The Rope Hammock

A rope hammock is generally constructed from more than a few dozen ropes interwoven into a consistent pattern; the better quality rope hammock uses a cotton rope and can often hold up more than one person at the same time, provided that it is one of the larger models.

The rope hammock is one of the most popular hammock models on the market today, even though a rope hammock does look very uncomfortable it is in fact very comfortable indeed. So on a warm sunny day you can relax, read a book and chill out on this amazing piece of garden furniture.

People often think that a rope hammock will trap or pinch their arms and legs, but this is actually a somewhat rare occurrence. Word of cautions when using a rope hammock is to be careful not to get tangled in the ropes. It would also be wise to be aware of the cloths you are wearing when planning to use your hammock, avoid wearing cloths with zippers and/or big buttons as it may get caught in the ropes.

Why do some people choose a rope hammock over other popular models that are available on the market today, such as a fabric, hammock chair or a swing hammock?

There are at least two main basic reasons:

• The rope hammock is designed to stretch and support a
  person's weight. This means that after a short length of time, you will actually fit nicely in the hammock and won’t feel like it is constantly trying to throw you out, as you might with a fabric model.


• The second reason is on a warm sunny day, the design which is woven allows air to flow and circulate around your body keeping you cool and comfortable.

There are a number of popular variations of the rope hammock on the market today. The most popular, is the Island Bay model, which is a quite standard rope weave with wooden bars on either side. The rope is made out of polyester and stretches nicely to fit several people on larger models.

Read my previous article The Hammock History to learn more about hammock such as who made a hammock for the 1st time, where is hammock come from, why is it called hammock, and many more.

The Hammock History

The hammock has been around for a very long time, as a matter of fact for over 1000 years. The hammock was developed in Pre-Columbian Latin America and continues to be produced widely throughout the region, including among the Urarina of the Peruvian Amazon. Though it is unknown who invented the hammock, many believe that it was a piece of equipment created out of tradition and need.

The first use of the hammock was not for relaxation or recreation at all, but was used for protection from insects and the elements. The hammock was easy to make and handy enough to hang anywhere so it was perfect for traveling and hiking.

The English language derivation of hammock and various European equivalents is borrowed from the Spanish hamaca or hamac around 1700, in turn taken from a Taíno culture Arawakan word (Haiti) meaning "fish net." The earliest hammocks were woven out of bark from a Hamack tree, and later this substance was replaced by Sisal plant because it was more abundant.

Hammocks were first introduced in Europe by Christopher Columbus when he brought many hammocks back to Spain from islands in the present day Bahamas. One of the reasons that hammocks gain recognition in the New World was because of their ability to provide safety. By being suspended, sleepers were better protected from snakes and other dangerous creatures. It also allowed people to avoid water, dirt, and other unhealthy conditions that existed in the early New World.

The Mexican made hammocks in villages surrounding the capital city of the Yucatán, Mérida, and are sold locally and internationally as well. Hammocks are symbolically and culturally important for the Yucatecans. In rural El Salvador, a family home may have more than one hammocks strung across the main room, for use as seating, as beds, or as sleep-swings for infants.