Instruction: Gathered End Hammock

**Knotty** · 11-28-2011, 23:20

"Awesome" and "easy". That's what I like to hear!

**jbphilly** · 11-28-2011, 23:29

I just made a gathered end hammock yesterday and tested it today. Success! My seams were pretty darn sloppy in places, but hey, it's a first effort. Also, the box stitches I put in the webbing held up too!

**joemcc** · 02-02-2012, 12:25

I didn't used the channel end design for mine. I got my instructions from just jeffs and folded it in half, squeezed it together and pulled the ends a little further before whipping. I used it for awhole but just rewhipped it. This time I just bundled it all. The first method made the edges real taught and closed over me. Haven't tried the new way yet due to rain but it looks looser.

**gmcttr** · 02-02-2012, 12:48

Originally Posted by joemcc

...The first method made the edges real taught and closed over me. Haven't tried the new way yet due to rain but it looks looser.

You pulled the corners out too much. I usually just pull the corners on the head side an inch or two at both ends.

It's not unusual for me to whip and re-whip a new hammock a dozen times or more to get the lay just right.

How the ends are folded/gathered doesn't make near as much difference as how the corners are pulled.

WV · 02-02-2012, 13:44

Originally Posted by joemcc

I didn't used the channel end design for mine. I got my instructions from just jeffs and folded it in half, squeezed it together and pulled the ends a little further before whipping. I used it for awhole but just rewhipped it. This time I just bundled it all. The first method made the edges real taut and closed over me. Haven't tried the new way yet due to rain but it looks looser.

Adding the bungee to the sides is another (better?) way of compensating for the floppy edges. You shouldn't need to pull the corners out much, if at all.

**joemcc** · 02-02-2012, 13:58

I didn't think I pulled the corners much but maybe I did at both ends making it super tight. The rain paused and I got in it...scary! Now its kinda loose I'm scared to fall out lol.

**gmcttr** · 02-02-2012, 15:45

Originally Posted by WV

Adding the bungee to the sides is another (better?) way of compensating for the floppy edges. You shouldn't need to pull the corners out much, if at all.

FWIW...I don't pull the corners to attempt to get rid of a floppy edge.

On the wide hammocks I have made, when laying on the diagonal, I often find that my head "rolls off the edge" of the fabric held taught by body weight, into a pocket of the remaining fabric toward the edge. Careful "tuning" by pulling a corner cures this and allows for an increased diagonal lay.

Maybe it's just the dynamics of my body shape on the width hammocks I make, but that's the way it works for me.

**michi** · 02-29-2012, 14:22

Just wanted to throw out a quick thanks to Knotty for this instructional. Simple, clear instructions that helped me through my first 3 DIY hammocks.

**Boothill** · 02-29-2012, 14:36

have never made myself a hammock before and started looking at this thread this morning

had 10 yard of 1.9oz black ripstop sitting around and thought i should maybe try making one

an hour and a half later not only had i made one but two, got the ridgelines done too, just gotta whip up a couple sets of whoopies and it a done deal

don't know why i thought making a simple hammock would be harder than it really is......there's absolutely nothing to it, if i had more fabric i probably would of made a few more

thanks Knotty

boot

**Knotty** · 02-29-2012, 23:08

Originally Posted by michi

Just wanted to throw out a quick thanks to Knotty for this instructional. Simple, clear instructions that helped me through my first 3 DIY hammocks.

If you're interested in making more, I highly recommend the Stretch-Side Hammock. See signature for link.

Originally Posted by Boothill

have never made myself a hammock before and started looking at this thread this morning

had 10 yard of 1.9oz black ripstop sitting around and thought i should maybe try making one

an hour and a half later not only had i made one but two, got the ridgelines done too, just gotta whip up a couple sets of whoopies and it a done deal

don't know why i thought making a simple hammock would be harder than it really is......there's absolutely nothing to it, if i had more fabric i probably would of made a few more

thanks Knotty

boot

Exactly why I posted the instructions after making my first one. Wanted people to realize it's easy. Just have to take the plunge.

Also, you're both welcome.