Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Sunday 20 May 2012

Magic, maths and colour

A couple of weeks ago, a fellow blogger had a 'ta-dah' post. The post had the most wonderful title of 'The Cloak of Outrageous Power' - and I whizzed over to have a read straightaway.

I was more than a bit wowed by her creation. A rainbow realta of a blanket. She said I could share one of her pictures here on my blog - so here it is, modelled by Allyson herself - though the blanket is for a friend, one very lucky friend I would say.


It was not long after I read this that my mind started wandering off towards entropy and fractals and I am sure the complexity of Allyson's cloak had something to do with it.

I was equally fascinated by her latest post, in which she confesses that the arrangement of her crocheted octagons was less than random - indeed, it would appear that a fairly sophisticated mathematical approach was taken both in the creation of the octagons and in the positioning for sewing up.

I found it most interesting and also loved the opportunity to see a few more photographs of a very beautiful blanket in its new home - looks just right.

Read the creation post here and the science behind its creation here. Well done Allyson!

20 comments:

  1. It's glorious! And what a great name for it :D

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    1. It really is lovely, isn't it? I don't crochet but I might have to give it a go as I do want this one. Ax

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  2. This is fabulous. I love it. I do crochet...but my creations are nowhere near as dramatic as this. Perhaps its my lack of understanding of fractals that mean I dont feel able to cope with a shape with more than 4 sides.....octagons are just....too many sides.

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  3. I think it's probably because it is rather complicated that I like it so much. You won't have time to crochet just now, though, will you. Hope you're having a great time and that the weather improves. It's been awful here today - with rain, hail, thunder and tantalisingly short sunny patches. Axxx

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  4. Weaving was one third craft and two thirds mathematics...I used to enjoy that, but I have tried both to knit and to crochet many times only to end up with a nasty looking mess.
    I am so envious of the skill shown in this cloak!

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    1. I am sure a lot of the skills we imagine are 'crafty' are based on some sound mathematics. I'm always amazed that knitting stays together (well, mine usually does!) when it's just one piece of wool to start with - someone invented it and must have put some very logical thought into it. And whilst I am envious of the skill shown in the cloak, I am actually more envious that someone else owns it! I want it!!
      Axx

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  5. Hello Annie:
    This is amazing in every way and in every detail. We are completely in awe of those who are creative in the way in which Allyson obviously is.

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    1. I'm glad you like it too, Jane and Lance. Crochet is not always my thing but I just love this for its beauty. Axx

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  6. that's really clever! artsy clever! :)

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    1. Hi Gracey! Welcome and thanks for your comment - wish I'd made it! Axx

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  7. That is both beautiful and so clever, Annie. I've read both the posts you link to and was completely fascinated. I don't crochet, but my sister does and has made some lovely things based on the patchwork principle of geometrical shapes.

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    1. I really was so wowed by this beautiful cloak/throw/blanket and loved the name Allyson gave it. I didn't know she was going to explain the maths behind it but was so glad when she did. These things don't just make themselves and I liked that Allyson showed the thought that lies behind the manual dexterity. She has made the most wonderful job of it. Ax

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  8. Wow! Amazing. What kind of outrageous super powers do you think that cloak endows on it's wearer, Annie? I want one!

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    1. I think it would provide powers specific to each wearer. Mine would give me the gift of perfect Spanish! I think we should all have one but perhaps it would be too much to ask Allyson to make them all...Axx

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  9. Thanks for linking to me, Annie...and for everyone else for popping by!

    I love the blanket too, and am VERY glad I get to see it at least once a week :)

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    1. Allyson, you are now a legend in all parts of the globe for this wonderful creation. I know lots of people who haven't commented here but have posted on Facebook and shared the pleasure of seeing this blanket - well deserved in my opinion!
      Axxx

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  10. It's marvellous isn't it? as for super powers...my lil 11 month old girl took her first independant steps at the party this blanket was a present for...!! could it be? Nah, can't be the super powers...I might put it down to super intelligent genes! Maybe one day she'll create something as marvellous as her aunty Allyson!!

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    1. It's made links across the world - that's pretty powerful. We're all talking about it over here. Well done your little girl!! Axxx

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  11. The blanket is lovely. Kind of reminds me of the bible story of Joseph and the coat of many colors.

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  12. It certainly is very colourful, isn't it! I think the clever thing is how Allyson has put it together - so perfect. Axx

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