KnotHead Report post Posted April 6, 2009 Hello all. Any who have Ron Edwards book on Round Knots and Braids volume 2 will know exactly what I am talking about. I have been building a dog leash lately for a friend of mine. Picking which plait to use was simple. But the puzzle begins when trying to do a gaucho braid of 10 strings. The following I have deemed a cascading type of anomaly within the math. I know from experience that the gaucho braid can be done with 4 strings, 8 strings, 12 strings, 16 strings and 24 strings. Now here's where the anomaly started to take a pattern to me. To experiment try to do a gaucho braid with 4 or 8 strings for a short run of about 6 inches(15.2cm) long. You will then notice on the left side of the braid the odd number of strings and on the right side an even number of strings. Now, taking into account that the gaucho braid is done on the even number side, example; 4, 8, 12, 16, 24. The anomaly occurred to me when I was reading an article in the braider. The flat plait, or flat braid for a gaucho braid can be done with 10 strings verses the round braided one that I have attempted to complete by doing several sequence changes to the strings without any really good success. In other words the round braid looked like trash. So, after several inches I would tear it apart and start over with a different sequence to see where it would take me. The same results was created. It looked like a gaucho braid, but it did not come together like it should, thereby the braid looked like crap. Now, most of us professional braiders already know that the braid must be as close to perfect as humanly possible, or just straight out perfect in order for the item to sell at its highest possible price. What I don't understand is how this anomaly between the flat braid and the round braid can be so far off from one another. The article in the braider was written about 10yrs ago or so. I could be totally wrong in all this, but I thought I would post this discovery which is not new by all means. But an interesting topic to me and I hope other braiders that have encountered this anomaly I am speaking of. I would be most interested in any and all reasons that this anomaly occurs in the round braid and the flat braid as well. Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
megabit Report post Posted April 6, 2009 You will have to wait for someone else to give you a good answer, but one thing that kinda stands out is that 10 is not divisible by 4 like 4/8/12/16 are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorsehairBraider Report post Posted April 6, 2009 Brian - I have to say, I am puzzled by at least some of your comments - that "Now here's where the anomaly started to take a pattern to me. To experiment try to do a gaucho braid with 4 or 8 strings for a short run of about 6 inches(15.2cm) long. You will then notice on the left side of the braid the odd number of strings and on the right side an even number of strings." I use this braid everyday in my work. Normally I use 8, but sometimes 12. I have *NEVER* had an uneven number on one side. Yes, the sequence is a little strange - for 8, it is U2, O2 - O1, U2, O1 - O2, U2 - U1, O2, U1 - repeat. But there are always 4 on each side (for this example). In fact I just finished braiding 2 bracelets, 12 inches long each, where this was the case - not 5 minutes ago - so I am not sure about what you are saying. Perhaps you have pictures? Or perhaps I don't understand what you are saying? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted April 6, 2009 Ah Ha!!! That's it. I am in duh mode now. The divisible part is why. Gosh, I even screwed the whole posted question. Now that I read it again for the 5th time. Forgive me, I am so absent minded. Geesh... If an admin, or mod could please delete this post. My question would seem to be from a moment of &^%$&^# I'll let you use your own word, or words. Sorry guys and gals... Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
megabit Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Hey, we are all hear to learn and help others. I would say leave the post, you are not the only one who is ever going to hit this question. Ah Ha!!! That's it. I am in duh mode now. The divisible part is why. Gosh, I even screwed the whole posted question. Now that I read it again for the 5th time. Forgive me, I am so absent minded. Geesh... If an admin, or mod could please delete this post. My question would seem to be from a moment of &^%{:content:}amp;^# I'll let you use your own word, or words.Sorry guys and gals... Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted April 7, 2009 Thank you megabit and horsehairbraider for the info and help with my absent mindedness. I am in the I.T. business and use math on a daily basis, which is why I am so embarrassed by my blunder for not seeing the answer which was right in front of me. It must be too many fires in the pot going at the same time for me to be like that. I am not quite sure yet. LOL... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
