Hammock Chair

Description:  This Hammock Chair is easy to make, but time consuming, since it’s large.  It’s a Macrame project that is suitable for beginners, though, since it is not complex.  This hanging chair features a deep design that a person can nestle in, to enjoy the outdoors in comfort.   I based this pattern on the image shown above. It's not exactly what you see, but very close.

I recently modified this pattern, removing the dowel. If you have the original Hammock Chair pattern, be sure to use this design instead. You will need to obtain 2 chains, passing one through each of the rings, and onto hooks in your ceiling beams, or a sturdy tree branch.

The size of the seat is approximately 32 inches long and 30 inches wide. If you need to change the width, cut more cords for the body. To change the length, cut the cords 7 times the length you need.

Supplies Needed:

• 6mm diameter, braided cord material (293 yards)                    
• Three 2-inch welded metal rings
• Flexible Tape Measure

• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Barrel Knot
• Larks Head Knot
• Wrapped Knot

Cut the cords as follows:

Side Supports:  32 cords, each 3 yards long
                      
Body:  30 cords, each 6.5 yards long

Side Supports

Step 1:  Take 16 of the 3-yard cords and pass them through one of the rings. Center the cords so the ends are even, folding them over the bottom of the ring.

Take a 36-inch cord and make a Wrapped knot around all the strands, making it as tight as possible.  It should be around 2 inches long. Apply glue to the entire knot, and trim off any remainder from the 36-inch cord used to make the wrap.

Step 2: Repeat step 1 with the remaining 16 strands, mounting them to the other ring in the same manner.

Step 3: Secure the rings to your work surface or hang them up somehow. Select two cords coming from the right ring, and two more from the left. Direct all 4 of these strands horizontally, towards each other.  Tie a tight Square Knot (2 fillers) right where the cords unite.

Switch the cords around, so the fillers become the working cords. Tie a second SK.  When you hang the whole thing up, these 4 strands should make a wide curve. If you feel it needs to be adjusted to curve differently, do it now.

This will be the double holding cord for you to mount the strands used to make the body (seat) of the Hammock Chair. These knots will be the center of the seat, at the upper edge.

Step 4:  Bundle up the rest of the cords for the side supports for now.  They won’t be used until after the seat is made.

Designing the Seat

Step 5:  Direct the ENDS of the holding cord so two go right, and the other two head left, rather than letting them dangle.The top and lower edges of the Hammock Chair need to be as strong as possible, and these ends will help.

Mount all 30 of the 6.5-yard cords for the body to the holding cord. Just fold each cord in half, ant tie a Larks Head knot. Next, take each end and make a Half Hitch.

Make sure most of them are mounted over the ENDS as well. Fold each cord in half, ant tie a Larks Head knot. There should be 15 cords to the left of the SK, and the other 15 to the right.

Step 6:  Tie the first row of Alternating Square Knots so they rest just below the Larks Heads.  Use 4 cords per knot (2 fillers). Tie the knots firmly and tighten them as much as you can.

Step 8:  Tie another 15 inches of ASK, with no space between the rows. 

Design Tip: If you have more than 8 inches of material left, you can make additional rows to make the seat of the Hammock Chair longer. You will need to change the spacing of the side supports in steps 13 and 14 if you do so.

Step 9:  Hang the Hammock up at this point, if you have not already done so.  Locate the cords for the side supports you bundled up in step 4. 

Select two cords coming from the right ring, and two more from the left. Direct all four of these strands horizontally, towards each other.  Tie a tight Square Knot right where the cords unite.

These knots should be at the center of the seat, at the lower edge.

Switch the cords around, so the fillers become the working cords. Tie a second SK.  Make any adjustments needed for the seat, before you move on.

Step 10:  Direct the ENDS of the new holding cord so two go right, and the other two head left, rather than letting them dangle. Attach all the cords used to make the body with Triple Half Hitches (1DHH + 1HH). Make sure most of the knots go over the ends, to hold them in place. Try to attach them evenly, so the same number of strands are placed on either side of the Square knots.

Apply glue to the entire row of knots and allow it to dry before continuing.

Attaching the Side Supports

Step 11:  Organize the remaing strands for the RIGHT side support. Combine them into sets of two.

Step 12: Pass the first set of cords through 2 spaces along the right side of the seat, at the edge. Start from the bottom and work towards the top.

Tie a tight Square Knot with the two cords. Pass them through another space, further into the seat (horizontally), and tie another SK.  Do this a third time, if you have enough material (more than 6 inches).

Step 13:  Repeat this process with the remaining cords for the right side support.  Each set of 2 strands should be attached to the seat every 2 inches. (The spacing will need to be changed if you made the body longer.

Step 14:  Repeat steps 16 through 20 with the Hanger cords on the LEFT side of the Hammock Chair.

Step 15: The remaining material from the side supports can be used to make a fringe, or tassels. You could also finish them off by attaching them to the body with additional knots, or simply weave them through the area.