What to do w/ 600ft of rope?

September 5, 2007 12:27 PM

I have about 600ft of rope laying around and I'm wondering if there's something cool I can do with it. It's sisal, and I used it to make a huge scratching post that our cats never took an interest in. Now its just a huge bundle of rope. Any ideas?

By the way, I have no kids and no backyard to do cool stuff with :(

posted by muscat to grab bag (16 comments total)

Weave a hammock?
posted by exceptinsects at 12:54 PM on September 5, 2007

You could do a really cool, large, art piece for a wall. An exploration of knots. Learn how to do knots (some are very complex and beautiful) and fasten them to a wall with some old, very large antique nails.

Make a hammock

Donate it to a gardening project. They could use it to make planters and/or section off areas.

Make extra cat posts/jungle gyms and give it to animal shelters and/or little old ladies with pets.

Make nooses/baskets and hang plants from them

wrap wood with braided sisal to create rustic wall shelves. Be pretty cool looking if the shelves were pinned to the wall with braids of rope nailed in, with the other ends attached to the outer corners of the shelves (like a moat, or drawbridge. I don't know the technical term).

I'm out of ideas. There are thousands more I'm sure.
posted by iamkimiam at 12:58 PM on September 5, 2007

Make a rope course throughout your apartment, near the ceiling. Go from room to room without touching the floor. Throw a party.
posted by yohko at 12:59 PM on September 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Unless you just need the space it is taking up, save it for an emergency. You never know when you might need to lash something together.
posted by Burhanistan at 1:07 PM on September 5, 2007

Learn The Art Of Knotting And Splicing. A fascinating, meditative craft.
posted by partner at 1:07 PM on September 5, 2007

Nix on the hammock. Sisal is scratchy.

I'd save it for an emergency as Burhanistan suggests, unless you're caught up with the beauty and mystery of that forbidden craft, the Macrame owl.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:21 PM on September 5, 2007

The one and only resource you need is the Ashley Book of Knots. There are many books about knot tying (I own most of 'em) but this is THE book. Really.
Rope mats are a great place to start and can be made any size... perfect for doormats!
posted by blaneyphoto at 1:30 PM on September 5, 2007

Contact the PhysEd and Shop departments at your local high school and see if they'd like it.
posted by jwells at 2:02 PM on September 5, 2007

Link (via makezine)
posted by Leon at 2:41 PM on September 5, 2007

Make a manjaa.
posted by Solomon at 2:44 PM on September 5, 2007

these guys had some ideas.
posted by lowlife at 2:48 PM on September 5, 2007

I like the hammock idea, too. How about rope rugs?
posted by porpoise at 3:18 PM on September 5, 2007

Oops. Sorry, here are a few actual how to's.
posted by porpoise at 3:20 PM on September 5, 2007

Make [your neighborhood]'s Largest Ball of Rope, charge admission & sell souvenirs.
posted by univac at 4:08 PM on September 5, 2007

Lash together a catapult.

On top of a 15-foot tower.

On top of a bridge between two canoes.

Also a derrick that can load mud balls into the catapult while you sit in the boat.

Transport the pieces into a Scout camp in the dead of night and assemble outside the tents of the waterfront staff. If you like warm anonymous fuzzies, slip away. If you leave signs of your identity, I swear they will not rest until they have memorialized your face on a totem pole.
posted by eritain at 5:30 PM on September 5, 2007

You can get suitably sized knitting needles or a crochet hook and make a rug or welcome mats for all your friends. Tres 70s, super duper macrame hippie style. :)
posted by beezy at 5:33 PM on September 5, 2007