Most strings ship in 1–2 days. check queue →

Handmade Yo-Yo String

Made to order, one string at a time. Four families. Every blend named from the apothecary and built around how it plays.

avg length: 120cm standard · 150cm available  //  made to order  //  handmade

All strings are made to order. Check the queue before buying. → String Queue

Choosing yo-yo string

Which string should I choose?

Comfort focuses on a softer feel. Performance favors speed and snap. Responsive is built for fixed-axle and responsive play.

How long are the strings?

Standard length is 120 cm. A 150 cm length is also available.

Are the strings made to order?

Yes. Each string is handmade to order. Check the current queue for the latest turnaround time.

Comfort

Soft, forgiving, and built around how a string feels in the hand first.

comfort

Emollient

Woolly Nylon 100%

disposition: plush // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: ultra soft

Shop Emollient comfort

Essence

Rayon / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%

disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft

Shop Essence luxury

Sericin

Silk 100%

disposition: docile // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: soft

Shop Sericin comfort

Serum

Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 100%

disposition: plush // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: very soft

Shop Serum luxury

Tincture

Silk / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%

disposition: normal // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: very soft

Shop Tincture comfort

Tisane

Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon / Bonded Nylon 80%/20%

disposition: grippy // velocity: slow // shelf life: enduring // feel: soft

Shop Tisane comfort

Vapor

Trilobal Poly / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%

disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: lasting // feel: very soft

Shop Vapor

Not ready to commit? Try the Witch’s Brew →

Not ready to commit? Try the 4pk Sampler – Infusion →

Performance

Speed, snap, and technical play. These strings were designed to get out of the way.

performance

Catalyst

Invisible Nylon / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%

disposition: bouncy // velocity: brisk // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft

Shop Catalyst performance

Detergent

Rayon 100%

disposition: slick // velocity: lethal // shelf life: immortal // feel: soft

Shop Detergent performance

Elixir

Trilobal Poly 100%

disposition: crisp // velocity: fast // shelf life: immortal // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Elixir performance

Ether

Trilobal Poly / Spun Poly 50%/50%

disposition: normal // velocity: brisk // shelf life: lasting // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Ether performance

Ink

Rayon / Trilobal Poly 50%/50%

disposition: slick // velocity: lethal // shelf life: immortal // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Ink performance

Sinew

Trilobal / Bonded Nylon 50%/50%

disposition: crisp // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: very coarse

Shop Sinew performance

Solvent

Spun Poly 100%

disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Solvent

Not ready to commit? Try the Witch’s Brew →

Not ready to commit? Try the 4pk Sampler – Aliquot →

Not ready to commit? Try the 3pk Sampler – Compound →

Responsive

Fixed-axle and responsive play. Grip is the priority. Forgiveness is built in.

luxury

Honey

Cotton / Silk 75%/25%

disposition: normal // velocity: slow // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft

Shop Honey responsive

Nectar

Trilobal Poly / Cotton 25%/75%

disposition: crisp // velocity: glacial // shelf life: moderate // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Nectar responsive

Pollen

Cotton 100%

disposition: grippy // velocity: glacial // shelf life: moderate // feel: coarse

Shop Pollen responsive

Spore

Cotton-wrapped Poly 100%

disposition: grippy // velocity: slow // shelf life: enduring // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Spore

Not ready to commit? Try the Witch’s Brew →

Not ready to commit? Try the 3pk Sampler – Decoction →

Specials

Limited releases, collaborations, and commissioned work. Outside the main catalogue.

limited

Emulsion

Varies 100%

shelf life: enduring

Shop Emulsion collab

Night Soil

Rayon / Trilobal Polyester / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 40%/50%/10%

disposition: slick // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: slightly coarse

Shop Night Soil commission

Rope

Monster thick. 100% Spun Poly, wound past the point where anyone would call it standard, commissioned directly through Berv, for the kind of throwing that regular string doesn’t survive.

Reading the Data Line

Every string ships with a data line. Here’s what the values mean.

Disposition

How the string behaves during play.

  • normal Balanced. No strong lean in either direction.
  • slick Low friction. Slides easily off the finger, releases clean.
  • bouncy Lively and elastic. The string pushes back slightly.
  • grippy High friction. Catches reliably. Preferred for fixed-axle.
  • plush Soft and cushioned. Forgiving under tension.
  • crisp Snappy response. Defined, precise, a little demanding.
  • docile Calm tension hold. Cooperative under most play styles.
  • volatile Reactive. For players who want feedback from the string.

Velocity

The speed of the string off the finger and through the air.

  • glacial Very slow. Built for fixed axle and deliberate, weighted play.
  • slow Unhurried. Stays under control at every trick.
  • moderate Steady and balanced. Neither rushed nor held back.
  • brisk Above average pace. Responsive without being twitchy.
  • fast High speed performance. Gets out of the way.
  • lethal Maximum velocity. Ink and Detergent territory. Not for everyone.

Shelf Life

How long the string holds up under regular play before degrading.

  • fleeting Burns bright and fades fast. Short-run intensity.
  • moderate Average lifespan. Replace when feel starts to drop.
  • lasting Above average durability. Holds feel longer than expected.
  • enduring Long life. Stays true to character well into its use.
  • immortal Exceptional staying power. Elixir and Ink tier.

Feel

The surface feel and texture of the string against the hand.

  • very coarse Maximum texture. Grips hard, breaks in slowly.
  • coarse High texture. Noticeable against the hand throughout play.
  • slightly coarse A little bite. Breaks in toward something softer.
  • soft Comfortable and low abrasion. Easy on the hand over long sessions.
  • very soft Noticeably gentle. Minimal string feedback.
  • ultra soft Almost no texture. The hand nearly disappears into the string.

Emulsion History

All seasonal Emulsions, in order of release.

  • Pride Jun 2024
  • Candy Corn Sep–Oct 2024
  • Striga Sanguine Sep–Oct 2024
  • Ugly Sweater Nov-Dec 2024
  • Jazz Jan–Feb 2025
  • Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
  • Trans Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
  • Pan Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
  • Enby Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
  • Poly Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
  • Ectoplasm Sep–Oct 2025
  • Striga Sanguine 2025 Sep–Oct 2025
  • Autumn Leaves Sep–Oct 2025
  • Rime Nov–Dec 2025
  • Gumdrop Nov–Dec 2025
  • Ugly Sweater 2025 Nov–Dec 2025
  • MA States Feb 2026
  • Refract May-Jun 2026
  • Transit May-Jun 2026
  • CO States 2026 Aug 2026
  • VA States 2026 Sept 2026
  • Ectoplasm 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
  • Autumn Leaves 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
  • Striga Sanguine 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
  • MN States 2026 Oct 2026

Remember to wash your strings occasionally.

counterweights

Counterweights

Available in the shop

for 5a  //  shop the full selection →