The ropes will connect the steel cables mentioned above to the bars which are coming next. There should be some 15 foot or so lengths of 3/4 inch diameter woven nylon rope floating around, but it always seems to slowly disappear, so you may need to buy more. The older ones will be easily identified by their rust stains (see explanation concerning the bars to follow). If you do get new rope be sure to seal the ends with a cigarette lighter so that it doesn't start fraying.
In any case you will want to tie one end using a bowline hitch, for which you will want to enlist the assistance of your local ex-members of the Boy Scouts of America to help you out if you don't know knots. In any case be sure to leave a 13 foot piece of rope on one end of the knot, a loop, and a greater than 8 inches piece on the other end. This will help reduce the possibility the the knot will be able to unwork itself.
The other end will be tied in the secret Baker Lighting knot which unfortunately the Boy Scout will not be able to help you with too much. I will describe this knot and the further intricacies of hanging things in a section devoted solely to hanging, soon to follow.