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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.
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Building a Hammock
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Hammock Supplies
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Tying a Knot in a Bedsheet
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Trying Rope Around the Bedsheet
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Girls Laying in a Hammock
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Getting Ready to Hang Up the Tarp
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Hanging Up a Tarp
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Stake the Tarp Down
Credit
David Stonner
Right to Use
Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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This Issue's Staff
Bonnie Chasteen
Les Fortenberry
Alexis (AJ) Joyce
Angie Daly Morfeld
Noppadol Paothong
Marci Porter
Laura Scheuler
Matt Seek
David Stonner
Stephanie Thurber
Cliff White
Les Fortenberry
Alexis (AJ) Joyce
Angie Daly Morfeld
Noppadol Paothong
Marci Porter
Laura Scheuler
Matt Seek
David Stonner
Stephanie Thurber
Cliff White