#10 One Handed Knot

You ask a volunteer to make a knot in a piece of string…using one hand only. After they complete the task in 30 to 60 seconds, you place the string on your palm and with a magical “flick” of your wrist, a knot appears in less than 3 seconds!!

String or Rope Magic is the hardest to learn because it is the hardest to explain. The secret is hidden from the audience by the backs of the hands as intricate and subtle moves done simultaneously by individual fingers create the effect. Even that sentence was hard to write!

As in Trick #3, I will allow the video to explain the moves because it is easier to see than to read and as the saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words.” And for this effect, I have broken the trick into 4 steps.

First, let’s talk a little about the string. Just measure a piece of string by holding it palm up hanging down between your thumb and index finger and at the other end hanging down between your baby and ring fingers. The string should be long enough so when you turn your hand over you can grab the shorter end between your index and middle fingers with about 2.5 cm (1 inch) hanging over. It’ll be about 60 cm (2 feet) long.

And remember to tell the audience what the volunteer will have to try to do before you choose a volunteer, because some people will not want to try making a knot with one hand for fear that they will not be able to do it and that would be embarrassing to them.

And when a volunteer does come up, encourage and try to help by telling them to make a loop and put one end through the hole. And finally, no matter the success the volunteer has, have the audience give them a great big hand for being so brave.

Then have the volunteer go back to their seat, set the string on your palm, and then ask the audience to start counting and GO!! Turn your hand over and “flick” your wrist.

With practice I have found that I can generally make the knot in 2.5 seconds – so that’s your target. Practice and you’ll make very fast Magic!!
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Steve Baker is a magician located in the GTA residing North of Orangeville.

Since 1997, Steve has entertained adults and children at private functions and large public venues to amaze them with sleight of hand, strolling magic tricks, mentalism and fun characters from Sault Ste Marie to St. Thomas and from Hawkesbury to Hensall, Ontario.