How to Make a Jump Rope
Select your rope., Cut the rope., Select your handles., Consider adding beads., Add some personal touches., Slide the beads on before the handles., Slide the rope through the handles., Secure the ends of the ropes to the handles., Singe the tips of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Select your rope.
You can select from a variety of materials that can work as a rope.
You can get an actual rope from your local hardware store, or you can use ropes made of leather, PVC, or elastic.
Different fabrics of rope will have an effect on the speed, durability and versatility of your rope.For example, leather ropes are great for speed, but can feel like a whip when it hits your skin, so it's not a great choice for children. -
Step 2: Cut the rope.
Measure the length from the top of your chest to your feet.
Multiply it times two.
The total number will give you a good length to cut your rope.
If you are not making the jump rope for yourself you will need to get those measurements from the person you are making the jump rope for.
If you can't get a measurement, you can just go with a 7-foot rope for most children.
For people between 5'2"-5'6" you can use an 8-foot rope.
From 5'6"-6'2" you can use a 9-foot rope.
And for people taller than 6'3" go with a 10-foot rope.You can always adjust the knots to shorten the rope later on, so it's best to have a little extra length to begin with.
You will want to use a much longer rope if you plan to do double dutch jumping.
A rope of 12 feet will be sufficient for one jumper, and add 2-4 feet for each additional jumper., Handles will have a big impact on how your jump rope performs.
You can purchase some handles at a sporting goods store, or make some yourself using items around your home.
To make some handles at home you can cut two pieces of 1/2-inch PVC pipe in equal lengths of 4-8 inches depending on your preference.
Drill a hole in two 1/2 inch PVC end caps that is wide enough for your rope.
You could also cut a wooden dowel into similar lengths.
Drill a hole that is wide enough for your rope through the center of the dowel.If you are making a jump rope for children, you will want the handle to be small and light enough for a child to hold easily.
If you are making a jump rope as a piece of exercise equipment, you will get more benefit by using handles that have some more weight.
This will challenge your arm muscles more when you exercise. , Jump rope beads serve several different purposes.
They make the jump rope more visible, which is desirable for performances and safer for children.
The beads also make a louder sound when they hit the ground, which helps some jump ropers to keep a good rhythm.
Beads can also add a little weight to a rope which can alter the feel and performance.
They also help to protect the rope. , You can paint the handles your favorite color.
Adding some tassels to the ends of the handles can make the jump rope even more exciting for kids.
You can even find beads with letters to personalize the rope. , If you are using beads, you will need to slide the rope through them first, then secure the ends with the handles.
Try alternating colors.
Select two different colors of beads.
Slide on a bead of one color, then the other color.
Repeat until the rope is full. , Take one of the rope and feed it through one handle.
Then take the opposite end of the rope and feed it through the other end of the rope.
Be sure the handle ends face opposite directions at each end of the rope. , How you secure the rope will vary depending on your rope and handle choice.
Some cord ropes will come with a cap that tightens or crimps around the cord to hold it to the handle.For most cloth and elastic materials you can simply tie a knot at each end of the rope so that the ends will not slip through the handles.
To tie the rope hold it in front of you several inches from the end of the rope.
With your other hand make a loop on one side of the rope, bringing the end behind the bulk of the rope.
Make another loop on the other side of the rope, bringing the end across in front of the rope.
Then pull the end through the top loop and tighten.
This knot will stay secured until you untie it., The fabric will harden and seal the tips to prevent them from fraying.
You can also dip them in glue to help seal the ends of the ropes. , If the rope seems too long then you can adjust the jump rope as needed.
Having a longer rope than necessary will mean the rope will take longer to rotate.
This can be beneficial for new jumpers or children.
Conversely, if you are an experienced jumper and looking to increase your speed, you will want the rope to have as little excess rope as possible. , Pull the unwanted length of rope through the handle.
Try using the rope again.
When it seems like a good length, tie a knot at one end of the rope again and cut off the excess with a pair of scissors.
If you have clips for your handles you can simply adjust them and trim away the excess.
Some handles have extra room so you can make a loop in the rope to adjust the size and fit the loop within the body of the handle.
If your handles have the space, you might want to consider using this method to resize your rope.
It is quicker and will give you the ability to add some length back to the rope later on if you want. -
Step 3: Select your handles.
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Step 4: Consider adding beads.
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Step 5: Add some personal touches.
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Step 6: Slide the beads on before the handles.
