So you're new to rope! Welcome to the community - a worldwide network of riggers, bunnies, tops and bottoms, full-on artists and creative types, casual or obsessive - rope brings us all together.
It's a daunting thing to look over our extensive selection and figure out where to start. Our "kits" are generally geared toward suspension work, but can easily be translated to groundwork and artistic tying. Please take a minute or two and read through the following information, it may save you time and money!
- We have a Beginners’ Kit with six 30ft hanks and two 15ft hanks. Many people start there. You should ask yourself what your end goal is in rope – floor ties, decorative work, bedroom fun or suspension? I ask this because as a custom dyer, and although I strive for the utmost consistency, it’s impossible to guarantee that rope purchased now will perfectly match rope you bought (for instance) last year because every spool (although most colors are very close and many are identical) may be a shade or so off from a past dye. Conditions change, the manufacturer’s dye formulas can change, etc. It may not matter to you if you’re mixing colors in your personal kits, but the main emphasis is that what you buy now may not be a perfect match to the same color in 6 months if you find you want to add to an existing kit. I’ve never had to retire a kit because the rope wore out. Mine get changed because I need a bigger kit but can no longer match the color to my satisfaction (and I’m picky, there, I said it).
- Suspension. Please note- suspensions are NOT for beginners! Please find an experienced rigger and learn all you possibly can from them. Having said that, a full kit is needed for suspension and each kit reflects that person’s style. Your preferences may change as your experience level evolves. Mine have changed three times in the past 6½ years; I’ve settled on fourteen 30ft, six 15ft, six 7.5ft, and one 50ft hank. Our three standard kits all have the option to add a 50ft or 100ft hank. You even have the option of requesting a thicker diameter rope for tying bigger girls to make them more comfortable.
- Rope Lengths. This can very much be a personal preference. Length considerations can vary from bottom to bottom and from rigger to rigger. It depends on how the rope runs and how many laps and directions. Most people order 30ft hanks, but some prefer a little more length for decorative ties. Our kits have combinations of 7.5ft, 15ft and 30ft hanks with options for 50ft or 100ft add-ons. It gives you options. Our rope artists often like longer lengths based on what body part(s) they’re tying – for example they may want 40ft hanks for intricate chest harnesses or long leg ties. Similarly, larger bodies may benefit from longer rope lengths.
- Planning Your First Purchase. There are many things to consider as you plan to buy your first rope. First of all, we’re excited for you! We’d like to offer these suggestions to ask yourself: Are you going to get more than one kit? How many colors do you want available for decorative ties? Do you want to purchase your first kit now for decorative ties and learning then get a larger one later for suspension as you learn, grow, discover how you tie and what your preferences, needs and goals are? Working with rope is never a stagnant thing; if you enjoy it, you’ll find you’re always growing, learning, and adapting yourself AND your rope.
DyeAddictRope wants to be YOUR rope dealer and our customer service is second to none (just like our rope!). However, we also don’t want you having to spend extra money because you just bought rope without a clear, informed idea of what your evolution may look like. If you have further questions or are still unsure of your decision, we're here to help - TALK TO US!!
