Rope is one of our current obsessions, but it’s also one of those items that will never leave my love list. It’s just a fantastic material, one of humanity’s greatest inventions. Rope owes all of its strength, durability and beauty to its structure. One simple knot can look as beautiful and graceful as many intricate layers of knots. I know I’m beginning to sound exactly like Portlandia‘s Jeff Goldblum, with his artisanal knot store, but I have a sincere love for and fascination with the beauty of rope, no matter how much of a hipster parody that might make me.
We’ll be bringing you more rope and knot-related projects in the coming weeks, but first, I wanted to share some of our best DIY projects from the archives featuring rope, twine, knotting, knitting and the like. For such a humble and relatively inexpensive material, rope can easily be fashioned into many different, incredibly beautiful forms. I hope you find something here that makes you grab an old ball of twine or length of cotton clothesline and start making things. Enjoy! — Kate
Image above: Derek and Lauren’s sailor’s knot trivet, which could double as wall decor, is fashioned out of a colorful patterned climber’s rope.
Read the full post after the jump . . .
Image above: This is still one my favorite projects! I have it hanging in my bathroom now. To make your own version of this coiled sisal rope wall art, you just need a lot of hot glue and patience.
Image above: Ashley’s simple and beautiful woven rope pendant lamp is actually made from an upside down planter.
Image above: Turn a simple Ikea stool (or any stool) into a gorgeous textural statement piece by covering the top in a web of woven jute twine.
Image above: Use extra rope, twine, string or yarn to make these lovely mini crochet baskets for storing little things around the house.
Image above: All you need to make one of these giant knot doorstops — for a fraction of the cost of purchasing one — are rope, scissors and a tennis ball.
oh my gosh! totally doing the rope doorstop. been eyeing one of those for a while now and totally couldn’t justify the cost.
Very cool ideas! I need to learn how to make some of these!
Great ideas (as always)! I will try to make the first. Thank you!
Love the nautical inspired rope-ware! So fun…perfect for the salty spring air ;)
Love the woven stool/table top! I’m hopeless at knitting or crocheting but that I think I could do :)
These are just fabulous! Love it!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I especially love those colorful climbing ropes, so inspiring.
These are beautiful! Great way to add some texture to a room.
you have to see these incredible mats crochetd from rope by Isabeau Peep. they are just incredible, and reasoably priced too! http://www.treasurymarket.co.za/2011/10/isabeau-peep-2/
I am in the process if doing a nautical bathroom remodel. I’m so excited to make three of the monkey fists myself instead of spending the $150 to buy them! Thanks for sharing. Love your style!
I’ve seen a bit of rope used in statement jewellery lately too. Sollis Jewellery is just one example. http://www.sollisjewellery.com/
I’m really liking this trend.
I love the rope and un work with that!
Pretty Harbor // Jewellery