String games figures instructions

Opening A — this position almost always comes after position one, and is the beginning to most string figures — hooking the middle fingers through each palm string and pulling the hands apart so that there is a loop on each thumb, middle, and pinkie finger.

You can also substitute your index fingers for your middle fingers, depending on personal preference. However, for the purpose of this Instructable we will reference the middle finger. It is easier to maneuver the string without a large knot in the way, so it is often times better to get a pre-looped string, or if the string is made of nylon the sides can be melted together.

Warning: Be careful melting the string pieces together, make sure that there is an adult helping to ensure safety. Pull your hands apart to create tension in the string. A lways pull your hands apart after each step unless otherwise noted. Take each middle finger over to the opposite palm and slide it under the string- pull it back to the opposite side with your finger to create Opening A.

Whenever you loop a string, you go from underneath the string so that it will go around your finger properly. Warning: If you want to continue straight to The Star, skip this step- the two figures do not follow the same steps.

Point your fingers forward, like the Eiffel Tower is standing up! Loop both of your pinky fingers underthe top, middle saucer string-- this string is the one that surrounds both of the thumb strings. The saucer strings may be difficult to differentiate from, really pay attention to the string in the above video. Finger Identification: Refer to the image above for the names of each finger, in order to keep uniformity within the figures.

Keep your hands level with your chest, palms facing each other. The result should be a rectangular loop that isn't sagging. This is called Position 1 or First Position. Part 2.

Pick up the section of string crossing your left palm with your right index finger. To do this, start by moving your palms close together so that they nearly touch. Lower your right hand so that your right index finger lines up with the center of your left palm. Move your right index finger under the string so that it loops over your fingernail.

Return your hands to their original position. Make your palms face each other. Spread your arms back apart to tighten the string. The string doesn't need to be taut. Just make sure it doesn't sag, or the string may tangle.

Repeat steps with your hands reversed. Loop the string crossing your right hand over your left index finger. Bring your arms back apart with your palms facing each other. The string should loop over the backs of each of your thumbs, index fingers, and pinky fingers. If there is a loop over a different finger or one missing from these digits, start over. Check to make sure you've correctly made Opening A.

When your fingers are spread, your figure should be vertically, horizontally, and diagonally symmetrical. The string should cross twice between your palms, forming two Xs in the center.

One way to think about the proper shape is a large diamond in the center connected to two triangles by its top and bottom angles. The other two angles are at your index fingers. The bases of the triangles are the parallel string segments between your thumbs and your pinky fingers. Part 3. Recognize the difference between a "string" and a "noose. A noose is any loop around your digits. Most string figure guides will use this nomenclature.

Memorize the different strings. The near thumb string is the straight piece of string closest to your chest, while the far thumb strings are the sections running from your thumb to the first X. The near index finger strings are the sections running from the center of this X to your index fingers, while the far index finger strings start at your index fingers and end at the further X.

The near pinky finger strings begin at the further X and end at your pinky fingers. Finally, the far pinky finger string is the section that runs between your right and your left pinky fingers. Some guides will use "little finger" instead of "pinky finger" and "forefinger" or "pointer finger" instead of "index finger.

Learn the different nooses. There are six nooses, three for each hand. They are the left and right thumb nooses, index finger nooses, and pinky finger nooses. The nooses should sit right on top of the last knuckles of their corresponding digits. Part 4. Drape the string over both your left and right index fingers. Hold your hands open with your palms facing outward. The near string should be short, just the distance between your two hands. The far string should be very long.

Loop your left thumb under the right side of the far index string. Bring your hands close together and use your left thumb to hook the string around itself. Return your left hand to its original position. There should now be a section of string extending from under your right index finger over to your left thumb.

Loop your right thumb under the left side of the far index string. Mirror Step 2 using your right hand and the dangling left index string. Return your right hand to its original position, palm still down. The string should now make an X between your hands with a short near string across your index fingers and a long far string across your thumbs.

Bring your hands apart to even out the string. Rotate your wrists so that your palms now face each other. A properly-formed Navajo Opening should be much less angular than Opening A. The nooses will be loose and wide. There should be two parallel strings oriented inward, one connected the index fingers and the other connected the thumbs.

