What Can I make with Used Rope? Top 3 Crafts for Used Rope Up-Cycling

The internet has a niche for everything... and when it comes to "up-cycling used ropes," we sure found one at North 40 Outfitters.

The story of how our once "traditional used rope program" which was only utilized by our customers in the rodeo and ranch businesses is incredible... and can be attributed to the internet's ability to bring different people together. Here's the low down.

What North 40 Outfitters Thought Up-Cycling Used Rope Meant

So, here's the program we have had in place for a long time:

North 40 Outfitters Used Rope Program: bring in your used lariats for $5 towards a new calf rope, head rope or heel rope (good for up to three, for $15 credit towards a new one). It's a good program for people who burn up a lot of ropes: the college roper, regular roping goer or the sponsored professional.

You have a trailer full of old ropes. Bring them in to North 40 Outfitters for money towards buying new ones.

This is what we thought "used rope program" meant circa 2014. Why did we create this program? We sell those used ropes that can't cut it for rodeo jackpots or that have a twisted honda so the loop is a little funky... we sell those used ropes inexpensively to cattleman for calving season.

What's calving? Here's a behind the scenes to get you a sense of what calving is...

For these people, there's no sense burning up a new Spydr or Cactus (which cost around $50) with a hot iron when you can come into North 40 Outfitters and get a used rope that will work for the day/week.

And that's what we thought "up-cycling used rope" meant... that is, until we found Pinterest.

The "up cycle" program described above still has a loyal following, and we will give you $5 towards a new rope if you bring in an old one, but this is the point where we learned what the internet thought "up cycling used rope" meant.

Pinterest, the Internet & how a Used Rope Program Became Crafty

So before we made the move to digital, back when we were only 10 brick and mortar locations spread across Montana, Washington and Idaho... we had a couple customers who would come in regularly and use our used ropes for "crafts."

So, we had an idea that ranchers weren't the only ones who liked a good used rope at good price. (You can still order these ropes from us online for ten bucks right here.)

But the shear creativity of our customers and people on the internet was incredible. Below you'll find our Top Best Used Rope Crafts... including one we made ourselves at the bottom.

Used Rope and Interior Design: Laundry Basket Makeover

One really cool idea we found on Pinterest that utilizes the used ropes we sell is the up-cycling of laundry baskets--those plastic things that exist in everyone's home and are somewhat of an eye-sore... alright, they can be a real eye sore especially if you have a little house and those baskets have nowhere to hide...

Luckily, Pinterest has you covered. All you need is used rope, hot glue gun and glue sticks, and an old laundry basket or box.

1. Start wrapping your used rope at the base of your unsightly laundry basket.
2. On the second wrap begin laying down a base of hot glue so you can "stack" the pieces on top of themselves while gluing.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you get to the top of your basket.

Bonus: Use a linen liner to inside your rope box once it dries. 

Used Rope Ideas for Hanging Plants

That's right... you can use used rope to build a wooden platform garden shelf... or even to hang your smaller succulents.

These projects make a display you can't imagine for your potted plants without taking up a ton of room. Perfect for small spaces. There is a much more extensive list of project for used rope and plants right here.

Used Rope Becomes New Jewelry

This one is really cool: a piece of used rope become someone's stylish accessory. Picture the life cycle of this rope...

From a Northwest rodeo arena or cattle ranch where it was used hard and sold back to the store where it was (possibly) purchased, back out into the world via the inter-webs where it gets cleaned, cut, glued, (maybe dyed), re-wrapped in leather and worn out into the world as a piece of jewelry.

Here's how you make that happen:

1. Order your used rope.
2. Order hot glue and glue guns. (Spoiler alert: we're trying to sell those things)
3. Cut your rope to fit your wrist.
4. Wrap your decorations around. These can be leather, metal, bangles, old jewelry... get creative, but don't use something that will irritate your wrist.
5. Join the two ends w/ a crimp.

Bonus: To cover the crimp, you can wrap it with a piece of leather and no one will ever know how it's joined!

Those are just three of the coolest used rope crafts that the internet taught us. Not one to back down from a challenge, we decided to try to utilize the Pinterest + the ropes North 40 Outfitters brings in from the field.

What's follows is a true and accurate account of an office "crafting" party.

North 40 Outfitters Goes Full Rope Craft, Makes Rope Wreaths

In the fall we sell used ropes for crafting: wreathes, rope baskets and so much more. There are so many things that can be made from used ropes and every one unique and absolutely beautiful.

I've made seasonal wreaths using used ropes for the Great Falls store: spring wreaths with flowers, summer wreaths with horseshoes and barbed wire, fall wreaths with bandannas and corn stalks, and of course, the Christmas wreath with pine cones the possibilities are endless...

Want the full DIY including steps and materials for this project? It's right here.

The Used Rope Program is a great deal for cattlemen and crafters alike everyone benefits. So bring in your used rope to any North 40 Outfitters we can use it, so can the internet.

Want to add to this list? Use the form below or send us a message right here... and we will get this list updated!