how are my handwoven tea towels the basis of math? ➗✖️📚

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I have been wanting to hand weave my own tea towels or kitchen towels for years - and now is finally the time! Join me as I weave my towels and explain how interwoven math and weaving are :)
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Engineering knits is a place for people who enjoy all kinds of vintage and antique crafts - from sewing to knitting, crochet to embroidery I like to try it all. I definitely have a preference for historical fiber crafts, and it is my dream to one day make an entire outfit from sheep to sweater. I hope you enjoy watching me and my favorite companion, Nutella, struggle through some fascinating projects!

[@EngineeringKnits]

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[@schroddie]

Could you please write the reference for the book you recommended in the video?

[@LupusSapien]

Did you mean "The Fabric of Civilization"? "Fabric of Society" is the title of so many things.

[@Celcey24]

Huh. Everything else aside, this is the first time I've seen a Brilliant ad that makes me actually want to try their product. I'm going to look into it when I have a bit more time, so thanks for that!

[@k_darby]

I really appreciate how interdisciplinary your videos (particularly this one) are. It is nice to remember that crafts don't exist in a bubble.

[@amydebuitleir]

I'm a maths nerd, and recently got into knitting, so it felt like this video was made for me personally! Fascinating to know what makes satin smooth, and the tea towels are stunning. I usually knit without a pattern, so I find that my maths skills, especially spatial reasoning and geometry, come in very handy.

[@dees3179]

You just saved me a fortune. Watching you setting up the loom has put me right off doing it myself. I love the idea of weaving, but that setup is brutal. Glad you are finding solace.

[@RetroClaude]

So much to love in this video. Who would’ve thought the humble tea towel could become such a meaningful work of art? ❤

[@JustSaralius]

I'm very sorry you're going through a rough time and I really hope things are turning around for you. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to make these videos, always. It's wonderful that you are able to find comfort in crafts and poetry etc. That is a real strength! The tea towels are so beautiful and the cake looked amazing too!

[@SandExperiment]

I wanted to let you know that your videos helped me so so much when I was going through some tough times. Often I would have them on the background during my day and they gave me so much peace and comfort when I was scared and lonely. I wish I could help you somehow now when you are going through difficult times. But I can only write this comment. Hugs!

[@StillAlicia]

You know you are in the right corner of the internet when you are learning to weave, reading a book about math and watching this video. Thank you for this lovely video ❤

[@sophieinspired]

3/4 of the video basically just being "prep work", way more math than you would expect and problem solving what the .. is wrong now again, ending in mush brain is such a relatable and accurate depiction of fibre arts. I feel you.

[@morningrose428]

I love talking about fiber craft and math! I have a book somewhere in my possession about Non-Euclidean geometry and crochet, and I love the story of how the Jaquard looms were used to develop early computer systems, but this is an era of mathematics that I am unfamiliar with. Good stuff!

[@LolasTBs]

What's that book called? :)

[@carnelian6545]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through a tough time, I have turned to handicrafts as well lately to cope with illness. I want to say that this channel has made such an impact on me. I'm not a naturally resilient person, and I would tend to abandon projects at the first sign of struggle. Your perseverance to complete projects - whatever it takes - has changed my philosophy immensely. I often find myself thinking - "Would Engineering Knits give up on this?" And of course, it's a no. I've learned a lot and grown a lot as a knitter by deciding to push through difficulties, as you always do. Thank you for everything.

[@CastielWillow]

I'm so sorry things have been hard, and thank you for being vulnerable and sharing the role that fiber crafts has played in your perseverance and healing. I hope that there is light shinning in your near future.

[@kimberendt6595]

Hi- I’m a fellow weaver. I have the same loom and I love it. I have a couple of ideas that have worked for me. To sley the reed more easily, get 2 yard sticks or some other long sticks. Lay them across the loom from the front beam to the back beam. Take out the reed and lay it across the sticks. That way you can hold the sleying hook under the reed and pull the thread through each dent easily without leaning over or reaching around. String heddles. You can tie on string knotted to the shafts as correction heddles. Google it. They work great in a pinch! The towels look great! Happy weaving!