Underneath these two strings should be an X formed by two strings connecting the index fingers to the thumbs on opposite hands. Grab the near hand string close to the thumb with the opposite hand and twist it around the hand, then do the same for the other hand.

You could also grab the near hand string with all fingers and twist the string up onto the hands in one motion. There is now a palm string and two dorsal strings across the back of your hands. Use your mouth or teeth to hold on to the center of the near hand string that goes straight across from hand to hand. Pull both hands apart, then let the other person pull their string, then you pull your strings, and so on, to saw wood.

Variation 1: You, as person A, makes Opening A. Person B then picks up your near thumb string on their right thumb and little fingers as in Position 1, and likewise they take up your far little finger string with their left thumb and little finger. Person B then does Opening A over your strings. Both of you then release your thumb and little finger strings while holding on to your forefinger strings.

Now you can saw wood vigorously without pulling any teeth out. Variation 2: Two people take up the string loop as in Position 1 with your palms facing theirs. You will share far little finger strings in common. Now each of you, using only your right hands, do Opening A. Next use your left hands to do Opening A over top of your right hand strings.

Both of you then release your thumb and little fingers and saw wood by alternately pulling right then left hands. Take up Position 1 on the left hand only. With the right hand, move left and through the hanging string noose, then reach around to the back of the left hand. With your right thumb and forefinger grasp the string going across the back of the left thumb. Pull this string out and over the left hand to remove it, and then slowly extend your right hand up while letting the strings on the left hand slip to raise the framework for a hut or teepee?

You can turn this figure upside down so that the left hand becomes The Parachute with its cords holding up the parachutist. With the left hand held with the palm down, hang the string noose over the left thumb and fingers. Pull this string a short distance out, then twist your right forefinger towards you to bring it to the normal upright position, but do not extend hands apart.

Instead touch your right forefinger to the left forefinger and transfer the noose from the right forefinger to the left forefinger. As before, move left, going between the forefinger and middle finger, and grab the string going across the back of the left hand. Pull this string a short distance out, then twist your right forefinger towards you to bring it to the normal upright position without extending hands apart.

Transfer this noose to the left middle finger by touching the tip of it with your right forefinger and letting the noose slip onto it. Repeat this pattern for the left ring and little fingers. This noose is the mouse. Attack the mouse with your left thumb while pretending it is a snake. With your right thumb and forefinger grab the left near little finger string that hangs down just below the left little finger and pull the string so the mouse can make its escape by running away through the trees.

This figure is also known as The Yam Thief and many stories can be told about what is going on. One story is about a row of birds sitting on a fence and suddenly taking flight. Another is about a cat and a mouse. Another is about a strong but stupid man trying to pull up a root by pulling before the thumb is released.

The clever village weakling then releases the thumb and easily pulls up the root to the amazement of all. So make up your own story. Start with Position 1 using the left hand only.

The right little finger then moves left, through the hanging string noose, and picks up the left near thumb string. This is a twisted Position 1.

Now do Opening A. The thumbs then move over, through the forefinger noose, down, toward you, then up. If, before you release your little fingers, you put all fingers from below into the thumb nooses and transfer them to the wrists, then release your little fingers, you will have made The Handcuffs.

Alternatively, transfer only one thumb noose to your wrist and hold the other open with your fingers, then ask an innocent bystander to put their hand through it. Release little fingers to cuff and arrest them. Drape the string loop over your right wrist keeping the two strings separated without any twists. There should be two crossed strings, and a near and far wrist string. The near little finger strings run diagonally down to the far wrist string.

This is a nice African figure, but for most of us who have never been to Batoka Gorge on the Zambesi River below Victoria Falls, it doesn't quite look like a gorge. The figure is said to look like the river as it zigzags back and forth through Batoka Gorge below the falls. If you want to invent new names for figures, that's okay. The left forefinger noose now goes through and around the right forefinger noose. Again pick up the released noose and cast again and again. Pick up the string loop with your right forefinger and middle finger only, with palms down and the string hanging down.

Now grasp the two hanging strings with your left hand and pull to make the eye wink. Checkout his collection of tricks at Diabolo Tricks.