Friday, February 17, 2012

The SOS of knitting...

Yes, we all know that knitting can be rescue therapy when things go wrong in this world; but this is about another approach to knitting. My friend sent me a link to a video of a woman who is trying to show the historical and cultural significance of the binary system.  Here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoiuYw5pVQ4&feature=youtu.be

A binary situation is when you have 2 choices.  One example used in the video is Morse Code where you have a choice of either a short signal (dot) or a long signal (dash) and combinations of these create communication. Are you still with me?

Another example used is knitting where she suggests that you have 2 choices as well - one is the knit stitch and the other is the purl stitch and combinations of these create a pattern - in this case the SOS sweater.

I did not leave a comment to suggest that her theory falls apart when you start knitting lace because you have more than just 2 choices.

Anyway, it's an interesting concept.  It didn't make the binary concept applied to a computer any easier to understand - well maybe just a little and it raised the profile of knitting to the level of mathematics.  Hmmm, maybe that's why so many computer and math people knit.

Have a calculating day!!

1 comment:

  1. I have spent days looking for a simple knitted shrug for a 7 year old girl it looks like a scarf with sleeves it is about 7 " down her back. not bolero style.


    Thanks
    Desperate Helen

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