String Figure Bibliography

contributed by

Dr. Tom Storer

The following is an abridged, updated version of Storer's monumental "String Figure Bibliography," currently in its third edition (2000). The complete bibliography, which lists over 1800 articles, book, and monographs that mention or describe string figures, is available here.

Below is a list of the most frequently consulted string figure documents. All contain illustrations and instructions for making string figures, unless otherwise stated. The documents are geographically grouped for those readers wishing to learn more about the string figures of a particular region. The list begins with a section devoted to books for children and/or beginners, and ends with a section describing references of interest to mathematicians.

Most entries in the geographic sections are scholarly articles and monographs that can only be found in university libraries or in digital archives like JSTOR. Articles published in Bulletin of String Figures Association (1978-1993) or Bulletin of the International String Figure Association (1994-present) are available from ISFA Press.

Works for children and/or beginners

Ball, W.W.R. (1971) Fun with String Figures. New York: Dover. (89 pages) - A reprint of An Introduction to String Figures, 1920, 1921, 1929; and String Figures and Other Monographs, 1960.
Darsie, R. (2003) String Games. New York: Sterling Publications. (96 pages)
DeWitt, S. (1992) String Figures from Around the World. Torrance, California: Heian International. (28 pages)
DeWitt, S. (1995) String Figures from Around the World., Vol. II. Torrance, California: Heian International. (28 pages)
Elffers, J, and Schuyt, M. (1978) Cat's Cradles and Other String Figures. (English translation of "Das Hexenspiel"). New York: Penguin. (207 pages)
Elffers, J, and Schuyt, M. (1980) Das Hexenspiel (in German). Köln: Dumont Buchverlag, Taschenbuch 93. (207 pages)
Gryski, C. (1984) Cat’s Cradles, Owl’s Eyes: A Book of String Games. New York: Morrow. (80 pages)
Gryski, C. (1985) Many Stars and More String Games. New York: Morrow. (80 pages)
Gryski, C. (1988) Super String Games. New York: Morrow. (80 pages)
Gryski, C. (1995) Camilla Gryski's Favourite String Games. Toronto: Kids Can Press. (48 pages).
Gupta, A. (2002) String Games. India: National Book Trust. (50 pages).
Haddon, K. (1942) String Games for Beginners. (2nd Edition, Cambridge: Heffer). (40 pages) First published 1934.
Helfman, H. C., and Helfman, E. (1965) String on Your Fingers. New York: Morrow. (47 pages)
International String Figure Association (editors). (1999) Fascinating String Figures. New York: Dover. (80 pages).
International String Figure Association (editors). (2018) The Art of String Figures. New York: Dover. (124 pages).
Jayne, C.F. (1962) String Figures and How to Make Them. New York: Dover. (407 pages) - A reprint of the 1906 edition entitled String Figures, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.
Johnson, A.A. (1993) Cat's Cradle: A Book of String Figures. Palo Alto, California: Klutz Press. (36 pages)
Johnson , A.A. (1996) String Games from Around the World. Palo Alto, California: Klutz Press. (79 pages)
Leeming, J. (1940) Fun with String. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. (pages 135-59)
Noguchi, H. (1973) Ayatori. (two volumes, in Japanese) Tokyo: Kawade Shobo Shin-sha. (166 pages)
Mason, K. (1996) Cat's Cradle Fun. City?: Troll. (24 pages).
Oorschot, A. van (1966) Touwfiguren. (in Dutch) Amsterdam: G. J. A. Ruys. (96 pages).
Sherman, M. and D'Antoni, J., editors. (1996-2007) String Figure Magazine: How to Make String Figures Step-by-Step. Pasadena, California: ISFA Press. (Issued quarterly, 24 pages each).
Wu, Tzu-yun (1975) T'iao Hsien Yu Shi. (in Chinese) Hong Kong: Manri Press. (116 pages)

Storytelling with String

Fleischman, P. (2000) Lost! A Story in String. New York: Henry Holt and Co. (32 pages)
Holbrook, B. (2002) String Stories: A Creative, Hands-On Approach for Engaging Children in Literature. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing. (288 pages)
Pellowski, A. (1985) The Story Vine. London: Collier Macmillian. (46 pages)
Pollock, M. (2002) "Very Like a Lamprey": How String Figures Add Entertainment Value to Science Lectures. Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:55-68.
Taylor, M. (2000) Pull the Other One! String Games and Stories, Book 1. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Hawthorn Press. (128 pages)
Taylor, M. (2002) Now You See It...String Games and Stories, Book 2. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Hawthorn Press. (128 pages)
Taylor, M., with foreword by Anne Swain (2008) Finger Strings: A Book of Cat's Cradles and String Figures. Edinburgh, Scotland: Floris Books. (144 pages).
Walschik, L. (2002) Fadenspiele sind mehr!: Fadenfiguren spielen und Geschichten erzählen (String games are more!: String figures to play and stories to tell). Seelze, Germany: Kallmeyer. (136 pages)

DVDs and Video Tapes for beginners

Cutrofello, T. (1993) Finger Jazz: How to Make String Figures from Around the World. Great Neck, NY: Finger Jazz Videos. (30 min.)
Glover, A. (2005) Le Couer du Singe: The Monkey's Heart. Victoria, British Columbia: Anne Glover Story String Productions. (57 min.)
Glover, A. (2006) Anne Glover's How to Make the Dog and other Favorite String Tricks. Victoria, British Columbia: Anne Glover Story String Productions. (44 min.)
Mose, D. (2005) Navajo String Games: Na'atl'o' (DVD and booklet). Blanding, UT: San Juan School District Media Center
Schutz-Gruber, B. (1995) String Things...Stories, Games, and Fun! Ann Arbor, Michigan: BGSG Storytelling. (46 min.)
Stokes, L. (2004) Hei: Hawaiian String Figures. Princeville, Kaua'i, HI: Huna Arts. (45 min.)
Titus, D. (1997) String Magic from Around the World. Lawton, OK: Wrdsmth Productions. (51 min.)
Titus, D. (1999) String Fun with the Parables. Lawton, OK: Wrdsmth Productions. (45 min.)
Titus, D. (2013) Dave's Favorites, with David Titus "The String Man". Lawton, OK: Wrdsmth Productions. (60 min.)

