How to Use Yo-Yo String

It's time to string up your yo-yo and get you on the road to mastering tricks. Some yo-yos come with the string already attached, while others require you to do the deed. The basics of using a yo-yo string are pretty simple. Even children can string their own yo-yos with only a quick lesson.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose the yo-yo string you want to use. You can select from cotton or blends of cotton and polyester. Type 8 cotton string is the most common and has been used the longest, ever since the yo-yo was invented over 100 years ago. Any color will work.

2. Start at the bottom of the yo-yo string, the end without a knotted loop. Using your thumb and first finger, pinch off the twisted string about three to four inches from the bottom and untwist the string.

3. Pull apart the two untwisted strings with one of your hands. This is easy to do if you hold the string with one hand and, with the other hand, insert your thumb, first and second fingers into the untwisted part and spread your fingers apart slightly.

4. Slide your fingers separating the string over one half of the yo-yo you want to place the string on. Let the string rest in the groove in the center of the yo-yo. Let go with your fingers and pull the yo-yo tight against the bottom of the string. The untwisted string will automatically twist back up to fill any gap left.

5. Adjust the string length to fit your body height. With the yo-yo resting on the ground, the string should come up to your belly button. If you need to shorten the string, tie another regular knot at the correct height and cut off the extra string.

6. Make a slip knot for your finger at the end of the string. You will see that there is already a small loop at the top of the string. Take the small loop and place it over the string so the single strand of twisted string is running from the top to the bottom of the loop. Pull the strand of string up through the middle of the loop to finish the slip knot.