Thursday, May 31, 2012

Different Types of Hammocks


If you are looking for a perfect place to relax and at the same time feel the freshness of the air outside your house, why not try to put up a hammock on your garden or backyard?

Originally, hammocks were crafted out from a tree bark or plant fiber. In this modern world, however, there are now different types of   hammocks   made of different materials that can easily be bought in the market.  You can choose from the different type of hammocks the one which you think will be able to provide you the kind of experience you are looking for.

Rope Hammock

Rope hammock is the most common type of   hammocks  . It is traditionally made up of a web of rope tied to two wooden spreader bars, and is typically the image that comes to mind when you hear the word, “hammock”. Most people prefer the rope hammock because it is very strong and it is easy to sit or sleep on. Aside from being the most common type, it is also the most affordable. This type of hammock is also one that you can make on your own. All you need is a cord, a wooden stick, electric drill, 2 rings and a netting shuttle, and you can easily have your own rope hammock.  There are two types of rope hammock available in the market today - the synthetic type and the cotton type. The difference between the two is that cotton rope is much softer than the synthetic one. However, in terms of durability, synthetic rope lasts longer than the cotton type.

Fabric Hammock

This type of hammock will ensure you that you will not get any rope marks after you sleep or sit on it as it brings you a continuous surface unlike the rope type. This is also easier to carry and to set up compared to the other types. 

Compared to rope hammock, a fabric hammock absorbs the warmth of the body of the person sleeping on it.  Because of the overlapping weave style of this type, it is considered to be strong yet soft to feel. You don’t have to worry about the price because this type of hammock tends to be relatively affordable. 

Mayan or String Type Hammock

This type of hammock is the most favorite type among others. It is available in different sizes such as twin, double, or queen size. Aside from the colorful strings used on it, it is said to be the most comfortable of all the types of hammock. It is also considered to be the best type of hammock as it is able to evenly distribute the body pressure because of its surface. It is also quite easy for backpackers to bring this kind of hammock because of its lightweight and durable construction. 


Monday, May 14, 2012

Hammock Camping Tips for Newbies


The popularity of   hammocks  among Americans has been observed since the 1950’s when hammocks began evolving into different types. The most popular type of hammocks for backpackers is the hammock tent. Its light weight material is a core factor as to why campers prefer this kind of tent than the conventional ones. There are lots of benefits in using a hammock such as it provides relief, relaxation, and better sleep.

According to some of the most experienced campers, there are two types of camping  hammocks . These two types include symmetrical and asymmetrical. In a symmetrical hammock, individuals will lie with their back more curved. As for the asymmetrical hammock, the fabric used is tighter and individuals lie in a diagonal position. This position allows individuals to lie with less curvature in the spine. Of course, people may also consider hammock tents with designs as long as they are more comfortable with it.

Since the country is in a temperate region, cold weather is a factor to consider prior to camping. Apart from putting a sleeping bag in a  hammock during cold weather, individuals should also place a camping pad beneath the bag to keep it warm. It is also advisable to use a mummy-shaped sleeping pad inside a hammock since each end is narrow and rounded. If a person uses a rectangular pad, its wide and sharp edges at both ends can fold awkwardly and cause the pad to shift and turn. During cold weather, air is passing over and beneath a person’s body so the sleeping bag will not keep the body as warm as it would in a tent. When camping in the forest, mosquitoes or other biting insects are inevitable so, to prevent such insects from feasting on the body, choose hammock tents that come with bug nets. Consider buying the removable canopy or bug net for easier change up in case the temperature heats up.

Most camping experts also advise to purchase hammock pro straps which have 3/4-inch webbing because the standard straps only have an inch webbing strap. Although Pro straps are two feet longer, it has the same weight as the standard ones. In case individuals deal with bigger and sturdy trees, the extra two feet long will come in handy. Many hammock manufacturers provide a complete hammock package which includes body, bug net, rain canopy, and straps. There are also some manufacturers who sell each of these items individually which allows campers to select and carry only what they need. Thus, backpacking becomes less hassle and lighter. Overall, experience the best hammock camping by selecting the right item, applying the most effective tips, and setting up properly.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Romancing the Hammocks


Camping, having a picnic, or making any outdoor activities to bond with family and friends would be more enjoyable with the help of a durable and multi-purpose hammock. This platform for resting and other recreational activities is ideally installed under the shade of a resilient tree that is accessible to the wind breeze. Of course, it is very important to choose anchor points for your hammock that are far or free from any form of hazard, unpleasant atmosphere and view, and disturbances. Likewise, you basically need to know the appropriate procedures in making the most of this special form of couch or bed.

