you need a tool called a "fid". For small diameter lines like kite lines, a set like these plastic or stainless ones makes it an easy task.

US$9 for plastic ones
http://www.paragear.com/templates/base_template.asp?group=240#S7979

or US$33 for stainless
www.paragear.com/templates/base_template.asp?group=240#S7995

alternatively if you can find a small (1-2mm) diameter, hollow knitting needle, cut it to about 10cm, and tap a thread in the back end. you screw the line into the threaded hole then you have a nice pointy end on your line, which you can then thread up the inside of the sleeve and back out, then finger trap into the line to secure the loop. There are a couple of options to secure the loop (sewing or a tricky looping of the line through itself)

Other alternatives are to use a large darning needle but it's not as nice as working with a fid.

^^^ wot he said - use fuse wire

The best sleeving material to use is the outer cover of some 2mm rope. You can buy some short lengths in the colours you want to colour code your sleeving. Simply cut it to length and pull the core out.

When you melt the ends push the tip of a pen or pencil inside the sleeving a little to flare it out so it opens up nicely. Don't melt too much or it will be too thick.

Grab an old guitar string, fold it in half and push it through the sleeving. Put the kite line through the string and start to pull it into the sleeving. Massage the end of the sleeving as you pull the folded end of the string into it.

Once you get the end of the line inside the sleeving push the sleeving down onto the line so it bunches up then pull the end of the sleeving down onto the line. Repeat this a few times and you will have the sleeving down over the line.

You don't have to use a lot of force. It's all about pushing the slack in the fibres around to make space for the line. Think of a big snake swallowing a small child and you'll get the idea.

Thanks for the replies, I ended up buying some 2mm rope and using the outer sleeve. I think the knitting needle would be okay but don't have a tap that size.

Craigus what do you attach onto the figure 8 knot? I thought it would to small a knot to hold anything?

kiter77 said...

Thanks for the replies,....
Craigus what do you attach onto the figure 8 knot? I thought it would to small a knot to hold anything?

The figure 8 is to make a loop on the ends of your lines. Use the loops to tie a larks head as you normally would. It takes about 5 minutes to shorten all your lines.

Steves advice makes sense (re: heavy riders), but like I said - I have never had a problem. (80-85kg depending on summer/ winter)