String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands

by Caroline F. Jayne and Caroline Furness Jayne

Book Overview

At some time in your youth, no doubt, you took a loop of string and made a "cat's-cradle," a "Jacob's ladder," or some other type of figure by looping and crossing the string between the fingers. But... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 048620152X
• Release Date: January 1962
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

From the Stringman

Considered by many String Figure people to be the "Bible" in this field. It has easy to follow instructions using what has become standard nomenclature. This book is referenced in recent writings probably more than any other. Anyone with interest in String Figures should have this book in their collection.

excellent and detailed

Once you master the language of manipulating the string--with a little patience-- you'll find the explanations easy to follow. The selection of string figures was wonderful. A strong collection --a legacy that has travelled throughout the world. Pass it along to your children.

The mother of all string figure books!

Ms. Jayne was an interesting woman in her day. She traveled about the world, gathering anthropological research as she documented string figures worldwide. This volume is the result of her work, all the more remarkable because she did this around the turn of the century. Many figures are included here with instructions in the creation of them, as well as anecdotal information based on her interviews with the people who taught them to her. All of the classics of string figures are included here, as well as more obscure ones she gathered along the way. This is a must for serious students of string figures, not only for the wealth of information and instruction, but also for its historical value.

I was fascinated by this book when I was about 13 years old.

This book is a compendium of string figures with detailed instructions on how to make them and many illustrations. It is based largely on anthropological studies of the East Indies and that part of the world, although there are sections from Native American tribes and a few figures from Europe. My parents had a copy of this book when I was growing up and I was fascinated by it from ages 11 to about 15. I recommend it highly for anybody whose interests run in this direction.

The classic in the field

This book is the classic guide to string figures. Nobody interested in the art should be without it; it's a fun and easy to learn hobby, as well as a fascinating anthropological study. Most everyone knows, or used to know, one or two of the simpler string games; this book presents string figures from all over the world.