International String Figure Association - The Art of String Figures

The Art ofString Figures International String Figure Association DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC. Mineola, New York ContentsCopyright Copyright 2006, 2007 by the International String Figure Association All rights reserved. Bibliographical NoteThe Art of String Figures, first published by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2018, is an original compilation of material first published in issues of String Figure Magazine (ISFA Press, Pasadena, California), in 2006 and 2007. The International String Figure Association was founded in 1978. For membership information, write to ISFA, P.O. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: International String Figure Association. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: International String Figure Association.

Title: The art of string figures / International String Figure Association. Other titles: String figure magazine. Description: Mineola, New York : Dover Publications, Inc., 2018. | The Art of String Figures, first published by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2018, is an original compilation of material first published in issues of String Figure Magazine (ISFA Press, Pasadena, California), in 2006 and 2007. Identifiers: LCCN 2018017153| ISBN 9780486829166 | ISBN 0486829162 Subjects: LCSH: String figures. Classification: LCC GV1218.S8 A78 2018 | DDC 793.9/6dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018017153 Manufactured in the United States by LSC Communications 82916201 2018 www.doverpublications.com Getting Started Fingers, Loops, Strings, and Commands String figures are made with an endless loop.

The size that is best for you depends on how big you are and the complexity of the design you are making. A span is the distance between the tips of your hands when your arms are outstretched, as shown. A loop made from a 1-span string works well for most string figures. Simpler figures require a loop made from a -span string. Complicated designs can require loops made from 1, 2, 2, or even 3-span strings. To join the ends of a string made from synthetic fibers (eg, nylon, polyester), flame the ends until they melt (with adult supervision), then touch them together.

For a string made from natural fibers (eg, cotton, hemp), use molten nylon as glue. Each step of the weaving process is illustrated. We use arrows to show what your fingers and hands should do to advance to the next step. Often you will need to release a loop and extend the figure (separate your hands to absorb the slack). We use a black square to indicate which finger should release its loop. Whenever an arrow and a black square appear in the same illustration, perform the action illustrated by the arrow first.

An arrow-square combination often indicates a loop transfer. Although you should be able to make all the string figures by looking at the pictures, weve supplied written instructions in case you get stuck. Abbreviations and terms are summarized below. The fingers of each hand are numbered 1 to 5. L stands for Left. Each loop has a near string (n) and a far string (f). Each loop has a near string (n) and a far string (f).

The near string is the string closest to finger 1. The far string is the string closest to finger 5. Loops can be entered from above (the side nearest the fingertip) or below (the side nearest the knuckle). When two loops surround a finger, the loop nearest the fingertip is the upper loop. The loop nearest the knuckle is the lower loop. Perform all actions with both hands simultaneously.

If an R or an L precedes a finger, loop, or string name, perform the action on the indicated hand only. Lightning collected by Sir Raymond Firth from the people of the Solomon Islands RECOMMENDED STRING LENGTH: 1 SPANS This action figure is known throughout the Pacific. The initial pattern, which represents heavy rain, can be partially dissolved and reformed over and over again. Place loop on 1 and 5 (Position 1). R2 picks up L palmar string. You now have Opening A. You now have Opening A.

Mouth, over all strings, bites center of 5f and returns. L2, over intervening strings, picks up R mouth string and returns. R2, over intervening strings, picks up L mouth string and returns. Mouth releases its loop. 1 releases its loop. 1, through lower 2 loop from above, picks up lower and upper 2f and returns under upper 2n.