Collective Works (all geographic regions)

Unlike the above works, the works in this list are either scholarly in nature or include previously unpublished string figures.

Abraham, A.J. (1987) String Figures. Algonac, Michigan: Reference Publications Inc. (154 pages)
Haddon, K. (1930) Artists In String. (174 pages)
Haddon, K. (1912) Cat’s Cradles from Many Lands. (95 pages)
Jayne, C.F. (1962) String Figures and How to Make Them. New York: Dover. (407 pages) - A reprint of the 1906 edition entitled String Figures, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.
Paturi, F. (1988) Schnurfiguren aus aller Welt. Munich: Hugendubel. (144 pages)

Africa

Beart, C. (1955) "Jeux et Jouets de l'ouest Africain." Mémoires de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire 42(1):398-412.
Cannarozzi, S. (2010) "A small collection of string figures and games from Burkina Faso." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:205-215.
Cansdale, G. S. (1993) "Ghana String Figures." The Nigerian Field 58:65-80.
Cunnington, W. A. (1906) "String Figures and Tricks from Central Africa." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 36:121-31.
Earthy, E. D. (1953) Valenga Women. London: Oxford University Press. pp. 95-101.
Evans-Pritchard, E. E. (1972) "Zande String Figures." Folklore (London) 83:225-39.
Griaule, M. (1938) "Jeux Dogons." Institut d'Ethnologie de l'Université de Paris, Travaux et Mémoires 32:71-83.
Griffith, C. L. T. (1925) "Gold Coast String Games." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 55:271-302.
Haddon, A. C. (1906) "String Figures from South Africa." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 36:142-149.
Haddon, K., and H. A. Treleaven (1936) "Some Nigerian String Figures." Nigerian Field 5(1):31-38; 5(2):86-95.
Hornell, J. (1930) "String Figures from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Zanzibar." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 60:81-114.
Hornell, J. (1940) "String Figures from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan." Sudan Notes and Records 23(1):99-122.
Kuehner, A. (2013) "Making String Figures and Friends in Africa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:92-125.
Leakey, M. D., and L. S. B. Leakey (1949) Some String Figures from North-East Angola. Lisbon: Museo do Dundo.
Noble, P. D. (2013) "Some Nigerian String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:39-63.
Osaka, S., and Kato, N. (2023) "Introduction to Two Unpublished Ghanaian String Figures and Discussion of Regional Characteristics." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:120-125.
Parkinson, J. (1906) "Yoruba String Figures." Journal of the Royal Anthropoligical Institute 36:132-41.
Probert, M., Probert, A., Hewitt, R., and Phiri, S. (2018) "String Figures of Malawi." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 25:1-208.
Probert, M., Hewitt, R., Phiri, S., and Medson, C. (2018) "Six Rwandan String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 25:209-217.
Probert, M., Hewitt, R., and Phiri, S. (2018) "Two South African String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 25:218-219.
Probert, M., Hewitt, R., and Phiri, S. (2018) "A 'New' Chinese String Figure." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 25:220-221.
Reichert, A. (2002) "Some String Figures from Modern Africa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:241-248.
Sbrzesny, H. (1976) "Die Spiele der !Ko-Buschleute." Monographien zur Humanethnologie, bd. 2. Müchen, Zurich: Piper. pp. 95-102. (illustrations only)
Schebesta, P. (1941) "Die Bambuti-Pygmäe von Ituri." Mémoires du Institut Royal Colonial Belge 2:242-43; plates 69-86. (illustrations only)
Smith, C.C.K. (1997) "String Figures from the Congo." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:135-184.
Smith, C.C.K. (2000) "Some String Figures and Tricks from Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:94-100.
Starr, F. (1909) "Ethnographic Notes from the Congo Free State." Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Sciences 12:135-36, 148-75; plate 12. (Illustrations only. For reconstructed methods see Smith, C.C.K. (1997)).
Tessmann, G. (1912) "Die Kinderspiele der Pangwe." Baessler-Archiv Band 2 (Heft 5/6):271-278.
Tessmann, G., Reichert, A., and Sherman, M. (2001) "Pangwe and Bubi String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 8:125-201. [English translation of Tessmann (1912), with new illustrations and cultural notes].
Titus, D. (2002) "Diamonds from South Africa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:363-364.
Titus, D. (2003) "Diamond Surplus in South Africa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:274. (Descriptions only)
Titus, D. (2004) African String Figures. Lawton, Oklahoma: WRDSMTH Productions. (32 pages).
Tracey, H. (1936-37) "String Figures (Madandi) found in Southern Rhodesia." NADA: The Southern Rhodesia Native Affairs Department Annual 14:78-88.
Wedgewood, C. H. and I. Shapera (1931) "String Figures from Bechuanaland Protectorate." Bantu Studies 4:251-68.
Wirt, W. (2000) "String Figures from Southwestern Ethiopia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:101-118.

