because i am nowhere near being able to afford one of those fancy camping hammocks that i want so badly, i decided to try to make one.  my plans started about two or three months ago, when i first read about these hammocks, and i first saw them.  then i saw their price tags and wanted to cry.  i decided to try to make one, perhaps of canvas, and drew up a design.  

it was a rectangle of canvas, maybe 6 ft by 7 ft, on the short ends there was a sleeve sewn, and a metal ring could be inserted into the sleeve to gather the material at that point.  this was done on both ends, and it would make a long pouch that would cup one quite comfortably.  the planing was going great, intil i decided to ask my mom what the going rate for canvas was these days.  she asked me what it was for, and i told her that someday i would like to make a hammock, and i was collecting information on materials and the like.  well, you wouldn't believe how heated my mom can get about " more unnecesary junk" in the house.  needless to say, my plans were shut down for a while.  

then, i was thinking of an idea for a harness used to rappel cofortably, instead of with those webbing harnessess cutting into you.  i came up with a miniature version of my hammock that fits around your behind, with the rings meeting in front of you, and the rope threading though them to support you.  this reminded me that i wanted to maek a hammock.

so, when my mom dug a huge thing of this nylon mesh(desert camo pattern) i started thinking: i wonder if this stuff will support me.  

i rigged up a small hammock with some of the netting and some nylon rope that i had, and i took it outside to play.

it worked like a charm.  it was a little cramped, i had to lie in the fetal postion pretty much when i was lying from one rope to the other, but i was comfy.  i could easily have gone to sleep.  toss in a light weight tarp or a shower curtain for a rain fly, and you have a sturdy, CHEAP, camping hammock, even if it really is only appropriate for the summer months.  

pics will be coming later, when i can get outisde to take some of it set up.

for winter you just use a sleeping bag.

i don't think that a sleeping bag would fit in the hammock without anything else next to it, but i plan on making a larger one.

and the pics: because of some pretty hard rains all day, those pics are going to be a couple of days late.

I got a camping hammock from walmart for $6. It's made of nylon mesh, forms a nice cocoon and is very comfortable. It can roll up smaller than a take down blow gun.

Only problem is that in it, I just feel like a very stupid magnet for bugs.

my big hammock was a failure, and now i have two lare camo nets.  because of the way that the net stretched, and the way the strength of the threads run, i had to take two peices and try to attach them.  i could not just unroll a long length of the stuff.  that failed, so maybe i will hit walmart for  a 6 dollar camping hammock and feel like a stupid magnet for bugs.  but who knows?

You can get a really nice mayan hammock for under $30. You lay crossways on it and it is really very comfortable.

kahuna, where do you buy one of these?

also, i plan/ned on making one of these because i can't make one any longer, i thought maybe i could make it wider and have it be just as comfortable.

I think if you look on the web for Yucatan or Mayan hammocks you should be able to find a ton of places selling them.

awesome.  thanks.


here are the pics:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/siguy/S3600084.jpg
i am a little cramped, but comfortable

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/siguy/S3600087.jpg
it makes quite a comfy chair when i sit this way

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/siguy/s3600088.jpg
it fits my brother a little (alot) better.  

Did you try laying crossways in it?

yes, it is something to the effect of a chair.  it is pretty comfortable.

It looks like you have the basic design down pat. All you need is more material.

Hey Siguy, check your messages.

done and done-er

thanks

There is a book out, "Bushcraft" by Richard Graves that shows you how to weave and use a hammock for camping. Of course, its made from twine woven from native plants, but it tells you how to do that too.

i found a terrific book(or at least it seems that way from what i have read) about making hammocks for camping, and many different tecqnuikes for camping with a hammock, and camping without leaving any traces, etc.  i would like to buy that book, but it will have to wait.

in the last couple years I have used a hamock for camping. Yes I have used a sleeping bag in it Takes A little practice getting into the bag in the hamock  ;D
for rainy weather try tube tent over the hammock

i would just put up a tarp for a rain fly.

Speaking of hammocks, I am trying to find a repro Civil War Naval Hammock or at least a good pattern. I had some patterns and my file got messed up somehow. Now I can't find where I found them at. Anyone know where I can find authentic CW naval hammocks?
Thanks,
Freebooter

I think they were pretty basic, white canvas and rope. I will do some checking and let you know.

Go to www.seasidehammocks.com/navalhammock.html    As most navies followed the example of the Royal Navy, you should be able to get some ideas about a civil war naval hammock from this article.