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Description

Work in teams to create your own rope.

Courtesy of The Scout Association
https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/total-wind-up/

Resources

Wool
Scissors
Pens or pencils
Tables

Instructions

Prepare your wool
1. Split into teams of three.
2. Each team should cut a long length of wool and unravel it to make three strands of equal length.
3. Each team should tie an overhand loop knot at one end to join all three strands together.
4. Each team should push a pencil through the loop and make sure it is secure.
5. Everyone should repeat the previous steps two more times with wool of different colours. You will end up with three lots of three strands, tied together at one end. Each should be tied around its own pencil.
6. Tie the other end of all nine strands together in another overhand loop knot. Attach this loop around a table leg.


Get ready to spin
1. Each member of the team should hold one of the pencils. Pull the strands of wool out from the table so they are taught (but not at breaking point).

2. Everyone should turn their pencils clockwise, twisting up the three strands together, until they feel fairly tight. Make sure everyone does the same number of turns by counting out loud or turning in time.

3. Without letting the strands unravel, carefully slip two of the pencils out of their loops, and push the third pencil through those loops. This will put all the three tightly twisted strands onto one pencil.

4. Turn the pencil anti-clockwise until the strands join and create equal stripes.

5. Keeping the rope taut, carefully pull the pencil out of the loops and tie a knot in the end of the rope.



Change the level of challenge
There are many ways to make ropes that might be more familiar to the group, including plaiting. Try another method if this one is too tricky. If you want to make the rope more complicated, use more colours, more strands, and more team members.

Tags

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Badge Links

• Pioneer - Make rope