[@saltqueer]

this video really sounds like how every weaver ive talked to complains about setting up their loom lol

[@Siennaflower]

Very lovely--math, poetry, weaving--what more could one want in a video?? The tea towels are so pretty. I have always appreciated the intersection of math with other disciplines, and considering its origins. In a Universe that is whole, everything is related to everything. 😊

[@simplyannadee]

I usually just lurk, but wanted to comment to say how beautiful your tea towels are! It's so great when utilitarian objects can also be beautiful. I'm glad making them brought you some peace and tranquility!

[@agimagi2158]

This video speeks to all the nerds inside of me, history, science and fibercrafts! The tee towels turned out beautiful!

[@renagralheer6928]

Zupfkuchen ❤ have not had that in years, a German living in Wales , sending hugs and thank you for your videos. They are always fascinating

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

These are gorgeous. My sister did textiles in college but she sold her loom when she got married and had children. I never went to college but after watching this video I'd love to give weaving a go. I love making things from scratch ... Such an achievement!

[@Twentynyne]

You are the Jazza of textiles, you dabble in all the types of textile arts.

[@effie3798]

My goodness, those tea towels are beautiful.

[@elainelear4982]

Hugs that life issues are resolved well for you and yours. Watching you weave reminds me how important the parts of our life is. They are interwoven!!, to help us live our complicated lives. It takes a lot of effort to make material which makes clothing, bedding, etc. Thank you for the reminder.

[@nolamisskel]

I have been behind on watching videos because life has been challenging for me lately too, but my fiber crafts( knitting, embroidery, cross stitch) has helped so much. I was talking to a galpal of mine and I told her that I needed your knitting keeps me from unraveling mug. It’s so true. Two of my greatest loves both furby and human passed last year. Being able to craft has helped so much. Sending you love, light, and hugs.

[@TheIdahoBeauty]

Wow! They are beautiful, and I'm guessing that same peace you found in the weaving comes over you whenever you pick one up to use.

[@xingcat]

The towels are lovely! I l have heard that poem somewhere before, and it's always affected me. I have a couple of chronic illnesses that sometimes can overwhelm, and working on art, even if it's just a little bit that I can handle when things are really bad, always fills a bit of a void that can help with healing in other ways. I hope you are feeling better, or on the path to feeling better, and I am really happy to know more about the math and processes involved in weaving.

[@RoumerBloomer]

The last time I took out my loom, every step I could mess, I did mess up. Big time. And my loom is a child’s toy compared to yours. You did a fantastic job and managed to come up with a solution wherever needed, with your tea towels coming out stunning. My hats off to you. Take care!

[@Kaelynn-ou8fu]

Wow, those towels are so beautiful

[@jessicavannatta5247]

Those tea towels are beautiful, nice work!

[@kkweldy]

That loom setup looks so hard, but I appreciate you always sharing your missteps and frustrations with us on your projects. Your projects always turn out beautifully and it's a reminder to me to just take a break and try again without getting too upset when I mess something up.

[@amelia13131]

The part about derivations and the "granddaddy of all algorithms" was fascinating! And your tea towels, and cake, turned out beautifully 😊

[@bobbinsandkalechips]

I’ve never been good at math but I think if I was taught n a more tangible and visible way it might’ve clicked for me. So glad you are feeling better. Hugs for you during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing that poem. It and your tea towels are so beautiful. ❤️

[@ValariaJet]

I'm not sure about pure maths but one of my favourite books teaches physics through what are basically logic puzzles. The only maths in there is basic like doubles or halves. There are some graphs but they're simple and explained well. Its called Thinking Physics by Lewis Carroll Epstein

[@janehealy2351]

Those are the most beautiful tea towels I have ever seen 😍 I've never done weaving, but I have loved watching your weaving journey.

[@pauladavitt7554]

I enjoyed the weaving of the tea towels but I must admit I was completely lost with the maths part.

