How to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
Jacob's Ladder is a classic string figure, similar to Cat's Cradle. If you never learned to make a Jacob's Ladder string figure as a kid, it's not too late! All you need is a big piece of string and your own two hands.
- 1Cut a length of string. It should be twice as long as the distance between your shoulders.
- 2Tie the string in a circle. So that it won't pull loose, use a square knot.
- 3Put your thumb and pinky inside the circle of string. Your 3 middle fingers should stay out.
- 4Hook your right index finger through the string in front of your three left fingers. Return your right hand to its original position.
- 5Hook your left index finger through the string directly under your right index finger. Return your left hand to its original position, holding the string taut between your two hands.
- 6Drop the string that's wrapped around your thumbs. There should now be four strings running between your hands.
- 7Turn your hands so that your palms are facing outward. You should see the four strings running between them.
- 8Hook your thumbs under the bottom string. Bring your hands back to the original position.
- 9Move your thumbs over the first string on your index finger, and hook them beneath the second string on your index fingers. Return to the original position.
- 10Drop the string that's wrapped around your pinkies.
- 11Turn your hands so that your palms are facing your face.
- 12Move your pinkies over the top string and under the second string from the top. Return your hands to the original position.
- 13Drop the two strings that are around your thumbs. You now have the Cat's Whiskers.
- 14Put your thumbs over the two strings on your index fingers, and under the first string on your pinky fingers. You should now have strings around your pinkies, index fingers and thumbs.
- 15Take the loop on your right index finger and widen it to include your thumb. Use the fingers on your left hand to do this (without dropping the strings they hold). The "top" loop should be on both your right thumb and right index finger.
- 16Pull up the "bottom" loop on your right thumb and let go of it. You should see a small triangle form between your right index finger and thumb.
- 17Repeat Steps 15 and 16 on your left hand.
- 18Put your index fingers through the two small triangles you created during Steps 16 an 17.
- 19As you flip your hands 180 degrees around, take your pinkies out of their loops. The second loop around your index fingers should go away, as well. You now have Jacob's Ladder!
| How to make Jacob's Ladder with string. Shown from the user's point of view. |
- Don't go too fast if you are a beginner. You may mess up and have to start over.
- Try making it with pictures.
- The last step is the most difficult. Don't get discouraged, and keep practicing.
- If you have a partner with you, tell the partner to push down on the space under the first and last x. Release your thumbs and you have Grandpa's Overalls!
- About 3 feet (1 m) of string.
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Featured Articles | String Games
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