### Fair leads or Fair winds is a saying sailors and knotters use to greet each other. It comes from the working end of a string that will soon be forming a knot.
I would like to clarify and introduce some terms for you in order to read this text in the desired
way. For a while, we will stay in the bight of this journey as we move into forming loops, theories
and ideas on how interactive picture books can be used to foster curiosity for reading and creativity
for children. I am building a web platform called Wink that aims to contain a children’s story I
wrote and am making into an interactive experience, in relation to my research.
Through this bight of the thesis, I feel the necessity to clarify my intention of using knots as a
“thinking and writing object” throughout my research journey. Although knots are physical objects
and technically crucial in many fields of labor and life, they are also objects of thought and
are open for wide minds’ appreciation. Throughout history, knots have been used to connect, stop,
secure, bind, protect, decorate, record data, punish, contain, fly and many other purposes. So if
the invention of flying -which required a wing that was supported using certain types of knotswas
initiated with the knowledge of how to use strings to make things, why wouldn’t a research
paper make use of this wonderful art as an inspiration for writing and interactive reading?
I would like to clarify and introduce some terms for you in order to read this text in the desired way. For a while, we will stay in the bight of this journey as we move into forming loops, theories and ideas on how interactive picture books can be used to foster curiosity for reading and creativity for children. I am building a web platform called Wink that aims to contain a children’s story I wrote and am making into an interactive experience, in relation to my research.
<figure>
<imgsrc="../irmak/unnamed.png"
alt="knot words from Leeszaal" />
<figcaptionaria-hidden="true">knot words from Leeszaal</figcaption>
</figure>
Through this bight of the thesis, I feel the necessity to clarify my intention of using knots as a “thinking and writing object” throughout my research journey. Although knots are physical objects and technically crucial in many fields of labor and life, they are also objects of thought and are open for wide minds’ appreciation. Throughout history, knots have been used to connect, stop, secure, bind, protect, decorate, record data, punish, contain, fly and many other purposes. So if the invention of flying -which required a wing that was supported using certain types of knotswas
initiated with the knowledge of how to use strings to make things, why wouldn’t a research paper make use of this wonderful art as an inspiration for writing and interactive reading?
## KNOTS AS OBJECTS TO THINK WITH
There is a delicate complexity of thinking of and with knots, which ignites layers of simultaneous
connections to one’s specific experience; where one person may associate the knots with struggles
they face, another may think of connecting or thriving times. In a workshop in Rotterdam, I
asked participants to write three words that comes to mind when they think of knots. There were
some words in common like strong, chaotic, confusing and anxious. On the other hand, there
were variations of connection, binding, bridge and support. Keeping these answers in mind or by
coming up with your words on knots and embodying them in the practice of reading would make
a diff erence in how you understand the same text.
Seeing how these words, interpretations of a physical object were so diff erent to each other was
transcendental. In this thesis, I am excited to share my understanding of knots with you. My three
words for knots are resistance, imagination and infinity. Keeping these in mind, I experimented
There is a delicate complexity of thinking of and with knots, which ignites layers of simultaneous connections to one’s specific experience; where one person may associate the knots with struggles they face, another may think of connecting or thriving times. In a workshop in Rotterdam, I asked participants to write three words that comes to mind when they think of knots. There were some words in common like strong, chaotic, confusing and anxious. On the other hand, there were variations of connection, binding, bridge and support. Keeping these answers in mind or by coming up with your words on knots and embodying them in the practice of reading would make
a difference in how you understand the same text.
<figure>
<imgsrc="../irmak/knot1.jpeg"
alt="knot words from Leeszaal" />
<figcaptionaria-hidden="true">knot words from Leeszaal</figcaption>
</figure>
<br>
<figure>
<imgsrc="../irmak/knot2.jpeg"
alt="knot words from Leeszaal" />
<figcaptionaria-hidden="true">knot words from Leeszaal</figcaption>
</figure>
Seeing how these words, interpretations of a physical object were so different to each other was transcendental. In this thesis, I am excited to share my understanding of knots with you. My three words for knots are resistance, imagination and infinity. Keeping these in mind, I experimented
with certain reading modes as you will see later on.
Knots are known to be used 15 to 17 thousand years ago for multiple purposes. These purposes
were often opposing each other. For example, it could be used to let something loose or to restrain
it; for pleasure or pain; for going high above or down below… I believe this diversity of uses can
also be seen in how people approach knots as an idea or a metaphor. One can think it represents
chaos where someone else might see it as a helpful mark. Essentially, this diversity is what got
me interested in knots years ago and since then, I have found ways to implement this “loop of
thought” in my daily life and research methods.
There are two main reasons to why I chose to write this essay in a “knotted” format. One is that I
would like to share my process and progress of research on this project and this involves “thinking
with an object”, in this case types of knots. In Evocative Objects, Sherry Turkle, who is a sociologist
and the founder of MIT initiative of technology and self, refers to the object in the exercise
of thinking as emotional and intellectual companions that anchor memory, sustain relationships
and provoke new ideas. I completely agree with this statement through personal experience. The
second reason is that I see this as an opportunity to experiment if I can use knots as an interactive
(which is not in knots’ nature since they are mainly practiced in solo) and playful element in
writing. This is also why I would like to take a moment to mention what happens to the interplay
of processes in which we call thought when we think with knots in specific.