[@XoXoSarasWorld]

same jeez :D

[@rainbowsandlove]

I’m still freaking out that 7 goes evenly into 112…

[@Teerae11]

Hopefully the rough time has passed and there is light again , what beautiful Tea towels you made !! Love the pattern !! So relaxing watching , thank you for sharing this !!

[@violentbones1495]

that was absolutely fascinating

[@lynntimmer1620]

Stunning! Such a beautiful process to watch and be reminded of the skill and artistry of past and present weavers! Thank you. Best wishes.

[@jamiey2632]

I’ve always loved math so I think that’s why knitting and now weaving appeal to me. I’m a new weaver but I think for the short heddle situation you could have kept threading using shafts 5-8. So shaft 1 in pattern would go on shaft 5. When weaving, you would need to life more shafts at a time but for me it would outweigh having to move heddles. But every mishap is a learning experience.

[@karenpayne-du1oc]

Thank you for explaining mathematics & weaving. I watched a documentary a while ago where it asked was mathematics created or discovered. It was fascinating to watch & hear the theories. I’m sorry you’re going through a rough patch at the moment & hope things improve for you soon. Love your tea towels!

[@sasabinz7331]

Amazing tea towels, I never saw such beauties before. Thank you so much for showing these and the most interesting background maths!

[@marvin19966]

Everything about this video made me emotional - things will get better, thread by thread

[@mylena3086]

I love math and weaving Can tell from the title this is gonna be satisfyingly interesting (as I have had some epiphanies while learning sprang weaving) Love to hear your take on the connections between the two

[@janeplass7305]

Your towels are lovely. Wishing you continued healing and easier times.

[@askedgeorgia17]

Hi, Your tea towels are beautiful! I am sure it is so much more satisfying to know that you did them yourself!🥰

[@StormWarningMom]

This video has a very gentle, sweet tone to it, along with math (my brain loves that part), but the one thing I must say is that I truly hope that healing comes quickly for you and the hard times will become good times again. Sending hugs 🤗 P.S. the tea towels are beautiful!

[@anetajezewska-singh4392]

Brilliant video! The towels you made are beautiful, I love the pattern you created, and they look so delicate somehow. This video gives a glimpse of how much time and work used to go into making fabric. Thank you for sharing the poem, the maths and the weaving. And the cake looked yummy too :) I hope life gets better for you soon. I'm sending warm thoughts and hugs.

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

That’s a really nice fabric!

[@LyssaNicole101]

i love your videos, theyre so interesting and so peaceful and they make me love and appreciate fiber and textile art so much more than i already do. your towels are breathtaking!

[@chareseshinabery]

This was such a fun adventure to explore with you! Thank you for sharing the process for making tea towels!

[@CraftyCoba0408]

I LOVED this video. Some math, some history, absolutely beautifully created tea towels, a cake! *chefs kiss. Glad you’re feeling better! ❤

[@Lady_dromeda]

I find it ironic that: I’m bad at math, but majored in weaving in college 😅 I haven’t woven since I graduated, I haven’t been able to get a loom, theyre so expensive and i stupidly declined a free loom twice because I didnt have the space… i regret that now. I prefer floor looms. If you plan on doing more weaving, I could send you (or try to) send you the warp calculation sheets i have saved?

[@ushere5791]

absolutely gorgeous tea towels--congratulations on creating such loveliness! sorry you're going through bumpy times--argh. but please keep weaving, baking, and doing all the things that bring you joy!

[@camilareyna9976]

Hello! I love all your videos but this one in particular, mixing two of my favorite themes, it's superb. I am currently in the fourth year of my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and I can't stop seeing knitting and crochet between molecules and computers! If you plan to continue making videos of this style, could you explain how knitting PI circles works? Thanks for all your videos, you are a genius!!! PS: sorry if I write wrong, I'm from Argentina and I'm just learning to write in English haha

[@saramartinez4153]

Thank you for your video, it's always nice to see you showcasing a different fiber art form! The poem seems fitting for your circumstances but also for many of us. I hope your pain eases soon.

[@Thrifty_Mom]

These are so beautiful. You are so talented and it's so obvious to all who hear you that you are highly intelligent too. I also can't pin where you're from, but your voice is so lovely. I could listen to you all day.

