DIY Network

Mesh Hammock, Part 1 Kick back and relax in this swingin' DIY hammock. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-207

Make this easy, inexpensive hammock with Michele Beschen.

Michele Beschen loves to create welcoming outdoor spaces—and what could be more welcoming than a simple hammock? Made from inexpensive nylon netting and a few other materials, this hammock is so easy on the budget you'll want to B. Original and make one for everybody in the family.

In this first part of the project, Michele Beschen shows how to measure the hammock netting and reduce it with the same techniques fishermen have used for centuries. In Part 2, she assembles the hammock and gets it ready to hang.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Mesh Hammock, Part 1

Materials:

nylon netting with 2" mesh
fabric dye (optional)
scissors
netting needle
nylon twine
2" piece of wood or metal
scissors

Note: The 2" mesh probably won't look like it's 2" across, because the mesh is measured when spread out (figure A). But if the package says 2" mesh—or if it measures 2" when you stretch it out—you have the right size netting.

• Lay the netting out flat and cut a piece 64 meshes wide by 60 meshes long. Michele Beschen says it's very important to lay the netting straight and flat when you measure and cut in order to get a straight trim line (figure B).

• Dye the netting, if desired. Michele Beschen used a standard fabric dye from the grocery store for the hammock; more powerful dyes may be less likely to fade in the sun.

• To shape the hammock, reduce the 64-mesh edges to 20 meshes, using nylon twine and a netting needle. To begin, tie off one end of a 64-mesh edge to a post or door knob.

• Wind the nylon twine onto the netting needle. Starting where the mesh is tied off, tie the free end of the twine to the first mesh (figure C).

• Use the 2" piece of wood or metal as a mesh block to create a row of new meshes as you stitch through the netting. Loop the twine once around the block then pass the needle through the next mesh, creating a new mesh on a new row (figure D). Pass the needle through the next two meshes, one at a time; now, three meshes are wound together (figure E).

• Tie a half-hitch knot to hold the three meshes together, followed by a second half-hitch knot for added strength.

• Slip the first loop off the block and loop the twine around the block again. Gather three more meshes and tie off with two half-hitch knots.

• Repeat this process to the end of the 64-mesh edge of the net (figure F). For the last loop, gather the final four meshes instead of just three. Tie the nylon twine off securely at the end of the side.

• Repeat on the other 64-mesh edge.

The hammock is beginning to take shape. Go to Part 2 to finish it off.