How to Create a Rope Rug

If you have an old climbing rope that is past its prime, you should use it to create your own rope rug. Not only are rope rugs functional, they also give you a safe way to use the rope and create a sense of nostalgia for the climber who can't bear to part with it.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Climbing rope
• Nylon thread
• Curved needle
• Silicone caulk
• Caulk Gun
• Duct tape
• Scissors

1. Let someone else make the rope rug for you. Retired Rope Rugs weaves your rope into a rug for you. The company can create a rope rug that is a circle, oval or rectangle or two smaller rugs. Visit their website to find out how to commission a rug.

2. Prepare your rope if you're making the rug yourself. Wash dirty or stained ropes before you use them to create a rug. Once your rope is clean, you need to flake it out.

3. Coil the rope, starting with a tight spiral. Stitch the end of the rope to the section of rope it lays against to prevent the rope from loosening as you work. Continue to coil the rope around the center coil laying each layer next to the layer inside it. Stitch the outside end of the rope to the layer inside of it.

4. Secure the rope by covering the top of the rug in caulk. You should use a minimum of one tube of caulk per rope. The caulk binds your coils together to prevent your rug from coming undone. Once the rug is completely coated, you need to allow it try overnight.

5. Tape three or four strips of duct tape across the rug as a base for taping. Turn the rug and tape perpendicular to the cross strips. You need to overlap each strip of duct tape to keep the tape from separating.

6. Finish the rug by trimming the duct tape to match the shape of your rug. Flip the rug over and display it in your favorite location.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the outer edge of the rope diagonally and stitch it to the rug for a cleaner look.

• Make the rug oblong by lengthening the center coil.