The length of the
poles should be 4' to 5' longer than the diameter of the tipi.
Open the cover
out flat, right side up (the smoother side of the seam is the
right side). Select 3 (4 poles for Crow style) of the strongest poles for the
tripod. One pole is laid on the cover, with the butt end
next to the door
(Crow style-one pole will be on either side of
the door opening) even with the bottom hem and the other end
extending past the tie between the smoke flaps. The other
two are laid on the cover, side by side, approximately one-third
of the distance around the bottom of the cover. Once again
the butt end is even with the hem and the other end extending
past the tie at the top. Tie the three (4) poles together at a
point approximately 15" above the point where the poles
cross each other. The poles should be tied together
firmly, but not extremely
tight. When the tripod (4) is set
up, the knot will tighten and if it is too tight, the result
could be broken poles. The poles should be tied with a
rope long enough to reach the ground plus 4' or 5' extra, so
that it can be staked down in the center of the tipi in the
event of strong winds. The tripod (4) is then set up by
walking under the poles. Spread the tripod (4) apart so the
ends are spread evenly in the approximate diameter of the
tipi. Starting at the front, stack the rest of the poles
in the crotch at the top. Save two of the longest poles
for the smoke flaps and leave one pole out directly opposite the
door. Take hold of the rope hanging down from the tripod
poles and walk with it to the outside of the frame. Walk
the rope around the circumference of the tipi poles three times
to wrap all the poles together at the crotch. The
remaining length of rope should then be brought back inside the
frame and staked to the ground at the center.
The cover should
now be rolled up from both side to the center, having the tie at
the top exposed. Slide a pole under the cover and tie the
pole to the cover, using the tie at the top. The butt of
the poles should be even with the bottom of the cover.
Have someone hold the butt end to the ground and lift the pole
and cover into the open spot left at the back of the
frame. Unroll the cover around the frame. Starting
at the top, put sticks in the holes that hold the front of the
cover together. The left side goes over the right
side. Stake the bottom out and adjust the poles so the
cover lays smooth. Put the ends of the two remaining poles
in the pockets (or slits) provided at the top corners of the
smoke flaps.
(Crow style-one pole will be on either side of
the door opening) even with the bottom hem and the other end
extending past the tie between the smoke flaps. The other
two are laid on the cover, side by side, approximately one-third
of the distance around the bottom of the cover. Once again
the butt end is even with the hem and the other end extending
past the tie at the top. Tie the three (4) poles together at a
point approximately 15" above the point where the poles
cross each other. The poles should be tied together
firmly, but not extremely
tight. When the tripod (4) is set
up, the knot will tighten and if it is too tight, the result
could be broken poles. The poles should be tied with a
rope long enough to reach the ground plus 4' or 5' extra, so
that it can be staked down in the center of the tipi in the
event of strong winds. The tripod (4) is then set up by
walking under the poles. Spread the tripod (4) apart so the
ends are spread evenly in the approximate diameter of the
tipi. Starting at the front, stack the rest of the poles
in the crotch at the top. Save two of the longest poles
for the smoke flaps and leave one pole out directly opposite the
door. Take hold of the rope hanging down from the tripod
poles and walk with it to the outside of the frame. Walk
the rope around the circumference of the tipi poles three times
to wrap all the poles together at the crotch. The
remaining length of rope should then be brought back inside the
frame and staked to the ground at the center.
