Very Basic Canopy

Figure 1: Canopy.

A canopy isn't necessary if you are a blanket trader, or just doing a one day demonstration. But a little bit of shade and weather protection for you and your gear can justify the weight and cost.

Additionally, the poles make a convenient place to hang tools and materials.

Design

There are many different canopy designs. I don't claim this one is any better than any others. In fact, it has some shortcomings. It isn't very tall, and the flat portion will collect rain. However, this design doesn't require any sewing or serious carpentry.

This was just a make-do solution for a fast approaching market fair, using things I had around the place. The "temporary" solution has been in use for several years now.

Treat these plans more like guidelines than actual directions.

Parts

• 8 foot by 12 foot heavy canvas tarp.
  This is what I had at the time. There's no reason not use another sized tarp if that's what's handy.
  

• About 100 feet of 3/8 inch rope.
  Manila or Sisal, something natural.
  • 2 pieces, five feet long.
  • 2 pieces, fifteen feet long.
  • 2 pieces, thirty feet long.
  
  

• 8 tent stakes.
  

  Figure 2: Tent Stake.

• 4 seven foot long tent poles.
  • This length isn't too long for a mule load, and also fits in the bed of my truck.
  • I used 2" by 2" lumber from the hardware store.

• Two round pebbles, black walnuts, something round for the back edge tie points.
  

Construction Details

• Cut the ropes, and whip the ends.

• Carve or file a groove around each tent pole, about an inch from one end. The groove needs to be broad and deep enough to keep the ropes from slipping off the canvas.

• Smooth the corners of the grooved end so they won't wear a hole in your canvas.

• If you are using hardware store lumber, smooth the long edges so the poles don't look so much like store bought. I also wiped my poles down with an old stained rag, and some wax. The colors improve with exposure to the elements.

• Push a pebble up from under one of the corners, and tie one of the five foot lengths around the canvas and pebble with a constrictor knot. (ABOK^[040] #1249)

  
  
  Figure 3: Anchor Tie Point.

• Tie the second pebble on the other corner of the short length of the canvas.
  These are the tie ropes for the back of the canopy.

• Fold one of the other corners over the top of one of the tent poles.
  Secure this with a constrictor knot tied in the center of a thirty foot piece of rope. The rope should snuggle into the groove at the top of the tent pole.

  
  
  Figure 4: Canvas Tied over Pole Top.

• Repeat with another tent pole at the remaining corner.
  These, obviously, are the front poles.

• The placement of the second set of poles is up to you. Mine are more than a pole's length away from the back edge of the tarp. This gives a slanting back side that comes almost to the ground.
  Experiment, see what works best for you. There is nothing permanent or undoable about this.

• When you've spotted the back poles, drape the edge of the tarp over the grooved pole end, and secure with one of the fifteen foot ropes, again using a constrictor knot.

• Tie a taut line hitch (ABOK^[040] #1800) on the free ends of each of the ropes. You can use a dog bone rope tensioner if you want, but the taut line hitch is such a simple and useful knot to know.

Figure 5: All the Parts Assembled.

That's it.

Set Up

To set up the canopy:

• Drive a tent stake near where you want the back edge to be.

• Loop the taut line hitch on the back anchor rope around this stake.

• Drive the second tent stake where you want the other back corner to be, and hitch it like you did with the first corner.

• Stand up one of the back poles, and pull the tarp tight to the two back anchor stakes.

• Slip a tent stake in the taut line loop on the rope, and pull the rope out away from the far corner. Drive a stake, angled away from the pole.

• Repeat on the other side.

• Stand up one of the front poles, and tighten the tarp across to the first two poles.

• Slip a tent stake in the taut line loop on one of the two ropes, and pull the rope out away from the opposite back pole. Drive the stake, angled away from the pole.

• Slip a stake in the taut line hitch loop on the other rope.

• Pull this rope out in a straight in line with the long edge of the canopy, and drive the stake angled away from the pole.

• Repeat at the other front corner.

• Go around the canopy and tighten up the taut lines. Wrap any loose ends around your tent stakes. You don't want to cause a tripping hazard.

Packing

• Slightly loosen, but don't untie, the taut line hitches all around the canopy.

• Pull the bottoms of the poles out to the sides.

• Pull up the tents stakes.

• Stretch the tarp out flat.

• Make sure the constrictor knots are still snug on the tops of the poles.

• Lay the pole ends across the tarp.

• Lay the anchor ropes and tent stakes alongside the poles.

  
  
  Figure 6: Canopy Ready to be Rolled.

• Starting at the front edge, roll up the canvas with the attached poles, ropes, and stakes inside.

• Use the two back anchor ropes to securely tie the bundle.

When taken down and rolled up, the canopy makes a bundle seven and a half feet long, eight inches in diameter, weighing 20 pounds.

Rain

It is important not to touch the inside surface of any canvas tent when it's raining. That'll cause an immediate leak. Just in case you forgot.

If rain is ponding on your canopy, pull the foot of one of the front poles, and dump the water that way. Don't try to push the center of the sag up.

If the weather looks really bad, you can move all your gear under the canopy, drop the front poles, snug up the front anchor ropes, and turn the canopy into an "A" framed tent that does a better job of shedding water.

Hanging a Hook

All you need is a loop of rope, and a metal hook. You can make a large grommet (ABOK^[040] #2864), splice a loop sling (ABOK^[040] #2861), or if you are in hurry, just tie a loop in a piece of rope.

NOTE: Do NOT use a knotted loop for climbing or very heavy loads, as the knot might fail. In those cases, a properly formed grommet must be used. A knotted loop is safe for hanging clothes, balls of twine, or tools.

It is worth the time learning to make grommets.

For a tied rope loop:

• Wrap a piece of rope around your pole five times. Mark the length, and un-wrap.

• Cut the rope, and whip both ends.

• Tie the ends together with a square (reef) knot. (ABOK^[040] #1402)

• Hold the knotted part of the loop next to the pole.

• Wrap the other "end" of the loop around the pole, and tuck it behind the knot.

• Wrap around again, and again pass the "end" behind the knot.

• Slip one end of a hook through the end after it comes past the knot.

• Pull on the hook to snug up the loop.

Figure 7: Hanging a Hook.

You'be just made a Prusik hitch. (ABOK^[040] #1763)

This will hold a surprising amount of weight. The more weight, the tighter the grip. Mountain climbers use this hitch to ascend a fixed rope.

When you are done, just slip the hook out of the loop, and un-wrap the loop from the pole. Easy.

Bibliography

Herreshoff Marine Museum (20 August 2020)
Rope Grommets.
Accessed 18 July 2021 from
https://herreshoff.org/2020/08/diyropegrommets/