Western Hammock

Description:  This Western Hammock features Chevrons and Diamonds, made with Double Half Hitches.  This Macramé Pattern requires some advanced knowledge of the decorative knots used, so may not be suitable for all beginners.  Rachel Westberry asked me to create this design so she could use it as part of her senior class project.  It was an honor to be able to help her, and to share this pattern with all of you. 

The finished size of the Western Hammock is approximately 4 feet wide and 6 feet long, so a large amount of materials are required. Keep that in mind if you choose to make this Macrame project for yourself or your family.

• 6mm Nylon Macramé Cord in 2 colors (1128 yards total for project)
• 2 wood dowels, 1-inch diameter and 60 inches long
• 2 wood dowels ½-inch diameter and 60 inches long
• Two 3-inch heavy duty welded rings
• 4 dowel caps (that fit the 1-inch dowels)
• 4 beads with 12mm holes (or dowel caps) – for the ½-inch dowels

• Larks Head knot (Reverse variation)
• Double Half Hitch
• Alternating Half Hitch
• Alternating Square Knots
• Vintage Diamonds
• Square Knot

Cutting Instructions

Color A:  28 cords, each 18 yards long
Color B:  28 cords, each 18 yards long
Hanger:  20 cords, each 6 yards long (either color)

Creating the Hangers

Step 1:  Take 10 of the 6-yard cords for the Hanger, and attach them to one ring with Larks Head Knots. You will fold them in half in the process, and end up with 20 strands to work with.

Step 2:  Divide the cords into 10 groups (2 cords each).  With each set of cords, make a sennit of Alternating Half Hitches.  For groups 1, 2, 9, and 10, make the chains 32 inches long.  For groups 3, 4, 7, and 8, the chains should be 27 inches long.  The final two chains (5 and 6) should be 24 inches long. 

Step 3:  Take 2 sennits at a time, and attach the cords to one of the 1-inch dowels with Double Half Hitches. The two sennits should rest next to one another. Place 2 sennits near the right end of the dowel (1 and 2), as well as the left end (9 and 10).  In the center of the dowel, place sennits 5 and 6.  The remaining 4 sennits need to be balanced between the others, so the Western Hammock hangs evenly.   You can add or subtract SK as needed, so the sennits are straight and balanced.

Step 4:  Repeat steps 1 thru 3 to make the Hanger for the opposite end of the
Western Hammock.  Apply the caps to each end of the dowel.  Apply glue to hold them in place if needed.

Mounting Process

Step 5: Mount the cords for the body of the Western Hammock onto one of the 1-inch dowels used in the previous steps. Use reverse Larks Head Knots to attach the cords.  The cords will be folded in half in the process.  Add a Half Hitch with each half of the cord, so they rest beside the Larks Heads. These strands should be placed between the Hanger sennits already attached.  Since there are 4 spaces, attach them in the following order: 

a. 14 Color A cords, mounted in the first space on the left.

b. 28 Color B cords, with 14 mounted in space 2, and the same in space 3 (near the center of the dowel).

c. 14 Color A cords, mounted in the 4th space on the right.

Note:  If the dowel is not completely covered, add extra Half Hitches.

Step 7:  Place a bead or wood cap on each end of the dowel. 

Chevrons (Between Dowels)

Step 8:  Tie 3 rows of Alternating Square Knots, using 4 cords per knot. The first row should rest close to the dowel.

Row 1:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 8.  Direct cord 3 and 6 towards each other in a V shape.  Secure them to your work surface so they have tension.  These are the first holding cords. 

Attach cord 4 to the left holding cord (3) with a Double Half Hitch.  Attach cord 5 to the right holding cord (6).   To complete the V shape, attach one holding cord to the other.

Row 2:  Direct cords 2 and 7 towards each other to form the next V shape.  They should rest next to the bars formed in row 1.  Attach the working cords previously used (4 & 5) to these new holding cords, with DHH.  Attach the holding cords from step 1 (3 & 6) as well.   Complete the shape by attaching one holding cord to the other.

Row 3:  The holding cords for the final V shape are 1 and 8. All the other cords should be attached to them with DHH.  That’s 2 thru 4 on the left, and 5 thru 7 on the right. Attach one holding cord to the other to complete the Chevron.

