How to tie a line easily to any kite - with a pigtail

My 610th kite video. There are many ways to tie a line to a kite. This is the way I prefer to do it. The video may be useful to people who are new to kite-flying or unsure of how to proceed.
Anyone wanting to check out all my "How to..." videos on various aspects of kite-flying can now find them all easily on my Playlist at / jimskitesnz

[@joshm3391]

Great quick video. I wasn't sure how well it would hold, but I've been flying this kite all day. Thanks!

[@JimNicholls]

Glad it was helpful!

[@treefind1916]

Thank you for these clear and concise instructions. I had a feeling that it wasn't a good idea to use metal rings to attach the kite to the line, but wasn't sure about how else to do it. Thanks again!

[@JimNicholls]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your flying; summer is nearly over for you, but spring has just started here.

[@patsullivan1545]

Thank you so much for the excellent video! Very clear instructions, even for a hopeless knot tying fool like myself! I just got a kite and couldn't figure out how to attach it to the little eyelet in a secure and convenient way. Great camera work, too. Well done!

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Pat. I'm glad it was useful. We were all beginners once - not that many years ago in my case, and I still have a lot to learn and not enough years left to learn it all. The important thing about kites is not to take them too seriously, and to HAVE FUN! And don't get caught by the bug like me, or you'll never stop buying them.

[@wassupstock]

This is exactly what I was looking for today! Thank you! And you covered every possible scenario.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was helpful!, and I hope you have a lot of fun with your flying.

[@EKIM713]

Thanks again Jim!!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: 'Backin the day', I used snap swivels for kite flying. Then I read about using the Lark's Head knot over a knot, and I thought *THAT WILL NOT WORK*. Then I tried it and...*IT WORKS*. One thing I learned from THIS VIDEO: You can put the Lark's Head *AROUND* a metal ring. I NEVER thought of that. Thanks, Jim!

[@JimNicholls]

Easy when you know how, Allan.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

+Jim Nicholls → I think the expression "D'UH!" was invented just for *me*...《grin》

[@Mzteresam]

Super useful information, Jim! I'm now using pigtails to save wear and tear on all my favorite kites. Thank you.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was useful, Teresa.

[@grahamev1]

Another outstanding instructional video, This is just brilliant stuff. I am quite sure that just about anyone could follow this. Keep up the good work Jim, I speak for us all, We just love watching your videos.

[@JimNicholls]

graham vaughan Thank you, Graham! I'll try to find a few more topics.

[@TheBigblockv8]

Thank you for the excellent, easy to understand, and clearly spoken instructions. Great information 😃

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was helpful. Have fun with your kite-flying!

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

Good ,clear instructions. Well done.

[@JimNicholls]

Kite flying DownUnder.... Carl Gillard Thanks, Carl. I hope it's helpful to a few people.

[@bradburyrobinson]

Great info Jim, just what was looking for (or what I could have done with looking for yesterday before going out!). 😂

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was useful, and I hope you have a lot of fun with your kite.

[@bradburyrobinson]

@@JimNicholls - Thanks Jim. It's been a while since I have flown any but was out with my ten year old at the weekend. Not wholly successful if I'm honest. First one we got a.lot of crashes, then I tried an old, three kite set-up and we got a lot of spins. I think it should have had tails for stability. We'll make some tweaks and try again.

[@JimNicholls]

Good luck with that. Tails can make a lot of difference, and I've made videos showing just how much they can help, like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGHId52PpJmYeNksi=_xK4x6MgqFRs3SjU .

[@mathieuboyer1003]

Realy good video, very clear. Thanks a bunch !

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you liked it! There are 1,404 more, but not all as useful, I think.

[@hamiafsarnafis]

You just described the whole thing so perfectly I like it!!

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was useful.

[@VinnyChirayil]

i have flown kites for few years in childhood. then from 2010, once every year during kite festival day for my son who is now 13. this year i broke all records & already flew kites many times, solo :-) And i learnt about your brilliant technique only now. i converted both my kites to this style of pigtail. and now both have detachable tails too, thanks to velcro stickers. earlier, the tails were permanently fixed to kite with tape. So my 1 piece kite has now split into 3 components - line, kite & tail. They are swappable now, unlike earlier situation.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad to know you're having fun with your kite-flying, and that my videos have been useful. I hope you continue to enjoy your kites.

[@TheShadowsZ]

You are so lovely and funny Jim,Thank you so much!!❤️❤️

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gitapik]

Thanks, Jim!

[@brunopappalardo]

Thanks Jim, you save my kite ;)

[@JimNicholls]

+Bruno Pappalardo I'm glad it was useful.

[@hayleyradivo5519]

Thanks Jim! And might I add that your voice is very soothing.

