How To

Hang a Homemade Hammock

Nothing is more relaxing on a warm spring day than lying in a hammock and swinging with the breeze. No hammock? No problem. Here’s how to rig one with supplies you likely have at home.

Here’s what you need

• Old bed sheet (a twin- or full-size sheet works best)
• Rope or parachute cord
• Tarp
• Pocketknife
• Tent stakes (optional)
• Two stout trees

Pro Tip

To protect the trees, wrap thick cardboard around each tree at the spot where the rope encircles its trunk.

Here’s what you do

• Tie each end of the sheet into a large overhand knot. Leave a tail of sheet sticking out so the knot won’t come untied.
• Cinch a length of rope or cord just below each knot. Each piece of rope needs to be long enough to stretch from the hammock to a tree. Make sure the rope is tied tightly so that it won’t slide off of the sheet.
• Attach the rope from each end of the hammock to separate trees. Make sure the hammock is about chest high — the rope will stretch and the hammock will sink a little when you sit in it.

For shade from the sun or protection from rain, it’s easy to make a tent over your hammock.

• Tie lengths of rope to the corner grommets (the little metal holes) of the tarp.
• Tie the tarp between the two trees so that it hangs over the top of your hammock.
• Using tent stakes, sharpened sticks, or heavy rocks, secure the ropes from the grommets to the ground so that the tarp forms a roof over your hammock.