How to make an adjustable jump rope

a post from Bea

The great thing about jumping rope is that it’s fun, it’s great exercise, and you can challenge yourself! How many jumps before you get tripped? I’m pretty sure I’ve done one hundred jumps before.

The great thing about making your own jump rope is that you don’t have to go to the store and spend a bunch of money on a flimsy plastic jump rope. A homemade jump rope, believe it or not, is better quality. Plus, you can use some of your recycling and make it adjustable so that other members of your family can use it too.

Want to know my secret ingredient? Finger knitting! Finger-knitted rope is flexible and strong. It doesn’t get tangled up, and it has the perfect weight. I learned to finger-knit two years ago. I like to finger-knit in the winter and when I’m bored.

For this project you’ll need:

-Two toilet paper tubes

-a skein of yarn

Optional: paint and colorful paper for decorating your jump rope.

1. First, you need to finger knit your rope! I wish I could make my own video to show you (we are working on that!), but in the meantime here’s a pretty good step by step video showing how to do it:

The one difference is that I use three fingers to make a thinner rope, but I think a thicker rope would work too.

Try finger-knitting when you’re either very bored, or need something to do with your hands. You can talk and finger-knit at the same time. It’s a great if you’re fidgety, and also great for a car ride. It’s not as good if you have a playful cat near you!

2. Once you have a long finger-knitted rope, try it out! Is it a little longer than you need to jump rope with? If so, that’s good! Knot the ends so they don’t unravel.

3. Next, take your two toilet paper tubes and cut two holes in each, like this:

You can also use a hole punch if you have one.

4. Thread your finger-knitting through the tube. Leave a loop for your hand to fit through. This keeps you from dropping the rope, and it’s also what makes your jump rope adjustable! A taller person can give themselves more rope, and a shorter person can make the rope shorter. Stuff the extra rope inside the tube if you don’t want it hanging down.

5. Finally, decorate your handles! We painted mine with gold watercolor paint and glued on origami paper hearts.

6. Now try your jump rope! Put on some music! Can you get through a whole song without stopping or tripping?

And here is a video we found of kids competing in the Double Dutch Summer Classic in New York City:

Do you like jumping rope? Have you ever tried double dutch? I haven’t, but I’m planning to learn how.

P.S. from Belle: More of the promised weekday vegetarianism (which we have kept up, despite challenges!) on Friday, along with some reading recommendations. See you then, Frog Troublers.