Geeks knit

That is so cool Wooly! I've seen something about this somewhere else (maybe a magazine), and it's really facinating.

Thanks

Hesira

asked my husband if he'd like me to try it and his eyes lit up. Ugh. I was teasing and I think he thought I was serious. He wants to give it to his physicist brother and sister-in-law for Christmas. Right. Like I'd be able to get that done by then. I love the Pi shawl stuff I've seen, and there are some things out there based on the Fibonacci sequence that really are gorgeous. I think the application of mathematical theory to patterns in knit and crochet is fascinating stuff.

I'm also interested, in my very geeky linguistic way, to how messages can be coded into textile arts. Everything from Morse code to ciphers that make the pattern look random but can actually be interpreted as a message. Someday when I get the time to do so, I'd like to make a "random" afghan that says something using this method. I think it'd be tons of fun for me, especially if the message is a snarky one about whomever might be using the item at the time.

--Threnody

Wow!

Higs, Katherine

Try looking at

interesting ideas on mathematical crafts. Pat Ashforth & Steve Plummer have some terrific ideas.And I've got the modular crochet thing sorted at last Chain enough for double the size of the square you want, add 1. Work in double crochet (single crochet in USA) and decrease 2 on each row by working 3 together over centre stitch until you get down to one.

If you want to carry on in rows pick up across the top of previous square, chain the other half of number needed +1 and work back. When you get to top previous square you'll have to twist chain to get work to right position, but it doesn't show when you've worked over it.

If you want to make a "square of squares" cast off 1st and start to pick up sts at top corner of 1st square and proceed as above. For 3rd square do the same and for 4th square us sides of squares 2 & 3 to pick up sts.

You can work over the ends to avoid having to sew them in if that floats your boat (it sure does mine: I had sewing in ends!) and either make more as above or work an edging around your big square.

HTH Threnody

Love & higs Christine

What a great article, thank you who originally posted it. I have to go and get that issue of Discover Magazine. It would be fun to do some of these shapes with kids. Are there any patterns available or are we on our own in figuring it out. That would also be a fun project to do with the group, it would revitalize us and regroup us again.

Any one game.

Els

In article , " Christine in Kent, Garden of England" wrote:

Christine thanks for that website.

We are going to have a little workshop for kids, to make a gift for Dad, for Father's day. One of the ideas is the jacob's ladder as seen on this website. We also will make a paper wallet that is based on a similar concept. It will have a cross made from ribbons and the two horizontal straps also made of ribbons across the inside of the wallet. The two sides of the wallet are made from cardboard. Each side need two piece of sturdy cardboard so the ribbons can be fastened between the two pieces. (The outside piece of this wallet will be enhanced with fancy origami paper or scraps of nice material) When you lay these pieces of cardboard side by side one has a cross, made of ribbons that will be sandwiched between the two piece of card board on the outside edge of the right-hand cardboard pieces. The other ends of this cross will be sandwiched between the left cardboard pieces on their inside edge. The two horizontal pieces of ribbon will be sandwiched between the outside edge of the left-hand pieces of cardboard, and the other ends sandwiched between the inside edge of the right-hand side pieces of cardboard. When you close this wallet right over left and open it moving the right side again to the left, the cross will be sitting on the other side and the horizontal pieces on the opposite site. You can put your paper bills in it and flip the wallet in this manner and the bills will end up under the ribbons. It is like magic. These wallets were used in Amsterdam by street vendors, when I was a little girl before WWII. I am sure that Mirjam may be familiar with them as well. I have no idea what they were called. They are a lot of fun to make with kids.

I tried to google for instructions, and found this picture of a wallet that is for sale, but it shows how it looks when you have made the wallet. I am sure that you could make it from leather as well.

Els

You're very welcome to the website Els. I remember my Dad had a wallet like that when I was really quite young, and my sister & I loved to play with it. I think he mostly took the money out first before we did though!! Love & higs Christine

Els, where's the picture you found?

Sorry Jan, I thought I had posted it.

Here you go, when you click on one of the smaller pictures it will give you a larger view of one. If I end up making one with the kids for Father's day I will send it to you. I have always found these lots of fun.

Els

Hi Els and others in this four-dimensional thread *grin*

I'd love to have the directions to make these things too, to find out what kind of shapes they are.

David

David I am on a search trail, if I find anything I will keep you posted

Els

Thanks Els, I've saved the messages with links people provided. I haven't had time so far to read any except for the original Discover article.

David