Thread the Needle

Yeah, thread the needle is a bit of a challenge. It's a great move, though, lots of places to go from it. Definitely start by making new poi, though. Trip to Home Hardware will solve everything for you, I'm sure that anyone can tell you how to whip up a set of poi using some chain and a couple of tennis balls. I like mine to be nice and heavy, as well, and yours seem like they really wouldn't be. Keep trying. One nice trick that I've heard for thread the needle that was really helpful is to pretend that you're pulling up sleeves on a shirt while doing the butterfly.

try making way shorter strings. i could never get this move but one day recently i made a set of super short (about 8") chains for my lacrosse ball poi for indoor practice and for double one handed stuff with 2 sets of poi. for some reason with the short set this move came to me almost immediately, and then the next time i went back to my long chains i could just do it, no problems. I've since tried this approach with a few other moves that were giving me problems and found that its easier to pick them up on the short chains.

it's so great to read Sym saying he cant do thread the needle!! Ok ok, it was 2 years ago, but it proves there was a time when he couldnt do it!! hehehhe!!! he's human after all!! and not just some sexy poi machine like i'd assumed.

I know what you mean. Makes me feel better that people light years ahead of me had to start somewhere!

I mean I've only just got the hang of Outwards Thread the needle...!

You see, this thread was a pain. I managed not to ask about what music people liked to spin to, I didn't start a bad intro, I read posts well and searched, but I couldn't find anything about this at all. After a few days of trying to posted, only to get the old 'do a search' line from people! Damn it!

Anyway, thanks again to Jon and Will

Remember people, you will get it (and loads of other cool moves) soon, and one day it'll feel great and you'll forget how hard it was to learn

I have tails on my poi now and it is easier to slow them down. Guess I'll give ttn another go.

congratualtions on possibly the best "Old Thread Revival" EVER!! you are getting UBER hugs if i ever meet you!!!!

I taught myself this one accidently by trying to do my butterfly with the other hand on top. It was so uncomfortable that I switched back to the other hand. Well what do ya know, the switching was a small thread the needle. Do the arm exagerations after the switch and you got it!

Ahhhh..
sorry, Im just reminiscing old times when Sym couldnt do a thread the needle..

^ and me. There was a time i couldnt do underhand ttn at all. Now its so easy, why couldnt i do it??

i think i learned it today and all i am doing is doing a butterfly with moving my hands back and forth

zild -one hand needs to go on top of the other in turn (or under the other in turn for underhand)

I've yet to learn this

Give me a few days ^^

Another revival of this thread....

What about multiple beat ttns? Random trolling through the board hinted at the existence of such, but what would it actually entail.

Took me ages to learn this one, but somehow it just clicked one day. Got the outward version a few days later.

OK. More trolling suggests that these only relate to butterfly weaves?

There is a 4bt ttn- or i have heard a move called that anyway- it involves wrapping your wrists in a similar way to the 5bt weave, but while doing a ttn..
Sorry, that's one of the worst descriptions ever- I can do it, I'm just not sure what it is exactly I'm doing

But its basically correct. You are getting each hand to spin 2 beats out in front and two beats behind (one happens in the 6 o'clock position, the 2nd in the 12o'clock postion).

Sorry, but Im a bit rushed on time or I would explain it more thoroughly.

There is also a 3bt TTN, which is basically just a basic TTN but in split-time.

OK. Something new to try...

Although how do I come out of this with the poi swinging the right direction? I seem to end up in a chase....

You'll have to explain how you do that. Im not sure what to advise other than watching your planes. It sounds like (pardon the assumption) you might be inadvertently creating a stall and leading with your hand towards the outside. This would drag the poi behind you and put you into a weave. Either that or you are doing some serious plane shifting.

Im trying to think how to explain it, but Im having trouble visualizing without my poi in hand. If it hasn't been answered for you later, Ill try to drop back in this evening with a proper explanation.

Oh.. just found there is a lesson for the 4bt ttn, in the 'advanced butterfly' section on this site (I'm computer illiterate, so I won't try a link)

May be better than my dodgy attempt at describing.. Sounds like you just are going into a 5bt weave..

Just out of curiosity, any advice on this, as i can do ttn no problem with my socks, no problem with my tails (on cord) but cannot for the life of me do it with my chains!! should this be any different or does it just go back to PRACTICE and timing?!!?