There are some varieties of  hammocks  that come with built-in posts and anchor points for the convenience of the user. This is ideal if your targeted area does not have any desirable place for its installation. The main drawback of this type, however, is its bulky structure that makes it easy to transport from one place to another, or to store in a limited space. It also generally consumes more space than an ordinary one that is typically suspended between two anchor points. In case you consider the portability and compact features of the conventional hammock as the main priority, you can make use of permanent posts that hold the anchor points for your hammock. This is a good option if you want to conveniently install your ordinary hammock anytime you need it. Sturdy metal and wood are among the materials that can serve as your posts. If you are installing it in your garden or yard, it would be a good idea to dig a hole where you burry enough portion of the post and permanently install it by filling the hole with concrete. For those who prefer to install their  hammocks  inside their room, attaching the right mounting device on the walls or any rigid platforms could be a good option. The installation type of the mounting device, however, depends on the material of the wall. That is why for best safety measures, you have to consider this option only if your room has a durable wall that can hold as much as your hammock carries the user.

When tying cord or chain to their canvas or network of rope or fabric weaves, maximum security can be achieved by doing it with a hitch knot. At the same time, it is advised to use a bowline knot when you are attaching these to the hammock itself. Make sure that you do these knots correctly whenever you install your hammock. Otherwise, your safety could be at risk or some form of damage could occur on it. That is why it is best ask help from someone knowledgeable in knotting or from websites that feature tips about it.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

How is A Homemade Hammock Done?


Relaxation inside the house can be done in a number of ways and one good example of it would be the use of a hammock. This sling made of rope, fabric, or string is mainly used for sleeping by the people in the past and even today. Nowadays, however,  hammocks  are used for summer, leisure, and simple, easy living. There has been a rise in the popularity of hammocks among household owners especially with its ability to provide extreme relaxation, comfort, and convenience. It also helps that a number of styles, types, and designs of it were made available in the market.

Purchasing for  hammocks  should not always be done by homeowners since they can just create their own. There is no special equipment that needs to be used in coming up with a hammock; one just needs patience in creating this one since a lot of weaving needs to be done. In order to build a homemade hammock, these steps must be followed:

1. The first thing that needs to be done is to locate a spot where this sling would be made. The perfect spot is between two trees that has an estimated distance of at least 12 to 15 feet. Trees with large width on its trunk are the best suited tree for a hammock.

2. After determining the place to put the sling, it is now time to find out the cost of the canvas as well as the rope to be used. In order to aid for the purchase of those two materials, the distance of the trees where the hammock would be placed must be properly measured. The 12-15 feet apart trees would need a canvas of 3 ½ yards. For every side of the sling, three lengths of rope are needed.

3. The ends of the canvas must be folded for about three inches before it is stitched to create the end flaps. A heavy duty thread and a sewing machine must be used. For every flap, a 3 x 4 inch dowel must be inserted.

4. On each dowel, at least three 2-inch eyehooks must be placed. The positioning of the eyehooks must be even. At least six lengths of rope must be cut, where one end of the rope is inserted into an eyehook before a square knot is tied. This step must be done until there are already six eyehooks.

5. On both trees, three-inch rings must be inserted high enough that the hammock would not touch the ground when it is used. It is important for a homeowner to see to its first how long it would be stretched when used.

6. The final step to create a homemade hammock is that one end of the rope lengths is braided. The braided part must be placed on the eyehook.

In creating a homemade hammock, an individual can definitely save big bucks. It can also help a person to personalize its design. It can also serve as a family bonding for the family.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Steps to Create a Hammock Swing Chair


Hammocks have been used for sleeping for such a long time already. This one was created a long time ago as a means for the people to be able to rest after a long day of work or just a simple siesta time. Over the years that hammocks have been in use by the people, there have been some changes in its purpose. When before, sleeping was the only way it can be used, a hammock is now associated with summer, leisure, relaxation, and simple, easy living. There has been also a rise in the number of styles as well as types of it that people use nowadays. Different designs of it have also been introduced in the past years leaving behind the generic one, which is a swing attached in between two separate posts.

