How to Restring a Rope Bed

Rope beds commonly were used until the late 1880s, when the first slatted frames were used. Rope bed frames, also called "beadsteads" are very similar to today's bed frames, except rope bed frames have holes through the side rails and end rails. Stringing a rope bed is like creating a giant weaving over which you place a mattress.

Strong rope, slightly smaller than the width of the bed rail holes

Instructions

- 1
  Knot one end of a length of rope. A simple loop knot is ideal, but any strong knot that stoppers the rope works. Insert the other end of the rope through the hole in the top end rail, first from the left.
- 2
  Guide the rope up the length of the bed and into the second left hole on the top end rail, pull the rope tight, then across into the third hole from the left of the top end rail. Repeat the stringing until all the holes on the end rails are used.
- 3
  Guide the rope up the length of the bed and into the second left hole on the top end rail, pull it tight and across into the third hole from the left of the top end rail. Repeat this until all the holes on the end rails are used.
- 4
  Pull the rope very taut and knot the end as close as possible to the end rail on the last hole.
- 5
  Knot the end of another length of rope and insert the knot-free end into the first hole on the top left of the side rail. Weave the rope under and over the already strung ropes until you reach the other side of the bed.
- 6
  Insert the rope through the first hole on the top right of the opposite side rail, guide it through the second hole on the top right of the side rail, then weave it back across the bed in the opposite under-and-over pattern from the first hole.
- 7
  Repeat the weaving until all the holes on the side rails are used. Pull the rope very taut and knot it as close as you can to the side rail of the last hole.

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