Introduction
Looking for something fun and easy craft project? Want an activity for your kids, or students that encourages a healthy lifestyle?
Try making your own flow rope, a fun DIY project that can be accomplished in just a few minutes.
When I started getting into rope flow, I tied dozens of ropes for friends and family by hand at my house. My girlfriend and I have a dog and a cat (Rylo and Fish), and our small family would spend evenings watching Star Trek while tying flow ropes.
Making your own flow rope is a great way to feel a deeper sense of connection to your unique practice.
You can go about making a flow rope in a couple of ways:
- Home Made: Find rope lying around your house or your local craft store to get started quickly.
- Buy What you Need: Purchase and use specific rope from your favorite rope supply store.
Steps to Making Your Own Flow Rope
Step 1: Choose Your Rope Material
Different rope materials will give you varying amounts of durability and performance when practicing rope flow. You can find most of the following rope materials at your local hardware store.
- Manila Rope: cheap, not water/weather friendly, lowest aerodynamics, slowest turning.
- Hemp or Cotton Rope: Absorbent, not abrasion resistant, low aerodynamics, slow turning
- Nylon or Polyester Rope: abrasion and weather-resistant, good aerodynamics, fast turning.
Step 2: Rope Length
For a general sizing guide reference the chart below. For a more specific guide to sizing, see my article on how to size your flow rope. Once you have determined the correct length, cut a section of rope to match that length and set it aside.
| Length of Rope | Height |
| 7 feet | Shorter than 5′ 2″ |
| 8′ | 5’2″ – 5′ 6″ |
| 9′ | 5′ 6″ – 6′ 2″ |
| 10′ | 6′ 3″ – 6′ 7″ |
Step 3: Rope Width
1/2 inch is the recommended width for a beginner flow rope.
After getting more experience you can try thicker and heavier ropes. I’ve tried up to 1.25 inches thick which weighs about 5 + pounds. When I do an overview on ropes I’ll link to it here.
More weight can progress the effects and contribute to greater skill development requiring a greater challenge and additional attention.
Step 4: Tying the Handles
The last thing you will need to complete your flow rope is handles. Without handles, your rope can be hard to grip. Though some people may want to utilize this added difficulty for their own training goals.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a triple overhand stopper knot to make the handles of a flow rope:
- Take one end of the rope and form a small loop. Pass the end of the rope over the standing part of the rope and then back through the loop.
- Take the same end of the rope and form a second loop, this time passing the end of the rope under the standing part of the rope and then over the top of the loop you just created.
- Repeat step 2 to create a third loop, passing the end of the rope under the standing part of the rope and over the top of the previous loop.
- Take the end of the rope and pass it through all three loops from back to front.
- Pull the end of the rope to tighten the knot, making sure the loops are snug and the knot is secure.
- Trim any excess rope to finish.
You now have a triple overhand stopper knot securing the ends of your flow rope.
Remember that you can adjust the size of the knot by adding or reducing the number of loops, but keep in mind that a larger knot will be bulkier and more difficult to adjust.
You can also make custom handles out of wood, which is popular with many people who are skilled with woodworking tools.
In the future, look out for unique handles coming to our supply store.
Step 5: Assemble Your Rope
First, tie an overhand stopper knot at one end of the rope. If you are using silks, charms, or beads string them onto the rope in any pattern you wish.
When you are ready to make the other end of your rope, tie your other handle using the overhand stopper knot and make one more knot securing the end. Cut the excess rope and use a lighter to melt the end of the rope (to keep it from fraying).
Check the length by stepping in the apex of the flow rope and making sure the handles are in between your hips and your ribcage.
There you have it, your own flow rope.
Additional Tips on Accessories and Durability
Choosing a rope material with a dense, abrasion-resistant jacket will increase the durability of the rope and adds weight to make turning the rope easier.
If you plan to be using your flow rope on a hard surface it is important to have an abrasion-resistant rope like nylon or polyester braided rope. You can buy these online or at your local hardware store, just ask for “arborist rope” or “marine rope”.
The video below shows how I cut and tie the handles of a standard flow rope.