Ahhhh 2016 tumblr... tumblr us definitely a big contributor as to how i got into rope.

Restraint and rope was always a part of my relation with my wife, but i had never see shibari type rope until stumbling across some kinoko posts on tumblr and falling down a rabbit hole. Then I got into practising on bedposts and pillows before my wife asked me to tie her and weve never looked back since.

As a top I like the creative outlet of rope, the flow state Brian moore mentioned definitely gives me some peace of mind but really what rope gives me is a different way to connect with the people I tie, based in trust and mutual desire to experience something unique together. Even if i tie the same tie every day, each experience is different

That looks so cool, I've definitely been to some informal outdoor rope gatherings in the UK but not usually organised, just groups of friends. We did once get visited by the police when tying in some trees but they were very cool about it, we were off the beaten track in a quiet location but a random hiker was concerned and called the cops. The two officers were surprised but literally just asked us to be careful when we were leaving as it was sunset

darth thats a skill that comes with time. Often when we stsrt out its easy to grip the rope too hard but a gentle touch can help. Personally when tying/untying i try to alternate which hand i use for hooking the rope from left to right. Couple rhat with swapping which finger and your sharing that burden across your hands a lot more. It also makes your tying flow a lot smoother and increases your dexterity by using both your domninant and non dominant hand

Welcome to the community Ghoul. Have you watched the predicament session with fred hatt

https://shibaristudy.com/programs/predicament-session

Its a good starting point before hopping into our predicament category

https://shibaristudy.com/categories/predicament-play

Knowing what type of rope you are using might help, however more generally, this is totally normal. If you are tying regularly your hands will definitely be feeling it. A lot of how we build tolerance to thus is good rope handling, try8ng to move rope in gaps rather than pulling it through. Also for soke people learning to finger hook with all of your fingers is a lifesaver. Then you can start to alternate which finger your using for pulling the rope through frictions and reduce the strain

ø Zero ø this kind of tie is definitely in my wheelhouse 😄

Hey zero, what a lovely introduction and welcome to the community.i definitely reflect annies comment, the communication can often be more inprtant to a good rope scene than the technicality. As for aesthetics, in my experience this is something that definitely comes woth time, practice and the subsequent intuition. As someone whos a huge fan to tight foot binding, i think you did a great job. If you tie this pattern again, omw thing you couod try is starting at the ankles and working up. The waist is a much wider cplumn to burn rope around. Or alternatively secure it off at the ankles, then reinforce the central stem with some wraps. Theres lots of fun ways to play around with that type of pattern for "aesthetic" finishes

Hi Brian moore and welcome. Self tying futomomo can be challenging with limited flexibility, my old man knees can relate to this. Usually if its shifting under load this would indicate a tension issue. The bottom half of my teaching due often reminds me, theres no lungs in your legs, so you can tie a lot tighter than you expect. Especially in a bent knee position where most pf the nerves are safely tucked behind your knee. If you share a photo of your futomomo id be happy to give some advice.

Other options would be to look at the upline placement, or to add cinches to help keep the tension

Hey JoyfukSparks and welcome to the community.

I remember well being intimidated by the wealth of things to learn about rope..now i take some comfort in knowing i will never know everything, and neither will anyone else. So theres always something to learn from each other

Cody Van Houten its ok, we quiclkly pivotted the advice on the SOTM.

Fuocos book js great though, it helps to buold a good underatsndi g of types of bodies and types of TKs and ways you can idenrify them. A must read for bith tops and bottoms