Ropes on Cratches

I don't know about you, but whenever I set up the fancy white ropes on the cratches (see main photo) I have trouble tensioning them due to the friction between the ropes as they pass through the eyes.  Nylon makes ideal thimbles for the ropes to pass through but commercial ones are either heart shaped, which look wrong, or very expensive.  I managed to source some from the USA at a dollar each.  Postage for six came in at $75 so I declined.

I ended up turning my own out of blank nylon rod which ended up at less than £1 each.  The ropes are off now for the winter so it will be next spring before they are fitted again.