Weaving a Mayan Hammock

Step-by-step instructions for making a loom and weaving a mayan hammock, including the edge "crochet", the interior triple weave, and the clew. Still photos and instructions at The Ultimate Hang dot com.

[@cuteseahors]

THIS IS A GOOD VID. AFTER WATCHING SO MANY VIDS. FINALY I FOUND ONE THAT EXPLAINS HOW ITS DONE. I LEARN TO MAKE HAMMOCKS BUT MADE 2-3 AND NEVER PRACTICE IT THIS WAS ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO THIS VID HELPED ME TO MAKE ONE FOR MY 3 MONTHS OLD SON.. THANKS FOR SHARING THE VIDIO

[@rebeccasander7595]

Thank you for this video! It was a great watch! I have been in love with these hammocks ever since I first laid in one when I studied in the Yucatan during college in the 80's. I find, though, that I am not actually interested in making one. I just loved watching you do it and being transported back to 1987 when I watched a man doing the same in behind his home. Today, I would like to buy one and would love any information you may have about doing that. At any rate, I truly appreciated this very nice blast from the past.

[@MrZachmoyer]

I LOVE THOSE TYPES OF HAMMOCKS LIKE THE ONE TOWARDS THE END OF THE VIDEO

[@QuiltedGardener]

Thanks so much for sharing this video! This is the exact technique my friend's husband, who is from Nicaragua, was showing me! I hope that I can master it one day!

[@miltonchevez7473]

GREETINGS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA,,... THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT VEDEO AND LESSONS.. ON MY FIRST HAMMOCK DID MADE A FEW MISTAKES... BUT ON MY SECOND AND THIRD THEY CAME OUT PRETTY GOOD... THANK YOU DEREK--

[@DerekHansen]

Sweet! I'm glad it is working for you!

[@DerekHansen]

David, are you looking to make a net hammock? There are several tutorials on KZbin but none from me. I'm not much of a fan of those styles because of how uncomfortable they are. Better to make a fabric bed and avoid waffle back. For a light hammock you can't beat a 1.1 oz ripstop nylon base.

[@SunnySurf]

Hey Derek, I have spent the afternoon looking at numerous mayan hammock weaving videos, and have found yours by far the most clear and informative. First off can I just say thanks for sharing your knowledge! The reason I have been researching is that I have a (very) old mayan hammock my Dad bought back from his travels before I was born. I have had it up for a few consecutive summers however I have just strung it up and the nylon nettles have failed the test of time, they are all snapping under moderate pressure. The rest of the hammock weave (bar a few fixes) is perfect and I figure it would be worth repairing. I know I need to weave a new clew from the (new) nettles but can not picture how you do this out of one continuous piece. Do you have any footage of you doing this step? Or can you give me a more detailed breakdown on how to? Thanks in advance, Sunny

[@dorianbelen]

Very impress with you research and passion with the mayan hammocks. I know. you like sleep in clouds! In Europe-Asia are Using this kind of hammock for Yoga and medical therapy with olders and Autism children. It offers relaxation and stimulates imagination in children

[@davidbishop3521]

Yes, that's exactly what I want to make, just didn't know what it was called. I will probably end up buying a nylon hammock for use in the bush, however, I've always wanted to weave my own. Thanks for your help, I do plan on buying a copy of your book once I get my feet wet.

[@treborrelluf]

Thanks Derek, I must visit the website. Wove a couple Oaxacan style about 25 years ago and have forgotten much. As I recall from research, it's not true weaving but interlinking, an old Scandinavian method called Sprang. I'll be in touch!

[@Khamomil]

It's funny you mention Sprang. In fact Sprang is done across the length of the fabric, whereas Mayan hammock is done lengthwise, and unlike Sprang, Mayan has no mirror image and no center point for stopping the fabric from undoing itself. The similarity is that there is no weft but in Mayan the warp threads are added and interlaced one by one whereas in Sprang the entire warp is first laid. It is an interesting way of creating collapsible fabric which ever way, and the structure of it is quite fascinating.

[@homerocorrea3455]

Conseguirei tecer com teu vídeo. Os vídeos que assisti não entendi nada. Obrigada.

[@AndrewKimmey]

For all of those wondering about how to finish the clew, this video shows a potential setup for doing so around the 1:50 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXTOeYKDd9Sqd5I the clips aren't too long, but they give you an idea of what you should be doing. Also Derek, in this clip it shows the weaver taking each clew thread through only 2 loops at a time, not 6. Do you think that would be doable for one of these woven from cotton?

[@DerekHansen]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@tylerbriggs4715]

can I see a picture of the whole hammock and how wide it is with you in it?

[@ErikaMoreno-xj6ui]

Excelente explicación, aunque no entendí nada oralmente, porque no hablo Ingles solo español pero la visualización me sirvió de mucho ahora si voy a empezar el mio. Gracias por tu publicación

[@DonnaAskins]

Fun, well-done video. Many thanks!

