A hammock is a convenient and practical thing. He has already entered the everyday life of a modern summer resident so that it is difficult to imagine a suburban area without it. In it you can sunbathe, take a nap or read a book, in addition, it can be turned into an original design item. You will learn how to make a hammock with your own hands in this article.
Types of hammocks
Now there are several varieties of hammocks. They differ in technical characteristics and some other qualities.
This design is very popular, these products can often be seen in areas. The indisputable advantage of such a hammock is independence from the place. That is, neither brackets nor trees are needed, it can be installed almost anywhere, and if necessary, it is also easy to transfer to another.
Frame hammock can be stationary or precast. Stationary is more reliable and stable, but less convenient to transport. Prefabricated hammocks do not differ in good reliability, because more fragile materials are used in their production, but such a design is easy to disassemble and move from place to place.
This model can be called classic, because the very first hammocks were just that. The design is universal, and the synthetic base does not allow moisture. Now for convenience, the hammock can be equipped with a mosquito net, which will save from mosquitoes in the evening.
It’s easy to build a hanging hammock with your own hands. It is necessary to find only two strong trees, standing close to each other, and fix the base on their trunks. Most often, carabiners or tension elements are used as fasteners. If there are no trees nearby - it does not matter, because you can always put a couple of pillars.
Now these models in stores are in great demand, and all because of their versatility and practicality. A hammock chair will bring additional convenience, comfort and romance to outdoor recreation. This design does not necessarily have a small size, there are also quite large chairs in which several people can fit. It's nice to chat, swaying slightly, and drink something cool. In price they are slightly higher than other models, however, making a hammock chair with your own hands is almost as easy as making the rest of the varieties.
Hammocks-swings - this is an unusual design that immediately brings a special touch to the design of any summer cottage. The support for the hammock-swing can be trees, poles or your own frame, the main thing is that there remains the possibility of free swinging. The stores feature models of the most bizarre shapes. To make a hammock swing with your own hands, use the instructions for ordinary hammocks, and then install such a hammock on a suitable frame. For example, it can be a frame from a regular swing.
Rules for the operation of hammocks
There are a lot of hammock models, but the same rules of use are relevant for everyone. This will protect your vacation and save you from negative situations.
Before installing a hammock, be sure to check the reliability and stability of the mounts. The pillars or trees on which the structure will be supported must have a diameter of at least twenty centimeters. If pillars are used, they must be dug to a depth of at least one meter. If the product is very sagging, do not use it to prevent damage to the hammock base.
The distance between the hammock supports should be at least three meters, and the mounts should be at a height of one and a half meters from the ground. If it is assumed that a very large person will use the hammock, foresee this and strengthen the structure, as well as position the mounts slightly higher.
Crossbar
Also, hammocks can conditionally be divided into two types according to the presence or absence of a crossbar. On most photos of hammocks made by yourself and presented in this article, there will be hammocks with a crossbar. It would seem that it makes no difference, because this is only one element. What could change?
In fact, both "subspecies" have several of their own characteristics. A hammock without a crossbeam “hugs” a person lying in it, forming a kind of cocoon. So you can sleep without fear of tipping over. It is most convenient to add a mosquito net to such a hammock. However, getting out of such a cocoon will be more difficult. In addition, it may not be suitable for people who have any problems with the spine, because it doesn’t matter whether the product is bought in the store or this hammock is a successful DIY work. If it does not have a crossbeam, the back of the resting person does not have support and may assume an uncomfortable position.
A hammock with a bar is less suitable for sleeping, but it has its own rigidity. Yes, if you start tossing and turning during sleep, you can fall off it, but such a design supports the back. In addition, you can use a mattress on it. This will provide extra comfort. If desired, such a hammock can be turned into a full bed, the main thing - when spending the night in the open air, make sure that the sudden rain does not spoil all the fun.
You can protect yourself from rain with the help of an awning mounted on top of a hammock. It is easy to do with a conventional film, which is likely to be found in any suburban area.
For hiking
Some tourists also liked the hammock. Indeed, if you plan to hike in the forest, this is a great option. For such purposes, as a rule, a hammock without a crossbar is used.
There are several advantages of a hammock in a hike, and they are significant. For example, you do not need to take a tent, just take a film or an awning. Also, tourist foam and even a sleeping bag are not required if the trip is in the warm season.
