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Machine Knit Nylon Hammock

        

Here is a comfortable, colorful nylon hammock that can be knit on a mid-gauge or bulky machine.

Important Note: Nylon is very capricious, and must be handled with care so as not to cause yourself undo frustration, if you knit this pattern, follow the nylon handling tips. Although a knitted hammock is just as comfortable as a traditional knotted hammock, knitting, unlike knotting, will snag. A snag makes a tight place and a hole in the hammock, that can easily be "put to rights" with patient readjustment of that row of knitting, it is better to take care in the knitting and handling of the hammock before hanging it, in order to avoid snags in the first place.  

Disclaimer: Hammocks can be dangerous, particularly for unsupervised children, the author is not responsible for accidents caused by improper use of this pattern, including those caused by improper selection of rope for hanging said hammock.

Materials: The most commonly available lightweight nylon cord available in bright colors is packaged under the brand name "Flying Colors" and comes 5 spools to the pack. The hammock requires 4 packs, or a total of 3,200 ft. The suspension cord is the next heavier weight of cord, available in white and requires one spool. You will need two-2 and 1/2 inch nickle plated rings. These are available at farm supply stores and are found in the tack department (they are cinch rings for saddles) You can choose not to use the rings, but it makes for a better suspension if you do.

Nylon handling tips: You must remove the nylon from it's spoon in order to feed smoothly to the knitting machine, unless you have a lazy kate or some other apparatus for holding and feeding from spools. Loose nylon will tangle. The best method for containing it is to re-wind it into a ball with a piece of panty hose containing it. Cut a piece of pantyhose 6 inches long, slip it over the ball winder shaft, and down around the base of the ball winder. Wind the ball, and then bring the pantyhose that was around the base up and over the ball, this leaves some pantyhose in the center and some on the outside to keep the nylon from unwinding. When you begin to knit, you will pull the panty hose out from the center, but leave the nylon on the outside of the ball, and knit from the center of the ball. Each time you join balls during knitting, Nylon must be knotted with an overhand knot!  If you use a weavers knot or an overhand knot, it will unravel.                                                                                            

Instructions: The hammock is knit in three panels, seamed together, 4 panels would be nice, too. The gauge is immaterial, you should use your largest kp or dial setting... for general reference, this hammock was knit on kp 4, every third needle.

  •  With WY, CO every third needle across 96 needles. In other words, cast on 1 st, leave 2 needles out of work, cast on the next stitch. You will have 32 needles with stitches on them, the other needles will be in non-working position.
  • Knit 7 rows, loosely crochet cast-on with MY
  •  Knit 185 rows, changing colors as each ball is finished, and keeping the color sequence consistent if desired. 
  • Crochet cast off.
  • Repeat till you have three panels knit.    
  • Seam the panels together by latching up every other edge stitch, alternating back and forth between panels as follows (note: do not use another seaming method, as it will be too tight and cause the hammock to gouge you at the seam...ask me how I know this.) 
  • Match the panels up and pin them together in a few places to keep them even while you work (I use bobby pins for this.) Insert the latch tool into the first edge stitch, reach through and get the first edge stitch of the other panel and pull it through. Now go back to the first panel, skip an edge stitch and latch up the next edge stitch, continue continue latching up in this manner, alternating every other edge stitch back and forth up the two panels. This makes an open seam, which is necessary for the hammock to "give" when you lie in it. 
  • Cut 24 suspension strings, 36 inches long out of slightly heavier white nylon. (you could use the colored nylon if you have some left over, but you may want to double up on the number) Fold one suspension string in half, slip the loop end into the end edge of the hammock, and pull the ends through (see photo, right, this is like making giant fringe on the ends of your hammock) Suspension strings should be about 4 stitches apart, and/or, evenly distributed across the end of the hammock.
  • Repeat for other end.           
  • Hang the end of the hammock over a table edge so that you can line the suspension strings up evenly. You will be tying the suspension strings to the ring equidistant from it.
  • Bundle three sets of suspension strings in one bundle (this will be six strings) and tie them onto the ring, using a double overhand knot.    
  •    
  • Secure the dangled ends of the strings by braiding and then flaming the ends so that they don't unravel.
  • Suspend your hammock from its rings with a heavy rope capapable of holding up a persons weight.    
  • Fix yourself a hard-earned drink, and relax in your new hammock!