[@moustafahusseinful]

Hi Derek, My name is Mostafa Hussein, Im from Cairo Egypt, First time I tried a Mayan hammock was at a German friend who was in Cairo for some years and he brought one from Mexico, since I tried this incredible hammock I loved it and hoped to have one for myself, unfortunately its not available in the Egyptian market, so I was wondering if I can learn how to make one by myself, I checked youtube but nothing explains the process from the beginning to the end, I checked your website but didnt find my way through and I was hoping that you may help me out! Thank you in advance Best Mostafa

[@SSMN2492]

moustafa hussein Sold for 300 EGP at Alfa super Markrt and for 145.EGP at Ikea

[@DerekHansen]

The number of wraps you make is determined by how wide you want the hammock.

[@Dwayne707countryliving]

Thank you for this video I have been wanting to learn mayan hammock I had gotten a little book on hammock weaving but never understand it

[@davidbishop3521]

Just finish a clew using your tutorial. Thanks for that. I plan on weaving a hammock into the clew to have a portable hammock that I can pack small and light. Any suggestions?

[@Dwayne707countryliving]

Hey man great video I have been wanting to learn to weave a hammock but got book and did not understand the process now its a little more clearer . one question how do you warp the loom how many warps do you put on loom and adding warps if needed do you have a video on warping? and then when finished I guess you just pull off loomthanks

[@vilmaheredia1635]

Muchas gracias es el video k buscava aunque no entiendo ingles viendo lo aprendere bendiciones

[@aflores382010]

Would u be able to make another video but this time in full like you going around the posts and in the corners show step by step that's where I am all confused my line is all twisted and I don't even know where to insert my shuttle please help

[@danielsvega7209]

no tienes idea como busque esto, GRACIAS!!!!!

[@JuanVasquez-zu3oq]

quiero aprender pero nose donde comprar los hilos y de que medida

[@Tdyrensborg]

The second line at 4:22 is tied to the loom differently than the first line. In the first one you weaved left. In the second you weave right. Where is the transition?

[@DerekHansen]

Yes, a net or rope hammock is what you're looking for. However, if you want a cozy hammock you can weave, you're in the right place: a mayan hammock is the most comfortable but it will take longer and is heavier.

[@joker199614]

can i sit two people in a mayan hammock comfortably? if not what would you suggest? also people pt beams in hammocks to hold them open. can you do that with this hammock

[@DerekHansen]

Larger Mayan hammocks can easily fit multiple people. The "matrimonial" size hammock is commonly used with two people. They are large enough that you can both lay on different sides of the hammock and be in your own space. Mayan hammocks do not typically have spreader bars like you are describing. They do help flatten the fabric out, but at the same time they raise the center of gravity, making them tippy. www.hammocksrada.com/17-matrimonial-type-hammock-no-14.html

[@joker199614]

Derek Hansen Thank you. And one more question. at the ends of the hammock did you just loop the strings around the posts and just repeat what you did just in the opposite diretion? or did you just tie it off at the ends?

[@DerekHansen]

About 2,000 yards. Much depends on the type of string you use.

[@stevemichael8186]

How large a loom would u do for a hanging char hammock?

[@timmyharris731]

How many times do you loop the string around the posts?

[@paulceccato6216]

I watched this video because my awesome mayan triple weave hammock I bought in mexico has a few broken strings, and I have tried to fix it but could never get the weave right. I know its the same weave every time but a bit more time spent showing how the simple under two over and around pattern builds up would have been instructive!

[@DerekHansen]

+Paul Ceccato Good idea. I need to make a follow-up video. I have one hammock on the loom now, so may be a good time to start.

[@jacecmiller]

Not sure if this question has been asked but is there a certain brand of #18 twisted nylon that you prefer to use and were do you purchase it?

[@DerekHansen]

Jason, in all honesty the hardest part to this project is finding the right string. I spent weeks going back-and-forth with a yarn maker in Kansas trying to match strings from my "authentic" Mayan hammock with no success. The best I could find to complete my project was some #18 nylon string. I wanted to make one out of cotton string, but I still haven't found a good source. The #18 is a grade or thickness of string that is common in craft stores. I found a bunch of different colors at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Walmart. Walmart had the best prices, but only had black and white. Still, it wasn't cheap when I counted all the spools I used. I continue to look for good string at a good price. I should note that you can use different thickness of yarn, but it will impact how much string you'll need to buy.

[@Khamomil]

Derek Hansen First thanks a million for the tutorial. I've been looking at Amazon for books and there is just one pamphlet on Mayan hammocks weaving with so-so reviews. I've been netting (the fisherman kind of net) for a while and love the structure of the Mayan hammock and was looking to learn how to make it. On some pics and videos one sees a fascinating variety of stitches and motifs I would love to learn how to make myself. Now for the thread, I agree with you! I've been looking for a goodcotton thread that's not too thin. I've found one that you might like, comes in a variety of colors but isn't cheap: it's DMC Petra in #3 (thickest) 5 and 8. I have found some ISPE #5 for fisherman-style netting and it's cheaper than DMC but am not sure you'll find it in the USA.

[@DerekHansen]

Khamomil Thanks! I'm going to check this out!

