Unraveling like that "could" be from a manufacturing defect, but most likely the factory just didn't burn the ends right. You could just cut off the frayed bit and reburn.

It sounds like you've lost faith in the ropes you hang your butt from, though, so change them out. The video Yarome posted is the real deal: It really is that easy. The best replacement I can point you to is Lawson's 5mm Glowire: https://lawsonequipment.com/Cordage/...ire-p1024.html .

I hung from the standard Hennessey Lashing for a few years and it works great. Then I switched to Whoopie slings which made hanging (and adjusting) the hammock approximately 984 times easier. Shug can explain it better than I can, you should check his video out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPDPEEcKlDQ