May 11 2009
New Challenge
Ever read anything about Mobius bands? I know there are plenty of sites that can give you all sorts of information but I’ll provide some info right here.
Basically, it is a mathematical challenge and fairly easily demonstated. Take a short length and width of paper — like a length of adding machine tape. Start writing a sentence along one edge of the paper so you can see the difference between the two sides and create a “right” and “wrong” side. Hold the paper to form a ring which you are going to close. Before you tape it closed, give one end a half twist so that the “wrong” side of one end meets the “right” side of the other end. Now continue writing your sentence along the edge of the paper until you have to stop.
Now isn’t that something different?
Now imagine that in a knitted form. That is what I am knitting as a “take along” knit that reqires little thought or effort but produces a magical form. Basicaly, if you think of a straight like for the centre stitches, you work outward on both sides. Worked so the yarn will drape softly, it makes, in this case, a soft draping scarf with an interesting twist and only one edge to cast off.
Cat Bordhi is the knitting genius who thought this one through and developed many patterns to challenge and interest other knitters. She is giving workshops this Spring for a knitting guild I attend but I’m not taking a workshop. While I would very much like to meet her, I was too late to register and am challenged enough by her books. Have the feeling I would be overwhelmed by working with her so I’ll work on my own.
Cat also has a book that really challenges the way socks are made and I have material for several of them. Once I get some of the ones finished that are done past the point where I could have used some of her ideas. My incentive for finishing.
And this newest challenge is my reward for working on the bland socks I want to finish. One or two rows on the scarf for several hours on the socks.
What challenge do you have in your crafts?
Stephanie B — it would be fun to try in crochet. If you do, please post pictures and let me know. I can’t seem to get my head round it. (Sorry I’ve taken so long to answer but haven’t edited the comments for ages.)
Flit - World Class Knitter is the fastest knitter in the world and she lives in the Netherlands. Canada’s fastest lives in Angus. They count the number of stitches done in a certain length of time.