In planning and preparing for activities, the teacher will want to make sample knots beforehand. Large knots for demonstration and display can be made from 2-3 foot lengths of rope that is about 3/4 inch in diameter. Students can work individually or in groups with smaller knots made from 12-inch lengths of rope that is about 1/4 inch in diameter.
The ends of the ropes from which the knots are tied must be joined with tape. Be sure to use tape that is sturdy and will hold the knot together securely, even with much handling. The type of tape you need depends on the material from which the rope is made. Often neither cellophane nor masking tape is adequate and duct tape must be used.
Often the ends of ropes will fray before they can be taped together. If this is the case with the rope that you have available, take some time to stabilize the ends by melting or taping ahead of time. It is very frustrating for students to try to reproduce a knot accurately if the rope is decomposing in their hands as they work!