Way back in the 90’s, I’d visited Japan during a kite festival and was amazed by their kites - one particularly took my fancy.
Dial forward to 2013, and the sights of kites (Patang = kite in Hindi) on Makarsankranti

Makara Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in almost all parts of India and Nepal in a myriad of cultural forms. It is a harvest festival. It is the Hindi/Indo-Aryan languages name for Makara Sankranthi (still used in southern areas as the official name).

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India and is a traditional. Makara Sankranti is a solar event making one of the few Indian festivals which fall on the same date in the Gregorian calendar every year: 14 January, with some exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 13 or 15 January.

And the name.. well, initially I thought of just calling it Kite.. and then a few days back, watching (yes, one of my fave sitcoms Big Bang Theory), the great four had this ‘kite match’ and cute Raj mentioned Patang .. and voila! That decided it !! :)

Oh the pic of the kite (patang).. that’s the inspiration :)

This superb pattern has been tested using :

a) Variegated 3-ply acrylic, light fingering yarn from Oswal Mills ; 50 gms / 165 yds ; with a 4 mm (US 6) crochet hook ;

b) Madelinetosh Merino Light ; 352.8 yds ; with a 4 mm (G) crochet hook ;
Comments : Instructions were clear ; photos / illustrations were good and helpful ; took approximately 8-10 hrs
Skill level by tester : Easy

c) Bebito by Filati Deluze , 250 m / 50 gms (one full skein), 5 mm crochet hook ;
Comments : Instructions were clear, photos and illustrations, techniques and abbreviations all well epxlained ; took approx 5-6 hrs an I consider myself a regular crocheter, neither fast nor too slow, but it depends on the size the person is making
Skill level by tester : Easy

d) Patons Bamboo Silk ; 408 yds , G crochet hook ;
Comments :The instructions were awesome, the photos and illustrations were very helpful and helped me figure out the repeats so much better. I’ve never done a shawl befoer, so it was new to me. Took me about 6 days, working only late afternoons / evenings ; Love the name of the design.
Skill level by tester :Easy