The Arctic

Birket-Smith, K. (1929) "The Caribou Eskimos." Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition, 1921-24. 5(1):276-81. (illustrations only)
Claassen, S., and D'Antoni, J. (2013) "Some String Figures of the Qairnirmiut Inuit, as recorded by Jean Michéa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:153-187.
Claassen, S. (2015) "Some Inughuit String Figures (Northwest Greenland) as Filmed by Christian Adler in 1974." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:58-115.
Claassen, S. (2015) "Some Harvaqtuurmiut String Figures, as made by Tatanniq in 1969." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:116-145.
Claassen, S. (2016) "Yup’ik String Figures as made by Gregory Kapatak Sr. (Koliganek, Southwest Alaska) in 1981" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 23:1-101.
Claassen, S. (2016) "Some Yup’ik String Figures as made by Anna Backford (Nushagak, Southwest Alaska) in 1981" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 23:102-127.
Claassen, S. (2016) "Yup’ik String Figures as made by Carley Foster from Eek, Alaska" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 23:128-213.
Claassen, S. (2017) "A 1909 Collection of String Figures from Chukotka Peninsula: From the Haddon string figure manuscripts at Cambridge, File 5141" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:23-92.
Claassen, S. (2023) "A String Figure Collection from Kuugyuak (Perry River), Nunavut, Canada." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:126-216.
Darsie, R., Read, R. C., and Sherman, M. A. (1996) "The Arctic String Figure Project, Part 1: Gordon's Alaskan String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:22-50.
Elbaum, K. and Sherman, M. (2013) "Some String Figures and Tricks from Rankin Inlet." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:188-224.
Gordon, G.B. (1906) "Notes on the Western Eskimo." University of Pennsylvania, Free Museum of Science and Art, Transactions of the Department of Archaeology 2(1):87-97. (See also Darsie R., Read R.C., and Sherman, M. (1996)).
Gordon, G. B., Titus, D., and Sherman, M. A. (1999) "String Figures from Southwest Alaska." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:96-112.
Hansen, K. (1974-75) "String Figures from West Greenland." Folk (Copenhagen) 16-17:213-26. (illustrations only)
Holtved, E. (1967) "Contributions to Polar Eskimo Ethnography." Meddelelser om Grønland 182(2):162-69. (illustrations only)
Jenness, D. (1924) "Eskimo String Figures." Report of the Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-18), Vol. 13, part B. (192 pages) (See also Wirt, W. et al., 2009).
Jochelson, W. (1933) "History, Ethnology, and Anthropology of the Aleut." Carnegie Institute of Washington Publication 432:63-65. (illustrations only)
Lantis, M. (1946) "Social Customs of the Nunivak Eskimo." Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 35(3):217-22.
Mary-Rousselière, G. (1969) "Les Jeux de Ficelle des Arviligjuarmiut." Musées Nationaux du Canada Bulletin 233. (182 pages)
Mathiassen, T. (1928) "Material Culture of the Iglulik Eskimos." Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition, 1921-24. 6(1):222-27 (illustrations only)
Nicolai, D. (2002) "Yup’ik String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:203-234.
Paterson, T.T. (1949) "Eskimo String Figures and Their Origin." Acta Arctica 3:1-98.
Rasmussen, K. (1932) "Intellectual Culture of the Copper Eskimos." Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition, 1921-24. 9:271-88. (illustrations only)
Saladin d'Anglure, B. (2003) "String Games of the Kangirsujuaq Inuit." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:78-199.
Titus, D. (2007) Native Alaskan String Figures. Lawton, Oklahoma: WRDSMTH Productions. (32 pages).
Victor, P.É. (1940) "Jeux d'Enfants et d'Adultes chez les Eskimo d'Angmagssalik: Les Jeux de Ficelle." Meddelelser om Grønland 125(7). (212 pages)
Wirt, W., D'Antoni, J., Darsie, R., Read, R.C., Pollock, M., Claassen, S., and Sherman, M. (2009) "The Arctic String Figure Project Part 2: Jenness’s Eskimo String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 16:1-297.

Australia

Campbell, A.P., Claassen, S., Green, J., Dobson, V.P. (2020) "Playing with the long strings: a structural analysis of Arandic string figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 27:30-136.
Davidson, D.S. (1941) "Aboriginal Australian string figures." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 84:763-901.
Haddon, K. (1918) "Some Australian string figures." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria N.S. 30(2):121-36 and Plates XX-XXIV.
Maude, H.C. & Sherman, M.A. (1995) "The String Figures of Yirrkala - A Major Revision." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 2:87-187.
McCarthy, F.D. (1960) "The String Figures of Yirrkalla." In: The American-Australian Expedition to Arnhem Land, (Ed. C.P. Mountford), Vol. 2:415-511.
Mountford, C.F. (1950) "String figures of the Adnyamata tribe." Mankind 4:183-9. (illustrations only)
Noble, P.D. (2020) "A Two Player String Game from Arnhem Land, Australia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 27:4-29.
Roth, W.E. (1902) "Games, sports and amusements." North Queensland Ethnography 4:10-11, plates III-XII (reproduced in Jayne (1962), pp. 376-385). (illustrations only)
Spencer, B. (1928) Wanderings in Wild Australia. Vol. 2. London: Macmillan. (pages 581-84)
Stanley, G.A.V. (1926) "String figures of the North Queensland Aborigines, part 1." Queensland Geographical Journal 40-41:73-92.

Japan

Ariki, T. (1981) Ayatori Nyumon. Osaka: Hoiku-sha (151 pages, in Japanese)
Natsubori, K. (1986) Nippon No Ayatori. Tokyo:Yukishobo. (222 pages, in Japanese).
Noguchi, H. (1982) "String Figures in Japan, I." Bulletin of String Figures Association 7:1-21.
Noguchi, H. (1983) "String Figures in Japan, II." Bulletin of String Figures Association 9:21-43.
Noguchi, H. (1984) "String Figures in Japan, III." Bulletin of String Figures Association 10:1-33.
Noguchi, H. (1986) "String Figures in Japan, IV." Bulletin of String Figures Association 13:22-43
Saito, T. (1982) Ayatori Itotori. Tokyo: Hukuinkan. (3 volumes, 31 pages each, in Japanese).
Saito, T. (2004) "Ayatori: The Traditional String Figures of Japan." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 11:1-288.
Yuasa, S. and Ariki, T. (1973) Tanoshii Ayatori Asobi. Nagoya: Reimei Shobo. (131 pages, in Japanese)

Southeast Asia

Claassen, S. (2015) "Some Elastic Band Figures from Alor Island, Indonesia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:36-57.
Sherman, M. (2011) "Three Indonesian String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:232-235.
Sherman, M. (2017) "A 1909 Collection of Igorrote String Figures: From the Haddon string figure manuscripts at Cambridge, File 5141." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:126-132.
Taylor, M. (2007) "Elastic Band Figures from the Philippines." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:101-105.