[@Dwayne707countryliving]

I went to your web page put could not find the instructions for making loom and hammock . Can you help please thank you

[@DerekHansen]

Here: theultimatehang.com/2013/07/weaving-a-mayan-hammock/

[@mishoneybee]

Love the video

[@Khamomil]

Do you think that this weave would be suitable for making a scarf if done with fine enough thread?

[@DerekHansen]

Sure! Give it a try.

[@CostuRusia]

OMG! Who teach you?

[@Khamomil]

Do you make an edge at the top like you did at the bottom? Also do you know how to make different stitches to produce visual effects? I didn't find more info from you on your website.

[@DerekHansen]

Yes, you do edging on both sides (top/bottom or left/right depending on how you think about it). I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "different stitches" -- this weave style only has one "pattern" -- the triple weave. Unlike other weaving methods, it is difficult and not really suitable to create patterns and designs. What is commonly done is to switch up the weft and warp strings so you create alternating patterns. For example, using a yellow weft and weaving with yellow warp will produce a solid yellow line (obviously). But using a yellow weft and weaving in another color, such as red, makes a sort of yellow/read block pattern. Repeating these patterns over time can create checkerboard patterns, but that is about all you can do. It can produce some very colorful effect. I have a photo example on my website if you scroll down into the comments a little.

[@Khamomil]

Derek Hansen Thanks. I have watched a lot of videos on Mayan hammocks and found a pdf in Spanish saying that some people invent motifs and transmit them only to family members. I have seen a variety of motifs and would like to reproduce them. The plaid pattern, with areas that have a mix of both colors, are really interesting.

[@tylerbriggs4715]

and how do you alternate colors?

[@tylerbriggs4715]

Or how many spaces per foot for the hammock width?

[@AndrewKimmey]

How is the loom warped before the work can begin? How is the second row of knotting done on the other side of the hammock? How are the nettles threaded through the end loops? How is it one continuous strand?

[@DerekHansen]

The knotting process (series of overhand knots) is just done in reverse, but it is the same exact process as the other side. To do the nettles, you need to create a second frame that is two poles but just 1 meter apart. Slide the end loops over one pole (these are short poles, maybe a foot high on a board). Collect the end loops in bundles of around 7 or so and tie off the string to that bundle (bowline works great). Then pull those loops taut to the pole and use the string to go around the other pole and back down to the loops to form the first nettle. Once back at the loops, grab another bunch of end loops but this time you only need to thread through the loops, then go back and forth in this manner until you've collected all the loops. Once you're at the last bundle of loops, you tie off. To finish the clew, you whip the end and finish. I have illustrations of all of this in my new book - Link: a.co/7nWf52S

[@AndrewKimmey]

Ah, much clearer for the nettles, thanks!

[@AndrewKimmey]

How many rows does a hammock typically have? I'm at roughly 130 on mine so far, and while it looks like I have a bit left to do, when do I stop?

[@DerekHansen]

it really depends on the thickness of the string you're using, how tight you are weaving, and how wide you want your hammock. All i can recommend is to test with a few rows and see how wide it is and then do your estimations from there.

[@bruqueroberts1145]

How many hours did it take to make one hammock with this method. I'm very intrigued and would love to try. Doesn't matter how long it will take me. I'm just curious.

[@DerekHansen]

Really good question! I could only estimate. Maybe 100 hours? You get faster as you practice.

[@poindexter4579]

How are you tying the new strings to the end? How many times do you wrap the warp around the loom?

[@DerekHansen]

The loom is wrapped with string. This is the warp. You can alternate the colors here if you want or use one color; it's up to you. In my practicing, it takes about 12 wraps to equal an inch. This depends on how thick your string is. Calculate how wide you want your hammock to estimate how many wraps you need around the loom. When I finished with one color, I would tie it to the next color with a fisherman's knot and then keep wrapping. Or, you can tie it off to the loom. When I did that, I just tied a bowline.

[@poindexter4579]

Thanks!

[@slingerfrancis4674]

Does anyone know where to find a video explaining how to repair a rip in a Mayan style hammock? I can't find anything anywhere. Four of the strings have ripped leaving a small hole in the center of my hammock, but the weave has slowly unraveled and I can't figure out how to reweave it...

[@DerekHansen]

It's possible but difficult. Find the end that is closest to the woven portion and tie on some new string. Follow the same methods described in this video to begin the weave. It's tedious work because you have to rework the thread.

[@slingerfrancis4674]

Thanks! I'll give it a shot

[@RosieL54]

Can i make a baby sling carryer with your technique???

[@DerekHansen]

rosie l Sure! Just make it the size you need.

[@timmyharris731]

How many would you say per foot?

[@edgarsansores4595]

Mis felicitaciones.

[@TheTopDogGaming]

what kind of weight can this hold?

[@DerekHansen]

+Tyson Hoops Depending on the type of string you use, up to 1,000 lbs. i would estimate between 500 and 1,000.

[@TheTopDogGaming]

+Derek Hansen cool thanks for the reply!

[@myrnamalave802]

I wanna learn how to do a hammock

[@MrZachmoyer]

I meant at 8:03

[@rekinnu]

Too close closeups