Delightful Double Column Tie

On Saturday I shared my love of coarse coir rope with you for barefoot’s bondage A-Z. Today marks the start of the second week, and I want to begin by delivering a delightful double column tie. Single- and double-column ties lay the foundations for many, more complicated ties. As a result they will often be some of the first ties you learn. They certainly were for me.

Basic rope play: you have to start somewhere.

My early self-tying lessons were gleaned from YouTube videos, and I believe they are a great place to start. This method of learning was suggested by my friend Angel, who sent links for both single and double column ties, as well as basic frictions. Learning the building blocks while getting the rope “in my fingers”, all from the comfort of my own home, was really satisfying. Hanawa gives a good introductory video on both of these basic ties, but there are so many tutorials to choose from, find the one that works for you.

What is a double column tie?

Firstly, a column is an item that you want to tie. That could be an arm, an ankle, a waist, even a chair leg. Tie one of these, or even two together as one, and you’ll need to use a single column tie. If joining two of these columns together, tying them as one, you have a single column tie still. As soon as you tighten the rope between the columns you have a double column tie. I’ve been known to tie three columns together, before I run out of ways to tie, but this is really just for fun and I’ve never heard of triple column ties, just single and double column ties. I love to practise these, and can sometimes be found on a tor doing exactly that. A quick, simple and useful rope fix.

Ankle or Arm ties?

Like I said, these ties are the basic building blocks of shibari. A starting point for growing in confidence and experimenting. A springboard for all of the fancy pants rigging you might decide to do further along in your journey. Or not. I love that people watching my rope scenes might feel like I’m doing something super fancy with my hanks and bunny. In reality I am often just using basic single column ties, secure frictions, and mean old double column ties.

Using a double column tie for hand/ankle cuffs.

I discovered that, using a hank of rope, and two columns, I could create a bondage spreader bar for my ankles. It was another YouTube tutorial that helped me on my way to this one. I can’t find that one now, but it is just a wide/loose double column tie with the working ends wrapped around the loose rope, all the way from one column to the next. With cotton rope it was still quite bendy and flexible initially, great for self ties as I could escape quite easily should the need arise. But for tying others… Not so great. Once I started using jute they became stiffer, more… secure!

Lovely!

Have you enjoyed reading my thoughts on the delightful double column tie? You can find me in another version of this tie here: A bound body frees the mind.