The Braids on Your Blanket

Cheng, Michelle; Laugwitz, Robert Uwe

Abstract

In this expositional essay, we introduce some elements of the study of groups by analysing the braid pattern on a knitted blanket. We determine that the blanket features pure braids with a minimal number of crossings. Moreover, we determine polynomial invariants associated to the links obtained by closing the braid patterns of the blanket.

Citation

Cheng, M., & Laugwitz, R. U. (2024). The Braids on Your Blanket. Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, 14(2), 286-337. https://doi.org/10.5642/jhummath.YMZO2460

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 31, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: May 2, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 2, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
• Electronic ISSN: 2159-8118
• Publisher: Claremont Center for the Mathematical Sciences
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 286-337
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5642/jhummath.YMZO2460
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34346088
• Publisher URL: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol14/iss2/10/