How to Macrame a Hammock Spreader Bar

Hammock spreader bars hold the ends stationary and attach to a ring for hanging the hammock.

When you macrame your own hammock, you can adjust the length and width to accommodate one or more people at a time. The purpose of a spreader bar at the head and foot of the hammock is to keep the hammock ends flat so it lies open on the ends and is easier to get into. Preparing the spreader bar and attaching it to a hammock uses only one knot and a few household tools and is much less expensive than ordering custom made spreader bars to fit your hammock.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 2 hardwood spreader bars
• Hand saw
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Macrame hammock
• Polypropylene hammock rope
• Scissors
• 2 welded metal rings, 2 1/2 inches

Instructions

1. Lay a hammock on the ground and spread it out flat. Measure the width of the hammock. Measure and mark two hardwood spreader bars with a carpenter’s pencil in the same width of the hammock and cut them to size with a hand saw. For example, if the hammock measures 33 inches wide, cut both spreader bars to 33 inches.

2. Place the tip of a measuring tape on the end of one spreader bar. Stretch the measuring tape past the other end and onto the ground, locking the tape. Mark a dot with a carpenter’s pencil on the spreader bar 2 1/4 inches from each end. Mark a dot with a carpenter’s pencil every 1 1/2 inches in between the outer dots. Remove the measuring tape.

3. Insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill. Drill a hole on each of the marks on the spreader bar all the way through the wood. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to measure and mark the second spreader bar and drill the holes in it.

4. Count the number of holes in one spreader bar. Cut twice as many cords of polypropylene hammock rope in 50-inch lengths.

5. Lay one spreader bar on the ground with the holes facing the hammock. Loop one end of a cord through a 2 1/2-inch welded metal ring. Slide the ring to the center of the cord and hold both ends together. Insert both loose ends through the left hole on the spreader bar top and through the ending two loops of the hammock on the left side. Pull up a loop of cord with one hand above the hammock and below the spreader bar. Pass the two ends through the loop and pull it tight against the spreader bar to form an overhand knot.

6. Repeat Step 5 to tie each cord to the hammock and spreader bar, working from left to right. Repeat Step 5 to attach the spreader bar on the opposite end of the hammock, working from left to right.

Tips & Warnings

• Polypropylene rope is stronger than cotton rope and will last longer outside. This type of rope also stretches less than cotton rope and will retain the shape of the hammock better.

• Overhand knots keep the cords stationary underneath the spreader bar holes and do not allow the knots to slide through the holes.

References

• Hammox: Instruction on How to Make a Rope Hammock
• I Will Knot: The Overhand Knot