How to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String

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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 large piece of string and your own two hands.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Creating the "Open A" Position

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    The string should be twice as long as the distance between your shoulders. Another way to measure is by wrapping the string around your elbow and hand about two times.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Secure the string in a square knot so it won't pull loose. Use a square knot and cut off the excess when the string is tight.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Start with the string across your palm in an open position. Your thumb and pinky should be looped by the string. Your three middle fingers should stay out. [1]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Guide your finger through the string in front of your three left fingers. Return your right hand to its original position. [2]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Guide your finger through the string directly under your right index finger. Return your left hand to its original position. Hold the string taut between your two hands. [3]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Making Cat’s Whiskers

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    There should now be four strings running between your hands. There will only be one “X” between your hands. [4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    You’ll need to be careful only to hook the last string away from you under the rest of the strings. Bring your hands back to the original position. [5]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Move 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.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Make sure only to drop the strings wrapped around your pinkies. [6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Move your pinkies over the last string and under the adjacent string. Return your hands to the original position.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    This creates the Cat's Whiskers position. You should only have the string looped around your pinky and index fingers. [7]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Finishing Jacob’s Ladder

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Put your thumbs over the two strings on your index fingers. Then carefully position them under the first string on your pinky fingers. You should now have loops around your pinkies, index fingers and thumbs. [8]
    • Try not to pull too tight. You want a little tension but not too much.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Take the loop on your right index finger and place it over your thumb. The top loop should be on both your right thumb and right index finger. [9]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    On your right thumb, use your same hand to position the bottom string on your thumb over your thumb. You should see a small triangle form between your right index finger and thumb.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    Now use your left hand to pull your index loop over your thumb. Then take the bottom string on your thumb over your thumb.
    • You should now have one string over each thumb. [10]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String
    You’ll need to do a complex move to finish the ladder. This part trips people up, so take it slowly. You’re going turn your hands so they face away from you while doing two things. Put your index fingers through the two small triangles next to your index and thumb.
    • As you flip your hands 180 degrees around, take your pinkies out of their loops. [11] The second loop around your index fingers should go away, as well. You now have Jacob's Ladder!
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  • Question
    What can I do if I'm still having trouble making it?
    Community Answer
    Try to do it slow and carefully. Think through each step. Also, just keep practicing - work on it anytime you're bored or have nothing to do.
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  • Question
    When I do this I can't find the triangles. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    It was hard for me to find the triangles when I did it too, for me it was because I started with paracord rather than string or yarn. Try to make it looser, and pay attention to if the string is too tight-if it is, it might be turning into a twist instead of a shape. Watch the gifs in the instructions carefully.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • If you have a partner with you, pull the outside strings in the middle once you are done. That will save you from accidentally tying a knot in the string afterward.
      • Put your finger in the middle X and pull to help disengage the ladder without tangling the string.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kr8jrc56eA
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kr8jrc56eA
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kr8jrc56eA
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kr8jrc56eA
      5. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      6. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      7. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      8. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      9. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      1. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      2. ↑ http://www.momsminivan.com/how_to_do_jacobs_ladder.html
      3. Videos provided by MomsMinivan

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      All you need to make Jacob’s Ladder out of string is a piece of string that is approximately twice as long as the distance between your shoulders. First, make the Open A position with the string. To do this, tie the ends of the string together in a square knot. Place the string across your open palm and loop it around your thumb and pinky. Then, hook your right and left index fingers through the string. Drop the string from your thumbs so that it looks like an “X” shape between your hands to maneuver the string into the Cat’s Whiskers position. Finally, complete Jacob’s Ladder by hooking your thumbs over the third strings and placing your thumbs into the loops over your index fingers. For more information about making Jacob’s Ladder out of string, like what each step should look like, read on.

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Gloria Byrd

        Mar 18, 2019

        "As a kid, I could not do the Jacob's ladder. My older cousins could, but would not show me - like most kids, ..." more
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