[QUOTE=titaniumfrycook;518904]
>>Are bolts of fabric always the same width?
Definitely not. 60" seems pretty common for the types of fabric we want to make hammocks out of. But not always. This is why many commercial hammocks you see have strips of another color fabric down each side. For example, my Trek Light Hammock that I use for sleeping at home is 80" wide: 60" black middle body, and 10" of tan fabric on either side of that. I haven't any experience in DIY hammock building, but from reading in the forums, it appears some of the cottage suppliers of DIY have some good bargains on fabric of the size and type that is best suited for the DIY needs.
The larkshead knot attachment you are using additionally tightens your already narrow hammock. You could try to make it a gathered end style,with a loop through the hem being what you attach to the ridgepole . This might allow for more spread of your hammock and might be more comfortable.
>>I understand your point. However, in my case I'm using those prusiks to "capture" the hanging loops such that the hanging loops from the tripod lashing can't move (in case they want to slide because the ridge pole is flexing). Also, I didn't have much luck moving the prusiks inside and then having the ridge pole flex like a giant "u" - I think part of the issue is that fact I'm using a long piece of pretty flexible wood, as opposed to a metal pole.
With a 10' pole, there is some concern to keep the hanging loop in place without it moving off the end. That is why I got excited with the end cap idea.
However, your pole is so long, the pole can extend well beyond your hanging loops. With your hammock and suspension technique, you would need to have only about 10' distance between your hanging loops, regardless of how long your pole happens to be, especially with the way you now tie your hammock with the prusik loop. Those who are trying to keep their normal outdoor camping suspensions and perhaps longer hammocks but make it fit the tri-pod stands are making longer ridgepoles or designing special rig techniques to accommodate the added length.
What works well for one person isn't of interest at all to the next. It is the nature of the hammocking that these little variables all add up to making each hang very individual. We tend to reach one level of success and live with it happily for a while, then the tweaking all over again on some part of the system. It is part of the fun!
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