DIY Camping Hammock

Intro

This is my attempt in making my own camping hammock using methods and techniques I have adapted from sources on the Internet. The designs and ideas are not my own.

Objective

To make a camping hammock with a load bearing ridge line. This hammock is to be used with a 10x10 tarp. The ridge line can be used to hang a bug net which will be another future project.

Materials

• 4 yards of ripstop nylon (60in wide).
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty thread
• 2 Chain links or climbing carabiner
• 6 meters of 1" nylon webbing
• 9 feet climbing rope for ridge line
• 2 pieces of 2 feet long climbing rope same as above.

Notes:

1. Ideal hammock length is 9 to 12 feet. In this project, I will be making a 9 foot long hammock,
2. Hammock should be made from 1 piece fabric with double roll hem on all sides. Long sides hemmed first before the short sides. (You can do this yourself or have a seamstress do this for you). I'm considering having this done by a professional tailor.
3. A basic knowledge of knot tying is needed for this project. The following are some of the knots I will be using.
• Bowline
• Triple fisherman's knot
• Siberian hitch / Evenk hitch
• Modified sheet bend or variations of it.

Procedure

1. Cut the fabric to size. 9 feet by 5 feet.
2. Hem along the long sides first using a double rolled hem about 0.5 inch. Hem short sides the same way.
3. Create 2 loops using the 2 foot long cords. Tie a triple fisherman's knot to create the loops.
4. Gather the short end of the fabric. Take one of the loops from step 2 and tie a modified sheet bend. Repeat for the other end of the fabric. Tie the knot as tight as you can get it.
5. Connect the chain links to each loop on the end of the hammock. By this step you already have a hammock but without suspension lines.
6. Cut the nylon webbing in half. you should have 2 three meter long lines. Burn the ends so that it doesn't fray. Create 2 inch loops on each end of the nylon webbing.
• Measure 5 inches from the end of the webbing and fold it on itself. Stitch 3 1 inch box stitches from the end of the loop.
7. Attach the loops to the chain links.
8. Measure the length of the hammock from one chain link to another. Take 83% of the length. That will be the length of the ridge line.
9. Hang the hammock. Adjust the ridge line to set the desired sag.

Enjoy!

**Stuff sack can be made from excess fabric.

Obsessed with Hammock Camping

I recently went out camping with friends at Bangkong Kahoy in Dolores Quezon. I must say the experience has made me realize that I am not as prepared as I hoped I was. It wasn't all that bad. I had the opportunity to use my yellow tarp for the first time and everyone loved it since it  was the hangout area / dining area especially when it rained. I hanged my tarp between two trees and pitched it like a regular A frame. I raised one side using my trekking poles to cover more ground. The rain poured hard in the afternoon, but the tarp did its job. Only problem was the place I pitched my tarp was where water apparently drains. It was muddy as hell and this is when I realized that a hammock will work great in that type of situation.


Now I'm obsessed with making my own hammock. My wife gave me a hammock a few years back, but it was a net type hammock. I was able to sleep in it a couple of times, but its not the most comfortable of hammocks. Never again will I be caught unprepared in inclement weather while out camping. Another reason I'm undergoing this project is because water entered our tent at night and it was really a psychological blow. This is also the reason why I have a lot of projects in mind now for the next time I have the opportunity to go camping.


This time I'll focus on making a hammock and this is the MYOG Hammock..my version.