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The loop


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I've prepared a simple toy:

image.jpeg.36c9f93de5c52418f27bcb7041ba3aba.jpeg

It consists of a pencil and a string that goes through a hole in the pencil and makes a loop. The ends of the string are glued together. 

The loop is shorter than the long end of the pencil:

image.jpeg.5fadb399472469bbfd75c9e851fe56af.jpeg

so, it can't be moved over it.

Then, I insert the pencil through the buttonhole like this:

image.jpeg.f1c40b9672e9445c400508c3f7b7e41e.jpeg

This is how it looks from the other side:

image.jpeg.ab33a2b65b1f59f2d98dd31a1764f867.jpeg

I can separate them again and repeat without cutting, breaking, untying, etc.

Can you figure it out?

I can take more pictures, from different angles, if you need. There are no hidden cuts or anything like it. You can make it yourself.

 

 

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Spoiler

When you pulled to the left, you essentially made a knot.  To untie, you don't stretch the string, but rather stretch the fabric in three-space, as you reverse the original knot.  

 

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