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you! Not too soothing, I hope - I don't want people falling asleep while they're watching!

[@chrisp6072]

Tried it out. I really like this solution! I have changed all my kites and discarded the metal snap clips.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad to hear it. I've seen clips bend open or break, and have never seen the need to use them. All of my many kites have always been flown with larkshead knots and, if needed, pigtails.

[@noahcasimirtiefenberg1581]

Even I can understand this and replicate... Brilliant. Thank you so much

[@JimNicholls]

Glad it was useful. Have fun with your flying!

[@terencetez]

New fan here.I just realized you are the same guy who did the Skybird review for Into The Wind.Your voice reminds me of Sir David Attenborough...

[@JimNicholls]

I live in New Zealand, but came originally from England, so I guess I still have a bit of an English accent! I did all of Into The Wind's videos for them, but nothing recently as they haven't produced any new kites in the past couple of years.

[@qualityname2055]

I just got a kite and I didn't know how to do this. U are very clear.

[@Stranger_Than_Fiction299]

Thank you, very easy to understand and imitate!

[@JimNicholls]

Glad it was helpful!

[@YourMom-bp1zg]

thanks! I was worried that my inferior knot might cost me a kite. My kids got really nice kites from Grandma and now that it's March in the States, we finally have enough wind (it recommends at least 10 mph) to get it to fly. We got a jet and a pirate ship. Had so much fun today, it took me back 20 years to when I was little. :D

[@JimNicholls]

Kites do that to you. Good to know you're having fun and encouraging your children to enjoy the number one outdoor activity!

[@cornwallkate]

Very useful thanks so much. BTW I just received a cheap £3-4 Octopus from China to find it had just the initial strings attached to the kite then bunched together in a rough knot. So no flying line/handle or way of attaching a line to fly the kite. The ebay listing said 'comes with free bag and flying line'. I thought flying line was well line to fly it with lol? I'm I wrong? Also are kites often just strings tied in a rough knot with no obvious loop connecter to attach a line, I do wonder if I have received an unfinished kite?

[@JimNicholls]

CornwallKate Kate, Don't expect too much from Chinese suppliers. Of the few dollars you paid, probably half went on the postage, so the seller wouldn't have made much out of it.. That said, if they say line included then there should be some sent. The knotted lines are normal. You just attach your line just above the knot with a larkshead knot (search for that if you don't know how to do it.) Have fun!

[@neiler1970]

Great delivery, nice one

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you - I hope it was useful.

[@CirrusRC]

Thanks Jim - the latter pigtail is how I tied line to my new Mayan DC. Was wondering if I was doing it wrong and causing the overflying. I guess not. Will upload a video of it ASAP and let you have a look.

[@JimNicholls]

CirrusRC I doubt if the way you tie on the line could make a difference. I'm still a bit puzzled, though, as I haven't had that problem. Kites can be temperamental things - any slight variation in build or in wind conditions has an effect, so there are far too many variables to always pin down the reason for their behaviour.

[@ratoneJR]

Yes,Yes. Well done.

[@JimNicholls]

***** Thanks. Probably unnecessary for most people, but we were all beginners once, and all still have more to learn!

[@deltakitecebumore4003]

Thank you for clear instructions.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad it was useful.

[@deltakitecebumore4003]

@@JimNicholls yes

[@lionharehart]

Pigtails are also handy on all the tail points to hang laundry from. The necessary metal swivels can cut through tail loops after years of friction. A replaceable pigtail is a wise alternative to a sewing machine.

[@JimNicholls]

lionharehart Indeed, they are very useful items, and not just on a pig!

[@denirn8725]

good video & in English too Thanks BTW: kniters& crocheters call that knot a "slip knot" & it will hold.👍

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the information.

[@qualityname2055]

Wow thanks u are a good techer

[@collowood]

Another great video Jim. How to you undo at the end of the day when packing up?

[@JimNicholls]

The larkshead knots come open very easily when you want to undo them, so no problem there. Maybe I should show that in another video sometime.

[@sammiedog4]

I have learned a lot a lot much thanks. But how about a when you have a turning laundry kite like a spinner I don't trust the fishing swivels. Thanks

[@JimNicholls]

When you have a spinner, you need a swivel, so the answer is just to make sure that you have a good one. Often the ones supplied with the item are not good, so I always replace it if necessary.

[@michaelmyers1999]

What kind of loop should I tie into the end of my string, before the larks head knot? For whatever reason I can't figure it out

[@JimNicholls]

Just fold over about six inches or so of the line at the end, and tie a simple overhand knot. It's similar to what I show near the beginning of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2bUcpqtjpJ1ZpI except that there I'm folding the entire line in half. I hope that makes it clear.

