How to Do the Hand Catch String Figure

There are a number of string figure tricks that kids of all ages enjoy showing their friends. In fact, the enjoyment of string figures has been around for centuries, even dating back to 4th century Greece. The hand catch string figure allows you to awe your friends by magically snatching someone's hand in the string without touching her. The steps below will guide you through the hand catch string figure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Looped string, yarn or ribbon
• Participant

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 toward someone with the string still in place. Ask him to place his hand between the two X's indicated in Step 3.
5. Release the string on both pinkies and pointer fingers, but string should remain on your thumbs.
6. Pull the string taut and the string wraps around the participant's wrist.

Tips & Warnings

• The string, yarn or ribbon should measure at least 18 inches when looped for the best results.