How to Make a Hammock

1. 1
   Cut a canvas to measure 2 meters/6 1/2 feet by 1.2 meters/4 feet.

   • Lengthen the measurements if tall people will be using the hammock. Bear in mind that 15cm/6 inches will be lost from making the hammock.
2. 2
   Turn in the long edges of the canvas 3.8cm/ 1.5 inches. Sew a seam.
3. 3
   Turn the short ends of the canvas in 3.8cm/1.5 inches. Press into place. Repeat one more time and press in place. Then sew the pressed ends together, using at least two or three rows of stitching. Keep the stitches at least 2.5cm/1 inch from the end, to leave space for the grommets.
4. 4
   Mark 20 evenly spaced spots along each end of the hammock. These mark the grommet placement.

   • Use an invisible fabric marker or tailor's chalk.
5. 5
   Punch the grommets into place along the marks.
6. 6
   Cut the rope. Cut it into 10 smaller ropes, each 2.7 meters/9 feet long.
7. 7
   Braid the rope into harnesses. The most typical macrame braid is the clew knot:

   • Fold the cords in half.
   • Mount the folded cords to the ring with a larks head knot.
   • Slip the ring over an upturned milkshake cup or secure to the work surface in some other way.
   • Spread the cords out and straighten them.
   • Number the ends of the cords 1 through 20.
   • Weave the clew knot using all of the cords - see How to weave a clew knot for precise details.
8. 8
   Attach the unwoven ends of the rope to the relevant grommet. Use the instructions in How to make a clew knot to get it correct. When adding the ropes, use a strong knot, such as a bowline knot. Pull taut to tighten and test the strength of the hammock.
9. 9
   Hang from trees or poles. Tie tightly. Test for weight suitability before lying in it.

   • Make sure that the trees are strong and not dead—ideally, they should be as thick as two arms put together.
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This simple hammock is lightweight, portable and an ideal solution if you need to camp in the woods.

1. 1
   Select either a tarpaulin or blanket for making this hammock with.
2. 2
   Cut the tarp or blanket to size. This is optional, only if needed. Allow for sag in the middle, below your feet and above your head before choosing to cut.

   • If you want to be able to use the item again for its original purpose, avoid cutting it.
3. 3
   Pull one end of the tarp or blanket together in a bunch. Tie this together with either a lark's head knot or clove hitch using strong rope.
4. 4
   Wrap the rope around a tree several times. Then send it across to the opposite tree or anchor point. Repeat the wrap and tying process at the other end of the tarp or blanket. This will ensure a taut line is drawn above the hammock bed, which you can pull on to get in and out of the hammock. It also provides a place to hang a rain fly.

   • If you don't want the fly rope, you can always cut your rope in two, keeping the head and foot sections separate.
   • Use the tarp as a rain fly. If the tarp is twice as long as you are, double it over and hang above the hammock. This will create a fly for keeping off rain or for providing shade.
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