There are also disadvantages. This option is not suitable for people suffering from back pain. You will always have to look for a place to install a hammock, so you can only use it in the forest. If a group goes camping, then in terms of weight it may be more profitable to take a large tent. In long trips, constant sleep in a hammock without crossbars can be annoying, and there will no longer be the opportunity to get a sleeping bag somewhere.
But to take a hammock on a short hike or a trip by car, there are no obstacles at all. You only need to know in advance whether it will be where to put it.
Mount cables
The diameter of the cables that carry the load must be at least eight millimeters.
If the hammock model allows, use eyelets. This will help to achieve a greater level of security.
the cloth
The hammock base should be made of a dense, durable fabric such as camouflage or tarpaulin. Do not save on fabric! In the future, this will not only protect you from injuries and falls, but also help the hammock to last longer. But even such a dense material needs to be replaced every two to three years. Only in this way can you be sure of your safety.
Below in the photo - a successful home-made, a hammock, with his own hands not only made, but also beautifully decorated.
Grid
If you make a hammock from a net with your own hands, then use cotton threads. They are less susceptible to grinding, sliding and quite tightly tightened.
Dressing
A hammock, both bought in a store and made independently, is already an excellent element of decor, but it can also be improved. Use canopies made of dense or transparent fabrics. They are not only beautiful, but also protect your skin from sunlight and wind. Also for extra comfort you can use bright soft pillows or mattresses. Decorate the hammock with ribbons to make it bright, light and airy. And now let's move on to the question of how to make a hammock with your own hands.
First way
If you want to make a hanging hammock, you first need to purchase strong ropes, as well as reliable dense matter of the desired color. A sewing machine will also not be superfluous, and special skills are not required here.
Foundation preparation
If you decide to make a hammock with your own hands, it can be precisely sized to fit your own needs. As a rule, they should be determined by the height of the person. To allow for this indicator, you need to add sixty centimeters on both sides. Then trim the jagged edges of the fabric, and outline the drawstring spots on two narrow sides. To do this, make cuts thirty centimeters at a distance of eighteen centimeters from each other.
Drawstrings should be located on the edges of the fabric on two narrow sides. Ropes stretch here. The cuts are bent in two layers and stitched with double seams. Do not forget to securely fasten the ends of the seams. If you are doing a hammock chair with your own hands, then instead of the wings you can use large loops.
Weaving
Using the weaving method, you can make not only a hammock, but also just make beautiful and reliable eyelets for installation. The first step will be to thread the rope into the previously prepared drawstring, while it is necessary to make a reserve of about 180 centimeters. Through the cuts, the rope extends one meter. Remember: to weave a hammock with your own hands, you will need about forty meters of rope.
Then tie the ends of the rope two on one side. In the middle, pull out the four loops that you put together and wrap. A good winding requires about ten meters of rope. Before joining the loops, straighten them and tie them to the top of the bend. Start the transverse winding only after you have laid all the longitudinal loops and secured the rope. Longitudinal loops are made of a less thick rope, it will take about half a meter. The longitudinal loop reliably fixes the ends of the winding. The remaining winding threads can be crossed with each other and pressed tightly. Then, through the fastening loop, pull the rope and wrap the longitudinal part. When the carrier loop is completed, connect the two remaining free ends together and wrap them. After two such turns, tightly tie the remaining ends.
Installation
It has already been mentioned above that the easiest mounting method for a hammock made by yourself or bought is to fasten it on two poles or standing next to trees. The main thing is that the mount is reliable and durable.
Design
To make relaxing in a wicker hammock or fabric hammock pleasant, it is better to use soft pillows or a mattress. You can also sew them yourself, and use fluff, holofiber or synthetic winterizer as a filler. Synthetic fillers can be purchased at sewing stores or give new life to old mattresses. Pillows of contrasting color with a hammock look spectacular.
You can find a drawing and a photo of hammocks made by yourself in our review.
Second way
If the first option did not suit you for some reason, then we continue to tell you how to make a hammock with your own hands at home. The second method is no more complicated than the first. So, for this you need:
- 20 eyelets and mounting tool;
- 2.5 meters of durable fabric (tarpaulin, camouflage);
- two large rings of metal 35 meters of rope (diameter 6 mm);
- sewing machine;
- 12 mm drill and drill;
- a pair of beams (it is necessary to choose the beams from solid wood), the size is 30x50, and the length of the beams should be equal to the width of the hammock you have chosen.
