The word hammock comes from the Spanish word hamaca, borrowed from the Arawak and Taino word hamaka. The word describes a sling made from netting, cotton rope, or fabric typically suspended between two or more points. You can use a hammock for resting, sleeping, and swinging. Here, you will learn how to tie up a hammock knot and hang a hammock with rope or suspension straps. However, before that, it’s essential to highlight the various factors to bear in mind when you choose a hammock.
How to Tie Up a Hammock?
Undo the straps and carabiners
First, undo the straps and carabiners holding the hammock together.
Place the cords through the rings
Next, pick up a cord and weave it through a metal ring before going around the secure point. At this time, keep your cords loose to provide maximum reach. You can always adjust the tension later.
If you aren’t sure where your camping hammock should go, you can hang one point then hold the other while moving around to see which orientation best works for you. You should also ensure your hammock is the right way up.
Once you find a spot that works best for you, attach the other cord through the mother metal ring and then around the second secure attachment point. Add tension to the anchor cords to achieve your preferred seat height.
How to Hang a Hammock with Rope?
In the previous section, we learned how to hang a hammock with rope and how to tie hammock knots.
How to tie a hammock knot?
When learning how to tie a hammock knot, there are various knots you can use. You should also be aware there isn’t a one size fits all way to tie a hammock. Nevertheless, here are the most useful knots to hang a hammock with.
Two Half Hitches
A half hitch is your basic knot that acts as the foundation for other knots. It takes a bit of practice to perfect, but you should know it only works best when you add extra knots for it to hold. Follow the steps below:
- The first step is to create a loop that is wrapped around a sturdy tree trunk or structural object. The object needs to be large and sturdy enough to handle a significant weight. Ensure that there are no branches in the way if you wrap the loop around a tree.
- Create another loop using the loose end, and then wrap the strap length that’s already secured and hanging. You can move to secure it further by creating yet another loop.
- This double loop should resemble a pretzel. All you have to do is to pull the through-line tight. This double loop causes the line to sinch against itself on the pole.
Bowline Knot
Creating bowline knots can be pretty useful since you can utilize these knots for various purposes. It also helps that you can secure these knots to any length or section of hammock rope. To create a bowline knot, simply use the following steps:
- Make a small loop near the end of the rope.
- Using the rope’s end, create a larger loop bypass in the tail end using the small loop.
- Then pass the tail end around the free length of the rope before putting it back into the small loop to finish the knot.
Clove Hitch
A different knot you can use to hang a hammock is a clove hitch, a reliable and long-lasting knot. Thanks to its low failure rate and the fact that it’s adjustable, this is the best knot to hold a hammock. Follow the steps below to create a clove hitch knot for hammock hanging:
- Pass the rope’s end around your anchor point before crossing the end over to the standing side of the rope. It helps if you make a cross-section at this point.
- Thread the loose end back under the wrapped portion that passes between the x or cross-section.
- Pull this end up and through.
How to Hang a Hammock with Straps?
This section will teach you how to hang a hammock with straps. Utilizing this method of putting a hammock up can be great for both outdoor and indoor use. A Reason for this is because of its easy adjustment. The idea behind this setup is that there are no hammock ropes required.
There’s also no need to learn how to make knots or tight ends. With hammock straps, you can simply fast in a hammock using the webbing or nylon material designed to hold significant weight.
This process is quite simple, and that means you can hang a hammock with straps from sturdy trees, porches, or posts. The design of the tree strap means it isn’t as constricting to the trees the hammock is hung from. This can be particularly advantageous if you are environmentally conscious.
Steps on how to hang a hammock with straps:
- Tie the hammock to the support pole. You should tie one end of a tree strap around your selected support. Loop the strap’s metal S hook through the open nylon hoop and then tug it around.
- It would be best to determine the appropriate height for your hammock. To do this, you need to move the loop strap to a comfortable height and then tighten the loop around the support pole.
- Secure the straps around your support pole. You will wrap the hooked end of the strap around the support pole or tree. And continue wrapping till you cannot create another full rotation.
- Tie the last loop using the hook end of the strap through the open loop. Once done, your hammock is ready for use.
Factors to Consider When Getting a Hammock
Considering there are a plethora of options for hammocks, it makes perfect sense to make comparisons between the hammock you want versus the one you need. Nevertheless, regardless of your options, you should always select something that provides you with the quality you need.
Do you intend to use your hammock outdoors, inside, or both? What type of materials do you want the hammock to be? How large or small should it be?
Do you want a hammock with a complicated setup or something easy? Providing answers to these questions can help you determine the best hammock for you.
Material
The material you choose for your hammock needs to be durable. When it comes to material selection for a hammock, there are three to select from polyester, cotton, and olefin.
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for being long-lasting. Thanks to its wide availability, it can sometimes be used as a waterproof material. It also helps that it is elastic, making it a great choice for a hammock.
Cotton
Cotton is the most accessible hammock material, thanks to its wide availability. Cotton can be seamlessly blended with other fabrics to make them more durable while also increasing their capacity for handling wear and tear. This material is commonly mixed with polyester; however, it is pretty strong on its own.
Olefin
This material is best for hammocks consistently used outdoors. It is a synthetic material that can handle harsh weather conditions.
You may also find useful: How to Wash a Hammock
Height, Weight, Size, and Setup
Another factor you need to consider when getting a hammock is its size. The most effective measurement for a hammock is its dimensions, height, and, of course, its weight limit.
Use the following guide to take measurements of the hammock:
- You should measure the height of your hammock to ensure it stays off the ground. There might be a slight difference between when the hammock is empty or occupied. The hammock’s height, when weighted down, is known as the “sit height.”
- The weight of the hammock’s occupant, meaning you or whoever is going to use the hammock.
- Measure the length of the hammock and the distance between the two anchor points. (If you want to put the hammock outside, you should calculate the distance between the trees holding up the hammock.)
- Measure the hang angle, which is the angle between the ground and the suspension ropes or straps. Your hammock should have a hang angle of 30°. Creating a hammock with this angle ensures that when maximum weight is in the hammock, it will remain near this angle. For instance, a person weighing 190 lbs. will create a seat height of 18 inches (off the ground) with a cord tension held at 15 feet between the anchor points.
