Stretch!

**Shrike** · 07-14-2010, 22:12

Ok so I am pretty new to hammocking.
I made my own hammock with 1.9 oz ripstop. It is 10 feet long and 5 wide. I used it for 5 nights recently and after the first couple I noticed that I was getting a lot more shoulder squeeze and the hammock was swallowing me (more than normal). I know nylon stretches but about a 1 foot strip had stretched out the length of the hammock.
I feel like the hammock is just too wide and that is why this happened but I dont know. I was thinking about making it narrower before this incident because it can be a little unruly at times.
What should I do???

**grakker** · 07-14-2010, 22:27

I'm not sure what happened with you. Mine's double layered (I'm not sure what weight, I just bought it from JoAnns. About 5 feet wide. 11' long. I'm 265 pounds and haven't noticed any special stretch. The width, with a generous sag, lets me lay pretty dang close to flat on the diagonal. And I sleep in it just about every night. Maybe someone else will add something helpful.

**gargoyle** · 07-14-2010, 22:42

Pictures? Maybe the sag is not right, or the fabric is not right. I'm 340 and the initial stretch is never that bad. Try a ridgeline from head to foot end on the hammock.

Try to keep your suspension angles to the trees at 30 degrees rise.

What are you using for suspension?

**PuckerFactor** · 07-14-2010, 22:56

How did you whip the hammock? Could the strip that has stretched have just slipped through the whipping a bit?

Acer

**Shrike** · 07-14-2010, 23:37

I checked the ends and it did not slip. I guess I might have had it pitched too tight. Sorry I dont have any pictures. I use straps with toggles. I dont think they were at 30 degrees though... maybe 20. I weigh only 160 though and it is 1.9 oz ripstop. I will try hanging it with the straps at 30 degrees.
Thanks!

**Knotty** · 07-15-2010, 21:34

At your weight I doubt the 20deg angle would have been a problem with 1.9oz. (At least in terms of fabric stretch or damage)

Do you have a structural ridgeline to provide consistent sag even at lower hang angles?

**Trout** · 07-15-2010, 21:41

I had to rewhip mine and fold it differently too eliminate the shoulder squeze. I'd suggest you do the same.

**Pastorus** · 07-15-2010, 21:57

My DIY hammock is also 1.9 ripstop. Early on I made the mistake of hanging it too tight. This produced some shoulder squeeze and a lot of excess fabric. Hanging it with the right amount of sag and laying diagonal vs. in-line makes for a luxurious sleep.