How to Make a Carp Windsock

Gather the kids to make this fun windy-day project. Windsocks were originally used by airfields so pilots could see which way the wind was blowing. Today you can find them in gardens, on boats and even car antennas.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 12-by-1/2-inch Oak Tags Strip
• Kite Strings
• Heavy Plastic Sheeting
• Measuring Tapes
• White Glues
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Kraft Papers
• Pencils
• Pencils

1. Cut two identical fish shapes of heavy plastic, ripstop nylon, kraft paper or tissue paper about 30 inches long and 7 inches wide at the mouth and tail ends. The body should be about 12 inches at the widest.

2. Make the mouth curve outward about 2 inches.

3. Paint or draw designs on both sides of the fish.

4. Glue the two sides together, creating a 1/2-inch seam all the way around, except for the mouth.

5. Glue a 12-by-1/2-inch strip of oak tag into a circle. Let it dry.

6. Stick the circle into the fish's mouth and glue it into place. Be sure to leave enough extra fabric to fold over the oak tag, and glue that down, too. The mouth should be round and open.

7. Make three evenly spaced pencil marks around the mouth.

8. Punch a hole at each point and tie the ends of a 12-inch string to two of them. Tie a 7-inch string to the third hole. Tie the other end of this string to the center of the 12-inch string.

9. Tie this harness to a pole and watch your fish "swim" through the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Sew a more durable windsock from colored nylon.

[doodlebug]

on 8/26/2008 Great article but I would need pictures to see exactly how you did some of the things.

on 11/22/2005 We fly a carp streamer for Children's Day, which is celebrated May 5th. Carp can swim upstream and symbolize success in life in our culture and in Japan. We wish for our children the same strength.