[@fairygodfatherknits]

Wow, amazing work! So sorry to hear you’ve been going through a rough patch. I was really ill at the beginning of this year too, and it really set me back. Wishing you good health, and thanks for this amazing project! Inspired me to weave one day…

[@dirlenesaray3250]

I always enjoy your videos a lot. Beautiful and interesting job with your tea towels.

[@retzza]

I am watching this while taking a little break from writing my master's thesis on mathematics. Now I'll have to go back and try to get it as close to finished as I possibly can.

[@aksez2u]

Sending you best wishes! 💐

[@humanwithaplaylist]

Your weaves are so beautiful!

[@laurahi3468]

This was so interesting! And your tea towels are so beautiful!! I am lucky I can't weave, or I would have another project again 😅

[@0ceanOfStorms]

Im doing my informatics thesis about knitting, and its so fun that youre thinking about textiles and mathematics! Have you seen Lea Albaughs talk about how weaving is matrix multiplication? Its great!

[@miriamjames4140]

I love that lecture! I am most way through an engineering degree and I am always delighted to find talks and videos on fabric and math and physics. There are some good lectures about the physics of knitting floating around KZbin too, although I admit I prefer the weaving video.

[@Beth-ch7pj]

Im sorry to hear you're going through such a tough time rn. I am too and like you i find crafting to be soothing. I loved the poem thank you for sharing it ❤️ (I never thought id be so interested in tea towels but those are fantastic!)

[@Reapunzil]

Your vintage patterned sweater ❤

[@peachymanaangel]

Love the explication of math and weaving, something that was always very difficult until I started working with textiles. I am glad your on the mend. For the future to avoid counting you can work from the center and out to the sides and leave excess heddles on the left and right. Also you can expand your 4 shaft patterns to 8. Think 1 and 5 are the the same, 2 and 6 etc. Beautiful towels and great video.

[@lesleykeen]

what an awe inspiring and inspiration video - such a beautiful way to work through life's uncertainties and challenges -one of your very best (of many truly excellent) videos!!

[@annachapman8369]

wow, those are absolutely gorgeous

[@lindseywhite3371]

Sending lots of love, strength, and patience your way. I hope your trying times end soon xx

[@stuiui]

I'm so glad i discovered this channel. It feeds my crazy textile lady vibe so so well. I've enjoyed watching your weaving projects particularly. I have a floor loom and i very very sympathize with how much of a pain in the ass it is to dress it. Maybe it's cuz i work with stupid amounts of yarn but i always that, no matter how neatly I prepare my warp, the warp always ends up a little tangled :/ I also saw that you warp front to back. Have you tried warping back to front? I'd be curious to hear about people's experiences with warping and if anyone has tried warping a floor loom front to back.

[@valeriebishop561]

Awesomesauce! Those are so beautiful. Big congrats and thank you for the pointer to Brilliant

[@ciawang8347]

OMG this is mind blowingly beautiful. I hope u feel better soon and best luck 🍀

[@moonbasket]

I love math! I love hearing you talk about the intersection of math and crafts. This video reminded me of my favorite parts of abstract algebra.

[@emilycreager2269]

I always think weaving sounds like a great idea until I watch you people take forever and a day to set it up. I think I'll pass for now... But thanks for letting me watch you!!! Your tea towels are beautiful!!!

[@ebee69361]

I’m so glad I watched this! Fascinating topic and beautifully filmed. Thank you!

[@jayjames7502]

Beautiful special tea towels well done!

