Packable Hammock

Whether its for relaxing in the shade on a summers day or keeping you up off the wet ground, you cant beat a good Hammock!

What could be better than kicking back and chillin out in a hammock you made yourself. Its much cheaper than the store bought ones and easier to make then you think (only 3 different knots!).

You will need:

1 x 7.5m Muli-purpose Rope (polypropylene)(approx 10c per meter)

19 x 3.1m Mason's Lacing Cord (approx 4c per meter)

4 x Tent Pegs

1 x Measuring Tape

First I will explain the knots we will be using. If you know your knots you can skip forward to Step 4.

This is the most basic knot of them all, its probably the first knot a child learns to tie.

Place the 2 cords that are to be tied together, parallel to each other. (photo 1)

Where you want the knot to be, creat a loop. (photo 2)

Pull the working end through the loop and tighten. (photo 3-4)

You can also make a loop using the same knot, by making a 'bite' or loop and follow the steps above (photo 5-7)

Sometimes called a 'ring hitch'.

Double the cord and lay it under the frame line. (photo 1)

Fold the loop back over the frame line. (photo 2)

Pass the two tails through the loop and pull tight. (photo 3)

Sometimes called a 'squire knot'.

Bring the two ends together and place the right over the left cord. (photo 1)

Now twist the the right under. (photo 2)

Pull tight, place the left cord over the right and under.

The two halves should mirror each other.

To make the frame for your web, first measure about 90 cm from the end of the rope and make an overhand loop. This will be your first corner. (photo 1-2)

Now, make two overhand loops at 40 cm intervals from your first corner. The third loop will be your second corner, one end of your frame is made, you can use tent pegs to hold these in place. (photo 3)

For the side come 190 cm along the rope and make another overhand loop, third corner. Follow this with two overhand loops spaced 40 cm apart, identical to photo 3, the last loop is your fourth corner.

You should have three complete sides and one side where the two ends meet somewhere in the middle. Finish the open side using a reef knot. (photo 4)

This is your hammock reinforcement rim.

To start your web or netting, fold your mason's lacing lengths in half and attach them, with a larks foot knot, to the long side of the hammock rim (not the side with the reef knot). photo 1

When you have all your cords attached to the rim space them out equally by eye. photo 2

Skip the first cord, and tie the second and third cords together, using an overhand knot. Repeat this with the 4th and 5th, 6th and 7th, etc. keeping the knots in as straight a line as possible.

Now go back to the first cord. You will need to tie this to the end of the hammock rim with a larks foot, because one end of the cord is attached to the rim already we can not tie the larks foot it the same way, insted you need to tie it by wrapping two loop around the rim, see photos 3-5.

For the second row of knots, skip the first two cords. Tie the 3rd and 4th cords together using an overhand knot, repeat with 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, etc.

Go back to the first two cords and tie them together in the same way, completing your first row.

Repeat steps 5 and 6.

When you reach the desired hammock width you need to finish off the webbing.

Take the first cord and tie it to the side rim using a larks foot (photo 2), then tie the second cord to the end of the first using a reef knot. Repeat this along the line.

Your hammock is now ready for use!

Because of the design of this hammock and its attachment points there are many different ways to set it up.

You could attach it to four trees or two large ones just using rope from the four corners, for a more stable bed.

Or you can attach any timber (tree branch, tool handle, walking pole, etc,) for a more traditional hammock to swing in.

It can also be hung at an angle to make seating.