[@kurtamiss]

Great Video! I love the kite at the beginning of your video. Where to obtain one?

[@JimNicholls]

It's a great kite, but expensive. It can be found here: intothewind.com/itw-manta-gold.html .

[@noconintended]

I love this demo video...it really helped me, but I need to know how to knot the string to my spool....can you help?

[@JimNicholls]

I tie all my lines to the spools with a simple slip knot (do a Google search if you're not sure how.) I've never had a problem, but some people prefer more complex knots. Like most things in kite-flying, it's really a question of what you prefer, so do whatever you think might work, and experiment. You might even discover a better way that no-one had thought of before!

[@abadjoseph]

Thanks for the video, Jim! What kind of a knot do you make for the loop at the end of the kite line, at around 1:50? Cheers!

[@JimNicholls]

Just a simple overhand knot, the same as you use for the pigtail. Have fun!

[@abadjoseph]

@@JimNicholls Simplicity at it's finest! Thanks again, Jim!

[@JimNicholls]

@@abadjoseph You're very welcome.

[@socialdining1496]

So is swivels not nessesary? I always used swivels at my kites, to remove the twist of the lines, if its twisted or if the braided line is twisted hmm.. Has it never been a problem? When doing those knots as you show, some of the streinght og the line is lost right?

[@JimNicholls]

If you are happy using swivels, then you should go on doing so. There are no rules, and what I do is not necessarily any better than other methods, but I have seen swivels break. I've never had a line break because of the larkshead knot, and that is in thousands of uses. I don't have twisting problems in my lines because of the way I wind the line onto the reel, as I showed in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fobXiqirZ8qsmrs . The important thing is to do what suits you best and just have fun. I don't claim to be an expert, but I do try to help inexperienced fliers. If you know what you're doing, you probably don't need help.

[@johanlarsson9805]

Instructions clear, nothing stuck in ceiling fan.

[@LegendaryEBH]

Can you do the pigtail using your thread for the kite?

[@JimNicholls]

Yes.

[@LegendaryEBH]

Thank you so much

[@Stegga_Lewis]

Hi Jim, how to make that knot at the botton of the line or what kind of knot is it at Min 1:50 in your right hand ??

[@JimNicholls]

It's just a simple overhand knot, Luis.

[@daviewavie112]

So two overhand knots on the free end of the pig tail?

[@JimNicholls]

One knot is usually sufficient, maybe two if you want to be safer. The ends of the line used for the pigtail have been melted, using the flame from a match, to prevent fraying. This also creates a slight enlargement of the end of the line, helping prevent any chance of the knot slipping off.

[@sultananoori5135]

Thank you very much for a video

[@JimNicholls]

You are welcome.

[@bradleyduckett7330]

Eliminating the swivel is great, but how do you avoid twists in your line while getting the kite down quickly? I like to fly very high and it takes forever to reel in 800' while making sure it doesn't twist and knot up. I end up juggling the winder back and forth to even out the twists. A swivel takes care of that, but I like the simplicity of the pigtail/larkshead.

[@JimNicholls]

bradley duckett I just turn the winder over every few turns, and don't find it a hassle. But if you've got that much line out, I can see it would get annoying. Maybe something like the Stratospool is the ideal solution, but expensive, I think: arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/discuss/index.php?p=/discussion/4815/strato-spool-kite-reels-now-with-photos-now-available .

[@bradleyduckett7330]

Thanks for the reply! Usually I'm not in that big of a hurry, but with a sudden, "daddy, I need to go to the bathroom" I'm suddenly trying to get everything wrapped up quickly. Just picked up a "reel fast" winder and am curious to see how it does.

[@0KiteEatingTree0]

+bradley duckett +Jim Nicholls You could part wind, part walk the kite down, do wear gloves/clothing for this I'm sure Jim's got a vid of walking a kite down somewhere

[@voodoo2574]

Hello Jim, how long should the pigtails be?

[@meappp3384]

which line should we use for big kite ?

[@JimNicholls]

It depends what you mean by a "big" kite. Usually when you buy a kite there are instructions to tell you what line to use. If not, you have to guess and use your experience. For most of my bigger kites I use 300lb line and for the biggest I use 500lb. For more normal sized ones I use 100lb or 200lb. For some very light-wind kites I use 50lb.

[@lorv8628]

I noticed your lines were different weights. The first one tied to the kite grommet was heavier than the kite line. Is there a reason for that? Please explain.

[@JimNicholls]

That video was just a demonstration of how to tie a line to a kite -- any kite. Line weights will differ according to the size and pull of the kite, and the lines I used in the video were just what I had handy at the time. Please understand that I cannot answer all questions in depth as I get many queries and have only limited time. I'm just an old guy who flies kites for fun, and I don't get any money from either my flying or the videos. The best way to learn about kite-flying is by experience, and as long as you know a few basic facts you can work out most things for yourself. That's how I learned, anyway!

