A rope swing must be attached to a tree in a safe way to prevent injuries.
There are many products available in stores to add some backyard excitement for the kids. Swing sets come in all shapes and sizes and feature climbing walls, slides, clubhouses and more. But for the traditional person or the one who doesn't want to unload several hundred or thousand dollars on a play set, a rope swing is still an option. All it takes is a rope and a tree. Make it a double and add a wooden seat and you have your very own swing set. Hanging the rope is job one, and it's no trouble at all. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a tree where you will hang your rope swing. Keep in mind that the limb must be strong enough to support the weight of those using the swing. If the limb is cracked or weak, it could cause the limb to fall while kids are playing on it, and the limb could come down and seriously injure someone. The tree limb also needs to be high enough to provide enough swinging room. A low limb will limit how far back and forth the swing can go.
2. Purchase a length of braided 5/8-inch hollow core polypropylene rope or nylon rope. You will need to purchase enough rope to go from the ground to the tree limb two times. Tie a piece of regular string or yarn around one end of the rope tightly, spool out enough of the string to reach the limb and back to the ground. Cut the string and tie a medium-sized rock to the other end of the string.
3. Secure the rock onto the string and then throw it over the limb from which you want to hang the rope swing. The weight of the rock should easily pull the string along with it and bring it back to the ground. Remove the rock from the string and use the string to hoist the heavier rope over the limb and pull it back down in front of you.
4. Untie the string from the rope and tie a running bowline knot with the rope so that the rope will slip up and fit snug on the limb above. A bowline knot is the type used to secure boats in a harbor. Tie the knot by making a loop in the rope first. Your loop is already partially made by the section over the limb. Cross the two pieces of rope to complete a loop and then tuck the end of the rope through the open loop. Remember the loop extends from your hand all the way up to the limb for now. With the rope tucked through the center of the loop, wrap the end piece around the main part of the rope beneath the knot and bring it back up and go through the loop in the opposite direction. Pull the loose end to form the bowline knot. If you have made it correctly, you can pull the portion of the rope going up to the limb and slip the knot tightly around the limb.(See resources for illustrated directions for this knot).
5. Repeat the process on a second piece of rope and connect a wooden seat if desired. You may also use a tire or simply tie knots in the bottom of a single rope for a simple rope swing.
Tags: rope swing, bowline knot, over limb, back ground, bring back, rope will