"How many ropes do I need?" Basic Guide for Beginners

The number of jute ropes you should get depends on several factors, including the type of shibari you plan to practice, the complexity of the ties, the length of each rope, and your personal preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Basic Guidelines:

1. Type of Shibari:

   • Basic Ties: For simple and basic ties, you might need fewer ropes. Typically, 2 to 4 ropes are sufficient for basic harnesses and limb restraints.
   • Intermediate to Advanced Ties: For more intricate and advanced shibari, you may need more ropes. A typical set might include 6 to 8 ropes.
     
     

2. Length of Each Rope:

   • The standard length for shibari ropes is usually between 7-8 meters (approximately 23-26 feet). This length is versatile and can be doubled up or shortened as needed. In our store, we sell 7.5 meter jute ropes. If you need ropes that are a bit longer, we also have 12 meter ropes that you can cut to shorter lengths.
   • If you prefer shorter ropes for certain ties, you might need more ropes to compensate for the reduced length. You can find our convenient "bag o' bits" here. Having a couple of extra ropes on hand can be useful for extensions or accents (hair, ties etc) or specific ties that require just a bit more length.
     
     

3. Complexity of Ties:

   • Simple Harnesses: For simple chest, leg or hip harnesses, 2 to 3 ropes might be enough.
   • Full Body Harnesses: For full body harnesses and more complex ties, you might need 4 to 6 ropes.
   • Suspension: For suspension work, you will typically need more ropes, around 6 to 8 for partials or up to 12+ for full suspensions, to ensure safety and stability.
   •  Read about how to cycle your rope kit like an expert here.

Example Rope Sets:

• Beginner Set:

  • 4 ropes of 7-8 meters each. This is usually sufficient for learning basic ties and harnesses.
    
    

• Intermediate Set:

  • 6 ropes of 7-8 meters each. This set is good for more advanced ties and some suspension work.
    
    

• Advanced Set:

  • 8 ropes of 7-8 meters each. This allows for complex ties, full body harnesses, and multiple suspensions.

If you're just starting out, it's often a good idea to begin with a smaller set and gradually expand as you become more experienced and comfortable with different ties and techniques.

Keep it simple, get a rope kit:

At Shibari Store, we offer beginner-friendly jute rope starter kits that include everything you need to get started. Our kits are carefully curated to provide a balanced introduction to shibari, with high-quality ropes that are easy to handle and maintain.

If you're not sure what to get and you're brand new to shibari, we personal recommendation is to stick to our 2 most popular kits: the Super Beginner Kit (2 ropes, shears and a book), or our Shibari Study Kit (4 ropes, rope treatment paste and shears, plus 50% off your first month at Shibari Study).

Have any more questions? Get in touch!