags to act as an attractive accessory for your yoga room, then you may want to incorporate beautiful colours or patterns. If you already have sandbags that you want to add a little flair to, then consider using different decorative braids to embellish your yoga sandbags. Baker’s twine or decorative ribbon twine can also be used to add a charming sense of decoration to your yoga sandbags. Use a hot glue gun to secure your decorative ropes to the borders of your yoga sandbags, or use them to create unique patterns. 

Alternatively, you could create a case for your sandbags from coloured hessian rolls. These rolls are made of the same material as the sandbags, so would also add an extra layer of protection to prevent any bursts or spills from occurring. These cases can also be decorated in the ways we mentioned above, or you could use the coloured rolls to add embellishments to the yoga sandbags. Get as creative as you’d like! 

For those of you who enjoy more complex crafts, why not create a macrame sandbag cover? Macrame cord comes in a variety of colours and is also durable, meaning your yoga sandbags will stay looking amazing after many uses. Macrame can be a relaxing and therapeutic hobby, so it pairs perfectly with regular yoga, too.

How to use yoga sandbags

Now that you have a practical new set of yoga sandbags, it’s time to put them to use. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner to yoga or using yoga sandbags, as we’ll highlight a few different ways to use yoga sandbags now. Remember – if a part of your body feels like it’s being pulled too much, remove the sandbag.

• In Child’s Pose, place a sandbag on your sacrum and breathe deeply.
• Place a sandbag on each shoulder to enhance heart opener poses.
• Try putting sandbags on your thighs to improve the external rotation of your legs.
• Place a sandbag on your hands to keep your fingers flat in certain poses.

Hessian is a strong, durable material that’s perfect for use in so many different crafts and home projects. Take a look at all of our stunning yet practical products, or contact a member of our team to discuss your needs.

What are paracord survival knots?

When you’re camping, climbing or stuck out in the wilderness, a good survival knot will come in handy. There are many types of survival knots – some contain loops that are ideal for hooking onto anchors, whilst others allow the length of paracords to be adjusted. Using a paracord ensures that your knot will be strong and secure – providing that you have done the knot correctly – but we can help with that. 

Types of paracord survival knots

We have six survival knots for you to master with your paracord. There’s a variety of lengths and colours to choose from when it comes to paracords. From neon pink to woodland camo, choose whether to blend in or stand out – either way, they’ll be your best friends out in the wild. 

Figure-eight knot

One of the most popular and strongest knots for climbers and campers is the figure-eight knot. This incredibly strong knot won’t unravel under pressure, which makes it perfect for climbing. If multiple knots are tied along a paracord, this can also be used to climb up. A variation of this is the figure-eight follow through knot, which contains a loop at the end – this knot can be used to haul people up or as a hand or foothold.

Figure-eight on a bight

A close relative of the figure-eight knot – this knot differs slightly as it contains a loop at the end. This loop is known as a bight and it comes in handy when securing a paracord to a climbing harness or an anchor of some kind. It is important that these knots are really secure, but too tight and they can be difficult to untie. 

Bowline knot

Easy to tie and untie, but are still able to hold an incredibly high amount of weight. Only have one hand free? No problem. This knot can be tied using just one hand. The bowline knot is great for tying a paracord around yourself or other things, but we don’t suggest using this knot for climbing. As the bowline knot can come undone when pulled sideways, it’s definitely not the safest knot to use in this instance.

Clove hitch

The clove hitch may not be as strong as the figure-eight knot, but it does offer one important feature. This knot allows you to adjust the length of your paracord without untying – this is due to its loose binding. In high winds, we suggest checking this knot often as it can unravel.

Sheet bend

Have you ever gone out climbing or camping and realised that your paracords are too short? This is where the sheet bend comes into play – it’s a great knot for tying two shorter paracords together. The sheet bend can still work even if the two paracords are made with different materials or if they vary in thicknesses, to be extra safe, a double knot will ensure complete security. In need of a net, a hammock or possibly a stretcher? The sheet bend can help with just about anything.

Taut line hitch

The taut line hitch is a useful knot to learn when going camping. It is popular for its versatility, but is great for setting up a tarpaulin. This knot can slide up and down the paracord and is easy to untie when not needed. However, if the rotation of the knot is reversed, it can become weaker so it shouldn’t be relied on when climbing.

Interested in purchasing a paracord and trying out these survival knots? Why not take a look at our extensive range of paracords? If you’re in need of some extra advice, get in touch with us today and we can help to pick the perfect paracord to suit your needs.

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

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.

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. 

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.