For Turkle and Seymour Papert, who is a mathematician, computer scientist and educator that
did remarkable research on constructivism, being able to make a reading experience tangible, or
even physically representable makes the process of thought more concrete. Concrete thinking in
this sense is a way of thinking that I adapted to in the past years, where you think with the object
and imagine it vividly during the process and address meanings to it as you read or write along.
This way it’s easier to compartmentalize or attribute certain parts of a text to an imagined or real
physical item which makes the mind at ease with complex chains of thought.
Imagine you are reading a story… What if you think of the string itself as the journey and the
slip knot (which is a type of stopper knot) as a representation of an antagonist because of its specific use in hunting, would this change your approach to reading this story? I believe so…
What if instead of a slip knot a Bowline was on the string, would that represent something else in
the story because of its usage in practice. A Bowline is commonly used to form a fixed loop at the
end of a string; it’s strong but easy to tie, untie. Due to these qualities, we can imagine the bowline
to represent the conclusion in a story. What if we have a Square Knot, how would that change the
course of a narrative? Square knot is used to bundle objects and make the two ends of the same
string connect. From just this, we can use it to represent the connection between the beginning
and end of a story. My point is, there are limitless implementations on how to use knots in literature
because of their versatile purposes and the narrative vocabulary they create. Topologists are
still trying to identify seemingly infinite numbers of combinations which we simply call “knots”
and I see this as an inspiration to keep writing.
One example of the wondrous versatility and potential of knots is how they are used to archive
and encrypt information. Incan people from the Andes region recorded information on Quipus,
dating back to 700 CE. Quipus are textile devices consisting of several rows of cotton and/or
camelid string that would be knotted in a specific way to record, store and transmit information
ranging from accounting and census data to communicate complex mathematical and narrative
information (Medrano, Urton, 2018). Another example is the Yakima Time Ball, which was used
by North-American Yakama people to show life events and family aff airs.
This is why I humbly decided to document my research process with a Quipu of my own. I am
trying to symbolize the twists, decisions and practices throughout this year with knots of my
choosing. I was inspired by Nayeli Vega’s question, “What can a knot become and what can become
a knot?”
Knots are known to be used 15 to 17 thousand years ago for multiple
purposes. These purposes were often opposing each other. For example, it
could be used to let something loose or to restrain it; for pleasure or
pain; for going high above or down below… I believe this diversity of
uses can also be seen in how people approach knots as an idea or a
metaphor. One can think it represents chaos where someone else might see
it as a helpful mark. Essentially, this diversity is what got me
interested in knots years ago and since then, I have found ways to
implement this “loop of thought” in my daily life and research
methods.
There are two main reasons to why I chose to write this essay in a
“knotted” format. One is that I would like to share my process and
progress of research on this project and this involves “thinking with an
object”, in this case types of knots. In Evocative Objects, Sherry
Turkle, who is a sociologist and the founder of MIT initiative of
technology and self, refers to the object in the exercise of thinking as
emotional and intellectual companions that anchor memory, sustain
relationships and provoke new ideas. I completely agree with this
statement through personal experience. The second reason is that I see
this as an opportunity to experiment if I can use knots as an
interactive (which is not in knots’ nature since they are mainly
practiced in solo) and playful element in writing. This is also why I
would like to take a moment to mention what happens to the interplay of
processes in which we call thought when we think with knots in
specific.
For Turkle and Seymour Papert, who is a mathematician, computer
scientist and educator that did remarkable research on constructivism,
being able to make a reading experience tangible, or even physically
representable makes the process of thought more concrete. Concrete
thinking in this sense is a way of thinking that I adapted to in the
past years, where you think with the object and imagine it vividly
during the process and address meanings to it as you read or write
along. This way it’s easier to compartmentalize or attribute certain
parts of a text to an imagined or real physical item which makes the
mind at ease with complex chains of thought.
Imagine you are reading a story… What if you think of the string itself
as the journey and the slip knot (which is a type of stopper knot) as a
representation of an antagonist because of its specific use in hunting,
would this change your approach to reading this story? I believe so…
What if instead of a slip knot a Bowline was on the string, would
that represent something else in the story because of its usage in
practice. A Bowline is commonly used to form a fixed loop at the end of
a string; it’s strong but easy to tie, untie. Due to these qualities, we
can imagine the bowline to represent the conclusion in a story. What if
we have a Square Knot, how would that change the course of a narrative?
Square knot is used to bundle objects and make the two ends of the same
string connect. From just this, we can use it to represent the
connection between the beginning and end of a story. My point is, there
are limitless implementations on how to use knots in literature because
of their versatile purposes and the narrative vocabulary they create.
Topologists are still trying to identify seemingly infinite numbers of
combinations which we simply call “knots” and I see this as an
inspiration to keep writing.
One example of the wondrous versatility and potential of knots is how
they are used to archive and encrypt information. Incan people from the
Andes region recorded information on Quipus, dating back to 700 CE.
