You probably have seen someone do this. It might have been that kid who sits next to you in math, or your co-worker, or maybe your best friend. They effortlessly spin a pencil around their finger without a second thought. You might have tried to copy them and failed or you might have dismissed it as something you can't do. Well, you were wrong. You can learn how to spin a pencil (or pen, or marker, or paintbrush, or screwdriver, or banana, or just about anything) around your finger with a little practice.

Step 1: Materials

To learn to do this you will need...

- a pencil (you might want an unsharpened one so you don't poke yourself)
- Your hands
- This instructable
- Patience

Step 2: The Set-up

To get started you want to learn the beginning position for your hand in relation to the pencil. I will refer to this as "the set-up."

Take your pencil and position your pointer finger right next to the metal part of the eraser (see pic.)

Place your middle finger about a thumb-width down the pencil (also see pic.)

Put your thumb (of the same hand) between your ring and middle fingers on the back of the pencil to stabilize the pencil.

Step 3: The Kick

Now that you're familiar with the set-up, it's time to learn how to spin the pencil.

To start, "kick" the pencil with your middle finger at the same time that you pull your pointer finger away from the pencil. The feeling is similar to snapping.

Just practice that and make sure the pencil is rotating around your thumb. Remember not to use to much force and don't worry about catching it for now.

Step 4: The Catch

At this point you should be able to get the pencil to rotate around your finger and then fly away. That's good. Now it's time to control the pencil and get it to land back in your hand.

Start by slowly kicking the pencil. With your pointer finger extended it should fall THROUGH the gap between your pointer and thumb, before falling to the ground.

Now use that same slow kick, but as the pencil nears that gap pinch your index finger and thumb together. If done correctly, the pencil should now be in your hand and in the normal writing position. (see pic.)