How to Twirl a Pencil

Twirling a pen or pencil is a fun trick to amuse others or even just yourself. Although it takes patience and skill, learning to twirl a pencil can give you something to do at school or work. If you want to advance your skills further, there are more complex tricks you can learn once you've mastered the basics.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Place the pencil firmly between your thumb and the middle and index finger. Make sure your fingers are positioned upwards at about 45 degrees. Try to make sure your middle finger is resting against the pencil's center of gravity.

2. Tuck your middle finger in and extend your index finger at the same time. The last joint of your middle finger should be touching the thumb. This will allow the pencil to twirl.

3. Secure the pencil again when it hits your middle finger by placing your index finger back in the starting position. Return to the original position to stop your pencil from twirling.

4. Practice this method by twirling the pencil slowly at first, guiding it with your other hand. Once you've got the basic motion down you can try twirling the pencil faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to keep your hand and thumb absolutely still while attempting a twirl.
• If 45 degrees seems uncomfortable to you, try lowering the angle until it feels more natural. Some people require a lower angle to do this trick.
• Be careful to let the pencil roll off your finger instead of flicking it. Flicking a pencil can result in injuries to your fingers or eyes.

Resources

• A twirling community dedicated to advanced maneuvers