How to Make a Monkey Fist (with Video Tutorial!) – Sustain My Craft Habit

Have you ever crafted something purely by accident? You know when you start a project expecting it to be one thing and it surprisingly turns into something else (…even better). We all have crafting and DIY fails from time to time, but I’m talking about the opposite experience. For me, these sisal nautical rope balls (which I’ve since learned are also known as Monkey’s Fists) are an example of just that. Today we want to show you how to make a monkey fist with sisal rope.

How to Make a Monkey Fist

I was in the middle of making these DIY nautical napkin rings using sisal rope for our DIY rustic tablescape course, when I unknowingly added a few extra loops that suddenly caused my napkin ring to form a ball! You can imagine my delight! Having always eyed these rope balls at the shops, I was pleased to know how to make my own!

These decorative nautical knots look great assembled in groupings as part of a coastal styled centerpiece or just on their own. They’d even look beautiful as a summer, coastal or beach-themed wedding idea!

We are now bringing them in as part of our Graystone Beach Coastal Cottage bedroom makeover. Visit the entire makeover filled with coastal bedroom ideas including:

• shared the Mood Board for the coastal-inspired bedroom,
• painted the walls which were a glossy surface previously,
• made a seashell wind chime,
• painted a tall dresser a pretty blue,
• created a painted driftwood wall art piece,

Materials Needed to make your own Monkeys Fists:

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• Sisal rope, ¼” thickness, 180” long
• Measuring tape
• Scissors (these are our fave!)
• Two hands 🙂

How to Make a Monkey Fist Knot Video Tutorial:

This DIY monkey’s knot craft is just one of those things that’s easiest to explain with a video. So here is a video on our You Tube Channel on how to make a monkey fist. Be sure to subscribe while you’re there! And let us know if you have any questions about how to tie a monkey fist knot.

Go ahead and make more than one monkey knot as part of your DIY nautical or coastal decor at home or at the cottage. I bet you won’t be able to stop at just one! Also, by using different thicknesses of rope, you can make smaller or larger sailor’s decorative knot balls using the same technique!

For more simple rustic decor ideas be sure to grab our free guide “8 Simple DIY Projects to Create a Beautiful Rustic Tablescape“.

How to Make a Monkey Fist [Video Tutorial]

Materials

• Sisal rope ¼” thickness, 180” long
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Two hands

Instructions

• Gather materials.
• Check out our easy-to-follow DIY video tutorial!

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