Page 123 - Gibson W.B. "The complete guide to knots"

115
String through
the Buttonhole

A loop of string is passed through a
buttonhole, and held by the thumb.
The thumb and one finger of each
hand are then slipped through the
loops on the opposite sides. The
hands are suddenly drawn apart and
the string comes right out of the but-
tonhole, apparently through the cloth
of the coat.
This is done as follows: Push the
loop through the buttonhole, and
hold it with a thumb in each end loop
fig. 1
(fig. 1). Swing the right hand over
towards the left, and hook the right
little finger in either one of the strings
that run from the left thumb to the
buttonhole. Then bring the left hand
toward the right, and hook the left lit-
tie finger in one of the strings running
from the right hand. The loop will
now be held as shown in figure 2,
which is the key to the whole trick.
The string seems to be firmly through
the buttonhole, but it can be drawn
free in an instant.
Release the string with the little
finger of one hand, and the thumb of
the other hand. Then draw the hands fig. 2
rapidly apart. The string will come
clear of the buttonhole, and will still
be between the hands (fig. 3). In the
drawing, the string has been released
by the left little finger and the right
thumb.

fig. 3