How to Braid Yarn to Make a Photo Prop Hammock

Make a miniature hammock to use in a photo shoot.

Miniature scenes for photographs and movies are usually more cost-effective than building a life-size set or traveling to a far-off location. A small prop hammock can add authenticity to a manufactured tropical setting. Commercial miniature hammocks exist as doll accessories and hermit crab toys, but you can braid your own using the sprang weaving technique.

Things You'll Need

• 5 or more knitting needles or kebab sticks
• Yarn
• 2 key rings

Instructions

1. Place two knitting needles parallel to each other and 4 inches apart.

2. Tie the free end of a piece of yarn around the bottom knitting needle. Run the yarn vertically to the top knitting needle, then around to the bottom knitting needle. Continue running the yarn over the pairs of needles until you have 10 vertical strands of yarn.

3. Trim the end of the yarn and tie it to the bottom knitting needle.

4. Mentally number the vertical of yarn strands from 1 to 10, going from right to left.

5. Weave a third knitting needle horizontally over the first vertical piece of yarn and under the second vertical piece of yarn. As you do this, take the third strand of yarn, cross it over the third knitting needle and cross it under the second strand. Weave the knitting needle under the fourth piece of yarn, then take the fifth strand of yarn, cross it over the third knitting needle and cross it under the fourth strand. Continue this pattern with each of the odd-numbered strands of yarn until the needle passes through all of the yarn strands.

6. Weave a fourth knitting needle 1 inch below the third needle, under the first two strands. As you do this, take the third strand and cross it to the right, under the first two strands. Weave the knitting needle under the fourth strand, and cross the fifth strand to the right, under the two strands to its right. Continue this pattern with all of the odd numbered strands and weave the knitting needle over the last strand.

7. Weave a fifth knitting needle 1 inch under and over all the vertical strands. You should see a hammock start to take shape.

8. Weave a piece of yarn horizontally over and under all the crosses made by the vertical yarn. Tie the horizontal piece of yarn with an overhand knot at each end to secure the weave.

9. Slip the knitting needles out.

10. Slide a key ring through the loops on each end of the hammock.

References

• Regia; Sprang -- The History, Origins, Constructions and Use of Thread Twisting; Elaine Hutchinson; 1992
• Nicamaka: Sprang-Weaving Process