Pacific Islands

Micronesia

Claassen, S. (2011) "Two Related String Figure Series from Kiribati." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:225-232.
D'Antoni, J. (1995) "The Reconstruction of Unsolved Nauruan String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 2:33-86.
Hambruch, P. (1914) "Nauru." In: Ergebnisse der Südsee-Expedition (1908-10). Ed. G. Thilenius. Hamburg: L. Friedrichsen. IIB(1):343-67.
Kramer, A. (1932) "Truk." In: Ergebnisse der Südsee-Expedition (1908-10). Ed. G. Thilenius. Hamburg: L. Friedrichsen. IIB(5):288-95.
Maude, H.C. (1971) "The String Figures of Nauru Island." Libraries Board of South Australia Occasional Papers in Asian & Pacific Studies 2. (155 pages)
Maude, H.C., with members of the ISFA (2001) The String Figures of Nauru Island. 2nd Edition, revised and expanded. University of the South Pacific Centre at Nauru, and Institute of Pacific Studies, Suva, Fiji. (200 pages)
Maude, H.C. & H.E. Maude (1958) "String figures from the Gilbert Islands." Journal of the Polynesian Society, Memoir 13. (161 pages)
Muller, W. (1917) "Yap." In: Ergebnisse der Südsee-Expedition (1908-10). Ed. G. Thilenius. Hamburg: L. Friedrichsen. IIB(2):206-15.
Raymund, P. (1911) "Die Faden- und Abnehmspiele auf Palau." Anthropos 6(1):40-61.
Raymund, P., Reichert, A., D'Antoni, J., and Sherman, M. (2006) "The String Games and Cat's Cradles of Palau." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 13:1-163. (English translation of Raymund's 1911 article, plus reconstructed methods).
Shishido, Y. (1996) "The Reconstruction of the Remaining Unsolved Nauruan String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:108-130.
Wirt, L., and Wirt, W. (2007) "String Figures from Tabuaeran." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:150-165.

Melanesia

Barnard, T.T. and Sherman, M. (2019) "More String Figures from Vanuatu." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 26:115-181.
Beer, B. and Claassen, S. (2014) "The Wampar String Figure Repertoire in Comparative Perspective: Social change and interethnic relations in Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 21:15-141.
Boegershausen, P.G. (1915-16) "Fadenspiele in Matupit, Neupommern." Anthropos 10-11:908-12.
Camps, J. and Claassen, S. (2010) "String figures from the highlands of West New Guinea." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:129-204.
Claassen, S. (2012) "Hans Fischer's Watut String Figure Collection Revisited." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:70-140.
Claassen, S. (2012) "Two 1921 String Figures from Murray Island, Torres Straits." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:203-206.
Claassen, S. (2014) "Wame: String Figure Chants and Stories from Saibai Island, Torres Strait; Wolfgang Laade’s 1966 film revisited" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 21:142-243.
Claassen, S. and D'Antoni, J. (2010) "Some Trobriand Islands String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:72-128.
Compton, R.H. (1919) "String figures from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 49:204-36.
Deacon, A.B., and Sherman, M. (2015) "Some String Figures from Vanuatu." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:146-212.
Eechoud, J.v., and Claassen, S. (2023) "String Figures of the Kauwerawec (West New Guinea)." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:51-92. (Illustrations only)
Fischer, H. (1960) "Fadenspiele vom Uteren Watut, und Banir River (Ost-Neuguinea)." Baessler-Archiv N.S. 8:171-214.
Fischer, H. (2012) "String Figures of the Wampar in Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:12-69.
Haddon, A.C. (1912) "String figures and tricks." In: Reports of the Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Straits 4:320-41.
Harbison, R. and Reichelt, R. (1985) "Some String Figures from Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of String Figures Association 11:18-27.
Jenness, D. (1920) "Papuan cat’s cradles." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 50:299-326.
Landtmann, G. (1914) "Cat's cradles of the Kiwai Papuans, British New-Guinea." Anthropos 9:221-232.
Maude, H.C. (1978) Solomon Island string figures. Canberra: Homa Press. (175 pages)
Maude, H.C. (1984) String figures of New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. Canberra: Homa Press. (69 pages)
Maude, H.C. (1987) "String figures from Torres Strait." Bulletin of String Figures Association 14:1-35.
Maude, H.C. & C.H. Wedgewood (1967) "String figures of Northern New Guinea." Oceania 37:202-29.
Noble, P.D. (1979) String figures of Papua New Guinea. Boroko: Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies. (190 pages)
Noble, P.D. (2001) "Papua New Guinea Revisited: An autobiographical account of recent encounters with old string figure friends." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 8:1-15.
Noble, P.D. (2007) "String Figures from the North Fly District, Papua New Guinea. Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:38-100.
Noble, P.D., and Claassen, S. (2012) "Some North Fly District String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:141-183.
Noble, P.D. (2021) "String Figures of the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:14-32.
Noguchi, H., and Shishido, Y. (2003) "Crocodile: A String Figure Series from Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:256-262.
Pouwer, J. and Claassen, S. (2022) "String Figures of the Kamoro (West New Guinea)." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:138-195.
Rivers, W.H.R. & A.C. Haddon. (1902) "A method of recording string figures and tricks." Man 2:146-53.
Rosser, W.E. & J. Hornell (1932) "String figures from British New Guinea." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 62:39-50.
Senft, B. & G. Senft (1986) "Ninikula fadenspiele auf den Trobriand-Inseln, Papua Neu Guinea." Baessler-Archiv n.s. 34:93-235. (illustrations only)
Shishido, Y. & H. Noguchi (1987) "Some string figures of highland people in Papua New Guinea." Bulletin of String Figures Association 14:38-69.