Among the popular styles of hammock that is used all over the world are spreader-bar, Mayan, travel, Brazilian, naval, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan. When   hammocks   were first being used, the main material being utilized comes from a Hamak tree that was weaved carefully. Today, there are now three different types that people can use in their aim of full relaxation. It includes rope, fabric, and stringed   hammocks  . There has also been an increase on how a hammock is designed today. One of the designs created for it is the swing chair. This is much more like a swing but this is not the design that people have been accustomed to.

A swinging hammock chair is perfect for homeowners who don’t have the space to accommodate the desired length of this one. It is also suited to those who don’t have posts where they can attach the hammock. In order to have a hammock swing, homeowners don’t always have to buy it in their department stores since they can just create it on their own. Here are the steps for it:

1. A 25-yard cord of 20 lengths must be prepared.
2. A large nail must be mounted on the wall or even in the top of door opening and then a large metal ring can now be placed.
3. The cord must be placed through the ring giving homeowners at least 40 cords. One important reminder about the metal ring is that it is capable of the weight of the cords.
4. The technique to be used in creating a swinging hammock chair is working on the chords from left to right. The first four cords must be tied using a square knot where the two outside cords overlaps the middle cords. This step must be done until a 5 square knot is produced on both sides.
5. The knots must be alternated with the first two cords dangled with each other. Square knots must be in the middle part of the two square knots above. The next four cords must be used where a square knot would be placed.
6. In the dowel, an eye bolt would be attached on its end which is close to the edge. The other eye bolt must be placed in the tree. A double length of cord must be tied onto the eye bolts in the dowel. The cord must have the length that can make its user very comfortable. After this, a hammock chair swing can now be enjoyed.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Create Your Own Hammock Stand


Not every homeowner has a space in their own backyard that can accommodate a hammock. In order to fully enjoy the benefits or advantages of having this kind of sling, one needs to place it in a location where it is properly installed. The hammock needs to be stretched for just the right amount of length, nothing more and nothing less. When it is overstretched, there is not a lot of comfort on the side of the user. When it is under stretched, the user of the hammock would likely find himself touching the ground. This is where a hammock stand is very useful.

Through a stand, one can place his hammock in a location where it can be very useful even if the space is quite limited. A hammock stand can also be very convenient for homeowners since they can easily adjust the length of the posts where the sling is attached. When the trees are used as posts, an individual would have a difficult time in finding the perfect length for the hammock. This stand is normally included in the purchase of hammocks that requires it but in its absence, a person can just create a homemade hammocks stand.

There a number of materials to be needed in creating a homemade  hammocks  stand. These are two pieces 4 x 4 wood that is six feet as well as eight feet long, a Miter saw, measuring tape, electric driller, five pieces ½ x 2 inch bolts, four pieces 3/8 x 2 inch bolts, 12 pieces of 3/8 inch nuts, and 24 pieces of 3/8 inch washers.

The ends of the six feet long woods must be cut in a 30-degree angle with the help of the miter saw. For each end of the eight feet woods, at least one foot must be measured and must be marked using a pencil. The eight-foot woods must be placed on a flat surface and then the angled end of the six feet wood pieces should be near the one-foot marks. The six-foot pieces must be angled outwards so that the other eight-foot wood would be placed on top. The six-foot pieces must be in between the eight-foot ones.

There must be at least four holes in the woods to be used and then the ½ x 2 inch bolts, nuts, and washers would be used to secure them. A person must make sure that everything is tightly screwed. One tip regarding the screwing part, the knobs must be turned clockwise until it comes to a full stop.

Every wood piece to be used must be measured so as to find its four-foot section. The four-foot pieces would serve as the base of the stand when it is now already being used. A hole would be drilled on each side of the eight-foot wood pieces. In order to attach the pieces together, the 3/8 x 2 inch bolts, washers, and nuts would be used. To avoid any safety issues in the future, those must be tightly screwed.

To make the creation of a  hammocks  stand much easier, a person can ask the help of any of his relatives.


