How to Braid a Cotton Lead Rope Back

Cotton lead ropes that are used every day will eventually start to unravel at the ends. But just because your lead rope is showing some wear and tear doesn't mean you need to throw it away. A cotton lead rope can be braided back by using a simple threading technique. The lead rope will be sturdy and just as good as new once you finish braiding it.

Instructions

  1. Tie a Crown Knot in the Lead Rope

    • 1

      Unravel the loose ends of the lead rope so you have between eight and 10 inches of rope to work with. If more of the lead rope has already unraveled, don't panic. You can still fix it; you'll just have a shorter lead rope. Tape off the ends of the rope with electrical tape to prevent them from fraying.

    • 2

      Grab the rope where the unraveling begins, laying the three ends of the rope over your fist so that they are all pointing away from each other.

    • 3

      Choose one strand and place it over a strand lying next to it.

    • 4

      Loop the strand now lying under the top strand over the top strand so that it is laying between the first and third strands.

    • 5

      Lift the tail of the third strand over the tail of the second strand, pushing it into the loop created from the first strand.

    • 6

      Pull the knot tight by tugging on each of the strands. The resulting knot is called a crown knot. The knot should be tight and secure.

    Back Braid the Rope Strands

    • 7

      Place the tail of the first strand up under a strand in the braided portion of the rope.

    • 8

      Tug the tail so that it slides all the way through the unraveled portion of the rope.

    • 9

      Grab the next strand to the right and slide it over then under the next strand of the braided portion of the rope.

    • 10

      Grab the third and final strand and slide it over then under the next strand of the braided rope.

    • 11

      Repeat the threading process by rotating the rope each time, braiding over one and then under the bottom strand.

    • 12

      Tighten the strands by pulling on the end of each one once you have threaded most of the rope.

    • 13

      Cut the ends of the rope off. You can tape around the cuts to provide an extra layer of security.