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KITE MAKING 101

© Christine Barron

Well, March is coming... And if it follows tradition, and comes in like a lion, we have perfect conditions for kite-flying! I recently became very interested in kites, possibly a throwback to my days as a kid, flying kites with the family in my Grandma's back field in Northern Vermont. Fond memories, and some I'd love to recreate and share with my family! And what kite enthusiast wouldn't love to try making their own kites? It's a pastime that could be considered a little different than the norm, and a hobby that could very easily become addicting! Kite-making is a great way to tie crafts into outdoor activities, and also another great method of bringing the family together for that ever-important quality time.

Kites have a very interesting and surprising history. Actually, its' historic details vary from country to country. For a good, detailed history, I encourage you to visit http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/where.h... It's always good to learn where a hobby starts, where it has been, to begin to imagine where you can take it in the future.

Before one can get involved in kite-making, it is important to understand basic kite terminology. Take a look at this site: http://www.win.tue.nl/~pp/kites/basics/k... In building a kite, remember that creativity is key. Materials used in crafting a kite at home can range from drinking straws and cotton string to dowels and rip-stop nylon and materials even beyond that. It all depends on how much time, effort and money you want to invest in this hobby. Here is a nice site which shares very basic concepts in kite-making: http://www.learn2.com/04/0479/0479.php3. And check out this site which has extremely clear and concise directions for basic kite building: http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.ht...

Don't let your imagination stop at the basic diamond-shaped kite that comes to mind whenever the word is mentioned. Kite shapes and characteristics are limited only by the imagination, and as I mentioned before, creativity is key. Kites are found in a vast array of shapes, sizes and colors. They can be shaped like a rocket, a shark, and even a box. Colors range from primary to neon, and size-wise, kites can range from miniature to larger-than-life! Take a look at these sites for some inspiration: http://www.win.tue.nl/~pp/kites/kl/mykit... http://www.aloha.net/~bigwind/20kidskite... and http://www.gombergkites.com/pod-gen.shtm...

Plans for kites, at least plans you could use to launch your imagination, are plentiful on the net. Take a look at these sites, just for starters: http://www.sct.gu.edu.au/~anthony/kites/, http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Sidel... and http://www.win.tue.nl/~pp/kites/plans/pl... I also found theis site informative: http://www.kites.org/tmr/delta_eng.htm.