How to Make Jacob's Ladder out of String

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 Tested

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

1
Cut a length of string or yarn. 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
Tie the string ends together. 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
Position your thumb and pinky. 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]
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4
Hook your right index finger. Guide your finger through the string in front of your three left fingers. Return your right hand to its original position.^{[2]
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5
Hook your left index finger. 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

1
Drop the thumb strings. There should now be four strings running between your hands. There will only be one “X” between your hands.^{[4]
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2
Hook your thumbs under the farthest 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]
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3
Hook another string with your thumbs. 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
Drop the pinky strings. Make sure only to drop the strings wrapped around your pinkies.^{[6]
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5
Hook a string with your pinkies. Move your pinkies over the last string and under the adjacent string. Return your hands to the original position.
6
Drop the thumb strings. 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

1
Hook your thumb under the third 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]
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- Try not to pull too tight. You want a little tension but not too much.
2
Use your left hand. 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]
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3
Pull up the "bottom" loop. 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
Repeat this on your opposite hand. 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]
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5
Complete the ladder. 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]
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  Research source} The second loop around your index fingers should go away, as well. You now have Jacob's Ladder!

Community Q&A

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.
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.