I have been experimenting with different IT to use as the "leash" for Squirmel worms. I tried Vectra thread because of its strength, but found it too "stretchy" to use efficiently (though could make the worm fly from one hand to the other!)

Has anyone else found similar results with this?

LeoH

You don't want to use elastic IT for worms, plain old regular IT is fine.

In my experience the best IT for the worm pitch is Kevlar IT, which is stronger than standard IT, but also has a little bit of stretch or "give" to it (although it is not elastic). This helps to prevent breaks. Magic Warehouse carries Kevlar IT; at $12.50 for a 50-foot piece with about 75+ strands in it, you will have enough IT for two lifetimes of worm demos! SETH

Seth:

Thanks for responding back. I already have the Kevlar IT, and in my search for the "Holy Grail" of IT for worms I agree with your recommendation. Is there any easy process for stripping the thread?

LeoH

Leo -- There may be something better than Kevlar IT out there, but I had very good luck with it.

As for stripping it out, my suggestion would be to cut a 26"-28" strip from the original packaged piece. This is short enough to be manageable, but long enough to give you a good working length (16"-18") of IT, with enough left over to easily tie the ends (one to the worm's nose and another to a paper clip that clips to your shirt just below the top of your pants). Kevlar IT is a little slippery, so be sure to do 3 or 4 overhand knots at each end. You can also do a "surgeon's knot" (a modified overhand knot; look it up on Google).

Stripping the Kevlar is pretty easy if you work on a table with a strong overhead light and a piece of white paper beneath the IT, so that you can see what you're doing. Just pull gently on a single strand at one end while also holding the other end of the 25-inch piece, and it should slip out fairly easily. Wetting the end of the strand with a little saliva will neutralize any static electricity and make it easier to form your knots. Cut off any excess with a nail scissors, and you're done! SETH

I posted the holy grail of worm thread months ago, transparent nylon from Wal-Mart. I don't think I've had to re-tie my worm since I posted that.

If you are flashing the thread and people can see it, then there is a problem with your routine - not the thread. You are doing a move or something you shouldn't be doing.

And I doubt you are fooling as many people as you think with the worm ... I suspect there is a situation where you are in control so people don't speak out. It's common knowledge. Some packages even say "pull the hidden string". I'm guessing that about 1 in 8 people I pitch the worm too are already aware of how it works.

-JoeJoe

I use what comes with the worms. I wear a dark ash grey shirt and the string is nearly invisible.

Here is an idea. You are selling magic. Magic is flashy. Flash is cash. I will be setting up at an event this weekend and will be wearing a blue sequin vest to demo with. The string will be absolutely invisible to the eye.