[@linr8260]

What a beautiful twill! I love the way one of the towels switches to a diamond border, it's a very nice detail. Congrats on finishing them. The warping process is definitely the worst part of weaving >_>

[@penihavir1777]

Lovely towels. ♥️ I’m sure that you will make it through this, and I’m glad that you have an interest that helps, and that you’re able to share it with those who care. Sorry, I think you accidentally misspoke when giving the book title. Did you mean the book, “The Fabric of Civilization, by Postrel? I found two books titled “The Fabric of Society,” but neither seemed like the book you described. However, the one on civilization sounded like it might be “it.” Love books that connect the dots… or weave the strands together. And your book recommendations are always great. ♥️🙂

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Hope your feeling better and well on your way to recovery!! The tea towels are lovely. I sent my daughter a note to at least watch the beginning as she’s a math geek too. I think I got the concept but I know she will and will appreciate it. I would have thought with an odd number repeated pattern you would start your first bunch in the centre so that the middle of the pattern is the middle of cloth.

[@heidit8009]

Tough times come and go. I’m glad you find comfort and joy in making your beautiful and interesting fibre arts. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey. 💕

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

I absolutely adore your content. The time you put into research and telling a story, all while applying it to your creative endeavors, is astounding and so appreciated. The tea towels are lovely, the history is interesting, and the trails are relatable. 🙂

[@joantionette734]

You lost me on this one >> Math

[@yeat7264]

Aww i wanted more math! I'm such a nerd about both these topics

[@tammihackley4349]

Love the tea towels. I thought it was interesting to watch you dress the loom front to back. I never tried front to back but after watching you, I may give it a try Thanks for explaining the math & making it applicable

[@stephanemami]

Amazing video, math craft and poetry. So much to get from it!

[@FB711_]

They turned out gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the knowledge, wisdom and encouragement. I find the math part of fiber craft projects so exciting. Weaving and things like fair isle are kind of daunting, though, but I’d love to try them one day. You’re a great inspiration! Love from Spain! ❤️

[@HeikeWoolard]

Your tea towels turned out amazing. They are so beautiful. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having a rough time and been sick on top of it. I hope things are improving for you. /hugs

[@jemmonfoe]

So pretty! And you really make the link between math (engineering) and weaving, I love it!

[@ipurpleprincessdj]

Very very interesting video

[@AnniundLilo]

Zupfkuchen. Awesome. Er war bestimmt lecker.

[@bethknapp4935]

I'm so sorry you are going through a tough time right now. I am sending you much love and many hugs, and i hope things get easier for you soon. I absolutely loved the ending of this video. The music, the baking, and the beautiful end result of your hard work made me emotional. You help make my hard times easier. ❤

[@kathrynmacgown6575]

I'm so excited about this!

[@belindacoba5158]

They are beautiful!!

[@marynimocks6791]

Just beautiful! Brava for your self-care! 👏👏👏

[@AmandaBurton-g4t]

Thank you 🥰

[@carlotajanicky9277]

You’re amazing!

[@saritshull3909]

Not me finding this video after wondering where the join is between engineering and fashion for years and how I can get there.

[@MedusaSkirt]

I do find it rather *interesting* (to put it lightly) that the weave pattern of satin is incredibly similar to the only symmetrical solution to the 8 Queens Puzzle, but it's the 8 Queens Puzzle that is both more famous and has more written about it than the mathematics of weaving satin, despite the weave pattern of satin being much older and arguably playing a much larger role in daily life for most humans than chess. This is to the point that even Wikipedia articles on both topics do not reference each other, neither the articles for "satin" or "weaving" contain any math discussion, and the article on the 8 Queens Puzzle contains much more written information than the article for satin [rhetorical sarcasm] gee, I wonder why that is? What a mystery, I wonder what the sociological explanation of that could be? Isn't it just so weird that it took a bunch of Victorian old white guys two years to publish a solution to problem when a very identical problem (one that even technically includes a 9th "queen") had been figured out thousands of years ago? 🙃😑[/end of rhetorical sarcasm] thank you for your videos as always ❤your videos are not only wonderful to watch and listen to, but also shine the light of knowledge on something often taken for granted

[@nysaea]

They're so lovely!!!!!

[@micheleb3881]

Nice!

[@halem6580]

When my cousin was going through a divorce, she asked me to teach her how to knit. Fiber crafts really can be incredibly healing

[@georgiaraymond2301]

oh my gosh i just bought a loom! Where is a good place to learn how to set up and finally make something? mine has 4 shafts i think theyre called