Instead of rope, I've been using elastic strips for about a week now. This is the kind of elastic you can sew into garments. I picked some up at a craft store, the kind that sells sewing supplies. I got about three feet of 3/4" wide elastic for 99 cents. I also bought 1/4" and 1/2" but those ended up feeling more "cutting" into the skin. So now I am just using the 3/4". I didn't find any 1", but now would like to try that.
I don't put a [words=http://www.mattersofsize.com/forum/showthread.php?44-Ace-Strapped-Jims-Joint]ace bandage[/words] on underneath since I don't have one handy. Instead I have just put on a soft cloth strip. But you have to have something underneath, otherwise there is too much skin friction when wrapping (and especially unwrapping.) An [words=http://www.mattersofsize.com/forum/showthread.php?44-Ace-Strapped-Jims-Joint]ace bandage[/words] may be the best thing, I'll have to try it soon.
Anyhow, with the elastic, you can start off the first wraps a little lighter, but then increase the tension to max as you add layer upon layer. The elastic constriction force is cummulative, so I've been getting a really good pressure.
My reason for trying something other than rope was that the couple times I tried the rope, I ended up breaking veins. Not really sure why, but with elastic I think I can lay on the pressure in a slower more controlled manner.