{"id":2570,"date":"2019-11-27T17:31:41","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T17:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2019-11-27T19:15:36","modified_gmt":"2019-11-27T19:15:36","slug":"borromean-baubles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/borromean-baubles\/","title":{"rendered":"Borromean Baubles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>These simple mathematical baubles can be made in lots of different ways and either hung as a decoration, or used to hold a small gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-circle-mask\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2593\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-circle-mask\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2636\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-2.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-2-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-2-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-2-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-circle-mask\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2595\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Borromeo family originated in Rome &#8211; that&#8217;s where the Rome bit of their name came from. In the twelfth century they set up a bank in Milan and became very wealthy and influential. For hundreds of years they controlled a large area around Milan. The descendants still own some of the land today and their gardens are a popular tourist attraction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"845\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1200px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_House_of_Borromeo.svg_-845x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2574\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1200px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_House_of_Borromeo.svg_-845x1024.png 845w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1200px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_House_of_Borromeo.svg_-248x300.png 248w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1200px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_House_of_Borromeo.svg_-768x931.png 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1200px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_House_of_Borromeo.svg_.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p>Mathematicians are more interested in their coat of arms than the history of the family. It contains three interlinked rings that are now known as Borromean Rings. They form just a small part of the crest and are thought to represent the links between three families.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"967\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-1024x967.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-1024x967.png 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-300x283.png 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-768x725.png 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png.png 1108w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason these rings are special is that you cannot remove one and leave the others connected. Technically, they are known as Brunnian links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p>It might not be immediately obvious how the baubles are related to rings &#8211; but they are. They are basically cubes made from three strips of knitting, crochet, paper, or anything else you can think of. The strips are just wide rings.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"892\" height=\"892\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cube-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2583\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cube-2.png 892w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cube-2-300x300.png 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cube-2-150x150.png 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cube-2-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 892px) 100vw, 892px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"967\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-1024x967.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-1024x967.png 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-300x283.png 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png-768x725.png 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/borromean-rings-png.png 1108w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>These are all knit and crochet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/baubles-in-circles-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2660\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/baubles-in-circles-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/baubles-in-circles-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/baubles-in-circles-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/baubles-in-circles.jpg 1174w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The video explains how to make a cube. There is almost no stitching to be done. You can put a gift inside and remove it without damaging the cube at all.  It also shows how the rings become a cube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ttfmake-embed-wrapper aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 960px;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Borromean Rings and Cubes\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8JHlstC-WFM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These are some of the cubes from the video<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"247\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-1024x247.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2588\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-1024x247.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-300x72.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-768x185.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-1536x370.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/all-strip-black-2-2048x493.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Add extra sparkle and beads to make them more Christmassy.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"pl-gb2570-69e77a630defc\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/black-silver-1-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2609  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/black-silver-1-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/black-silver-1-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/black-silver-1-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/black-silver-1-square.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Use some sparkly yarns<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2596  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/beads-1-square.jpg 1741w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Add beads <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-2-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/xmas-1-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2597  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/xmas-1-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/xmas-1-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/xmas-1-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/xmas-1-square.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Embroider letters<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-3\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-0-3-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2595  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/silver-square-lighter.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fancy yarns make the cube look like a ball<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2593  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-2-square.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cut shapes from sequin waste and stitch them on<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2607  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/snowflakes-square.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Six are needed if you want one on each face<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-2-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-2-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2603  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-2-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-2-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-2-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-2-square.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Four letter words fit nicely round the cube<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-3\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a630defc-1-3-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2604  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/noel-square.jpg 2010w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Think carefully about the placement and orientation of the letters<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Small cubes keep their shape very well, even when you hang them or put things inside. It is possible to make larger &#8216;boxes&#8217; though it probably isn&#8217;t worth the effort. There is a lot of knitting involved and fairly accurate measurements need to be taken. <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"pl-gb2570-69e77a6312505\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2619  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-15.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2620  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-4.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-2-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2621  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-8.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-3\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb2570-69e77a6312505-0-3-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12-300x300.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2622  attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/box-12.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><br>Baubles don&#8217;t have to be knit and crochet. They can be made from some quite surprising things that you might have lying around. My favourite are these made from plastic folders. In their natural state the folders are fairly uninteresting. They are usually available in red, blue, green and yellow but when the colours are overlapped you can create a myriad of different shades and the translucent shapes look more like glass or ceramic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-9-square.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2624\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-9-square.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-9-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-9-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-9-square-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-8-square.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2625\" srcset=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-8-square.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-8-square-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-8-square-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-8-square-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p>These are quick, cheap and easy to make but not quite so good for putting a gift inside. You need to unfasten the cube to remove the gift but you can fasten it up again afterwards. They need to be measured accurately and folded sharply to make a good cube shape. <br><br>Let your imagination run riot with coloured card, holographic foil, etc. You can even mix materials in the same cube. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"cycloneslider cycloneslider-template-standard cycloneslider-width-responsive\" id=\"cycloneslider-borromean-cube-1\" style=\"max-width:300px\" > <div class=\"cycloneslider-slides cycle-slideshow\" data-cycle-allow-wrap=\"true\" data-cycle-dynamic-height=\"off\" data-cycle-auto-height=\"300:300\" data-cycle-auto-height-easing=\"null\" data-cycle-auto-height-speed=\"250\" data-cycle-delay=\"0\" data-cycle-easing=\"\" data-cycle-fx=\"fade\" data-cycle-hide-non-active=\"true\" data-cycle-log=\"false\" data-cycle-next=\"#cycloneslider-borromean-cube-1 .cycloneslider-next\" data-cycle-pager=\"#cycloneslider-borromean-cube-1 .cycloneslider-pager\" data-cycle-pause-on-hover=\"true\" data-cycle-prev=\"#cycloneslider-borromean-cube-1 .cycloneslider-prev\" data-cycle-slides=\"&gt; div\" data-cycle-speed=\"1000\" data-cycle-swipe=\"1\" data-cycle-tile-count=\"7\" data-cycle-tile-delay=\"100\" data-cycle-tile-vertical=\"true\" data-cycle-timeout=\"4000\" > <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/folders-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-strips-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-01-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-2-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-4-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-5-square-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-slide cycloneslider-slide-image\" > <img src=\"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/transparent-7-square-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/> <\/div> <\/div> <div class=\"cycloneslider-pager\"><\/div> <a href=\"#\" class=\"cycloneslider-prev\"> <span class=\"arrow\"><\/span> <\/a> <a href=\"#\" class=\"cycloneslider-next\"> <span class=\"arrow\"><\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/borromean-baubles\">Download Borromean Baubles pattern<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/cube-thing\">Download Cube Thing pattern<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These simple mathematical baubles can be made in lots of different ways and either hung as a decoration, or used to hold a small gift. The Borromeo family originated in Rome &#8211; that&#8217;s where the Rome bit of their name came from. In the twelfth century they set up a bank in Milan and became &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,6],"tags":[88,91,30,87,90,92,21,67],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2570"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2663,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570\/revisions\/2663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/mentalblocks.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}