Blog
Articles, perspectives, and personal journeys from TheDuchy community.
Latest:Which do I use!? Choosing a Single Column Tie
Which do I use!? Choosing a Single Column Tie
Which do I use!? Somerville Bowline? Lark's Head Double Column? Classic Single Column? Burlington Bowline? Fast Bowline? ... Choosing a Single Column Tie
Rubber Ball
First night tying nine partners at a large public rope event — performance nerves, a pink pentagram chest harness, and lessons in self-presentation.
Sometimes I just want to stop feeling
When my anxious mind refuses to quiet down, intense rope work gives me something the rest of life can't — total, single-pointed presence.
I'm really good at pushing people away
I ask for connection, then freeze when it arrives. Notes on avoidance, perfectionism, and trying to show up anyway — in rope practice and everywhere else.
Neck Rope
Rope is already a risky activity. Putting rope around the neck even more so. Yet, some people *do* do it. The beginner's rule about neck rope is "Don't", but as people advance, if they want to explore neck rope, a more nuanced set of rules is needed...
Baby's First Rope Party
My first rope party as a baby rope top — affirmations from Master before I left, a thoughtful gote shibari with the host, and a roomful of philosophizing.
Party invites and uncertainty
I've been invited to a rope party — and I'm anxious. Notes on social overthinking, imposter syndrome, and asking 'am I rope-y enough?' before the door opens.
Custom fit
A pentagram chest harness with Hekate — three fittings, careful feedback, and the unfamiliar territory of physical intimacy without a sexual context.
Quality and the role of perfection
On the day everything fell apart — bad hair, body issues, ropes that wouldn't cooperate — and what I'm learning about quality, care, and the lie of perfection.
Top 5 Best Shibari Ties for Beginners
Discover the Top 5 Best Introductory Shibari Ties in this essential guide to rope bondage for beginners. Explore Shibari safely and confidently with these easy and simple ties.
Spring has come, let’s spice things up!
The first Spicy Date Nights post: budget date-night ideas, the case for scheduling intimacy, foraged greens for Saag Paneer, and a low-pressure rope wind-down.
Tying with Hekate for the first time
My first time tying another person — a Shinju, double columns, a leg ladder, and Master coaching me to take up more physical space as a young woman.
How growing closer can tear us apart
Why kink — and connection — fade in long-term partnerships, and what intentional rope practice has taught me about staying curious about people I already know.
Surprise, a deadline!
A surprise invitation to perform rope bondage at Rubber Ball USA — and a 92-day SMART goal to get from baby rope top to confident and public-ready.
1-2-3 Column Ties
Is it a Double Column Tie just because it contains two wrists? Is there such thing as a Triple Column Tie?
Spatial Transformation
Preparing my rope space for the first guest: a vacuum, some plants, warm lights, and a detour through how smartphones make me a worse host than I want to be.
The trouble with rope bottoms...
On the scheduling chaos of finding rope bottoms outside a relationship, building a rope identity that's mine, and the rope top qualities I most admire.
The art of the self-tie
On the awkward art of self-tying — setting the mood, picking a tutorial, and the difference between practicing alone and practicing with another person.
Conditioning and getting ready
Putting together my first rope kit — jojoba oil for conditioning, overhand knots that hold, and the lesson that perfect ropes won't make me a better rigger.
Picking out *my* ropes
The hemp ropes I cut a year ago sat in my closet through a hard year. Picking them back up now — and what the 'imposter' voice sounds like up close.
Why do I want to do this?
The first entry. Why I'm starting this rope-top journey now: making art, contributing more to my partner's work, and reclaiming agency in a world falling apart.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
“Comparison is the Thief of Joy” … but it doesn’t have to be!
Adapting Ties for Various Bodies & Needs
Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate that you care for your partner by adapting your ties for their particular needs. Most ties can be modified to work with a wide range of different body types using only a few techniques.
Outdoor Scenes & Photography
Free Sample of CAS Considerations for outdoor scenes or photo shoots
Updates to Foundations of Rope Bondage
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Getting Started
If you’ve been wondering how you can safely (and consensually) tie up a partner, you’ve come to the right place!
Special Offer - Suspiria Rope Bundle
Special Offer; Rope from my affiliates for the Suspiria Rope Dress + a free month on TheDuchy when you sign up.
Small Fiber Neuropathy
A person with SFN may experience pain or other sensations in ways or to degrees that you might not expect.
