Whipping

Cut off any of the rope that has already unraveled. Take a piece of strong string, preferably waxed and at least two feet long, and form a loop in it. Tightly wrap, or whip, the string around the rope. When the whipping is at least as wide as the rope is thick, slip the end through the loop and pull hard. Trim off the excess string, then whip the ropes other end.

SAILMAKER'S WHIPPING (Not Required)

Begin by unlaying (untwisting the rope two inches. Make a bite in a 3-foot length of twine and place it around one of the strands. Re-lay the rope. Wind the twine tightly around the rope end for a sufficient number of turns. Carry the bight originally formed back over the end of the same strand around which it was laid. Pull twine ends tight and tie them with a square knot between the rope ends. Trim ends of twine.

ENGLISH WHIPPING (Not required)

Make twine into a loop and place it at the end of a rope. Wrap the twine tightly around the rope. When the whipping is as wide as the rope is thick, slip the end through the loop, pull hard, and trim off the twine.

FUSING (Required)

Rope or cord made of plastic or nylon will melt when exposed to high heat. Cut away the frayed part of the rope, then, working in a well ventilated area, hold each end a few inches above a lighted match or candle to melt and fuse the strands together. Melted rope can be hot and sticky--don't touch the end until it has cooled. Do not try to fuse ropes made of manila, sisal, hemp, cotton, or other natural fibers, because they will burn rather than melt.