HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Here I am again due to the teachers strike, I've had alot of time for crab projects, so I bought this cool ball of hemp and made my own hemp net and a bridge.
Heres my hemp



I set it up on this board to make it easier, just a hint, tie it TIGHT! As tight as you can, it makes the process and finished product alot easier!
You can use anything for a board, I taped two painting canvases together
You tape down a rectangle or square, (or T shape, or L shape, or circle, go nuts!) then you tie on all the vertical strings.
You could also fit in funky knots, or glass/shell beads, or try all sorts of patterns or shapes, or even weave in vines and plastic plants. These make awesome tiny shell shops for isolation tanks.


Heres how you tie on all the horizontal strings
First you put the one piece under the other



Then you make a loop, making it loop so that the second time it goes under, its on top of the original under piece, you'll see what I mean, for some reason it won't work unless the second go under is on top of the first go under!



Here it is!





And here's a crude bridge I made as well



If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!This is the first net I made, gorgeous, huh?



I boiled mine in marine salt water, and it turned the water dark orange, and stunk! I'm guessing its the tannins, but I continued to rinse it until the water ran clear, and it stinks less, but still stinks. Try to get the most natural stuff you can get, just in case

Thanks again, guys! As always, comments/questions are appreciated

that looks awesome!

Really cool net!!! And I love the bridge, but not what happened to it. That is not good. I wish I had the patience & time for the net. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas w/us. :grouphug:

nice!

WOW! Great net, i would like to make one thanks

ever thought bout selling them?!?

jessigurl_31 wrote:ever thought bout selling them?!?

If I get a paypal account, I might if someone requests one But there are tons of really cool (much better quality ) croquet nets sold in places like HCP. I made this post mainly just for an idea for people like me who can't croquet or order nets

Thanks for showing how to make the net I am attempting my first one now. If I can figure out how to post pictures I'll post one of the finished net.

I'd love to see that!

I cant figure out how to post pictures I will work on that. I wanted to say that it actually turn out really well I will try to get a picture up tomorrow. Thanks for sharing how to make it.

You're welcome I'll keep my eye open for it

did you boil it prior to making it or after you were finished it? I think I am going to try this. I have plenty of hemp because I like to make jewelry out of it.

I boiled mine after, just to avoid tangles

Thanks. I'm gonna give it a try this weekend!

how did you start the beginning of the net? did you make a giant square and then tied strings going down it and then going across? Thanks!