How to Make String Figure - Broom

I remember spending time creating string figures on a rainy day when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I don't remember all the "figures" I used to create but I do remember how to make a "broom" with a string and I would like to share with you!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• string (yarn)

1. Cut yarn to a length of your preference to make a loop. Some might wonder "how the heck do I know how long to make the yarn loop?". Some websites recommend "2 feet length" but this may or may not work for a small child. My personal rule of thumb is to start by cutting the yarn as long as your height. That means spread your arms wide and measure roughly from the tip of the left middle figure to the tip of the right middle finger. Cut the yarn that length (you don't have to be that accurate). Make a loop by tying the ends - for example, you can use a square knot.

2. 
    

   Open your right palm. Hook the string with your right thumb and right pinky as shown in the picture. Pull the middle of the string on your palm (between your thumb and pinky) toward you.

3. 
    

   Pull the middle of the string on your palm (between your right thumb and right pinky) one more time.

4. 
    

   Use your left thumb and index finger, hook the loops on your right thumb and right pinky as shown in the picture. That means, your left index finger will hook the loop on your right pinky and your left thumb will hook the loop on your right thumb. See the picture (and the next).

5. 
    

   After hooking those loops, pull them above the dangling string.

6. 
    

   Hold those strings on your left thumb and index finger. Now you should see the string shaped sort of like a long house with a roof. The roof looks like is divided into three sections.

7. 
    

   Put your right index finger, middle finger and ring finger into each section by bending these fingers.

8. 
    

   While bending those three right fingers. Put the strings on your left thumb and index finger behind these fingers as shown in the picture.

9. 
    

   Stretch all your right fingers and thumb. You should see one horizontal string crossing between the back of your index and ring fingers. Pick this string using your left thumb and index finger and move it over your fingertips in front of right index, middle and ring fingers (not pinkie).

10. 
     

    Keep pulling this string toward the left. Now you have a broom!

Tips & Warnings

• Hope the pictures are somewhat helpful... If these pictures are too small, either click them to enlarge or save them to your computer and open them.
• If this feels awkward, try reversing the hands.

[gailM]

on 3/16/2009 Thanks for the memory. We used to make something like that but called it cat paws or claws.

[SchoolOfLife]

on 3/15/2009 Great article, I enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work. :)