I use the scientific method when trying something new in my knitting. I just finished a hat knit inside out with a background of purl and slip stitch knit ridges. Knitting it on the “knit” side, I had to figure out the decrease lines on the ridges so they would look right. Hypothesis, trial, theory confirmed! That’s a great feeling!
Knitting really is engineering, isn’t it? I was pretty much a mathophobe until started knitting, and working back the formulas and proportions and estimates and geometry ‘n all.
Crochet is also really interesting in terms of its connection to the math/science worlds ... there are many mathematical concepts that are hard to illustrate and crochet is uniquely capable of doing so. The most well known is probably hyperbolic crochet which is used to create the Crochet Coral Reef project, but there are lots of others as well.
In addition to all of the wonders you knit together in this piece (see what I did there), I marvel at all of the steps from breeding to lambing/kidding to shearing thru processing and dyeing and skein if and labeling and shipping… all the hands and hoofs and plants and machines and climates that have come together even before I set about turning this very long string into a 3D object of beauty and love.
Sometimes its fun to think of the yarn as still being a sheep's wooly coat! Would love to see the whole pathway my yarn (and sweaters!) have taken to get to me. :)
Oh, that reminds me of the time I bought some wool for spinning at a festival for the first time. It was undyed wool in a gorgeous brown and the label said 'Alice', whose wooly coat it had been. 🥰
In addition to the art and science, one thing I love about knitting is the math! Indeed, it's all magical!
"Planning and creating a structured three-dimensional wearable item with all the desired properties from a single long string of fiber is an equally magical and scientific pursuit that I am not ready to let go of anytime soon. 💞"
Thank you! Yes of course the math. Just doing the excel and seeing that everything falls into place, is all the 'knitting' I get to do sometimes. :) And that is fun too.
I use the scientific method when trying something new in my knitting. I just finished a hat knit inside out with a background of purl and slip stitch knit ridges. Knitting it on the “knit” side, I had to figure out the decrease lines on the ridges so they would look right. Hypothesis, trial, theory confirmed! That’s a great feeling!
Congratulations. That confirmation is everything - how cool it is to hold your idea as a tangible thing in your hands! 🙌
Knitting really is engineering, isn’t it? I was pretty much a mathophobe until started knitting, and working back the formulas and proportions and estimates and geometry ‘n all.
It sure is. I mean we are designing and building structures here, aren't we? 💗
Crochet is also really interesting in terms of its connection to the math/science worlds ... there are many mathematical concepts that are hard to illustrate and crochet is uniquely capable of doing so. The most well known is probably hyperbolic crochet which is used to create the Crochet Coral Reef project, but there are lots of others as well.
https://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/examples-of-math-in-crochet-art/
I have heard of this one and it is indeed amazing how they used crochet to create awareness about Coral Reef. 🪸 Thank you for the link. ♥️
In addition to all of the wonders you knit together in this piece (see what I did there), I marvel at all of the steps from breeding to lambing/kidding to shearing thru processing and dyeing and skein if and labeling and shipping… all the hands and hoofs and plants and machines and climates that have come together even before I set about turning this very long string into a 3D object of beauty and love.
Oh!!! What a beautiful picture you paint. Definitely, there is a whole wonderful world behind those very long strings.
Sometimes its fun to think of the yarn as still being a sheep's wooly coat! Would love to see the whole pathway my yarn (and sweaters!) have taken to get to me. :)
Oh, that reminds me of the time I bought some wool for spinning at a festival for the first time. It was undyed wool in a gorgeous brown and the label said 'Alice', whose wooly coat it had been. 🥰
Love the stitch definition of your Tee. Will take up your tests after I complete my never ending WIPs. :)
Thank you Vidya! You are in constant production mode these days. Such lovely projects. 🩷
I too like you marvel at how strands of yarn become a glorious fabric.
The Marlow Murder Club is such a great read! I loved it :)
I loved it too, Jodie. :) Very Agatha Christy-ish :))
Oh I missed the finger mits!
In addition to the art and science, one thing I love about knitting is the math! Indeed, it's all magical!
"Planning and creating a structured three-dimensional wearable item with all the desired properties from a single long string of fiber is an equally magical and scientific pursuit that I am not ready to let go of anytime soon. 💞"
Thank you! Yes of course the math. Just doing the excel and seeing that everything falls into place, is all the 'knitting' I get to do sometimes. :) And that is fun too.
Sorry to have missed you Thursday! But so love this week’s newsletter! The nerdy aspects of knitting are my favorite! Appeals to my analytical brain!
Missed you too Alexa. So glad you liked this one. I'm here for the nerdy bits of knitting too. :)