A PROTECTIVE COVER
A multi-channel protective cover (1; 2; 15; 18; 23) is provided for lifting slings, ropes and similar elongate structures that are used in tandem. The cover (1; 2; 15; 18; 23) comprises a multi-ply woven tubular structure that is openable in use to provide at least two adjacent, woven-in sleeves (3). The sleeves (3) are each adapted to accommodate one of the elongate structures and separated from one at one or more locations A by a seam (12) formed by at least one serpentine stitcher thread (10, 11) that is woven between the plies (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the structure during weaving of the structure. Preferably, there are two serpentine stitcher threads (10, 11) in each seam (12) and each serpentine stitcher thread (10, 11) interlocks the plies (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the structure along the length of the cover (1; 2; 15; 18; 23) by being woven in an S-shaped path between picks (5) in the plies (6a, 6b) forming an upper wall part (9a) of each sleeve (3) and corresponding picks (5) in the plies (6c, 6d) forming a lower wall part (9b) of each sleeve (3).