Friday, May 4, 2012

Making a Hammock for Sailors


During the history of hammocks, the sailors have benefited the most from the use of it. These are perfect item for them since it doesn’t require too much space on their ships. Since sailors bring a lot of things on board, that even their sleeping stations are being occupied, space is really valuable for the sailors. Aside from helping the sailors maximize their space, it also provides them with so much comfort when it is time to sleep. Convenience is also provided by hammocks to sailors since can it can be easily removed and stored from any part of the ship. The numerous uses of hammocks to sailors have led to the belief that they were responsible in the spread of it.

In line with the great use of hammock to sailors, there is this so-called sailor’s hammock that people can use even if they are not sailing. To create this kind of hammock, one needs to have two old twin-size sheets, a sewing machine, thread and thimble, quilt batting, at least 20 fabric grommets, nylon rope, scissors, cigarette lighter, and safety pins. In case a sewing machine is not available, a needle would do for the creation of this hammock.

To start with the sailor’s  hammocks  project, the twin-size sheets must be cut in long rectangle, probably up to about six feet or more. Another option would be to combine a pattern or just quilt it into the fabric. The hammock mattress’ top and bottom must be cut in equal width as well as length to make some pieces. A piece of quilt batting that was cut would be placed between two fabric layers. In the cutting of the quilt, one must remember that its edges should be two to three inches shorter than the fabric pieces.

In order to pin the quilt batting into the fabrics, safety pins can be used. To ensure that the sheets of fabric would still have that good appearance, the wrinkles must be smoothened out upon the pinning of the materials. After taking care of the wrinkles, the edges would be sewed first. The sewed part must be at least two or three inches from the edge. The safety pins used must now be removed so as to proceed with the hemming of the border.

To perform hemming, the edges must be folded inward. In sewing for the edges, there is one technique that needs to be carefully learned. It must be sewed together very closely to the edge of the fabrics. This one is quite difficult but it must be properly managed. The quilt batting would not be sewed in hemming. Holes must then be made on the border where the fabric grommets are in place.

The nylon ropes would then be cut in sections before it is placed on at least two holes. The loose ends would then be secured with a knot but there must be left slack, enough for the hammock to be tied on either a tree or porch post.

Following those steps would make the creation of sailor’s  hammocks  much easier.


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tips on Repairing Hammocks


One of the best ways to go for a relaxation at home is through the use of hammocks. Not only that it is the best way to relax, it is also the most convenient. Hammocks can be removed and stored easily without any effort. Extreme relaxation is definitely the calling card of hammocks which is why it is important that this is being taken care of properly. One needs to clean it regularly or even wash it with mild detergent. Everything that is associated with the use of a hammock must be given with enough care to avoid any kind of problem in the future. One small problem seen on the hammock can lead to even bigger issues if no necessary repairs were made.

In case that a shrunk is present on the hammock, one can just stretch it. The most common type of hammock that has appearances of a shrunk is the cotton ones. This is very visible when it was stored for quite some time. In order to remove this shrunk, an extra chain or rope can be used. There would be some changes seen after using the chain or rope and if needed, it can also be adjusted to make the hammock grow more than a foot or more. Aside from the shrunk, another problem for cotton hammocks is the appearance of molds as well as mildew. When there are molds and mildew, a rot would definitely be its result. In order to avoid for this one, a pre-treatment of a fabric protector helps. This fabric protector also helps keep the humidity page down.

Another type of hammocks is the rope ones. Since ropes are very evident in this type, a person might as well check if the main material used is already loosening up. This must be done on a regular basis. In any case that loose ropes are already present, one can just re-tie it. A person can do the tying on his own but might need some help on having the proper tightness.

When it comes to the stringed type hammocks, any sharp objects must not be placed near it. Since the strings are not like the rope ones, any contact with buttons, zippers, and even jewelry would already cause the main material used to loosen up. Any serious damage on the string cannot be fixed through the procedure called darning. This one is a technique that uses thread and needle in repairing holes or even word areas of a clothing.

Aside from hammock, other accessories associated to its installation should also be given with care. Just like the stands where the sling is attached. This one is very important to be given attention since without its proper standing, the hammock cannot be used. Metal stands need to be properly monitored since it bends enormously when it has absorbed too much weight. The chains need to be also checked especially if there are already spreading links. Through the help of a plier, the two separate chains can be connected together.

In order to properly take care of the  hammocks a storage kit must be available nearby for cleaning and storing purposes.