Vintage Hammock
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Description: This Vintage Hammock pattern is similar to those made in the early 1900’s. In the early days of Macramé, sailors would pass the time by creating hammocks just like this one. They would use broom handles as the “frame”, and any rope they could find on board their sailing vessels. Nowadays we have more modern materials to work with, but it’s interesting that the knots used are the same now as they were back then.
The finished size of the hammock is approximately 6.5 feet. |
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Supplies Needed:
- Cord -- 6mm diameter, braided cord (595 yards for entire project)
- 2 dowels, 40 inches long, 1 inch diameter thickness
- Two 2.5-inch welded metal rings
- Tape Measure
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Decorative Knots used:
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Cutting and Preparing Cords |
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Cut the cords for the Vintage Hammock as follows:
Hanger: 18 strands, each 5 yards long
Body: 48 strands, each 10 yards long
Edge: 6 strands, each 4 yards long |
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| Sand the dowel and either paint or stain it the color you want, to protect the wood, since the Vintage Hammock is an outdoor decoration. Varnishing helps, too. If you wish, you can use metal shower curtain rods instead. Be sure to prepare each cord using one of the techniques discussed in Cord Preparation. |
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Creating the Hangers |
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Step 1: Take 9 Hanger cords, and find the center. Slide one of the rings on, so it rests at the center of the strands. Fold the cords, so the ends are even.
Cut a piece of cord that’s at least 20 inches long. Use this cord to tie a Wrapped knot around all the strands. Make the design 3 inches long. Apply glue to the entire wrapped portion and allow it to dry. Cut off any excess (short cord only). |
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Step 2: Divide the 18 strands into three groups of 6. Make 3 Spiral Stitch chains, each knot consisting of 2 working cords, and 4 fillers. Start just below the wrapped portion.
Switch the cords around every 12 inches, so the working cords (outside strands) become the fillers (inside strands). Stop when you have around 14 inches of cord left.
Note: The chain in the center needs to be 2 inches shorter, so the dowel hangs evenly.
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the other 9 Hanger cords, and the other ring. |
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Step 4: Attach one Hanger design to a dowel, so that the cords from the center chain rests in the middle of it. The other 2 chains should be placed approximately 4 inches from the ends of the dowel. Use Triple Half Hitches (THH) to attach each of the cords to the dowel.
Note: A Triple Half Hitch is the same as 1 DHH + 1 extra HH.
Make the knots snug, so the dowel rests against the final Square knots tied in the Hanger sennits. Let the remainder of the cords dangle for now. Check to make sure the dowel rests evenly when the design is hung up. If not, adjust the knots as necessary. |
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| Step 5: Repeat steps 1 thru 4 with the other Hanger cords, onto the other dowel. Put this portion of the Vintage Hammock aside for now, since it won’t be used until later. |
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Designing the Body |
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Step 6: Mount all 48 of the Body cords to one of the dowels. They need to be added in between the Hanger cords. Attach 24 to the right of the sennit in the center, and the same on the left of it. Attach each of them with the Double Half Hitch Mount, leaving a 12-inch tail.
Step 7: Using groups of 4 cords (2 working, 2 fillers), tie rows of Alternating Square Knots, stopping when the body is approximately 6.5 feet long. Measure the shortest strands. If they are more than 15 inches long, tie a few more rows.
Step 8: Attach all the cords to the other dowel, with THH (1DHH + 1 HH). |
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Finishing Touches and Edge |
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Step 9: To finish off the dangling Hanger cords, tie a tight Square knot with groups of 2 strands (no fillers). These knots should rest just below the dowel. Make a Wrapped Knot around each group, using a 10-inch piece of scrap cord to make the wraps.
Trim the ends so they are even, and unravel, if you want a fringe. If not, add beads, followed by a Barrel Knot to secure them. You could also use a Matthew Walker knot to finish the ends.
Step 10: Finish off the body cords in the same manner, with a SK (no fillers) followed by a Wrapped Knot. These knots need to be tight, and directly under the dowel, towards the back of the Vintage Hammock design. Use the same finishing technique used for the Hanger cords.
Step 11: Take 3 of the cords for the Edge, and attach them to 1 dowel, to one side of the other knots. Use the DHH Mount, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Use the remaining 3 cords, and mount them at the other end of the same dowel. |
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Step 12: Tie a tight Square Knot right up against the dowel. Braid the cords down one side of the Vintage Hammock. Pass one of the strands through the spaces along the edge of the Body, every other row.
Step 13: When you reach the dowel at the other end, tie a Square Knot. Attach each of the cords to the rod with DHH. Direct the ends towards the back of the dowel.
Tie a Square Knot (1 filler), next to the dowel. Trim the ends so they are even, and tie a Barrel knot near the end of each cord. You could also weave the ends into the body, instead of cutting them.
Step 14: Repeat steps 11 through 13 to finish the opposite edge of the Vintage Hammock.
Step 15: Attach beads or knobs at the ends of the dowels to prevent the knots from sliding off.
Attach 2 strong hooks to the ceiling or a thick branch of a tree. Hang the Hammock, and enjoy! |
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