The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TO FIND OUT HOW MANY CHILDREN YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THREAD
A NEED(LE), THEN STICK THE POINT OF THE NEEDLE THRU THE
ERASER OF A PENCIL 'TIL IT TOUCHES THE LEAD. THEN, HOLDING
THE WHOLE THING BY THE STRING, DROP THE NEEDLE OVER YOUR
WRIST. BE SURE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY JEWELRY ON THAT
HAND OR ARM. WHEN THE NEEDLE DROPS, IT WILL CIRCLE AROUND
THE WRIST. FOR EVERYTIME IT STOPS GOING IN THE CIRCLE TO
SWING UP AND DOWN YOU WILL HAVE A BOY. FOR EVERYTIME IT
STOPS TO GO SIDEWAYS YOU WILL HAVE A GIRL. EACH TIME IT
STOPS, ADD UP THE TOTAL AND YOU'LL KNOW HOW MANY CHILDREN
YOU'LL HAVE AND WHICH ARE GIRLS AND WHICH ARE BOYS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL

Date learned: 00-00-1972