Predicament Bondage - DIY Edition
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Continuing Your Rope Education
When people engage in BDSM activities, they put tremendous trust in each other. There are risks. You need to understand those risks and manage them.
Aftercare & Post-Scene Processing
The few minutes immediately after your scene are incredibly important in creating a wonderful overall experience.
Setting Up & Conducting a Scene
The time has arrived for the scene you negotiated and planned. Take time beforehand to set things up for success!
Nerves & Circulation
Understanding nerves and circulation and how they may be impacted by rope is critical to reducing the risk of rope bondage.
Risks When Using Rope
Rope bondage is not safe. There are risks. Your #1 priority is to make sure you understand and manage those risks.
General Scene Negotiation & Planning
This is the foundation of authentic, informed consent.
Vetting a Potential Rope Partner
So you met someone that you think you might like to do rope with. Vet them first! See if they are known to the local community and what reputation they have.
Finding a Potential Rope Partner
If you are looking for a partner with whom to explore rope, go where such people may be more easily found!
A Framework for Successful BDSM Encounters
If you include these important elements, you are much more likely to have a successful BDSM (or other) encounter.
Consent
Consent is the Cornerstone of Everything We Do. Without it, much of what we do would legally be assault.
Handling - Using Up Extra Rope
How to use up extra rope when your main tie is complete.
Chair Ties (A Mini Course)
A modular mini-course showing many ways to tie your partner to a chair!
Winning Photos!
Themed Photo Contests on our Discord server
Speed Bondage (Class)
An instructor resource for those teaching speed bondage based on the Prusik knot
Foundations of Rope Bondage (Class)
An instructor resource intended for those teaching an introductory class on Rope Bondage
Scene Negotiation Forms
Here are some forms to help guide negotiations prior to a scene.
Rope 101/102 Instructor Resources
An instructor resource intended for those teaching an introductory class on Rope Bondage
BDSM 101/102 Instructor Resources
An instructor resource intended for those teaching an introductory class on BDSM
A BDSM Experience and Curiosity Checklist
What is a "Hell, Yes!!"? What is a "Hell, No!"? What is a "?" Explore the list to expand your horizons!
A Kinky Education List
Some people are just here for the artistry, some people want to learn more. Here is a good place to start for both new and experienced players.
Ball Ties - Examples 2-7
Here are a few examples of tying your partner into a ball. Do the 'Ball Ties' tutorial first!
Ball Ties - Core
There are *many* ways to tie your partner into a ball. This tutorial shows you over 1600 of them…
Ball Ties - Example 1
This is one simple way to tie your partner into a helpless ball!
Creating a Scene
Full Members Only - Using multiple ties in combination to create amazing scenes!
Choosing Rope
What type of rope should you use?
3 Useful Rope Lengths & Thicknesses
What thicknesses and lengths of rope should I have in my kit?
Bamboo Bondage
The use of bamboo in a bondage scene is evocative. This course walks you through the concepts from beginner to advanced
Finding a local mentor
There are many people out there that can help give you face-to-face training and mentorship. How do you find them?
Bamboo Bondage - Frames
A variety of bondage frames and a few ideas of what you can do with them!
Bamboo Bondage - Yoke
Takezao Shibari - Bondage with a single pole of bamboo - Elbow lock version
Bamboo Bondage - Elbow Lock
Takezao Shibari - Bondage with a single pole of bamboo - Elbow lock version
Bamboo Bondage - Anchoring a pole to your partner
Two ways to attach a pole to your partner so they cannot slide it out of position
Bamboo Bondage - Attaching
A variety of ways to attach your partner to a pole or a frame
Flogger Forge!
Flogger Forge - Learn how to make your own custom floggers from rope!
Burlington Bowline - Old Version
A very fast, very stable single column tie. Once you master it, it takes only 20-30 seconds to tie
Suspension - Hangers
How to attach a suspension load-bearing support line to a harness, whether one point, 2 pts, 3 pts or more...
Suspension - Evaluating a Hard Point
Suspension - Evaluating a Hard Point. Is it safe to trust with your partner's life?
Choosing Suspension Rope
Members Only - Suspension - What type of rope do you need for your suspension support lines ("up lines")
Scene Planning & Safety
Information helpful for planning out your suspension scene, including additional safety information
Suspension - Top or Bottom, Are you ready for suspension?
Who can suspend? Who can be suspended? Are you ready?
Suspension
Suspension Central. All suspension tutorials start here.
Specialty Knots
Knots that can add a decorative flair or that are useful for a few special cases. You don't need to master these to tackle most tutorials