Preparing the foundation
So, let's start making a fabric hammock with our own hands. When the material is selected, you need to cut a piece about three meters long. If the hammock is located under a canopy, you don’t have to worry about protecting the material from moisture, and if not, think in advance whether you are ready to constantly cover the hammock or wait for it to dry after rain.
How to sew a hammock with your own hands? To start, turn the edges of the fabric six centimeters and sew with a sewing machine. For convenience, you can iron the wrapped tip with an iron, then wrap it again and iron again. Or use the pins.
In the process, make sure that the flashed flap is on the bottom of the hammock, because this will make it almost invisible. In a dense fabric, you can do without flashing the side edges, so you can act in this case at your discretion.
Eyelet insert
Before installing the grommets, it is necessary to mark the places of their installation with chalk or a marker. Each narrow side should contain eleven elements at an equal distance from each other. Then, a hole is cut out at the designated location. It does not have to be even, the main thing is a suitable size.
Wood spreader
Hard-wood bars with holes made in them will serve as spacers for the hammock. Through these holes you will need to stretch the ropes. Spacers keep the hammock from folding, so that it remains stretched when a person lies in it. The length of the bars should correspond to the width of the hammock. The holes in the bars must be done according to the arrangement of the eyelets. The thickness of the bars should be at least twenty-five millimeters, and the width can be any, from 50 to 120 mm. When the spacers are ready, sand them and varnish.
Installation
First, the installation of a sling of a hammock. To simplify this process, you can make a special frame, but you can do without it. A metal ring is fixed on the hook, but the canvas needs to be laid out on the floor and fixed in place using something heavy. After that, start mounting the spacers. Each sling must be passed through a certain eyelet, and then passed through a hole in the spacer. Then the ring and the rope return to their original positions. After you finish with the slings, tie the ends of the rope. For decoration, you can braid the ends of the slings of the entire metal ring, so your hammock will be even more beautiful.
The same actions are performed with the second end of the hammock, and you can hang it on any suitable support.
Hammock stand
Since not in every yard you can find a pair of trees that are suitable in size, besides they should be in a cozy corner and at a certain distance from each other, many just build their own hammock racks.
This option has many advantages. The design is compact, lightweight, so it can be installed anywhere on the site and transported at any time. It is not necessary to buy a rack, it is easy to make it at home, it only requires wooden bars, tools and a little time. The cost of a home-made rack is several times lower than the price of analogues from the store, in addition, this is an unusual item that will become a wonderful element of decor.
To make a stand for a hammock with your own hands, you will need wooden bars (80x80), a board 100x30, washers for fastening, nuts, studs, a circular saw, a drill, a grinder and hooks for attaching the blade. Also select your favorite wood varnish or stain.
The supporting part of the structure consists of a pair of longitudinal bars three meters long and two transverse, one and a half meters long. The lateral part consists of two fastening beams and a two-meter beam, as well as two stops of bars of 1.45 m each.
Work process
The first stage of production will be the so-called jib - the side part of the rack. On it through the hooks and will be fixed canvas. The emphasis and the beam must be rigidly fastened together and cut off at the bottom so as to obtain a sheer, but stable structure, and the camber at the upper points should be at least four meters. Then install and fix the side parts vertically between two bars located longitudinally. Mount the side parts in a mirror-like fashion relative to each other.
The cross member is two sections of a board of 1.3 and 1.5 meters. They should be fixed one on top of the other, which will provide better stability.
The final step will be the fastening of the longitudinal bars and crossbars, and the distance from each edge should be sixty centimeters.
At the end, grind and cover with the selected varnish or stain, and the stand for the hammock is ready. Now it remains only to fix the canvas.
Conclusion
Why are there so many species of hammocks? Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are slightly more difficult to manufacture, some are comfortable to rest in a horizontal position, and some, like chairs or swings, are not designed for this. From the variety of designs, everyone can choose what suits him the most. And you can not stop at one thing, especially if the family is large and there are many who want to relax, gently swaying in a hammock. In any case, making a hammock with your own hands is much easier than it seems at first glance. And, especially when it comes to chairs or swings, it is many times cheaper than buying an analogue in a store.
In this article, we looked at several ways to make a hammock with your own hands. Photos of the products have already been presented in the review, and finally we bring to your attention another small video on this topic.
We hope that our article will be useful to readers.