Introduction:
For years and years I’ve been using the Fibonacci Series to determine the dimensions for my weaving projects. You can find out more about Mr. Fibonacci on the web. The way I learned was to create a series. Then all of the numbers in that series will work together in a design.
I often make several series until I find the one that fits my situation. Here are a few series for examples. I usually think of them as strings of numbers. Every project’s notes I think I’ve ever made has the series I tried and used attached to it.
How to make a Fibonacci series
First, you start with a number—any number. Say 3 (for 3 inches.)
Next you double that number to get the series started. This is the only time you double a number.
That would make the next number 6. Now we have the first and second numbers.
From here on to get the subsequent numbers you add the two previous numbers to get the next number. Hence 3 plus 6 equals 9. So now we have a series of 3 numbers: 3,6,9. We could say 3”, 6” and 9” if we were using dimensions.
To continue: 3,6,9,15,24,39. Can you take it further?? Here’s how it works. For example: That could mean with a length of 39” I might choose 6” and 9” bands of colors and upper and lower borders of 3” . That might be starting at the top: 3” border, bands of colors of 6”,9”,9”,6”and 3” border.
Now look at the strings in the original photo, seen again here. Can you see how the strings of numbers were created? Again, in each string are numbers that will work together in any order to make measurements for a design with good proportions.
What if the beginning is an unusual number?
THE MAGIC NUMBER to find the NEXT number
There is a given number that Mr. Fibonacii used to make a string using any beginning number. The number is 1.618. That way you can always find the next number or the previous number. Multiply a given number by 1.618 to give you the next number. I would use this if I wanted an unusual number, say, 3 1/2 inches. In that case, 1.618 multiplied by 3.5 gives you 5.663 or about 5 5/8”. Keep going by multiplying by 1.618 for subsequent numbers.
THE MAGIC NUMBER to find the PREVIOUS number
To find a previous number, DIVIDE a number by 1.618. If I began with 31/2 inches, to find a previous number divide 3.5 by 1.618 for 2.163 or 2 1/8”. The string would then be: 2 1/8”,3 ½” and 5 5/8” . More numbers can be added using the trick number of 1.618