Polynesia

Andersen, J.C. (1927) "Maori string figures." Board of Maori Ethnological Research, Memoir 2. (Reprint edition 1979, New York: AMS Press). (171 pages)
Beaglehole, P. & H.C. Maude (1989) String figures from Pukapuka. Canberra: Homa Press. (87 pages)
Blixen, O. (1979) "Figuras de hilo tradicionales de las Isla de Pascua." Moana: Estudios de Antropologia Oceania 2(1):1-106.
Buck, P.H. (Te Rangi Hiroa) (1930) "Samoan material culture." Bishop Museum, Bulletin 75:557-63.
Burrows, E.G. (1937) "Ethnology of Uvea (Wallis Island)." Bishop Museum, Bulletin 145:158-61.
Campbell, R. (1971) "Kai-kai, Figuras de cuerdas y recitaciones." In: La herencia musical de Rapanui. p. 413-42. Santiago: Editorial Andres Bello. (illustrations only)
Culin, S. (1899) "Hawaiian Games." American Anthropologist N.S. 1(2):222-3.
Devonshire, C.W. (1949) "Rarotongan string figures." Journal of the Polynesian Society 58(3):112-23.
Dickey, L.A. (1928) "String figures from Hawaii, including some from New Hebrides and Gilbert Islands." Bishop Museum, Bulletin 54. (Reprint edition 1985, Germantown, New York: Periodicals Service Co.) (169 pages)
Emory, K.P. & H.C. Maude (1979) String figures of the Tuamotus. Canberra:Homa Press. (150 pages)
Firth, R. & H.C. Maude (1970) "Tikopia string figures." Royal Anthropological Institute Occasional Paper 29. (63 pages)
Handy, W.C. (1925) "String figures from the Marquesas and Society Islands." Bishop Museum, Bulletin 18. (Reprint edition 1971, Germantown, New York: Periodicals Service Co.). (92 pages)
Hornell, J. (1927) "String figures from Fiji and Western Polynesia." Bishop Museum Bulletin 39. (Reprint edition 1971. Germantown, New York: Periodicals Service Co.). (88 pages)
Maude, H.C. (1986) "String figures from Tonga." Bulletin of String Figures Association 13:7-21.
Maude, H.C. & G. Koch (1969) "Polynesier (Ellice-Inseln, Niutao) Fadenspiele." Publikationen zu Wissenschaftlichen Filmen, Encyclopedia Cinematographica Band B II, Heft 6:585-604.
Maude, H.C. & Maude, H.E. (1996) "The String Figures of Tuvalu (Ellice Islands)." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:131-162.
O'connor, B. & Patterson, L. (2002) He Whai: Old and New String Figures from Aotearoa New Zealand.Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd. (92 pages).
Oxton, A.J. (1995) "Three String Figures from Easter Island." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 2:20-26.
Sherman, M. (1993) "Evolution of the Easter Island String Figue Repertoire." Bulletin of String Figures Association 19:19-87.
Smith, C.C.K. (1999) "Maori String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:154-159.
Stokes, J.F.G., and Sherman, M. A. (1994) "String Figures from the Austral Islands." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 1:69-150.
Teamotuaitau, W. (2011) "An Update from French Polynesia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:236-240.

North American Indians

Averkieva, J.P. & M.A. Sherman (1992) Kwakiutl string figures. American Museum of Natural History, Anthropological Papers 71. Seattle: University of Washington Press. (232 pages)
Barrett, S.A., and Gifford, E.W. (1933) "Miwok Material Culture." Public Museum of Milwaukee Bulletin 2(4):270, 358-63 (Reprint edition, Yosemite: Yosemite Association). (illustrations only)
Culin, S. (1907) "Games of North American Indians." Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, D.C. Annual Report 24:761-79. (Reprint edition 1973, New York:AMS Press). (illustrations only)
Davidson, D.S. (1927) "Some String Figures of the Virginia Indians." Indian Notes 4(4):384-95.
Foster, G.M. (1941) "String Figure Divination." American Anthropologist N.S. 43:126-27.
Haddon, A. C. (1903) "A Few American String Figures and Tricks." American Anthropologist N.S. 5(2):213-23.
Hassrick, R. and Carpenter, E. (1944) "Rappahannock Games and Amusements." Primitive Man 17:36-37.
Jayne, C.F. (1962) String figures and how to make them. New York: Dover. (407 pages)
McIlwraith, T.F. (1948) The Bella Coola Indians. Vol. 2. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 384, 543-69.
Macfarlan, A.A. (1958) Book of American Indians Games. New York: Association Press. pp. 189-96.
Sherman, M. (2017) "A 1909 Collection of Blackfoot Indian String Figures and Tricks: From the Haddon string figure manuscripts at Cambridge, File 5141." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:93-115.
Sherman, M. (2017) "A 1909 Collection of Tlingit Indian String Figures: From the Haddon string figure manuscripts at Cambridge, File 5141." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:116-125.
Sherman, M., Wirt, W. (2002) "String Games of the Navajo, Part 2: Supplemental Notes and Additional Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:73-150.
Sherman, M., Wirt, L, and Wirt, W. (2007) "String Games of the Navajo, Part 3: More Supplemental Notes and Additional Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:106-149.
Sherman, M., Wirt, L, and Wirt, W. (2008) "Some Pueblo Indian String Figures and Tricks." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 15:96-173.
Sterchi, E. (Wakahana) (1997) "String Stories -- My Story: An autobiographical account of string figures in my life and the stories that accompany them." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:17-29.
Titus, D. (2003) Native American String Figures. Lawton, Oklahoma: WRDSMTH Productions. (32 pages).
Sterchi, E. (Wakahana) (1997) "String Stories -- My Story: An autobiographical account of string figures in my life and the stories that accompany them." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:17-29.
Wirt, W., Sherman, M., and Mitchell, M. (2000) "String Games of the Navajo." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:119-214.
Waugh, F.W., and Sherman, M. (2001) "Ojibwe String Figures and Tricks." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 8:46-124.
Waugh, F.W., and Sherman, M. (2005) "Innu String Figures and Tricks." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 12:66-147.
Waugh, F.W., and Sherman, M. (2022) "Some Tribal String Games from the Plateau Region of British Columbia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:196-219.

