DIY Old-fashioned Rope Swing

9/1/2018

Beautiful Things - Sept/Oct 2018

DIY Diva Holly Lemoine-Raymond gives step-by-step instructions for a weekend project that's easy - as well as uplifting!

Do you have a beautiful tree on your property and feel like it’s missing something?

Last year I bought a cute little house close to old town. I call it my “Tree House," or sometimes my “Green House” because, well, it’s green. There are two beautiful oak trees, one in the back and one in the front. Since I’m really a kid at heart, I knew just what the tree (and I) needed… a tree swing!

A tree swing is a great, easy, weekend project. Who doesn’t want a fun and comfortable tree swing to enjoy on our Southern summer evenings?!

Before we get started we need to gather our supplies. Most of which you probably have laying around the house or in your garage.

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Supply List

Circular Saw
Drill with a Spade Bit to drill holes approximately 6/8 of an inch in diameter
Nails
Hammer
Measuring Tape
Pencil or Marker
Rope (Any old rope will due but I used “braided manila rope” aka “hemp rope”)
2x8 piece of wood. (mine is 4 feet, small enough for a child but comfortable enough for an adult…)
1 Fireman to climb in the tree to secure the rope and tie your knots… (Thanks John Glidden!)
Electrical Tape

Step One

Cut two equal lengths of rope. The height of the limb will determine the length of the rope. You’ll want to make sure the seat hangs at least 20 inches from the ground and you have enough rope to wrap the rope around the limb two or three times. Manila rope is super durable.

Step Two

Measure and cut the seat. I used a 2x8 piece of recycled wood. I cut it at 4 feet, small enough for a child yet comfortable enough for an adult. Don't forget, measure twice and cut once.

Step Three

Once the seat has been cut, you will need to decide where your rope holes will go. Holes should be evenly spaced at each corner. I drilled the holes for my swing about 1/2 inch in.

Using a drill with the Spade Bit drill four holes in the corners of the seat. The holes need to be big enough to put the rope through.

Step Four

Wrap the ends of the rope to keep them from fraying. (You can also burn the ends but why play with fire when there are other ways to make it work?) Poke the ends of the rope through the holes in the seat.

Step Five

Tie the ends of the rope into an “Ashley Stopper Knot”. This knot is a bit complicated for me to explain. I had a great friend and fireman who was kind enough to lend his services to not only climbing the tree to wrap the rope around the limb, but to also tie the knots… (Thanks John Glidden!)