Duct Tape Hammock

This red, white, and blue hammock is the perfect place to relax on the 4th of July!

3 x roll Scotch duct tape
2 x wooden dowel (48" x 1" diameter)

Since this hammock is woven, and duct tape is as sticky as, well, duct tape, a rigid set-up is necessary. I used a wooden table I had built and screwed 2x4 scraps (12" long) to the sides then attached the dowel with another screw.The distance between the points of attachment of the dowel will be slightly more than your hammock width. My final width was about 34".

Roll tape out sticky-side up. run under dowels on each end.

Press tape down onto itself one one side, then roll out enough tape to complete the loop and press the loop together.

Continue making loops, close but not touching, until full width is reached. Stagger tape joints.

The important thing to remember before starting to weave is that the side facing up is the bottom. Take a ruler and mark where the tape edges go on the outer two loops of each side of the hammock. To duplicate my pattern, start on the outside with a mark about 2" from the end, then make a mark every 7.5". Move to the inside loop and make a mark 5.75" from the end, then make marks every 7.5" inches.

I used a piece of 1/2" PVC (you could use a broom handle) to seperate my loops then used the ruler as a shuttle to pass between them. Making these loops is the same as before, sticky side up then fold over. Be careful not to pull the outside loops in when you fold over.

Be careful when weaving duct tape, it will hang up given half a chance.

When weaving is finished it will look like this. Remember, at this point the bottom side is still up. Only the top side of the loop is woven. The bottom side (visible here) is stuck down all the way across. Also notice how the weaves shift up and down. This is because I have an even number of long loops. With an odd number it would shift inside and out.

Make a triangular rope support for each end of the hammock. The length of the rope will be approximately 10' and tied to the hammock on either side.

You wouldn't want the ropes to slip so secure them with...wait for it...duct tape! Tape over the dowel, the knot, and the dowel on the other side of the knot.

Find some suitable trees, hang the hammock, and relax...or fake relaxing, like my son in the picture.