Multiuse paracord hammock in a Nalgene

This is a hammock that can be used a food net (to keep bears away from food), fishing net, shelter, and of course a hammock.

Step 1: Matierals

To make the hammock you will need:
200 ft of 550 paracord (will not use all of it)
Ruler
Lighter
Scissors or Knive
Measuring Tape
 To make the survival kit you will need:
Pocket knife
Duct Tape
Whistle
Nalgene
Fire steel

Step 2: Cutting the first set of paracord

Take the paracord and cut 2 pieces that are 70 in long. The cut 14 peices that are 118 in long. Then hang one 70 in piece from two trees, two poles, or something about head height. Make it mildly tight.

Step 3: Hanging the strands

Pick up one 118 in strand find the middle. Then tie a half hitch, after that pull it tight. Tie all the other 14 strands on with a half hitch. Place all of then 5 in apart. Tighten them all again to make sure.

Step 4: Tieing the knots

Cut a wood dowel or plain wood so it is 5 in. long. This will be used to measure the legnth of the squares. Take the two middle strands on the right side then tie an overhand knot that is roughly 5 in. from the top. Then take the dowel to measure 5 in. then adjust the knot. Do this all the way across the first row.
Tip: The two very end strands will start not to be tied you will tie them every other row.




 

Step 5: Starting and finishing the rows

Once you get to the end of the first row. You go right to left. You still have to measure the five inches and adjust the knots.Do this until the hammock looks like a net and you can tie no more knots.

Step 6: The bottom strand

Tie the other 70 in long cord and tie so that is near the last knots you made. Then watch the video on how to tie the next knot.

Step 7: Cutting the ends

Simply cut the ends each loose string so it is so has 1 in. ends. Then at all four corners of the whole hammock tie a bowline. 

Step 8: Burning the ends

Take your lighter and burn all the fraying ends. When doing this be careful not to burn your hammock to much.

Step 9: Cutting the next set of paracord

Cut two pieces of paracord that are 5 ft long. Then tie bowlines on the ends of each strand.

Step 10: Making the Survival Kit

First you need to take the duct tape and wrap it around the nalgene 6 or 7 times. The duct tape can come off and be used again. then you need to put the hammock in the nalgene. To do this you fold it hot dog style then roll up really tightly. While doing this make sure you tie the four bowlines on the corners together. If you don't it will get tangled. Then place all the other survival supplies in there. Include the two 5 ft strands. Then clip the four carabiners to the nalegene.

Step 11: How to do the different uses of the hammock

Below are a few videos to help you out with your multi use paracord hammock.
Hammock: Watch the video.

Back pack: When you make the back pack you put the stuff in after you clip the two side carabiners and watch the video.

Shelter: Watch the video and you need to collect a lot of weeds and leaves to put on top.

Fish net: you need to make the holes smaller so just move the knots closer together and watch the video.

Bear bag:  Watch the video and if you have smaller items you need to put a blanket or towel down before you put your food down. Also     use a taller tree.

Comments

[S.Korea]

Wait, can you show me how to finish the end of the hammock? ( putting on the tree )

[monkeyking10]

What is the knot that is used in step three to weave the ropes together?

[TheAntiHeroHimself]

So I finished mine a month or so ago, and this is what I have to say;

I am 6'1", and it took me 317ft of paracord to make my hammock. It does NOT fit in a Nalgene, because it is much more paracord than the author used.

I did find a flaw; With the measurements I used, and with your design, it is somewhat difficult to get INTO the hammock. Because the hammock is a rectangle, and that I paired the 2 loops at each end of the hammock together(2 loops at one end together, and the 2 other loops together), it likes to fold in half, making it somewhat difficult to get into. Conventional hammocks are triangular at the ends, ( <==>, as a crude example).

With this in mind, I might come up with a way to add a stick to each end of the hammock to make it stay flat. I will TRY to update here, but I am somewhat busy with college, so I'll see how it goes.

PS: To be fair to survivalman, I am not critiquing your design; I am only trying to make it more comfortable.

[TheAntiHeroHimself]

Just wanted to mention; This step takes FOREVER! Well, to be fair, I'm cutting 20 cross strands instead of 14, so it is definitely going to take me a bit longer.