Central and South American Indians

Balducci, I. (1981) "Juegos de Hilo y Trucos de Los Toba-Taksek." Notas Etnograficas de los Toba-Taksek, Entregas del I.T., (Instituto Interdisciplinario "Tilcara"), Buenos Aires 11:139-211.
Braunstein, J. (1992) "Figuras y Juegos de Hilos de los Indios Maká." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco III:24-81.
Braunstein, J. (1992) "Figuras de Hilo de los Mataco Orientales." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco IV:36-66.
Braunstein, J. (1995) "Las Figuras de Hilo del Gran Chaco. II. Figuras de Hilo de los Mataco Orientales (2o parte)." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco VI:131-138.
Braunstein, J. (1995) "Las Figuras de Hilo del Gran Chaco. III. Figuras de Hilo de los Pilagá y los Toba-Pilagá (1o parte)." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco VI:139-150.
Braunstein, J. (1995) "Las Figuras de Hilo del Gran Chaco. IV. Hilando Historias." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco VI:151-159.
Braunstein, J., Balducci, M.I, Reca, M.M., and Sturzenegger, O. (2017) Lenguajes y juegos de hilo en el Gran Chaco. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. (322 pages).
Claassen, S. (2021) "Some String Figures of the Moré (North-East Bolivia) as recorded by Emil Heinrich Snethlage in 1934." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:170-184."
de Paula, L.G. and E.D. (2002) "Xema’eãwa:String Games among the Tapirapé Indians of Brazil." Bulletin of String Figures Association 9:186-202. (illustrations only, no instructions)
Farabee, W.C. (1918) "The Central Arawaks." University of Pennsylvania, University Museum Anthropolgical Publication 9:123-31.
Farabee, W.C. (1924) "The Central Caribes." University of Pennsylvania, University Museum Anthropolgical Publication 10:85-96.
Huapaya Amado, R.D. (1996) El Juego de la Pita. Lima, Peru: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. (39 pages + 52 Plates; No instructions).
Huapaya Amado, R.D. (2003) La Pita: Juego Ancestral. Lima, Peru: Taller, Lican-Rumi. (122 pages).
Irvine, D., and Abraham, A. Johnston. (2000) "Some String Figures and Tricks of the Quichua Indians of Ecuador." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:85-93.
Keeler, C.E. (1969) Cuna Indian Art. New York: Exposition Press. pp. 143-46 (illustrations only)
Lutz, F.E. (1912) "String Figures from the Patomana Indians of British Guiana." Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History 12(1):1-14.
Martinez-Crovetto, R. (1970) "Juegos de Hilo de los Aborigenes del Norte de Patagonia." Etnobiologica 14. (85 pages)
Martinez-Crovetto, R. (1971) "Distribucion de algunos Juegos de Hilo entre los Aborigenes Sudamericanos." Folklore Americano Vol. 19/20 (17):268-279.
Martinez-Crovetto, R. (1972) "Consideraciones sobre La Distribución de Algunos Juegos de Hilo entre los Aborigenes Sudamericanos." Suplemento Antropólogico 7(1-2):133-152.
Métraux, A. (1935) "Quelques Jeux de Ficelle l'Amerique du Sud." Societé des Americanistes de Belgiques, Bulletin 17:67-81. (illustrations only, no instructions)
Read, R. (1982) "Reconstructions of Some South American String Figures." Bulletin of String Figures Association 8:19-38.
Robinson, A. (1918) "Some Figures in String from the Makushis on the Ireng and Takutu Rivers." Timehri 3(5):140-52.
Roth, W.E. (1924) "String Figures, Tricks, and Puzzles of the Guiana Indians." Washington, D.C, Bureau of American Ethnology, Annual Report 38:500-50.
Roth, W.E. (1929) "Corrections and Addenda to 'String Figures, Tricks, and Puzzles of the Guiana Indians.'" Washington, D.C., Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin, 91:92-93.
Ryden, S. (1934) "South American String Figures." GOTHIA (Meddelanden från Geografiska Föreningen i Göteborg) 6:1-43. No instructions.
Schultz, V. Chiara (1977) "Krahó (Brazil, Tocantins Region) - String Figures." Publikationen zu Wissenschaftlichen Filmen, Sektion Ethnologie Serie 7, no. 16 (29 pages).
Sturzenegger, O. (1992) "Juegos de hilo de los Nivaklé." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco III:82-100.
Sturzenegger, O. (1992) "Juegos de hilo de los tobas de El Colchón." Hacia una Nueva Carta Etnica del Gran Chaco III:102-107.
Tessmann, G., von Hornbostel, E.M, and Haddon, K. (1939) "Chama String Games (Peru)." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 69:163-86.
Titus, D. (2002) "Belize, Please." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:362-363. (Descriptions only)
Whan, C. (2002) "Reru: String Figures of the Brazilian Karajá Indians." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:151-185.
Wirt, W. (1996) "String Figures from Guyana." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:63-82.
Wirt, W. (1997) "String Figures from Northeastern Peru." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:120-134.