[@lorv8628]

...and I'm an old gal, 71, thank you!@@JimNicholls

[@J3lloo]

Do you have a movie on how you tie the ropes ON the kite? I made a simple (home made) diamond shaped kite with my kid but i cant seem to get it airborne 😅. And any other tips?

[@JimNicholls]

All the tips that I've shared are in the videos in my playlist: kzbin.infoplaylists which is probably how you found this one. If you mean the bridle line actually on the kite (that you tie the flying line to), I haven't done one on that, as it varies with different types of kite, but maybe I should try sometime. You could try searching on kite-building sites, where they would give that sort of information. I hope you have some success.

[@J3lloo]

Thanks for your reply! I have just one more question / confusion. On what side of the kite do i place the bridle and rope? Front of back? I found both sides online but my gut says to do it on the side of the sticks altho some guides do it on the other side

[@JimNicholls]

@@J3lloo In any normal kite the spars go on the back (top as it's flying) and the bridle lines always go on the front (bottom as it's flying). I can't see how having the bridle lines on the other side could ever be possible. The flying line connects the kite to the ground, so it must be attached to the side of the kite that faces the ground!

[@J3lloo]

​@@JimNichollsthat's all i needed to know 🥳 Thanks allot!

[@punyaniroula7227]

Whats name of kite that you were showing at the first

[@JimNicholls]

It's the Rocky Mountain Delta Conyne, from Into The Wind.

[@MrWnw]

2:18 my delta has two loops. Which one should I use? You menntioned something about wind strenght earlier. Could you explain please? :)

[@JimNicholls]

In strong wind, use the point nearest the nose of the kite, and in light wind use the one nearer the back.

[@MrWnw]

Great! Thank you for your help. Do I understand it right? In strong wind I use point nearest the nose, so I lower the angle, thus I lower the pull/ lift force.

[@JimNicholls]

That's right.

[@MrWnw]

Hello man, I can see you are an experienced kiter. Could I ask you a bit further? I cant find good answer on the Internet. I bought a cheap delta kite with a string looking like it was a kid kite. Of course the string broke during the first fly (today). My delta is 270x180cm (4,86 square meter) with 29m tail. I would love to make some spinning or fish windsocks and hang them on the line too. How strong should my line be? I dont have acces to kitestore, so I will go to fishstore or mountaineer-store, I hope that doesnt matter. And does the line holder matter too? Could I use just a dought rolling pin? I really appreciete every your word :)

[@JimNicholls]

For that kite you probably need line with 100lb breaking strain, depending on the wind you're flying in. The best line is braided dacron, which you may find in that strength in a fishing store. I usually buy mine these days from Emma Kites in China. I use plastic hoop spools for all my line, but basically anything is fine if it's strong enough and makes winding on and off fairly easy. Cheap twisted line like the one they supplied with your kite is not worth using, as it can easily cause the loss of your kite.

[@bradfordwetmore]

So what kind of knot do you used to create the loop from your spool that will attach to your kite?

[@JimNicholls]

Just a simple overhand knot.

[@bradfordwetmore]

Thank you! I was way overthinking it.

[@JimNicholls]

I always like to keep things simple. I know a couple of guys who can't even put a small kite into the air without elaborate anchoring systems and multiple back-ups!

[@jawadali6093]

Jim,Are are you only the owner of into the winds kites?!!!!

[@JimNicholls]

I think if you count all the kites in all my videos you'll see that ITW kites are only a small part of my collection!

[@clownfish7014]

Great. Videos

[@JimNicholls]

clown fish Thank you!

[@Stranger_Than_Fiction299]

Does this work with fishing line??

[@JimNicholls]

If you mean monofilament fishing line, I have never used it and wouldn't recommend anyone to do so. Would it work? I don't know.

[@Simcore999]

👍

[@bourbonfan1]

putting the curl on the pig tail

[@qualityname2055]

Thx

[@reymicroc]

thank you

[@JimNicholls]

You're welcome!

[@flappyfly9638]

I'll make one using bamboo

[@dambu_]

I don't have a pigtail

[@JimNicholls]

Then you need to find a pig!

[@danokitemano9316]

I was raised tying knots and wielding a pocketknife & it's sad that people don't have vital life skills anymore and want everything done for them. BTW, I still use swivels, but they all have pigtails on them! ~ LoL

[@JimNicholls]

The greatest skill most people develop these days is learning to swipe on their smart phones.

[@asiyabasim375]

this not clear instrections

[@JimNicholls]

Sorry if you didn't understand. I made it as clear as I could.

[@lisaventura7460]

booooooo