Quipus are textile devices consisting of several rows of cotton and/or
camelid string that would be knotted in a specific way to record, store
and transmit information ranging from accounting and census data to
communicate complex mathematical and narrative information (Medrano,
Urton, 2018). Another example is the Yakima Time Ball, which was used by
North-American Yakama people to show life events and family aff airs.
This is why I humbly decided to document my research process with a
Quipu of my own. I am trying to symbolize the twists, decisions and
practices throughout this year with knots of my choosing. I was inspired
by Nayeli Vega’s question, “What can a knot become and what can become a
knot?”
## WEAVING INTO THE TEXT
This thesis expects participation from its reader. You have the option to have a mode of reading,
where you will be guided by strings to start reading from a certain section according to the type of
reader you are and read the loops one by one until the end, weaving through the text. To determine
the string or mode of reading, there are some simple questions to answer.
The three modes of reading are combine, slide, build . After you discover the starting point
with the yes or no map in the upcoming pages, you will continue the reading journey through the
strings of diff erent colors that will get you through the text. This way, the linear text will become
in a way, non-linear by your personal experience.
Bear in mind that you can choose to read this thesis from beginning to end as a single string too if
you wish so.
Combine mode of reading is for readers who are more interested in the journey and the connections
between process and result. Slide mode of reading is for more laid back readers who
aren’t looking to connect ideas but are more focused on the motivation and purpose of the
project. Build readers are detail oriented and academic readers who would prefer a “traditional”
lead to reading.
Alongside the different strings to follow the text, there will be little drawings in the margins as seen above, which will have diff erent representations like in a Quipu. Certain knots represent the experiences that raise interesting opportunities for research and distinct events I went through while making the project and underneath the drawing you can find the relation to the knot itself explained.
For example if I couldn’t manage to do something I planned to do, this will be represented with a
broken knot. Bend knots which are used to connect two strings, will be representing the relation between theories and my ownexperiences/motivations. Hitches which are knots that are formed around a
solid object, such as a spar, post, or ring will be representing the evidence or data I have collected on the subject. We move on now with the working end and make some loops!
## HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR STRING
This map will reveal your mode of reading. The order of reading will be indicated with a loop sign
Please hold a string in your hand as you read the text and make knots or loops as you weave through the
reading as an exercise for concrete thinking. See you at the standing end!
and a number on top of the sign with a color. This is the numeric order you can follow to read the thesis.
This thesis expects participation from its reader. You have the
option to have a mode of reading, where you will be guided by strings to
start reading from a certain section according to the type of reader you
are and read the loops one by one until the end, weaving through the
text. To determine the string or mode of reading, there are some simple
questions to answer.
The three modes of reading are combine, slide, build. After you discover the starting point with the yes or no map in
the upcoming pages, you will continue the reading journey through the
strings of diff erent colors that will get you through the text. This
way, the linear text will become in a way, non-linear by your personal
experience.
Bear in mind that you can choose to read this thesis from beginning to end as a single string too if you wish so.
Combine mode of reading is for readers who are more interested in the
journey and the connections between process and result. Slide mode of
reading is for more laid back readers who aren’t looking to connect
ideas but are more focused on the motivation and purpose of the project.
Build readers are detail oriented and academic readers who would prefer
a “traditional” lead to reading.
Alongside the different strings to follow the text, there will be
little drawings in the margins as seen above, which will have diff erent
representations like in a Quipu. Certain knots represent the experiences
that raise interesting opportunities for research and distinct events I
went through while making the project and underneath the drawing you can
find the relation to the knot itself explained. For example if I
couldn’t manage to do something I planned to do, this will be
represented with a broken knot. Bend knots which are used to connect two
strings, will be representing the relation between theories and my
ownexperiences/motivations. Hitches which are knots that are formed
around a solid object, such as a spar, post, or ring will be
representing the evidence or data I have collected on the subject. We
move on now with the working end and make some loops!
## Working End
## HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR STRING
This map will reveal your mode of reading. The order of reading will
be indicated with a loop sign Please hold a string in your hand as you
read the text and make knots or loops as you weave through the reading
as an exercise for concrete thinking. See you at the standing end! and a
number on top of the sign with a color. This is the numeric order you
should follow to read the thesis, if you choose to read with a mode.
Every reader starts from 1 and continues until 12, with a consecutive numeric order, according to their color/mode.
<figure>
<imgsrc="../irmak/map.png"
alt="knot words from Leeszaal" />
</figure>
## Working End <sup><spanclass="margin-note">
### Loop 1
### Why am I doing this?
@ -623,7 +659,7 @@ Taking a step to make Wink and using the story I wrote and feel is important in
as a prototype was a breakthrough. I feel like my interest and desire to discover new ways of
writing, reading and experiencing literature is ongoing and it was a beautiful journey so far. I am
looking forward to making more knots on this long and mysterious string at hand.
</span></sup>
## Bibliography
Cope, B. and Kalantzis, M. (2009) ‘“multiliteracies”:
New Literacies, new learning’, Pedagogies: An International Journal,
Stephen Kerr
6 months ago