Deconstructing patterns, part 2

I've mentioned the requirements for a tangle to be a tangle (see  my earlier post, Deconstructing patterns, part 1). But how do you really do it?

My process is to either make a sketch in my notebook or take a picture with my camera or cell phone of something that might become a tangle. 

My TRIVET tangle is a good example. You can see the step-outs here. 

And here's the trivet that inspired the tangle.

When I started drawing the step-outs I quickly realized that I needed to simplify the tangle considerably in order to make it work. So I started with a grid that opened up the space between the squares. Then I limited the number of times the line went around in the inside. (You could scale it up to suit your needs, of course.) The last part was to add the connectors between the squares.

So take a look around your house and at things you see everyday. There might be a new tangle there somewhere! 

One caveat that I've mentioned in other posts: Be careful not to copy someone else's design in furniture or jewelry or fabric. Those designs are protected by the designer's copyright.