S. Louise Gould and Franklin R. Gould
My mathematical art grows out of my experiences with my students and my explorations of mathematics, textiles, paper, and technology. I enjoy working with computer controlled machines such as the computerized embroidery sewing machine and the Craft Robo (plotter cutter) as well as traditional looms and knitting machines.
This braid of braids was inspired by the cover of the December 2020 Mathematics Magazine and the article “Branko’s M2 Is Brunnian” by Rick Mabby and Laura McCormick. Our original concept was to have six rings permanently attached with one more having a magnetic closure so experiments with the Borromean link and the 5 and 7 Brunnian links could be done. The construction challenge was great enough that after doing the 7 link, we will not be taking it apart again! Indeed, the 7-component link is unlinked when the yellow one is removed, since the link was assembled without breaking the other six. The weaving in and out of the yellow one makes an alternating, symmetric, ``linked’’ link without linking to any one of the other six.