How to Make Rope Grommets

A grommet is a circular ring that can be attached to ropes or chains that allow the rope or chain to be attached to a pole or any stationary object that something can be tied or secured to. In the case of a rope grommet other rope can be attached to the grommet. Common uses may include use with boats to secure them to a dock port, for horses when leaving them outside unattended, or even to string across nets or temporary fencing.

Cut the rope to the length you require for the grommet circumference with the scissors. For example if you need a grommet with a circumference of five inches the rope length should be 17.5 to 22.5 inches.

Lay the rope down and carefully unravel the strands that make up the rope. When you have one strand separated place the other strands to the side.

Make a ring with the middle of the stand in the desired circumference. Cross each of the strand ends through the ring to create a closed ring.

Wrap each of the the strand around the ring over and over again crossing through the middle of the ring each time. The strand should loop over and over the original ring. A slight twist of the strand end at each pass prevents fraying. Do this until the ends meet on the ring. Repeat this step two more times. The latest circuit should overlap the previous one.

Tie the small other colored piece of rope around where the two strands meet on the ring after the third circuit. This "hitch" keeps the strands in place while continuing. Ensure the strand ends hang away from the ring for the next step.

Pull one strand end gently in one direction and the other end in the other direction. The ends should be roughly equal in length. .

Loop the two strand ends over the ring and each other once to create a half knot. The ends should remain on the portion of the ring that will make up the top section of the grommet. Use the Swedish Fid tool to splice each end slicing carefully down the center of the strand ends. Remove the smaller "hitch" rope after the first half knot.

Create another half knot with each of the spliced strand ends. Splice each end again and create more half knots with the split ends. Remember that each half knot is made by taking one splice from each strand end, wrapping it once around the grommet loop and tying the strand splices together once one over the other.

Use the scissors to cut off the extra rope from the strand ends. Cut down as closely to the ring without cutting the ring. Place the grommet on the ground and rub your shoe back and forth it multiple times to tighten up the ring.

Use your homemade grommets at your own risk. The grommet being rope may fail over time due to weather conditions, excessive use, or rope material quality.

Reference

Scouting 1659: Making rope grommets (includes images):
[ http://scouting1659.org/minnow/doc/minto/HOW%20TO-%20Make%20a%20Rope%20Grommet.pdf]