Friday, November 15, 2024

Fractals, granny squares and Misfits

Since I am soon supposed to be helping a group of beginners learn the granny square, I thought I'd better review how it's done, long time since I did any.

A couple of false starts, then I began to remember how to go. The YouTube channel I used, after trying a couple that weren't very helpful, is Bella Coco. She's a very good teacher, doesn't cover the work with her hands and has a great production style.

And Misfits arrived 




The dish in the foreground is hot pepper seeds drying for future use over pasta 


And here's a few cranberries, mushrooms and peas for Thanksgiving. That organic ketchup is much better than any I've had, no metallic aftertaste like some. Beans and tomatoes because they're a staple around here, likewise yogurt.

There was a surprise textiles presentation by GWU,  which I'd forgotten I'd signed up for, good thing they send reminders.

About fractals, the iteration of shapes, and textile designs, the presenters showed examples of historic and traditional African textiles and paired them with the corresponding mathematical findings and proofs. 




 













It occurred to me that granny squares, starting with a circle then expanding spirally, repeating the motifs, can be understood as fractals.  

One riveting point the presenters made was that the embroidery and weaving designs are recorded in song. As women stitch, they sing, to preserve the design and the knowledge of it. The same is true of painting designs on  pottery, like the large container you see back a few slides.  They sing the design as they work it.

That was a surprise, and yet another great GWU  presentation. I get such an education from these programs, which largely came about because of the pandemic and resulting lockdown, and are, thankfully, being continued.

It would help to look at the items I carefully put on my calendar. Today also was Ruth and Laura cleaning and filter replacement day, vital!

Happy day everyone! In our upcoming dark time, we could try to remember art will always be with us. Whether making or enjoying or both, it will be there, one way or another.




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