3/8" sisal rope
1/2" sisal rope
1" x 6" x 18" board (new lumber, salvaged or rough cut) For a 3 knot board.
1" x 10" x 18" board (new lumber, salvaged or rough cut) For a 5-6 knot board.
1" wire nails
Light brown string-not thread
Picture hanging materials
2 screw eyes
picture hanger wire
Varnish or stain and cleanup materials (optional)
3/8" wooden dowel
3/8" drill bit
Rasp or sanding block
Pen or marker
Step 1: Preparing the wood and learning to whip a rope
Stain or varnish, if you want, and let dry completely.
Since you will whip the cut end of each end piece of rope you use, this is the time to learn how to do it. Refer to this site to learn how: http://www.arklowseascouts.ie/resources/whipping.pdf
Attach the 1/2" rope around the perimeter of the board. To start, position the whipped end at the middle of the lower edge of the board and attach it using a wire nail. Drive the nail through the rope and tap the head so that it is just hidden. Continue attaching the rope around the outside edge of the board, using nails every 3-4". Use nails closer at the corners. Stop nailing just after making the 4th corner. Determine how much more rope will be needed to just reach the middle starting point. Mark the rope. Whip the rope on both sides of the mark and then cut it cleanly at the mark using a sharp knife. (I find whipping twice and then cutting is easier than cutting and then whipping. Your choice.) Start back at the corner and finish nailing the rope into place.