Step 10:  Tie 3 rows of Alternating Square Knots, after completing ALL the Chevrons for the Western Hammock.  These knots will rest below the “points” of the V designs.

Step 11: Attach all the cords to a ½-inch dowel with Double Half Hitches. Apply beads or caps to the ends of the dowel, so the knots can’t slide off.

Creating the Hammock + Diamonds

Step 12:  Divide the cords into the 3 color groups:  Color A (28 strands), Color B (56 strands), Color A (28 strands).  Most of the knots will be tied all the way across, but it’s important that you can recognize the three groups used to make the stripes of the Western Hammock.

Step 13:  Tie 5 rows of Alternating Square Knots, using 4 strands per knot. 

Step 14:  Mentally number the color B cords only, 1 thru 56.  You’ll use cords 24 thru 33 to make the Diamonds (total of 10 strands). 

Cords 28 and 29 will be the first holding cords.  Crisscross them, and direct holding cord 29 to the left, and 28 to the right.  Secure them so they have tension. 

Step 15: Attach cords 27 thru 24 to the left holding cord (# 29) with a DHH. 

Next, Attach cords 30 thru 33 to the right holding cord (28), repeating the process above. 

Keep the holding cords secured in place.

Step 16:  Use cords 24 and 33 as the working cords.  Tie a Square Knot around the other strands (not the secured holding cords).  This knot will be in the center of the diamond, as shown in the image above.

Direct the holding cords towards the center of the diamond.  Attach cords 24 thru 27 to the left holding cord (29) with a DHH.  Next, Attach cords 30 thru 33 to the right holding cord (28).

Step 17:  Next, use the Color B cords not used to make the diamond (1 thru 23 and 34 thru 56), AND the Color A cords.  Tie several rows of ASK, to complete the areas on either side of the diamond.  The pattern may not alternate perfectly near the center.  

Stop when the ASK are lined up with the bottom point of the diamond.

Step 18:  Repeat steps 13 thru 17 over and over until the body of the Western Hammock is approximately 6 feet.  Tie 5 rows of ASK before moving on to the next step.

Step 19:  Attach all the cords to a ½-inch dowel with Double Half Hitches.  Apply the beads or caps to each end of the dowel.

Chevrons (Between Dowels)

Step 20:  Tie 3 rows of Alternating Square Knots. 

Note: The Chevrons on this end of the Western Hammock have to be made differently from the others, so they head the right direction. You are basically making them upside down in this area.

Step 21:  Divide the cords into groups of 8 strands again.  Mentally number the cords, heading left to right. In each group, do the following:

Row 1:  Direct cord 4 to the right.  Take cord 5 and tie a DHH onto cord 4.  Direct it to the left and secure both cords so they are taut.   These are the first holding cords.  Attach cords 1 thru 3 to the left holding cord (5) with a DHH.  Attach cords 6 thru 8 to the right holding cord (4). 

Row 2:  Direct cord 3 to the right, and 6 to the left.  Tie a DHH with holding cord 6 onto cord 3 before securing both of them.  Attach cords 1 & 2 on the left, and 7 & 8 on the right, with DHH. 

Row 3:  Direct cord 2 to the right, and 7 to the left, as the final holding cords.  Attach cord 7 to 2 with a DHH, before securing them. Attach cord 1 to holding cord 7, and cord 8 to holding cord 2. 

Step 22:  Tie 3 rows of Alternating Square Knots.

Step 23:  Attach all the cords to the other 1-inch dowel, with DHH.  One set of hanger cords for the Western Hammock should already be attached.  Place them in the following manner, in the spaces between the sennits:

Space 1 (left):  28 Color A cords

Space 2 and 3:  28 color B cords in each space (total of 56)

Space 4 (right):  28 color A cords

Finishing Touches

Step 24:  Apply the caps to both ends of the 1-inch dowel.

Step 25:  Trim the ends of all the cords to neaten them.  Direct them to the back of the Western Hammock.  Take each one and weave it into the overall design, using needle nose pliers or tweezers.  You can apply glue to hold them in place. 

Another finishing option is to tie a Barrel knot in each strand, so it rests against the back of the dowel, where it cannot be seen.  Apply glue and cut off the excess material.

For added security, apply glue to both the front and back of the DHH covering the dowels of the Western Hammock.  Be generous, so the glue soaks into the fibers as well as the wood.