Stage 1: Take three strips of thin light wood that can be bent without breaking it (bamboo, if possible). Suggested thicknesses are 4 x 2.5 millimeters, 3.5 x 2 mm., and 3 x 2 mm. (1 millimeter = .04 inch). The medium-sized strip is used for the top of the kite, the lightest for the bottom and the heaviest for the vertical. For successful flying, the balance of the kite is all important. Therefore, the vertical slat must cross the horizontals at their centers.
Now bind the frame with thin string . As you do this, remember the balance of your kite. You should not use more string on one point than on the other.
Stage 2: Prepare a sheet of washi or strong lightweight paper. Place the kite face down and apply to the tabs and frame a light paste made of flour and water. With the vertical strip lying on top of the horizontals, place the frame on the paper and stick down the tabs. Care should be exercised so that no wrinkles appear in the paper. Afterward a light spray of water will make your kite taut. Snip off the piece of wood protruding beyond the top triangle of paper.
Stage 3: For the guide strings, stronger string is needed. Tying the guide strings to the frame will require puncturing the paper. But be careful not to tear it. If the knots are tight, the string need only be wound around the wood once at each point. The length of each guide string should be, roughly, double the width of the kite.
The kite is curved by tightening the string. The string used for flying will be attached to the knot of the guide strings. Slackness in any of the strings will cause the kite to lean badly or even spin. To make flying easier, a tail one yard (1 meter) long can be stuck on.
Now bind the frame with thin string . As you do this, remember the balance of your kite. You should not use more string on one point than on the other.
Stage 2: Prepare a sheet of washi or strong lightweight paper. Place the kite face down and apply to the tabs and frame a light paste made of flour and water. With the vertical strip lying on top of the horizontals, place the frame on the paper and stick down the tabs. Care should be exercised so that no wrinkles appear in the paper. Afterward a light spray of water will make your kite taut. Snip off the piece of wood protruding beyond the top triangle of paper.
Stage 3: For the guide strings, stronger string is needed. Tying the guide strings to the frame will require puncturing the paper. But be careful not to tear it. If the knots are tight, the string need only be wound around the wood once at each point. The length of each guide string should be, roughly, double the width of the kite.
The kite is curved by tightening the string. The string used for flying will be attached to the knot of the guide strings. Slackness in any of the strings will cause the kite to lean badly or even spin. To make flying easier, a tail one yard (1 meter) long can be stuck on.