This is a question that I’m sending to the string figures listserv.
I’m reaching out to ask for some help in finding examples of a particular sort of opening move. Several figures open with a sequence of moves like the following.
- Opening A.
- Thumbs pick up some string along some path.
- Indices pick up the lower far thumb string.
- Release the thumbs.
This sequence has the effect of transferring the thumb loop through some other loop and placing it as the upper index loop. Of course, the exact effect depends on which string the thumbs pick up in Step 2.
For example, in Many Stars, the thumbs pick up the near little finger string. In Big Star, the pick up is more subtle: the thumbs pickup the far little finger string through the index loop.
Here is another example. In EOREDETO IV from Nauru (Maude #79 p. 90), the pick up move is:
- Pass thumbs under index loops then return with far index strings underneath the near index string.
Clearly, this sort of initial pick up is useful and string figure artists must have used it a lot. And so, I’m wondering: Do you know any figures that begin with interesting examples of these thumb loop moves?
I’d be happy to clarify the question, or chat about this further. Thanks for your time!
Published: Jun 28, 2026 @ 06:16.
Last Modified: Jun 30, 2026 @ 21:08.
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