Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaraxes
Every dodecadedron is its own set of 12 holes. I wasn't talking about sets of dodecahedrons. Much the way we collect those sizes of screwdriver bits or sockets into sets, perhaps it's a way of collecting a set of different-sized holes, all in one physical object so you can't lose one. |
Ah! Ok, I follow you now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaraxes
Not apparently a particularly convenient collection -- a flat board with 12 graduated holes would be a lot more straightforward if it's just a gauge, not to mention cheaper and easier to make. |
The advantage of the dodecahedron is that it fits in a pocket/purse/beltpouch a bit more conveniently... but historically people have been happy with punching a hole in awkward tools and simply hanging them from their belt as a display of owning the tools of your trade. Happy enough that having it be some sort of widespread concept seems odd. I can totally think of people commissioning something as a one-off personal quirk but having it be trendy across a broad area is a little odd.
I think it's that it's only found in the colder parts of the Empire seems quite curious, and certainly leaves me more open to the "knitting tool" family of theories - perhaps not knitting per-ce but
something involved in making warm yarn or warm fabrics or warm garments?