[camphikefishbike]

Important to remember the difference of height between people, the 70 inch sides aren't long enough for a 6 ft person like myself (72"). I made mine 120" long on the sides and 160" for the cross strands ( but they end up half that and even shorter due to the loss in length from knotting them into net). So adjust your lengths accordingly, the first one I made is too small for me so I'm going to use it as a stuff hammock I can hang over my bigger one. Also I can drape a sheet of plastic over it and down either side of mine to keep me out of the wind and rain.

Great instructable! I cant wait to try mine out.

[TheAntiHeroHimself]

I was pondering making this, and I was wondering how the lengths made sense until I read your comment. I am 6'1" and I knew that the original measurements weren't going to work for me, so it was a relief to see yours on here. I based my blueprints on your measurements, but I ran into a snag. Even if I increase the length of the 2 horizontal strands, and the length of the 14 vertical strands, and still space them 5" apart, if I stick with 14 strands, it will still be just be a 70" surface to lay on.

So after a few calculations(a lot actually, my calculations weren't very clear to read on paper, so I had to redo them 3 or 4 times), I figured out that it would be ideal, for a person that is 6' tall, to have 20 cross strands, still spaced 5" apart. That makes a total of 95" of space to lay on, and that leaves around 12.5' or cord for each bowline on the 2 horizontal strands.

I might make an instructable(don't quote me on this, I procrastinate a lot) on how to do this with adult measurements, but if I do, all credit goes to survivalman. I don't want to rip off your instructable, I just want to make it less confusing for people of my height, so I'll let you know if I do it and I'll send the credit your way.

[Battman4312]

Do you have a diagram or a name or another video link to this not. I am having trouble following this one.

Otherwise awesome write up. Super easy to follow. I just went out and bought 200 Ft of paracord to do this with. Im making mine olive drab and black.

[petmjohn]

For a good video on how to tie this knot and make a hammock/net go to youtube and look for

johnjayrambo11111

He has a really good video that explains this in more detail.

[petmjohn]

Do a search for net making on youtube. There is a really good one for making a hammock like this one out of 550cord. The posters name on youtube is

johnjayrambo11111

I would also, istead of using carabiners, use an anchor shackle that a lot of people have been using for paracord bracelets and keyfobs. Just do a search for anchor shackles on google. They are very sturdy, can hold a lot of weight, are small, and don't weigh very much. Also, if anyone nneds wholsale paracord go to

www.wholesale-parachute-cord.com

[survivalman]

No I could try to find one thoUgh

[thestyrofoampeanut]

It looks like he is simply laying the long bottom strand across the knots that he has tied then just using basic overhand knots to secure the bottom strand to the multiple pairs of strands from the hammock. Basically, each pair of strands is tied in a bunch of overhand knots on the bottom strand. Its about as rudimentary as possible.
Hopefully that was of some help.

[applesaucemodifier]

When I'm cutting any climbing rope I use an actual rope cutter but at home i just use the knife/blade attachment for my soldering iron. Its safer and easier then trying to melt every end.

[Ssmo72]

I made a hammock the other week with the tips by camphikefishbike regarding size. Took it to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, while lying outside was very cold, it was an excellent way to take a break from trudging through snow and enjoying the scenery. I found that the wider it is, the larger your trees need to be. I brought an extra 100ft. of paracord and ended up tying the two head strings around a giant oak tree and the two foot strings around two different smaller pine trees. Worked great, excellent instructable!

[scytheakse]

combine this step with the next one and use a hot butter knife to cut the ends off, much neater.

[Paracord Ninja]

What would that do,I use a lighter and melt it where i want it.

[Paracord Ninja]

I always use a lighter, but plastiDip works as well

[Wasagi]

I really like that this can be stored in a nalgene! Great job, I'll definitely try this once I get my hands on some paracord.

[jtsherwood]

Here's my interpretation: Take the two ends of the cord, with the existing knot lying close to your bottom strand. Wrap each cord in front of the bottom strand, then behind it, and bring each strand up in front again with one on either side of the knot. Then tie a square knot in front.

This illustration takes you through the first half of the square knot.