Europe, Asia, United States, and the Middle East

Abraham, A. Johnston (1999) "String Figures and Tricks from the Assam-Burma Border." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:133-144.
Andreev, A. (2017) "String Figures from Siberia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:164-184.
Brewster, P.G. (1953) "Some String Figures and Tricks from the United States." Rivista de Etnografia 7(1/4):1-12.
Brewster, P.G. (1954) "Fadenspiele aus dem Mittleren Western der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerkia." Osterreichische Zeitschrift für Volkskunde N.S. 8(1-2):23-32.
Brewster, P.G. and Tarsouli, G. (1951) "A String Figure Series from Greece." Epeteris tou Laographikou Archeiou 5:101-25.
Cannarozzi Yada, S. (1996) "String Figures à la French." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:51-55.
Cannarozzi Yada, S. (2011) "An Armenian String Trick." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18: 235-236.
Claassen, S. (2010) "Swedish String Figures I: The 1939 Questionnaire from Lund (Southern Sweden)." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:38-71.
Claassen, S. (2010) "Traditional Dutch String Figure Rediscovered." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:219-221.
Claassen, S. (2011) "Swedish String Figures II: A 1970 Research in Uppsala." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:46-135.
Claassen, S. (2012) "Swedish String Figures III: Nils Keyland’s Stockholm recordings of 1908." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:184-199.
Claassen, S. (2013) "Swedish String Figures IV: String figures used in folk medicine." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:126-152.
Claassen, S. (2019) "Kassikangas: String figures in Estonia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 26:21-114.
Claassen, S. (2020) "String Games in Catalonia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 27:137-199.
Claassen, S. (2020) "The String Merels: A Two Player String Game Description from Eastern Thrace." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 27:215-219.
Claassen, S. (2021) "A Saami two-player take over game, recorded by Yves Delaporte around 1970." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:33-54.
Claassen, S. (2021) "Hungarian String Figures in Published Sources." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:55-169.
Claassen, S. (2021) "La Scie ("The Saw"), a 19th century string figure from France." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:185-204.
Claassen, S. (2021) "'Threads', the Two-Player Take Over String Game from Georgia." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 28:205-211.
Claassen, S. (2022) "A String Figure Collection from Poland." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:23-57.
Claassen, S. (2022) "Etl-betl: The Yiddish Two-player Take Over Game." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:223-233.
Claassen, S. (2023) "Ip Oyunu (String Game): The Two-player Take Over Game as it is Played in Turkey." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:220-227.
Claassen, S. and Namolaru, M. (2023) "Grandmother Knits: the Israeli Two-Player String Game." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:9-50.
Cunnington, W.A. (1908) "String Tricks from Egypt." Man 8:149-50.
D'Antoni, J. (1996) "String Figures from India." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:89-92.
D'Antoni, J. (1997) "Plinthios Brokhos: The earliest account of a string figure construction." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:90-94. (Greece)
Day, C.L. (1967) Quipus and Witches' Knots. Lawrence: University of Kansas Press. pp. 84, 87, 124-26. (Greece)
Delaporte, Y.(1976) Jeux de Ficelle Lapons. Institut d'Ethnologie, Musée de l'Homme, Paris. (microfiche, 77 pages) (Sami)
Delaporte, Y. and Claassen, S. (2022) "String Figures from the Saami of Kautokeino." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:91-118.
Escudeiro, P. (2002) "Cat’s Cradle in Portugal." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:262-284.
Escudeiro, P. (2003) "Street Cat’s Cradle." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:200-225.
Gray, J. (1903) "Some Scottish String Figures." Man 3:117-18.
Griffith, C.L.T., and Haddon, K. (1914) "Some Brahmanic String Figures." Man 14:92-97. (India)
Haefelfinger, H.R. and Haefelfinger-Reinhardt, R. (1975) "Mitteleuropa, Baselland Fadenspiele." Encyclopedia Cinematographica, Institut für den Wissenschaftlichen Film, Göttingen. (21 pages). (Switzerland)
Hathalmi, G.F. (1904) Gyermekmüvészet es Gyermekjátékok." A Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum Néprajzi Osztályának Értesítöje. 5:132-138. (Hungary)
Hingston, M.A. (1903) "'The Candles' String Figure in Somerset." Man 3:147. (England)
Hornell, J. (1932) "String Figures from Gujarat and Kathiawar." Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 11(4):147-64. (India)
Hornell, J. (1999) "String Figures from Burma." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:145-148.
Hornell, J. (1999) "Sinhalese String Figures and Tricks." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:149-153.
Hrabalová, O., and Brewster, P.G. (1957) "A Czechoslovak Cat's Cradle Series." Ceskoslovenska Ethnografie 5:176-83.
Lipponen, U. and Claassen, S. (2017) "Some String Figures from Kuopio, Finland." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:133-163.
Miller, L.G. (1945) "Earliest (?) Description of a String Figure." American Anthropologist N.S. 47:461-62 (Greece)
Noble, P.D. (2011) "Danish String Figures: A 1965-66 Film Transcription." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:136-195.
Pocock, W.I. (1906) "Cat's Cradle." Folklore 17(1):73-93. (England)
Pocock, W.I. (1906) "Some English String Tricks." Folklore 17(1):351-73.
Pocock, W.I. (1907) "Supplementary Notes on Cat's Cradle and String Tricks." Folklore 18(3):325-29. (Romania)
Probert, M. (2011) "Devonshire String Figures from the 1890s." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:1-12.
Probert, M. (2011) "The European Diving-Finger Opening." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:13-30.
Probert, M. (2011) "Cat's Cradle East and West." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:31-39.
Probert, M. (2011) "The Migration of String Tricks." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:40-46.
Probert, M. (2012) "British and American String Tricks of the 1800s." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 19:1-11.
Reichert, A. (1998) "Little Turtle: A String Figure Series from China." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:150-152.
Salika, C. (2007) "Balloons and Bird from Belgium." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:271-273.
Shishido, Y. (2002) "The Saw I Saw in Greece." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:366.
Small, A.C. (2000) "Nothing: A Series of String Figures Taught to Me by Elsie Sperry."Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:71-84. (19th century Anglo-America)
Sturley, A, and McCarthy, D. (1998) "String Figures from Western Nepal." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:105-119.
Sverrisson, K. and Claassen, S. (2010) "Some string figures from the Faroe Islands." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 17:19-37.
Titus, D. (1998) "String Figures from Central Nepal." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:120-125.
van Oosten, M. and Claassen, S. (2017) "A String Figure Session in Runavík, Faroe Islands." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 24:189-192.
Victor, P.É. (1976) "Les Jeux de Ficelle chez les Lapons Nord-Occidentaux."Boréales, Revue du Centre de Recherches Inter-Nordiques, 3:145-209.
Victor, P.É. and Claassen, S. (2022) "A 1939 Collection of String Figures from the North-Western Saami." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:58-90.
Wirt, W. (1998) "String Figures from China and Tibet." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:126-149.
Wirt, W. (1999) "String Figures from the Indian States of Gujarat and Orissa." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:113-132.

