String Figures and How to Make Them - 1962 Dover edition

"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 perhaps you are not aware that this is actually an ancient form of amusement, that it is practiced in all parts of the globe, and is especially popular among primitive tribes. And you probably didn't realize what a great variety of figures can be formed by single loop of string. This book describes, in a simple and easy to follow, manner how to make no less than 107 different string figures just as they are made in their land of origin. It is the only book on the subject in English that gives a thorough and readily understandable treatment, so that a beginner can follow the steps and make the figures without the help of a teacher. The figures offer an excellent means for developing manual dexterity and coordination between brain and hand, and present a challenge to personal inventiveness too, since they are capable of infinite variations." - String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's-Cradle in Many Lands - Caroline Furness Jayne Published 1962, Dover Publications Inc, New York. Softcover. Approx 5.5x8.5in. 417pp. In decent vintage condition. Cover's a little faded and shows wear at edges.