If you and your partner have been thinking about getting a knotty (yes, we went there!) when it comes to your sex life, you may be ready to dabble in a little bondage play and sex restraints. That’s a fantastic idea! You won’t get much argument from any bondage-minded couples that tying each other up can be empowering, inspiring, and just plain enjoyable for all parties involved.
Going back to our knotty little pun above, today we’re going to take a look at some tried and true tricks on how to tie bondage knots. If you’re looking for new rope bondage techniques, are learning how to perform self bondage, or are trying out bondage restraints for the first time, you’re in the right place! Our handy guide will help you and your play partner as you venture into the sexy world of tied-up fun. Plus, we’ll go over some safety tips (just in case), to make sure you and your rope-loving partner doesn’t get hurt during suspension bondage or other erotic bondage rope scenarios.
1. The Rope Body Harness
One of the first things to master when learning how to bondage tie someone is the basic rope body harness. Nearly every type of tying technique requires a basic body harness, as it acts as an anchor or stabilizer for other knotwork. Now, the one pictured is pretty advanced, but you definitely don’t need to get quite so elaborate with your body harness!
To fashion a basic body harness, you’ll need approximately 10-15 meters of rope looped, tied or crossed over around your / their torso, over the shoulders, neck or waist. You can go even further with leg, thigh and crotch knots, but you don’t have to. Just keep in mind that this core harness is going to be providing support to other restraint knots, so be sure it’s secure. Generally, the rope harness doesn’t restrict the limbs, but it can easily be modified to do so.
If you’re not so confident in your harness-making skills, you can always find a pre-assembled body harness restraint system, and make things easier on the both of you.
Once you have your harness down, you can get down to rope bondage business. There are a few basic knots that you should be familiar with when you and your partner are first learning how to tie bondage. So, let’s tie on some fun, shall we?
2. Single-Column Tie
The single-column tie uses a single limb as the attachment point for the knot and is often used when finishing a harness. By starting with a simple knot, the main difference is that the ends of the knot are doubled back and secured in the tie instead of hanging freely. This adds to the erotic look of bondage, especially for mostly decorative bondage.
3. Double-Column Tie
The double-column tie binds two limbs to each other. It uses a single rope and shouldn’t be used to attach multiple ropes. This might involve tying the arms together, an arm to a leg, or the legs together. Although, most techniques and positions don’t involve tying the legs together since that can take some of the fun out of your bedroom activities.
4. Overhand Knot
This is a basic knot. It is extremely secure, and many people interested in bondage try to avoid this knot because it is difficult to undo in an emergency. However, if you are practicing bondage with a willing and patient partner who wants to be held securely, the overhand knot is the simplest one to start with.
5. Double Overhand Knot
The double-overhand knot begins like an overhand knot, but before you tighten the rope, you thread one end into the loop a second time. When you tighten the rope, it results in a more secure knot that is even harder to undo. If you are binding your partner to furniture or a post, you might consider this knot to ensure they are held up securely during bondage sex positions.
6. Square Knot
A square knot, also known as a reef knot, is made by tying two overhand knots together. One of the most common misconceptions about it is that the square knot is used to connect two pieces of rope together. It is actually used with two ends of a single rope. Although it isn’t as sturdy as other knots on this list, it generally works well for bondage purposes and can be undone more easily.
7. Clove Hitch
This type of knot is particularly useful when you want to be able to readjust the rope at a moment’s notice. By looping two half-hitches over the same anchoring post (in this case, often the torso or limb of your partner), you can easily loosen the rope by feeding some of the excess rope into one end or the other.
You can either loosen the rope enough to allow your partner to escape entirely or just move the knot higher or lower on the limb or body. Remember to frequently check that your knots aren’t cutting off circulation, and that your partner is comfortable.
8. Munter Hitch
The Munter hitch is another adjustable knot, similar to the clove hitch. However, it is still a very sturdy knot and is commonly used by climbers who need it to scale mountains. We know the mountain you’ll be scaling is a little smaller in size, but this knot might still come to your aid.
9. Figure-Eight Knot
A figure-eight knot is similar to an overhand knot, although it is slightly easier to untie. If you are binding your partner and want to have an easier time when everything is done untying them, you might consider using a figure-of-eight knot instead.
10. Larkshead Knot
The larkshead knot is very similar to the clove hitch by utilizing two half-hitches. In the clove hitch, the half-hitches go in the same direction, whereas in a larkshead knot, the half-hitches go in opposite directions.
More Knotty Moves
We’ve been over all types of knots, and your brain is probably twisted into something that resembles a Double Overhand by now. So, let’s cool it on the knots, and look at a few ways you can enjoy your rope, with or without fancy knotwork.
Crotch Rope
Known as Matanawa in the Japanese bondage art of Shibari, the crotch rope is often slipped between the lips of the labia to give pressure and friction to the clitoris. There are variants used on people with penises, but the rope usually is tied to the waist harness and loops up the back of the person being tied.
However, the rope can also be tied to the wrists, which can be bound in front of the torso or the back. If the tied person is made to walk around, the rope can provide delicious friction to both the clitoris and the anus as their legs move.
Box Tie
The box tie refers to an upper-body tie when the arms are folded behind someone’s back, and they are bound against their torso. In a correct box tie, the tied-up person should not be able to move their arms or hands. While the box tie restrains the arms, lower-body ties can also be knotted to the box tie for a whole-body bondage experience.
Breast Bondage
Breast bondage refers to methods of binding the breasts. While many aspects of bondage are intended to limit movement, breast bondage focuses on the decorative parts since there is nothing to physically restrain. The erotically pleasing aesthetic of seeing thin ropes looping around and in between the breasts is something that plenty of people enjoy, even if the person who is bound can still technically move around normally.
Tips for Tying Bondage Rope
Before you dive into the specific techniques and knots mentioned above, a few words of caution. When indulged in properly, bondage is generally safe. As with just about any sexy undertaking, however, there are some precautions you’ll need to keep in mind. In bondage play, communication is key. Always stay tuned to your partner. Have a safe word or signal that means STOP, and honor it at all times.
During rope play, you’ll need to check in often with your partner, making sure they can breathe normally (especially if the neck is involved), and that their circulation isn’t being affected. If they experience any numbness, swelling or discoloration, stop and un-tie them immediately. No exceptions.
If you’re a beginner, use rope or ties made from soft materials like silk, polyester or even silicone.These types of rope will be much less likely to chafe or irritate skin, and they’ll generally be easier to work with for both mates. You could also try out rope bondage over thin clothing, like leggings or a bodysuit. Learning how to use bondage tape is also an option if you prefer to ditch the rope.
Let’s Tie It Up
PinkCherry has a wide range of offerings in our bondage and restraints category. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just a beginner, we have everything you could possibly need for a sexily tangled experience. We’ve also got other types of bondage covered, if ropes aren’t your thing. Now that you know how to tie someone up bondage-style, go forth and be knotty!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bondage_positions_and_methods#single_column_tie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_overhand_knot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef_knot