Nicamaka.Biz • Sprang-Weaving Process

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Sprang Weave Hammock Fabrication The outer background on these pages is a representation of Nicamaka® sprang weaving.
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Sprang Weaving is one of civilizations oldest weaving methods. It is a simple method of inter-locking parallel cords to produce a strong, flat fabric that is fixed in one dimension and expansive in the other dimension. The process does not use a loom and can be done between any vertical posts or small trees. It is labor intensive with no machinery. It requires a lot of walking around posts while adding and interlocking the cords. The coastal natives of the Caribbean basin and the lake regions of Central America used this process to produce fishing nets and hammocks. The root word for hammock in these areas was "hamaca" - a Taino Indian word for fishing net. In the Museum of the Convento de San Francisco located in Granada, Nicaragua there is a very old hammock/hamaca example typical of the indigenous civilizations that existed on Zapatera and Ometepe islands in Lago Colcibolca (Lake Nicaragua). In this this example one sees the sprang weaving process where rough cabuya (sisal) fibers are crudely twisted into cords that are in turn woven into a serviceable bed/fish net providing basic needs of food & rest. With modern materials this sprang-weave process yields beautiful, space saving and extremely comfortable furniture that fits beautifully into modern life styles This sprang-weave process produces the perfect fabric for hammocks as the cross-ways stretch creates a cocooning effect that is both safe and comfortable. (Where these hamacas were originally used, it was never a good idea to fall on the ground and become part of the food chain!) When modern fabrics and materials are used in the construction, the sprang-weave hammock or hamaca adds beauty to its function and becomes a life long furniture item. It becomes to furniture, what blue jeans are to clothing.
	The first step in this sprang-weave process is to find or produce the cords used in the hammocks. Rather than buy pre twisted cording, we choose to import better quality yarns from modern dye houses and hand lay up, or twist, these yarns into the various plies needed for our products. This is, of course, labor intensive, but insures that the various cording for bed, arms or crochet all have matching colors from the same dye lots.
	The next step is to take the twisted plies and twist them in an opposite direction to produce the cords, 2-Ply for the crochet, 3-Ply for the bed section and heavier 3-Ply for the arms that support the hammocks. The ratios of the yarn strands in the plies and the plies to the ultimate use in the hammocks have been developed over centuries to be strong, comfortable and practical.
	Once the cords are developed they are divided into skeins that can be carried by a hand shuttle which is used, to begin the sprang weave process. The "weaver" ties one end of the cord to a stick, post or stanchion, and begins his trek to finish a fabric. This trip around posts can be up to a mile and a half or more for most of our hammocks and for some closer to two miles.
	The artisan walks around and around the posts, interlocking the cords and stopping frequently to replenish the hand shuttle with new skeins of cord. This is a lot of work and involves about 1.5 miles of walking and productive weaving.. When done correctly it produces a hammock that is marvelously comfortable and secure and that is ready to be called a Nicamaka®.
	A magnified view of the sprang-weave process used by the artisans who produce the Nicamaka® Hammock. This process allows the hammock to stretch crossways and provide maximum comfort and safety. Time consuming, requires a lot of skilled hand labor, but puts the comfort where it is needed - on the occupants body.
Go to Nicamaka.com for a listing of Nicamaka® hammocks