Forum - Hints - About flat alphas, would the concept work for ensuring knots and strings don't get loose?

AnUser

Professional

1 year, 4 months ago by AnUser

What I mean is that, when changing colors in the flat alpha technique, the previous main string would get knotted with the main string in the second part of the knot.
Is that just so the string won't go loose or is there more to it? Why couldn't it be on the first part of the knot? I'm sorry if I'm not being clear, this is more like existential questions about alphas 🤔

Well, would doing the same thing work on normals if you want the color to be changed midway? Or maybe to ensure that, if a string were to break, you could make sure the knot wouldn't be undone? Does that type of thing already exists?

Thank you!

halokiwi

Moderator

1 year, 4 months ago by halokiwi

Is that just so the string won't go loose or is there more to it?
The flat alpha technique connects the knots of different colours with each other. This way you avoid bumps and like you said loose strings.

Why couldn't it be on the first part of the knot?
I'm not sure how to take this question, so here are my two answers:
- you need to insert the leading string between the first and second half of the knot, so it is inside the knot. If you do it before the first half of the knot, it won't be inside the knot.
- you can apply the flat alpha technique both before and after a colour switch. MashaKnots only explains how to do it after a colour switch, but you can also do it before a colour switch.

Well, would doing the same thing work on normals if you want the color to be changed midway?
Yes, you can use this technique to make colour switches in normal patterns

Or maybe to ensure that, if a string were to break, you could make sure the knot wouldn't be undone?
Yes, you can use it to fix broken string in normals.

Does that type of thing already exists?
Not sure, if this video talks about it, but in it you see multiple fixes for the two previous problems: https://youtu.be/vJopcAcJqiA

AnUser

Professional

1 year, 4 months ago by AnUser

@halokiwi Thank you a lot, that was very clear! I know this is going to sound stupid but would there be any difference between putting the string in the middle of the first and second half of the knot or just do the knot with both that string and the base string? Of course, the second one would result in a bigger knot, but is there any dvantage to do one way over the other, or am I just spewing nonsense?

halokiwi

Moderator

1 year, 4 months ago by halokiwi

I'm not sure. You might get issues with the old leading string poking out. But I think the best way to figure it out is just trying it!

AnUser Professional	1 year, 4 months ago by AnUser What I mean is that, when changing colors in the flat alpha technique, the previous main string would get knotted with the main string in the second part of the knot. Is that just so the string won't go loose or is there more to it? Why couldn't it be on the first part of the knot? I'm sorry if I'm not being clear, this is more like existential questions about alphas 🤔 Well, would doing the same thing work on normals if you want the color to be changed midway? Or maybe to ensure that, if a string were to break, you could make sure the knot wouldn't be undone? Does that type of thing already exists? Thank you!
halokiwi Moderator	1 year, 4 months ago by halokiwi Is that just so the string won't go loose or is there more to it? The flat alpha technique connects the knots of different colours with each other. This way you avoid bumps and like you said loose strings. Why couldn't it be on the first part of the knot? I'm not sure how to take this question, so here are my two answers: - you need to insert the leading string between the first and second half of the knot, so it is inside the knot. If you do it before the first half of the knot, it won't be inside the knot. - you can apply the flat alpha technique both before and after a colour switch. MashaKnots only explains how to do it after a colour switch, but you can also do it before a colour switch. Well, would doing the same thing work on normals if you want the color to be changed midway? Yes, you can use this technique to make colour switches in normal patterns Or maybe to ensure that, if a string were to break, you could make sure the knot wouldn't be undone? Yes, you can use it to fix broken string in normals. Does that type of thing already exists? Not sure, if this video talks about it, but in it you see multiple fixes for the two previous problems: https://youtu.be/vJopcAcJqiA
AnUser Professional	1 year, 4 months ago by AnUser @halokiwi Thank you a lot, that was very clear! I know this is going to sound stupid but would there be any difference between putting the string in the middle of the first and second half of the knot or just do the knot with both that string and the base string? Of course, the second one would result in a bigger knot, but is there any dvantage to do one way over the other, or am I just spewing nonsense?
halokiwi Moderator	1 year, 4 months ago by halokiwi I'm not sure. You might get issues with the old leading string poking out. But I think the best way to figure it out is just trying it!

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About flat alphas, would the concept work for ensuring knots and strings don't get loose?