I was asked recently to discuss a bit about grip on fabric (I talked about grip on a horizontal bar previously in Get A Grip). This is how I approach grip on fabric, but if you have another genius way, please let us know!

First, identify your Robin Rood! Your Robin Hood is the webbing between your thumb and forefinger where you would place a bow if you were going to oo de lally oo de lally, etc. Let’s look at this cute cartoon smartguy.

Notice how his wrist is cocked a little off-center from straight so that his Robin Hood lines up with his forearm. (By the way, this is a very strong wrist position and it comes back when you put stress on the hands in wrist locks or on straps.) Here’s another view of the same wrist position, but this time irl:

See the cocked wrist? Now that you know where your Robin Hood is, seat the fabric in your Robin Hood. Make sure that it’s bundled together and there is equal tension on every part. Many people find that if you slide the hand down from above the fabric bundles together nicely:

1

Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger as tightly around the fabric as tightly as you can. For reference, this grip is exactly the same way you go about milking a cow. First, pinch the teat off with the thumb and forefinger to keep the milk from passing back into the udder:

It is literally the same motion. Pinch the teat. Pinch it.
2

Next, piano each finger around the teat, maintaining the seal made by the thumb and forefinger.

3

Remember that you are squeezing milk out: don’t let your forefinger and thumb loosen their grip at the top or you will not get any milk today.4

At this point, all of your fingers should be firmly wrapped around the teat. Take this opportunity to replace your thumb to make sure that the grip is as tight as possible.5

Some people grip with the thumb overlaying the first finger, which is fine.6

I find it more comfortable to place the thumb in between the forefinger and the second finger.

7Repeat with each hand every time you grip the fabric, and as a happy bonus, if you should find yourself in a crisis milking situation you will know how to handle it expertly.

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