Academies, Courses & Videos
Crash Restraint: so many well-produced tutorial videos that you won't believe it’s free
Full Circle Kink’s library: free tutorials with step-by-step photos, as well as other articles. Don't be put off by the index format.
The Duchy’s Tutorial Library: you have to join as a member and can access only level-appropriate content
Rope 101, on Rope Study: free online self-paced course
Rope365: try out an idea a day; offers building blocks and ways to work them into fun tying scenes
Shibari Rope Videos on Anatomie Studio: meant to inspirational tying videos rather than tutorials
Shibari Study: fee-based site with 800+ rope tutorials, live classes, and community
Twisted Monk’s free downloadable how-to videos
Articles & More
A collection of articles on how to choose rope, how to finish the ends, how to store it and more, by The Duchy
Advanced Nerve Safety, Basic Safety, and Basic Suspension Safety by Topologist on Crash Restraint
Bondage Safety flyers and more, on Twisted Windows
Hard Points and Frames for Bondage, on Twisted Windows
The History and Myths of Japanese Rope Bondage, by Midori
KinbakuToday: online magazine with interviews, articles, events, and more focusing on bringing the Japanese art of kinbaku to a Western audience
Negotiation and Consent, on Crash Restraint: includes a negotiation checklist
Nerve and Circulation problems in Shibari, by Clover and Wykd Dave
Nerve Injury Reference Card (downloadable), by Frozen Meursault
Notes on Talking Rope: Disability and Kink, on Anatomie Studio
Rope Frequently Asked Questions, compiled by Devil Mask Society: super-duper helpful, with extensive basic and more advanced questions and answers
Rope Is Not About Rope, by WykD Dave, on Kinbaku Today
Rope Negotiation Template, by Cassandramae
Books
Better Bondage for Every Body, by Evie Vane (that's me!): Meant for rope bottoms, but tops have said they've gotten a lot out of it too
Bondage for Sex, vol. 1, by Chanta Rose
Douglas Kent's Complete Shibari: Land: 1 and Complete Shibari Volume 2: Sky
Erotic Bondage Handbook, by Jay Wiseman
Essence of Shibari: Kinbaku and Japanese Rope Bondage, by Shin Nawakari
Miumi-U Teaches Japanese Shibari, by Miumi-U
The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, by Midori
Shibari Suspensions: A Step by Step Guide, by Gestalta
Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macramé and More Shibari You Can Use: Passionate Rope Bondage and Intimate Connection, by Lee Harrington
Two Knotty Boys Back on the Ropes, by Two Knotty Boys
Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes: A Step-by-step, Illustrated Guide, by Larry Utley. The Two Knotty Boys are actually J.D. and Dan.
FetLife Groups
~POC~Ties~: a gathering place for People of Color including Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous to the Americas, and more who have an interest in rope
Rope Groups (US & Canada)
Rope Writing Library: a true treasure trove
FetLife Writings
There are so many that it would be better to just check out the Rope Writing Library’s section on rope topping, but How to Get Started With Rope is an incredible compendium
Podcasts
ropecast, by Graydancer
Rope Podcast, by Fox and Mya
Shibari Study, by Wicked Wren
Rope Topping & Suspension
Q. Japanese shibari and kinbaku, Western, decorative… what are all these types and where do I start?!
A. Forget all the types for now and just start with a basic single-column tie and double-column tie. Practice them until muscle memory kicks in, then you can move on to ties that build off those.