canvas hammock
The experience of lazing in a hammock in a shady spot on a warm summer’s day, with a book in one hand and a cool drink in the other, has got to be one of the best things about being human. You can feel even more smug/gloaty with the thought that you’ve made the hammock yourself. And guess what – it’s actually really easy!
There are lots of DIY hammock projects out there. Some are very simple, involving just a few bits of rope and some fabric, both tied in knots – but those ones terrify me! We grew up with a hammock like that in our backyard, and although no serious injuries occurred, it came pretty close once or twice. So, in the interests of safety, this hammock is both easy to make and safe to use.
YOU WILL NEED
+ 2m of 140cm-wide strong canvas fabric + Pins + Sewing machine and thread + Tape measure + Pencil or fabric marker + Scissors + 22 rivets, 23mm in diameter (plus a rivet tool, which should come with the kit) + Mallet or hammer + 66m of natural rope (ensure this is good quality and load bearing), plus extra rope for hanging + 2 metal hoops or carabiners strong enough to handle appropriate weight
Pompoms
+ Wool to match the canvas fabric (I used black and white) + Pompom maker 1. Fold a 4cm hem at each end of the fabric. Pin in place and sew. 2. Mark out where the rivets will go on the seam. I used 11 at each end, spaced about 11cm apart. Using scissors, make small holes on the marked points. Following the instructions on the packet, attach the rivets using the rivet tool and the mallet. I placed a wood offcut underneath the canvas, to protect the work surface.
3. Cut the rope into 22 3m lengths. Fold each rope in half and thread it through each rivet using a cow hitch knot to fasten (see step 4).
4. To form a cow hitch knot, insert the folded end of the rope through the hole and then pull it through to form a loop. Push the two rope ends through the loop and pull to tighten the knot.
5. Once all the 3m lengths are attached through the rivets, gather all the rope at one end and tie it into one large knot. Repeat for the other end. This might need adjusting once it is attached to the hanging space.
6. For the pompoms, wind the wool around the pompom maker and, once full, cut the wool. Place some string (I used a length of wool) around the cut wool, then pull it tight and tie a knot to keep it in place. Cut this piece of wool, leaving ample length for hanging. I made two white and two black pompoms.
7. Attach the lengths of wool left on the pompoms to one end of the hammock (or attach two on each end).
8. To hang the hammock, attach the ropes on each end to a metal loop or carabiner with a double knot (make sure the knot is very tight so the hammock is secure). Attach extra rope to the other side of both carabiners and then tie that rope around a tree or somewhere else sturdy enough to take the weight.