A couple of questions pertaining to parachutes I've been mulling over...

1) Are there recommended lengths of string to be used for the various parachute sizes? If so, what are they? In some of my old stuff I found a number of loose parachutes (no string) that I would like to restring.

2) From what I recall as a kid, on a hexagonal parachute, all the parachute cords were attached side by side, i.e. 3 equal loops. Some of the kits I've bought recently have two loops that are opposite of each other and one loop that spans from one point of the parachute across to the opposite point. What are the pros and cons to either methods?