Conference 7.286::home_work

    It's not really macrame, although you might call it that.  They're
    "knit" the same way you make a fishing net.  You use a special
    netmaking needle, which is roughly equivalent to a giant version
    of the bobbins used for tatting (lacemaking).  The size of the
    needle you use detemines the size of the net openings.  
    
    I'm pretty sure the Ashley Book of Knots tells how to do it, 
    although I don't think he gives specific plans for a hammock.  
    I think Bliss Marine on Route 128 in Woburn, Mass.,  has some 
    books on knots and netmaking that would describe the process.  
    Other marine supply places would probably have some books too.

No, I haven't made one, but we have one that is MUCH nicer than the oak/nylon 
kind.  It is woven of LOTS (>1000) small diameter cotton cords.  It has no 
spreader bars, and is designed to lie in sideways, not lengthwise.  It is much 
more comfortable than the nylon kind, since there are so many small strings the 
weight is distributed very evenly.  Despite the fact that the cords are only
about 1/32" diameter, there are so many cords that it is very strong, and can
fit two or more people easily.  The package it came in showed a picture of a VW
bug suspended inverted in the hammock, which is more abuse than anyone is
likely to put it to.  The most abuse we've ever given it was when we had six
high school students in it engaging in a major tickle fight. The hammock was
fine, but the steel S-hook it was suspended from bent out straight and dropped
them on the floor! 

I don't know where you can get them now, we bought ours at EMS about 5 years 
ago.

Paul

    
    I have one that is macrame. My wife made it for me before we got
    married. It's very nice. Try a craft store. I think she only paid
    about $35 for it 6 years ago.
    
    Mike

    Personally, I think the pre-made ones are cheaper than the homemade
    ones even before you count labor.  Don't forget that the nylon cord
    of which you so lightly speak is fairly expensive in quantity, and
    you need LOTS of it to build a hammock.  However, if you feel
    compelled, I've seen instructions in some macrame books and in craft
    books.  I can't give a specific citation, but the bigger public
    libraries (Nashua, for example) often collect books for crafters,
    so you could find something there if you checked, I imagine.  If
    I stumble across anything, I'll note it here.  But trust me, just
    buy one!  (And frames need to be designed to take the stress, so
    keep that in mind. We used two trees when I was a kid.)
    
    Happy!
    
    Sherry

    Mark,
    
    If you decide to go with a pre-made one, I can highly recommend the 
    "dual" model from Eddie Bauer. It's especially comfortable after 
    mowing the lawn, for some reason...
    
    The classic name for the oak spreader with woven cord type is "The Nags
    Head Hammock". (Don't let your imagination run wild, it's named after
    a town/beach called Nags Head in North Carolina, a little chunk of land
    sticking out into the Altantic, kinda like Nahant.)
    
    I assume you want this to hang up in your office...
    

I bought one of these for my father a few years back at a 
pier one imports (or something like that, you know one of those
places that sells lots of wicker baskets and brass things)

Anywya, I don't think I paid more than $30 or so, 


-bill

PS.  Don't get a nylon one, get a cotton one.    As long as you 
take care of it, it should last forever, and cotton is so much
better feeling when you're lying on it.

    Better Homes & Gardens has a catalog of projects, and I believe
    the one for a hammock such as you describe was featured last summer
    in the magazine.  I've been pleased with projects I've built using
    their plans in the past.    
    
    Peg

    I designed and made a hammock (for two people) in macrame. I can
    tell you it's an incredible amount of work. Your hands get very
    sore from tying the knots nice and tight. You need a lot of space
    to spread out and be able to leave it without it getting disturbed.
    It was so long ago that I forget how I did it!
    
    Linda
    

    I believe that the island the hammock is from is Pawley's Island. Nags
    Head Island is in the Carolinas and is famous for its beaches and a
    favorite retreat for people in the south.  All occurrences of the ones I
    have seen are called Pawley's Island Hammocks.
    
    We have had one in my parents backyard for over 10 years.  It used to
    be between two trees until tree 1 died.  I replaced the tree with a 4x4
    cedar post and the hammock still supports 2 adults with no problem.
    Ours is cotton and we try to bring it in from the elements during the
    winter months to prolong its life.