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The Yo-Yo Emoji is nigh!

The Unicode Consortium has just released Unicode 12, which features several new emojis, including the yo-yo emoji. Now that Unicode 12 is released it’s only a matter of time before Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook, et al add support for the new characters. For those who don’t know, I helped propose the yo-yo emoji last year (thanks to help from my friends at Emojination).

I can’t wait to see how each major platform designs their version of the yo-yo emoji. For example, here are 6 variations of the ghost emoji.

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PopCast #18: Pop-outs… or whatever.

Hey y’all, happy Monday! Here’s a new video to kick off your week, it features a move called “pop-out”, which is really simple and easy to throw in to just about any combo. Don’t forget to use #popcastyoyo if you share it on IG.

Due to popular request, I also added a review of the Sharper Image yo-yo, which uses a cheap plastic sleeve instead of a bearing and it’s… kind of great for responsive play. It reminds me of this recent thread on YoYoExpert.

I also talk about my biggest regret from 2018 and collabo goals for 2019. Thanks for all of your support!

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PopCast #17: Slack-Wraps

Hey y’all, I’m back from a short trip to Tennessee where I was stuck in an airport for 6 hours so I decided to film a new episode of PopCast. This ended up with me focusing on a neat element that I hadn’t thought about documenting before, even though it is one of my most requested tricks. The focus is: slack wraps. 

PopCast #17

As usual, I want to give a big shout out to all of my Greg Knowles, Jeff Atwood, and all of my sponsors on Patreon.com/docpop who help make this show possible. 

I’m looking for more yo-yos to feature in upcoming episodes. So if you have a yo-yo you’d like to donate for a giveaway (and possibly have featured in the show), please hit me up. Thanks!

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Car Chat: The 48 Hour Yo-Yo Project Part 1.5

We are still working on part two of the 48 Hour Yo-Yo Project documentary, but here is an excellent clip of Shawn (from One Drop) and myself talking about how yo-yo design and the current state of the Weekender project.


Speaking of the Weekender, I’ve shared a couple short yo-yo clips where I’m using a prototype. You can kind of get an idea of the sort of “modern responsive” play we are aiming for.

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The 48 Hour Yo-Yo Project: Part 1

Last month I hopped on a train from San Francisco to Eugene, OR in order to spend a weekend with the One Drop crew. The goal was to design a brand new (and somewhat atypical) yo-yo. We ended up calling this the 48 Hour Yo-Yo Project and plan on making it an annual thing.

Thanks to the support of my backers on Patreon, I was able to hire my buddy Clifton B. to document this project along the way. I’m happy to share part one of The 48 Hour Yo-Yo Project:

IF you enjoy these videos, you can help support me on Patreon. This month I’ll be giving away one of the 48 Hr Yo-Yo prototypes to one of my Patreon backers, so don’t delay.

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PopCast Yo-Yo #16: A complete guide to “Modern Responsive” yo-yoing!

Modern Responsive yo-yo play is a new way to look at old school yo-yoing. Rather than focus on trying to see how much spin you can squeeze out of a fixed axle yo-yo, this new style focuses on balance, regenerations, and creative tricks you can do without the yo-yo even spinning. It’s like a cross between kendama, contact juggling, 1A, and 2A yoyoing. If you are interested in getting started, check out the newest episode of PopCast, which is a guide on many of these responsive trick concepts and combos.

There are lots of great responsive yo-yos out there, but I truly love the “Doc Pop” Legend Wing yo-yos available on my shop for just $14.

I’ve also shared an in depth interview with Ed Haponik about his @bandalores project on Instagram. Be sure to give them a follow!

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A-Mazing Wooden Yo-Yos Now In Stock

I just added some new wooden yo-yos to my shop. These are fixed axle yo-yos made by YoYoFactory with an “A-Mazing” logo laser etched on the side. I really like using these yo-yos for responsive tricks, but they are fun to customize too. The unfinished wood really takes wood stain, ink, and/or watercoloring well.

photo by Shawn Garcia

Speaking of responsive yo-yoing tricks, I just posted an interview with Ed Haponik about his new Bandalores project. You can watch that here.

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PopCast #15: Fingersnap tricks!

The newest episode of PopCast is online and it’s a great one. In this PopCast vlog I focus on snap (or fingersnap) tricks, which is one of my favorite novelty concepts. Can’t wait to hear what y’all think about it. Thanks to all of my Patreon.com/docpop sponsors for making these shows possible and please share your snap tricks on Instagram with #popcastyoyo.

Oh, and don’t forget to check back September 7th at noon (PST) for the special release of the Saturday Night Market Executive yo-yos. Only 39 made.

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Yo-Yo Giveaway: A Prototype VTWO by One Drop

Each month I do an exclusive yo-yo giveaway for Patreon/Popcast sponsors. This month’s yo-yo is a prototype VTWO yo-yo by One Drop. Yoyoexpert has a great write up of this yo-yo here. Big thanks to One Drop for donating this yo-yo to one of my Patreon sponsors and thanks to you for sponsoring the Popcast yo-yo vlog.

Any sponsor who is at the $2 or higher level on Patreon by September 1st will automatically be entered into the giveaway.