Coming from both an art and a computer science background, I'm drawn to crafting objects whose construction requires puzzle-solving. In pursuit of design goals, I often stumble across fun puzzles and wind up not only with an interesting object, but also with a deeper understanding of some bit of mathematics. In this case, the object is itself is a puzzle --and a kind of physical proof. My experiences as a maker/crafter/artist/puzzler are also reflected in the book I coauthored with Susan Goldstine, “Crafting Conundrums: Puzzles and Patterns for the Bead Crochet Artist" (new edition forthcoming).
Artworks
Reversible Möbius Puzzle Scarf With Matching Bead Crochet
50.0 x 50.0 cm
custom printed fabric and glass and sterling beads
This reversible scarf is also a puzzle! Solving the puzzle provides a physical demonstration that the double cover of the non-orientable Möbius band is an orientable band with two full twists. The puzzle is to figure out how to fold the orientable form of the scarf into either of the two Möbius forms (each displaying a different fabric). It's tricky to solve! The Möbius form has a nice drape for wearing, and it's a fun surprise that we can effectively create a 2-color reversible Möbius when a Möbius band is known to have only one side. Here I have paired the scarf with my matching bead crochet designs. The blue patterned fabric is the infinitely repeating planar pattern that is the universal cover of the beaded rope of the necklace.
Reversible Möbius Puzzle Scarf with Aperiodic Flock
This reversible scarf is also a puzzle! Solving the puzzle provides a physical demonstration that the double cover of the non-orientable Möbius band is an orientable band with two full twists. The puzzle is to figure out how to fold the orientable form of the scarf into either of the two Möbius forms (each displaying a different fabric). It's tricky to solve! The Möbius form has a nice drape for wearing, and it's a fun surprise that we can effectively create a 2-color reversible Möbius when a Möbius band is known to have only one side. The fabric pattern is my bird rendition of the aperiodic monotile [Smith, Myers, Kaplan, Goodman-Strauss], in 12 colors on one side (corresponding to the 12 tile orientations) and uncolored on the reverse.
