The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN A WOMAN WILL HAVE
PLACE A NEEDLE ON A LONG THREAD, SUSPEND IT OVER
THE OPEN PALM. TOUCH THE NEEDLE TO THE PALM, THEN
HOLD IT ABOVE THE PALM. WHEN THE NEEDLE MAKES A
CIRCLE, IT MEANS A BOY AND WHEN IT GOES BACK AND
FORTH IT MEANS A GIRL. THE NUMBER OF TIMES THESE
MOVEMENTS ARE MADE DETERMINES THE NUMBER OF
CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Date learned: 10-20-1969