Knots

There are only a few basic knots a Kite Flier needs to know. Knowing when to use a knot, what knot to use, and how to tie it will make life very easy on the kite field.

This page will describe all the knots a Kiter needs to know. We will try to describe them in the order they should be learned.

Attaching the flying string to the kite:

To strongly and securely attach the flying string to the kite, Kiters use a Lark's Head knot, also known as a Cow Hitch, and even sometimes a Cat's Paw. The Lark's Head is the most frequently used knot in kite flying. But, before you can use a Lark's Head to attach your flying line to the kite, your flying line needs to have an Overhand Loop tied in the end. The Overhand Loop is the 'around and through' knot that almost everyone knows. Most Kiters tie a second, smaller, Overhand Loop in the end of the first Overhand Loop, which makes it very easy to separate the flying line from the kite when needed.

The Lark's Head:

We are calling it a Lark's Head here because it is the name most frequently used by Kiters. It is quick and easy to tie. Reach through the Overhand Loop with thumb and forefinger and grasp the string. Pull the flying string thru the Overhand Loop to form a slip-knot. That slip-knot is a Lark's Head. That slips over the Knot at the end of the Knotted Loop that is Prussik Knotted to the bridle of the kite. :)

A handy knot to know is the Butterfly Loop. It is a strong knot that is easy to untie even after lots of stress. It is good for hanging Line Laundry and for attaching to an anchor.