How to Make a Sprang Hammock

Sprang braiding is an ancient technique that offers beauty and unparalleled elasticity, making it the perfect method for creating your own hammock. Dating back to 1500 BC, sprang was a popular form of plaiting across the globe. The simple plaiting is used worldwide today, with examples of ancient hairnets and stockings found in Norway, Peru and Scandinavia. The weaving allows the braids to stretch equally in all directions, but still offers plenty of support for lounging in your hammock.

Things You'll Need

• 8-foot sprang loom
• Wool
• Support bars
• Rope

Instructions

Warping the Wool

1. Tie one end of the wool to the bottom bar of the loom.

2. Pass the wool under the horizontal safety string used to keep your layers separate, and over the top bar. Then pass the string under the top bar, over the safety string and under the bottom bar.

3. Repeat this pattern, alternating under and over the bars and safety string until you reach the desired width of your hammock. Be certain to end with an even number of strings on the loom.

4. Tie the loose end of your wool to the bottom bar of the loom. Pass your hand between the top and bottom threads to separate the layers, and push the twist in each string to the bars of the loom, where they will stay to hold your weave in place.

The Z-twist

1. Starting from the right, take one string from the bottom layer and move it to the top. Keep your hands between the layers to keep them separate.

2. Take the next string from the top layer and move it to the bottom. Continue this bottom-top pattern across the loom, always taking the next string from the right. When finished, push the twists to the top and bottom of the loom.

3. Take two strings from the new bottom layer and move them to the top. Then move only one string from the top down to the bottom to shift the pattern over. Continue moving only one string until you reach the end of the row, then bring the last two strings from the top to the bottom. Push the twists to either end of the loom.

4. Repeat the Z-twist any even number of times.

The S-twist

1. Move one thread from the top layer and move it to the bottom, separating the layers with your hands. This will cause the pattern to shift the other direction, creating an S shape.

2. Take the next string on the bottom and move it to the top. Continue this top-bottom pattern across the loom, pushing the twists to either end of the loom.

3. Move the two rightmost strings from the top to the bottom, and move only one from the bottom to the top. Continue moving only one at a time across the loom. Move the last two strings from the bottom to the top.

4. Continue the S-twist as many times as you did the Z-twist, and then return to the Z-twist. Alternate between the S- and the Z-twist until the loom is complete.

Finishing the Hammock

1. Pass a braided strand of wool through the center of the finished layers to hold the weave in place. Secure either end with large knots.

2. Carefully remove the bars of the loom, replacing them with the support bars of the hammock. Be sure to keep the layers of the weave in place.

3. Secure rope to either end of both hammock bars.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the safety thread on the loom to hold your place when you want to take a break.

• Be sure to secure your hammock safely to a support structure to prevent rips and falling.

References

• Regia Anglorum: Sprang -- The History, Origins, Construction and Use of Thread Twisting

Resources

• Genvieve: Sprang