What exactly is rope? For many reading this, it’s a tool for play, a ‘language’ for communicating intent , but long before that, rope is something far simpler, even though it may seem more complex in the articles that follow…. (If you missed Part 1 of our guide to understanding shibari ropes start here .)
One definition is that a rope is a group of fibers, yarns, plies or strands that are used together and either twisted or braided to create a stronger and larger diameter. But what the heck are all these words and what does it mean? And why should I care if I just want to tie someone up? For me, it’s an important process to understand, as different ropes give different sensory experiences for the bottom, require different handling techniques from the rigger, and have varying safety considerations. All in all, it’s worth knowing a little about the tools you use to get the best from them.
Illustrator: Eysar Vargas Composition of a rope
What’s the difference between fibers, yarn (thread), string (strands) and rope? Although this might seem semantic, a small understanding of exactly what a rope is can help us to understand the difference between them. It also allows us to introduce some terminology that might be referenced in conversations you hear or read about rope and rather than get lost in jargon, I’d prefer to set the scene.
What’s the difference between fibers, yarn (thread), string (strands) and rope?
To understand what a rope is, it can be easiest to start at the bottom and work our way up.
Fibers
Whether we are looking at natural or synthetic, rope is made from fibers. Fibers (from the Latin fibres ) are simply a material that is longer than it is wide. These come in a variety of forms. In the world of rope bondage, these are pretty much either vegetable fibers derived from plants, like cotton, hemp, flax and jute, or synthetic man-made materials like nylon, polyester or a blend.
Yarn
Yarn, by definition, is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers that are usually spun together. When creating a yarn, fibers are typically spun in a single direction (earning the name ‘singles’) and create a continuous thread or yarn. Yarn can be of various thicknesses depending on the volume of fibers being spun.
String
String (also called strands or cord) is created by spinning multiple yarns in a single direction (usually the opposite direction to the yarn). A string will fray easily and creates a thicker and slightly stronger construction than its equivalent thickness in yarn. Within rope construction, a string is the equivalent to a strand. If you unravel a three-strand rope, you will end up with three strings of yarn in your hand… until it inevitably unravels and falls apart .
Rope
We finally got there; what exactly is rope? Rope differs from string in that it is plied (we’ll come to that, don’t worry) or braided to create a stronger form. Rope is generally thicker and stronger than a similarly constructed string or twine and it's this additional strength that has made rope invaluable for centuries. By taking a weak material (fibers) and processing it, we create a significantly stronger tool.
In summary: Fiber < Yarn < Strands < Rope
Now that we understand what rope is and a little about its composition, there are some overall groups we can categorize our rope into based on both construction and material. These will make a difference in your shibari practice, so stay tuned to continue ‘learning the ropes’ in the third installment in this series: Shibari Study Rope Guide Part 3: Twisted Rope VS Braided Rope
