Critique my Double Layer Instructions

**BlackGoat** · 07-06-2010, 13:24

All,

I have mentioned before that more of the scouts in our local troops are becoming interested in hammocking. Some have even went out and purchased a setup, but the majority of them just don't have the dinero. Not to mention pushback from parents thinking it is a bit of a gimmick.

Well I have had the resources to make a couple of hammocks to give to a couple of my 'favorite' scouts and they have gone forth as hammock evangelists and started a huge movement in our troops. So much so that my phone started ringing off the hook with questions on how to make them. They didn't just want the base model, but wanted a double layer with an integrated bugnet

. My evangalists did too good of a job selling these features.

I am just glad I didn't tell them about whoopie slings, yet.

Previously the hammocks I made were really slow and tedious and without a pattern. Instead I did the one piece at a time and lots of pinning and cutting.

After trying to explain this process a handful of times, I decided I needed to come up with a pattern. So I made a couple more and have dialed into something that I think works pretty well. I experimented with mutliple designs before finalizing on one that I assume is put together like the Jerry5 style hammock.

I have written up some basic instructions, but before handing them to the scouters I would like to have the DIYers give them a critic to make sure they make sense and are useable.

Thanks,

BG

**Sysiphus** · 07-09-2010, 03:43

As a fledgeling DIYer, I have to ask who these instructions are meant for. If this is for Scouts or their parents (who may not have a background cruising HF), you could be waaaay over the top.

What is whipping?
Why 83% ridgeline? What's a ridgeline? Would 82% be better for me? Why not?
I don't know what a suspension is: How do I know what the options are, much less which one is my favorite?

Not trying to bust your chops, but consider writing it like a merit badge pamphlet. Everything is explained, and even someone who has never seen a hammock could sew one by the numbers.

**MedicineMan** · 07-09-2010, 04:22

cant wait to see the design for the hammocking merit badge!

**TOB9595** · 07-09-2010, 11:38

I'll add that these are not for the novice.
I'll add what is a cat cut?
to the list.
plainglese is needed.
well wishes on doin this
Tom

**russellds** · 07-09-2010, 13:28

It is a good start, but definitely needs more details. You might also want to include a glossary where you define the terminology.

**Dudorino** · 07-27-2010, 20:45

Those are great instructions.

Did you do anything about a foot box?

**kayaknut01** · 07-27-2010, 22:17

you all are sweating the details,

**GnomePatrol** · 07-27-2010, 22:44

having a link to some of dejoha's basic hammocking posters would be an easy way for people to visualize these new terms... helped this idiot anyways

I know there were some other people that had some helpful stuff but I bookmarked these a bit ago. pics are worth a thousand words or whatever that saying was
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16945
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...s_original.gif

edit: then again I read everything you wrote and understood quite well. actually got a copy of the plans I like em so much.

**Lonely Raven** · 07-28-2010, 07:23

I love those illustrations.

**BlackGoat** · 07-28-2010, 08:12

Originally Posted by Sysiphus

As a fledgeling DIYer, I have to ask who these instructions are meant for. If this is for Scouts or their parents (who may not have a background cruising HF), you could be waaaay over the top.

What is whipping?
Why 83% ridgeline? What's a ridgeline? Would 82% be better for me? Why not?
I don't know what a suspension is: How do I know what the options are, much less which one is my favorite?

Not trying to bust your chops, but consider writing it like a merit badge pamphlet. Everything is explained, and even someone who has never seen a hammock could sew one by the numbers.

I agree, the plan was more for me to give them the instructions and help instruct them as they followed the steps. However, I think you are spot on with the idea of making it like a merit badge pamphlet.

Originally Posted by TOB9595

I'll add that these are not for the novice.
I'll add what is a cat cut?
to the list.
plainglese is needed.
well wishes on doin this
Tom

Agreed, I didn't spend the time to explain all of that in the detail it probably requires for this audience.

Originally Posted by russellds

It is a good start, but definitely needs more details. You might also want to include a glossary where you define the terminology.

Glossary is a good idea. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Dudorino

Those are great instructions.

Did you do anything about a foot box?

Well this version has the extra fabric panels on the side of the hammock body, and in my opinion negates the need of a footbox. This is because it makes the hammock a lot wider than it would normally be. I have built a few WBBB clones and I haven't really found much of a difference in lay or funcationality of this design versus the WBBB.

Originally Posted by GnomePatrol

having a link to some of dejoha's basic hammocking posters would be an easy way for people to visualize these new terms... helped this idiot anyways

I know there were some other people that had some helpful stuff but I bookmarked these a bit ago. pics are worth a thousand words or whatever that saying was
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16945
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...s_original.gif

edit: then again I read everything you wrote and understood quite well. actually got a copy of the plans I like em so much.

Thanks, for the idea, I totally spaced it on Dejoha's illustrations, those are perfect to help explain the concept. Now if I could only draw like that, I would turn these instructions into visuals.