Works of Mathematical Interest

Ando, K. (2008) "Ladder String Figures: Methods for Increasing and Decreasing the Number of Steps." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 15:70-95.
Amir-Moez, A.R. (1965) Mathematics and String Figures. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Edwards Brothers. (35 pages).
Amir-Moez, A.R. (1968) Classes Residues et Figures Avec Ficelle. Lafayette, Indiana: Lafayette Printing Co. (English translation: D'Antoni, J. (1992), Bulletin of String Figures Association 18:90-125).
Bluestone, M. (1986) "Ancient String Patterns Sharpen Skills in Math." New York Times, June 19, 1986, p. C10. (illustrations only)
D'Antoni, J. (1992) "Classical Nets." Bulletin of String Figures Association18:1-6.
D'Antoni, J. (1994) "Variation on Nauru Island Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 1:27-68.
D'Antoni, J. (1998) "Reconstructing String Figure Patterns." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:92-104.
D'Antoni, J. (2002) "Is This String Figure Possible?" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:285-293.
D'Antoni, J. (2003) "Mountain String Figures" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:63-77.
D'Antoni, J. (2003) "The Real Towers of Hanoi" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:271-274.
D'Antoni, J. (2007) "String Figures with Unusual Hand Extensions." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:166-231.
D'Antoni, J. (2011) "How Many Double-walled Diamond String Figures Are There?" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 18:196-221.
Eguchi, M. & Sato, T. (1996) "On the Relationship between the String Figure Series 'Milky Way' and 'A Flock of Birds'." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:83-88.
Eisele, R. (1995) "Cat's Cradle: Making Cultural Connections in the Mathematics Classroom." Contemporary Education 67(1):46-48.
Engelhardt, U. (1995) "On the Identity of Nets." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 2:27-32.
Gardner, M. (1962) "Mathematical Games -- The Ancient Lore of String Play." Scientific American 206(6):146-54.
Gibbs, W., and Sihlabela, M. (1996) "String Figures." Mathematics in School 25:24-27.
Griffin-Kremer, C. (2022) "Hunting Frame Strings: Variations of Two Pacific Island String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:119-137.
Griffin-Kremer, C. (2023) "Naught or Knot or Loop." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 30:93-119.
Holden, A. (1983) Orderly Tangles. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 35-44.
Kako, I. (2022) "A Study of Ladder String Figures: "Twisted-ladders", "Twisted-twisted-ladders", and a new method for increasing steps." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 29:1-22.
Kamiya, K. (2000) "Doubly-Framed Ladder String Figures with Mixed Junctions." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:296-309.
Kato, N. (2020) "A Symbolic Code for Recording String Figure Instructions and an Intersection Diagram Drawing Method: An unpublished Japanese manuscript by Yasushi Ishida." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 27:200-214.
Moore, C. (1988) "The Implication of String Figures for American Indian Mathematics Education." Journal of American Indian Education 28(1):16-26.
Murphy, J.R. (1997) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 1: The Diamonds System." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 4:56-74.
Murphy, J.R. (1998) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 2: The Ten Men System." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 5:159-209.
Murphy, J.R. (1999) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 3: The North American Net System." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:160-211.
Murphy, J.R. (2000) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 4: Vertical Nets and Tennis Nets." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:215-287.
Murphy, J.R. (2001) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 5: Opening Theory." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 8:211-234.
Murphy, J.R. (2002) "Using String Figures to Teach Math Skills -- Part 6: Fun with Opening ∀." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:307-319.
Murphy, J.R. (2013) "Chopstick Heart Revisited." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:64-91.
Murphy, J.R. (2015) Why String Figures: An Educational Revolution. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. (410 pages).
Noble, P.D. (1980) "String Games and Paper Equivalent Models." Bulletin of String Figures Association 4:1-5.
Ornstein, J. (2002) "Opening ∀." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 9:294-306.
Ornstein, J., D'Antoni, J., Sherman, M., and Murphy, J.R. (2003) "Fun with Bokola: A Traditional String Figure from Fiji." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 10:226-255.
Oteri, F. (2000) "The Towers of Hanoi: Combining Ribs with Storm Clouds." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 7:287-295.
Oteri, F. (2001) "Two Chiefs in 3-D: Toward a general theory of three-dimensional string figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 8:202-210.
Oteri, F., & Murphy, J.R. (2007) "Texas Lone Star: An opening-specific string figure." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 14:232-249.
Probert, M. (2013) "Double Diamonds, Mirror Images, Optical Illusions, Coloured Loops, Red Setters, and a Moral Ending." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:1-8.
Probert, M. (2013) "The Ultimate Ladder Constructor: An infinity of ladders from a few memorised instructions." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:9-17.
Probert, M. (2013) "The Testing and Correcting of String Figure Diagrams." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 20:18-38.
Probert, M. (2014) "String Figures are not Knots." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 21:12-14.
Probert, M. (2015) "Knots as a Source of Inspiration." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:1-9.
Probert, M. (2015) "Openings and Variant Generators." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 22:10-21.
Sapiens, H. (1999) "Fun with Newkirk 2: Deconstruction and Analysis of a Novel String Figure." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 6:253-260.
Sato, T. (1988) "String Figures with Two Loops." Bulletin of String Figures Association 15:30-41.
Sato, T. (1996) "Ladder String Figures: A Systematic Approach." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:93-107.
Sherman, M. (1991) "Rationally Designed String Figures: Variations of the Kwakiutl Figure 'Two Trees'." Bulletin of String Figures Association 17:29-106.
Shishido, Y. (1996) "The Reconstruction of the Remaining Unsolved Nauruan String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 3:108-130.
Stevenson, G. (1995) "What Learning Hands Teach: An Exploration of the Psychological, Emotional, and Conceptual Impact of Making String Figures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 2:6-19.
Stewart, I. (1997) "Cat's Cradle Calculus Challenge." Scientific American 277(6):118-120 (December 1997).
Stewart, I. (1999) "Dances with Dodecahedra." Scientific American 281(3):98-100 (September 1999).
Storer, T. (1988) "String Figures." Bulletin of String Figures Association 16:1-410 (supplement in two volumes) - see description in cumulative index.
Vandendriessche, E. (2008) "String Games: Indicators of Mathematical Activity" Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 15:52-69.
Vandendriessche, E. (2015) String Figures as Mathematics?: An Anthropological Approach to String Figure-making in Oral Tradition Societies. London: Springer (392 pages).
Vandendriessche, E. (2019) "A New Symbolic Writing for Encoding String Figure Procedures." Bulletin of the International String Figure Association 26:182-208.
Walker, J. (1985) "Cat's Cradles and other Topologies Formed with a Two-meter Loop of Flexible String." Scientific American 252(5):138-143.
Yamada, M., Budiarto, R., Seki, H., and Itoh, H. (1997) "Topology of Cat's Cradle Diagrams and its Characterization using Knot Polynomials." Transactions of Information Processing Society of Japan 38(8):1573-1582.

Last updated March 7, 2024

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