I remember reading this, by adding or subtracting thread numbers, you can make a curved line. Can someone describe this to me please. An example of surrounding a box with curved lines. Thanks

Sanford,

Assuming your using two colors of thread and by curved line you mean the shape of the edge as your pattern transitions from one color to the other:

An easy way to think of this is equal numbers of alternating threads left or right (or up or down) when repeated will produce an straight edge at a 45 degree angle.

An unequal number of alternating threads, for instance 1 out left and 2 out right, repeated will still produce a straight edge but it will not be at 45 degrees, it will be closer to the side with the extra thread (more near 60 degrees).

When you wrap +1 (or +2...) this means you add an extra thread to the running total of one of the sides of the pattern. so for the first cross formed with a 1, 1 the edge is near 45 degrees. The adjacent pass made at 1,2 will be close to 60 degrees. The third adjacent pass will be 1,3 which will be close to 68 degrees. A fourth pass at 1,4 threads will be close to 72 degrees. A fifth pass at 1,5 threads will be close to 75 degrees.

Now if you were to take a protractor and straight edge and draw one inch line segments at each of the angles above starting with the 45 degree, then draw the 1 inch line segment at 60 degree beginning at the end of the 45 line, then the 1 inch 68 degree beginning at the end of the 60 degree, and so on, you can see that you are forming a curved series of straight lines. This is how curving edges are formed. With careful planning one could oppose curves to form apparent arcs, and arcs on 4 axis can form an apparent circle (or half circle if only wrapped to one side or up/down).

If your a visual person try using sections of narrow tape on a paper. Mark a center and lay down one tape above left at 45 degrees then 1 right above at 45 degrees. then 1 left above and two right above, then 1 left above, three right above. If you look at the cross points, you should already begin to see the curved edge forming.

Thanks John,
That was a help.
Sanford

Your welcome.

John,
Is there a chance we can chat via e-mail, Mine is sanhoch@comcast.net. There is something related to this discussion I would like to ask you. Thanks,
Sanford Hochman

sure, if you click on my blue name in my posts my e-mail is there, it's not hidden.