How to Do the Cup and Saucer String Figure

String figures have been around for centuries; possibly even as early as between A.D. 320 and 400. The string figure finger tricks that many kids learn from their grandparents date back to the late 1800s. One of the simpler tricks is the cup and saucer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Looped string, yarn or ribbon

1. Hook the string around your thumbs and pinkie fingers with your palms facing inward. Hold the string taut. The string should run across the inside of each palm between your thumb and pinkie.
2. Run your left middle finger along the inside of your right palm, from wrist to fingers, under the string. Pull the string back with your left hand until it's taut again.
3. Repeat Step 2 with your right middle finger on your left palm. If you do this correctly, the string should now loop around your thumbs, forming an X between the thumbs and pointer fingers, an X between the ring fingers and then loop around your pinkies.
4. Hold your hands at eye level with your thumbs facing toward your body. Press your thumbs down over the string and even with your pointer fingers. The string should cross the inside of your thumbs at two points.
5. Tuck your thumbs under the third strand of string at your ring fingers, looping the strand around your thumbnails. Pull your thumbs back to their correct position. There should be two loops around your thumbs, and three strands from each hand should intersect at a midpoint between your hands.
6. Bite the lower loop of string that’s around your thumbs with your teeth. Pull it over your thumbs and release.
7. Release the loop of string from your pinkies carefully and pull the string taut again. You should be holding the string only around your thumbs and middle fingers, and the cup and saucer figure should appear.

Tips & Warnings

• The string, yarn or ribbon should measure at least 18 inches when looped to make the cup and saucer.