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Step 7: Slide the rope through the handles.
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Step 8: Secure the ends of the ropes to the handles.
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Step 9: Singe the tips of cloth ropes slightly.Use a lighter and quickly insert the ends of the rope into the flame.
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Step 10: Try out the jump rope to test the length.
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Step 11: Adjust the rope.
Detailed Guide
You can select from a variety of materials that can work as a rope.
You can get an actual rope from your local hardware store, or you can use ropes made of leather, PVC, or elastic.
Different fabrics of rope will have an effect on the speed, durability and versatility of your rope.For example, leather ropes are great for speed, but can feel like a whip when it hits your skin, so it's not a great choice for children.
Measure the length from the top of your chest to your feet.
Multiply it times two.
The total number will give you a good length to cut your rope.
If you are not making the jump rope for yourself you will need to get those measurements from the person you are making the jump rope for.
If you can't get a measurement, you can just go with a 7-foot rope for most children.
For people between 5'2"-5'6" you can use an 8-foot rope.
From 5'6"-6'2" you can use a 9-foot rope.
And for people taller than 6'3" go with a 10-foot rope.You can always adjust the knots to shorten the rope later on, so it's best to have a little extra length to begin with.
You will want to use a much longer rope if you plan to do double dutch jumping.
A rope of 12 feet will be sufficient for one jumper, and add 2-4 feet for each additional jumper., Handles will have a big impact on how your jump rope performs.
You can purchase some handles at a sporting goods store, or make some yourself using items around your home.
To make some handles at home you can cut two pieces of 1/2-inch PVC pipe in equal lengths of 4-8 inches depending on your preference.
Drill a hole in two 1/2 inch PVC end caps that is wide enough for your rope.
You could also cut a wooden dowel into similar lengths.
Drill a hole that is wide enough for your rope through the center of the dowel.If you are making a jump rope for children, you will want the handle to be small and light enough for a child to hold easily.
If you are making a jump rope as a piece of exercise equipment, you will get more benefit by using handles that have some more weight.
This will challenge your arm muscles more when you exercise. , Jump rope beads serve several different purposes.
They make the jump rope more visible, which is desirable for performances and safer for children.
The beads also make a louder sound when they hit the ground, which helps some jump ropers to keep a good rhythm.
Beads can also add a little weight to a rope which can alter the feel and performance.
They also help to protect the rope. , You can paint the handles your favorite color.
Adding some tassels to the ends of the handles can make the jump rope even more exciting for kids.
You can even find beads with letters to personalize the rope. , If you are using beads, you will need to slide the rope through them first, then secure the ends with the handles.
Try alternating colors.
Select two different colors of beads.
Slide on a bead of one color, then the other color.
Repeat until the rope is full. , Take one of the rope and feed it through one handle.
Then take the opposite end of the rope and feed it through the other end of the rope.
Be sure the handle ends face opposite directions at each end of the rope. , How you secure the rope will vary depending on your rope and handle choice.
Some cord ropes will come with a cap that tightens or crimps around the cord to hold it to the handle.For most cloth and elastic materials you can simply tie a knot at each end of the rope so that the ends will not slip through the handles.
To tie the rope hold it in front of you several inches from the end of the rope.
With your other hand make a loop on one side of the rope, bringing the end behind the bulk of the rope.
Make another loop on the other side of the rope, bringing the end across in front of the rope.
Then pull the end through the top loop and tighten.
This knot will stay secured until you untie it., The fabric will harden and seal the tips to prevent them from fraying.
You can also dip them in glue to help seal the ends of the ropes. , If the rope seems too long then you can adjust the jump rope as needed.
Having a longer rope than necessary will mean the rope will take longer to rotate.
This can be beneficial for new jumpers or children.
Conversely, if you are an experienced jumper and looking to increase your speed, you will want the rope to have as little excess rope as possible. , Pull the unwanted length of rope through the handle.
Try using the rope again.
When it seems like a good length, tie a knot at one end of the rope again and cut off the excess with a pair of scissors.
If you have clips for your handles you can simply adjust them and trim away the excess.
Some handles have extra room so you can make a loop in the rope to adjust the size and fit the loop within the body of the handle.
If your handles have the space, you might want to consider using this method to resize your rope.
It is quicker and will give you the ability to add some length back to the rope later on if you want.
About the Author
Sharon Taylor
Writer and educator with a focus on practical hobbies knowledge.
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