The Grammar of Free-form Crochet

the grammar of free-form crochet reference kira street

contents b a si c s o f s h a pe g r am m ars

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sym b ols

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rules 1 0 ex am ple 1 6

shape grammars

Shape grammars are a computational design method based on shapes, their corresponding spacial relations, and the governing rules. The shapes are the basic building blocks and can be anything you want: 2D, 3D, text, imaginary, you name it.

Once the shapes are defined, you must define a spacial relation between it and another shape, whether it’s the same shape or a different one.

Once you have at least one spacial relation, you’re ready to define the rules. The basic format of a rule is as follows: A

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B

This means that, wherever you see “A”, replace it with “B”. Whatever is in “B” can be a transformation of the existing shape or an addition of a new shape, anything you like.

The shape seen in “A” the computation can be in any position, flipped or mirrored or rotated, and the relation can still be applied.

I won’t get into the more advanced way of defining relations and rules, but know that the spacial relations can be as deterministic as you want.

The grammar consists of an initial shape and a rule. It governs how the rest of the computation will go. Think of the grammar as you would in language; with good grammar, you can create comprehensible sentences and paragraphs. Think of the shapes as words, the spacial relations as sentences.

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Once you have a grammar, you are ready to begin the computation. Begin with your initial shape, and follow your rule until you get to a design that you like.

For this grammar specifically, I’ve used state labels to note what section I’m currently working in and add a bit of determinism to constrain the possible designs.

There are three main sections: Assembly of Scrumbles (SCR), Expansion (EXP), and Embellishment (EMB).

Each of the elements are parametric, meaning that they don’t have an implicitly defined dimension, it’s defined by the user.

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Each of the scrumbles must appear a certain number of times and/or certain rules must be applied before you can move on to the next section. The limits are shown in the symbols chapter. For example: Hy = 1 (MAX)

You can have only 1 hyperbolic surface in the final map.

La = 2

You can have up to 2 lace patches in the final map.

This is just a basic explanation, but feel free to refer to the example, or simply invent your own method for the grammar.

Happy designing, experimenting, and inventing!

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symbols Free-form crochet uses scrumbles, crocheted elements that can build upon each other or be sewed together at the end. The base scrumbles are represented by the following symbols. You can reference the physical models to see how they can potentially look.

Hyperbolic Surface Crocheted in the round, this surface uses strategic increasing and decreasing to make a curly surface that folds in on itself.

Hy = 1 (MAX)

Shell

This uses increasingly high crochet stitches to form a nautilus looking patch.

Sh = 2 (MAX)

Patch

A simple rectangular patch in any size using any kind of crochet stitch.

Sq = 3 (MAX)

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Lace Patch

A patch that is open work. There’s no specific way to make it lacy, just so long as it has holes in the patch.

La = 2 (MAX)

Barnacle

This comes in three sizes, small, medium, and large, and it looks like an open sphere or the like the sea-creature that bears its name.

Ba = 2_5 (MAX)

Bullion Flower

A flower formed using the bullion stitch. This adds a nice bit of unexpected variety in the whole free-form piece.

Optional

Embellished Line

This is an embellishment on an existing scrumble, just a border of a different color on the outer edges.

Optional

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rules Assembly of Scrumbles This sections deals with building the scrumbles upon each other. They can be joined by basic crochet stitches or sewing.

La = La +1

La = La +1

Sq = Sq +1

Sq = Sq +1

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Sh = Sh +1

Sh = Sh +1

Sh = Sh +1

Hy = Hy +1

Hy = Hy +1

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There must be two groups of barnacles, five barnacles each. The barnacle state starts off with Ba = 0_-1 with the first number noting the number of groups and the second the number of barnacles.

Ba = Ba + 1

Ba = n_n+1 Ba = n_n+1 Can add to all four sides

Red = Large Blue = Medium Green = Small

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Expansions In order to increase variety, you can shrink or expand the base lace and patch elements in order to change the overlap. Any elements on top stay where they are.

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Embellishments In this section, you can add decorative elements to your piece. The red line can be a border around the elements.

The green portions of the shell are small patches that can be removed. There is no limit to the number of embellishments you can include.

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example This computation is meant to show you how the rules can be implemented with the initial shape of a square patch.

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Remember, the map is not a hard and fast map. You are free to interpret its size, color scheme, and other general aesthetics based on your crochet knowledge.

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