[PearlZenith]

This is great, thanks!

[PearlZenith]

Could you take a closer photo of the knot from both sides? If you know the name of it, that would work, too.

[survivalman]

Il do that and send it to u tomorrow

[PearlZenith]

Awesome, thanks!

[danny6114]

PlastiDip works well to prevent fraying as well.

[chamunks]

I cant imagine you'd need more than a lighter to melt the ends, if your using true para-cord the 8stranded stuff made with nylon I dont imagine you'd need anything more than just that.

[shallnot]

Two questions:

1) why wrap the Nalgene bottle with duck tape?
2) what is folding "hot dog style"?

[shallnot]

I don't doubt that the tape will remain sticky nor do I doubt its strength and efficacy in patching things that need patching. Watching the Mythbusters' duck tape special will dispel any doubts about that.

I was merely curious why, after I weave the paracord into the hammock/fish net/bear bag, the first thing I needed to do according to Step 10 is to wrap the tape around the bottle with no real explanation as to how it relates to the main topic of the "instructable".

Now I know that it doesn't. It's just a clever way to combine taking the net in a bottle and and some tape along wherever you go without needing to take the whole roll of tape.

[survivalman]

The duct tape still stays sticky so it can be used again. Duct tape is very strong and can repair ripped tents ect..,

[BootsElven]

"Hotdog Style" is a slang term for a folding technique where you bring the long edges of a rectangle together, so it resembles a hotdog bun. The opposite is "Hamburger Style", where you bring the short edges together, kind of resembling a hamburger bun.

Dashed line = fold. Hopefully this works:
Hotdog:
-----------------
| _ _ _ _ _ _ |
| |
-----------------

Hamburger:
--------
| |
| - - - -
| |
--------

[thefirestationisonfire]

I'm not sure about "hotdog style" but I think the reason the bottle is wrapped with tape is just in case you need some tape. It will peel off just like it comes off a roll.

[dimtick]

i really like this. I like how it has many more uses other than a hammock.
a few comments, these are just suggestions, not criticisms.
I wonder if you could do a secondary weave of lighter line. looking at step 5 you can run vertical and horizontal lines that would divide the diamonds into 4. tie it loose so the paracord takes the weight.
i don't know how to do it but i think there's a way to do this using continuous strands rather than indivdual lines. i don't have any problems with the way you did it, i just wonder if using continuous weave may be stronger and you wouldnt have to worry about knots coming loose?
i think you could take the additional line that you need for the bear bag and weave a sling for the bottle.
i can't tell from the pic's but make sure your carabiners are climbing rated. there's lots of crappy ones out there so you have to be a little caraful.
I don't know what kind of extra room you have in the bottle but some water purifying tablets, led flashlight, a mini first aid kit and maybe even a space blanket.

nice job!

[survivalman]

I think I will try that. Il tell you how it goes.

[bryandhispup]

Good goin' kid! this is a great instructable! looks like you are on your way to eagle scout!

[Battman4312]

What would you say is a better alternative? Because I made one of these and made my own knot but it was ugly. I dont know anything about knots. How would you do it?

[Eric Sullivan]

haven't tried this but a crown knot springs to my addled old mind as possibly lending itself to a continuous weave.

[whiteoakart]

Nice!

[mikeasaurus]

Great information, thanks for sharing!

[Parkatola]

Thanks for the information. One question. If you start with the two side pieces being 70 inches, which is less than 6 feet, and you tie a bowline at both ends of those pieces, how big does the hammock end up being? I'm a shorter guy (5'8") but that's 68 inches. (Visions of my head and feet hanging out through the triangles at each end.) If the paracord stretches so it's bigger than it sounds, that's great, and that's what I'm asking. I'd like to do these with our Venturing Crew, but we have some tall kids, and I need to know whether there's a stretch factor, or if I need to start with the side pieces being longer. Any info on hammock size vs. user size would be appreciated.

Also, roughly how long does it take to make one of these?

Thanks.

Strength and honor.

[survivalman]

I would say cut it around 8-12 inches bigger than the kid

[survivalman]

It takes around 1 hour

[survivalman]

Yes it does stretch alot but if you want you can make it bigger you just have to add more hanging strands.