Double Loop Handles VS Single Loop Handles!!

I've made practice poi with double-loop, single-loop, stick, ring, and ball handles, and of those I tend to go back and forth between double-loop and ball handles, the latter being weighted to keep my tosses accurate. I've been considering adding a ball to the handle end of the chain with double loops so it can do both.

I do not like single loops woven through three fingers as I think Pele is describing, and I especially don't like what she calls the Finger Noose, for the reason she cites. When I do use single loops it's either around my first two fingers or, if it's long enough, looped around my thumb and wrapped behind my hand for a very secure grip and ease of release. I find the double loops to give you a *tiny* bit more control, but the ball handles are nice because you can use a surprisingly big variety of grip styles (between the fingers, wrapped 'round the hand, pinched between thumb and forefinger, &c.) and shift nigh effortlessly between them.

I'd like to play with ring handles a bit more, since the ones I've made left much to be desired, but frankly I don't have anything more suited to use in that capacity.

My sock poi have really big knots on them which I have come to like. I should do something similar on my other poi....

I was using knots on my sock poi, but they're too light for tosses, I find... It'll work in a pinch, but it's nice to have a counterweighted handle, especially if your socks have any amount of stretch to them. One thing I found was that if I threw a poi with too much stretch, the material would bunch up near the head, bringing the handle away from my hand...

Plastic easter eggs work; they're around the right size and are very comfortable. I just made handles from those toy golf balls, the plastic ones (I got a dozen for a buck) - put a couple steel bearings in each (with tape, otherwise they'd clack about) and then tape all 'round for good measure.

Edit: I forgot to mention, the double loop handles that I've made, neither loop is of static dimensions; it's one single loop put through a ring and only secured on the inside... What I mean is, if I pull on one loop, the other gets shorter, if I shorten it, the other gets longer. That way I get the control and secure feeling of a double loop handle, with the leeway for finger movement of a single handle. I've used double loops where the loops are static, and I still prefer them over single loops, but my style seems to suit me best.

For counter-weights in sock poi, the best method i've found is to measure the weight of the weight you've got in the end of the sock, and then, fill a balloon with uncooked rice until it weighs the same, then tie it into the end of your socks, or throw it it the thin end of your cone poi, that way you get perfect counter-weight.

And a tasty snack if your poi fall into a steamer!

I have noticed on the front cover of encyclo-poi-dia dvd, zan moore seems to be using double loops on index and middle finger, palm facing up poi hanging down. This is the same way i have always used and seems most comfortable (for me at least)

I tried single loops last week and whilst they were more secure they tended to tighten around my fingers too much.

Doubles for the win.