Bunny Ties
The Bunny Tie, also known as the Pillow Tie and by other names, is when the wrists are tied together in front of the body and then moved up over the head to a position behind the head or behind the neck, and held in that position in some fashion. There are many ways to achieve this; this tutorial shows two of the most straight-forward.
One interesting thing about this tie is that it can be relatively forgiving and comfortable or it can be made extremely challenging and strict! It all depends on how flexible your partner is and how far down their back you pull their wrists.
Safety considerations:
- This position can be very stressful for some. As always, test things out with your partner to learn their limits. Keep good communication open. Do not leave your partner in this position for too long the first few times you try this position. It may seem relatively comfortable at first, but the stress can build over time.
- Wrists: Care must be taken to not allow bulky knots on the inside of the wrist. Tie the cuffs more loosely than you normally would to allow space for adjustment as you shift your partner into the final position.
- Neck: This position can move your partner’s neck and/or lower-back into positions that are not normal. This adds to the stress of this position and can cause pain in places that are not even being touched by rope.
This tutorial features Natural 1/4" (6mm) hemp. It uses one 30' (~9m) piece for Version 1, and one 10' (~3m) + one 15' (~5m) piece for Version 2.I use an amazing Natural hemp rope provided by my affiliate Twisted Monk. Check them out!Prerequisites:
Safety notice
The position is simple, but it is not something that everyone can do. There are things you can do to control how challenging it will be.
Prerequisites
Video
Bunny Tie, Version 1 – Using a Lark’s Head Single Column
Begin with a Lark’s Head Single Column around both wrists.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (1)
Be sure to tie this cuff more loosely than you might normally. Your partner’s wrists should be far enough apart that you can slide a finger between them.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (2)
Bring your partner’s wrists up over their head…
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (3)
…to the back of the head or neck.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (4)
This is the position.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (5)
Now you just need to secure the tail. If you already have a chest harness or waist harness in place, you can simply tie the tail to it. If not, you can use the tail to create a chest harness.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (6)
Bring the tail around your partner’s lower chest (at the sternum level or below the breasts).
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (7)
Do the second wrap above the first.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (8)
Reach under the stem to hook the tail of the second wrap.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (9)
Pull the tail through and reverse tension.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (10)
Bring the tail down over top of the lower chest strap.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (11)
Reach under the lower chest strap from above on that same side and hook the tail.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (12)
Pull the tail up under the strap and through.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (13)
Reverse tension again, placing the tail in the opposite quadrant.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (14)
Again, reach under the lower chest strap from above on that same side and hook the tail.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (15)
Pull the tail up under the strap and through. Run your fingers under that strap to make sure the lines are all nicely parallel and smooth.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (16)
Now, if you were using a shorter rope and happened to nearly be out of rope at this point, you could just lock off your rope now and be done!
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (17)
… But I happen to have enough rope left to make another strap, so that is how I will choose to use it up.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (18)
Wrap the tail around the stem once or twice to get some separation (and to better hold the X-friction on your first strap in place while you continue tying).
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (19)
Wrap the tail around your partner’s upper chest.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (20)
When you get to the stem, go underneath it.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (21)
Do a second wrap, keeping your strand parallel and at the same level of tension.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (22)
When you get to the stem, go underneath it.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (23)
Pull the tail through…
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (24)
…then reverse tension over the stem. We will now lock this new strap in place with a Square Lashing, also called a Half-moon Friction (although it is really Two Half-moon Frictions).
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (25)
Reach under the upper chest strap from below and hook the tail.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (26)
Pull it down and through.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (27)
Lay it on top of the stem. Pull it hard to set the tension in the first side of the friction. Reach under the upper chest strap on that side from above and hook the tail.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (28)
Pull the tail up and through.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (29)
Pull it hard to set the tension in the second side of the friction.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (30)
Lay the tail over top of the stem, then reach under the stem to hook the tail.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (31)
Pull the tail under the stem and through. Use up the remaining rope in whatever way you wish.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (32)
You could use it up below the straps for a more secure approach. That will add bulk, however.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (33)
Another choice is to use it up by wrapping it around the stem. This is marginally less secure, but also less bulky. Depending on what you are doing, this may look better in pictures. Either approach is fine.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (34)
I chose to wrap it up the stem and then tuck my knotted ends between the strands to lock it off.
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (35)
Done!
Bunny Tie 1 - LHSC (36)
Bunny Tie, Version 2 – Using a Load-bearing Double Column
Add a Double Column to your partner’s wrists.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (1)
Tie it a little more loosely than you normally would. Make sure there’s enough space between the wrists that you can slide your fingers between the skin of the wrists and the cinch.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (2)
A new rope.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (3)
Slide the bight of a new rope between the wrists and the cinch on one side of the cuff.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (4)
Reverse the direction of your rope and bring the bight back through the cuffs on the other side of the cinch.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (5)
Bring the tail through the bight.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (6)
Tighten the Lark’s Head around the cinch. You now have a Load-bearing Double Column.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (7)
Position your partner.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (8)
Set the tension you want.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (9)
Tie off as discussed in Version 1 above. When I added my rope (Step 3 above), I chose a shorter rope.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (10)
Use up the remainder of your rope however you wish. As above, I chose to wrap it around the stem and tuck the knotted ends in between the strands to lock off.
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (11)
Done!
Bunny Tie 2 - LBDC (12)
Adding to the tie…
Bunny Tie - Example 1
Bunny Tie - Example 1