3/8 is good to work with but too small in my opinion. With a prolonged tie the hog will lose feeling in his feet faster due to the circulation loss. Most of our ropes now are 1/2" three stranded nylon. I play a loop in both ends.. We like close to 10" because it loops twice around your body and leaves a decent amount to drag with once tied.
Tie back to front leg or vice versa, half hitches are all our knots are!
1/2" is still a tad too small in my opinion.. Ideal for us is 5/8"
PLAT a loop
And like the ropes 10' feet not inches