Crafting by Concepts: Fiber Arts and Mathematics

From the editors of the popular Making Mathematics with Needlework, this new collection of crafts projects highlights the relationship between mathematics and different kinds of needlework. Chapters start with an overview written for a broad audience that presents the interplay between a mathematical concept and the craft expression of the concept. This is followed by a section explaining the mathematics in more detail, and a section with suggestions for classroom activities. Each chapter ends with specific crafting instructions. Types of needlework included are knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, temari balls, beading, tatting, and string art

A new collection of craft projects highlights the relationship between mathematics and different kinds of crafts, including knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, beading and more.

From the editors of the popular Making Mathematics with Needlework, this book presents projects that highlight the relationship between types of needlework and mathematics. Chapters start with accessible overviews presenting the interplay between mathematical concepts and craft expressions. Following sections explain the mathematics in more detail, and provide suggestions for classroom activities. Each chapter ends with specific crafting instructions. Types of needlework included are knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, temari balls, beading, tatting, and string art. Instructions are written as ordinary patterns, so the formatting and language will be familiar to crafters.

There is something in this book for everyone from crafters to mathematicians to educators and students. ! This book has a lot to offer for mathematicians and non-mathematicians, presented in a beautifully illustrated and well-organized volume. --L'Enseignement Mathematique (2) 57, 2011 If Crafting by Concepts does nothing else, it should help non-math-geek knitters to understand there's nothing to fear in the typical math of a knitting pattern. It also illustrates that a little mystery can be a lot of fun. For knitters who are into mathematical knitting, this book offers a lot of interesting things to think about. ! Crafty math teachers will enjoy the teaching suggestions that will allow them to use these projects and concepts in the classroom, hopefully bringing up the next generation of crafty mathematicians. And these projects take geek craft to a whole new level, which is pretty cool. --Sarah E. White, About.com Knitting I stumbled over this book and simply had to buy it ! The authors' interest is in linking mathematics and craft ! --Cally Booker, chairman of the Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, on her blog, August 2011 The editors have collected nine projects from various authors and have presented them attractively in this beautiful book. ! The book is wide-ranging, covering many mathematical topics and many craft ideas. ! This book would be a great present for a mathematician interested in craft or a craft enthusiast open to thinking about mathematics. --Vicky Neale, Plus magazine, August 2011 Fiberarts and mathematics in a marvelous union to not just create but to understand applications in Temari, Quilting, Knitting and ever cross stitch. --Lacis Tools & Materials

Acknowledgments		xi
Introduction: Welcome Back		1	(6)
1 Prologue		1	(1)
2 Chapter Structure		1	(1)
3 Research Update		1	(1)
4 A Note for Educators		1	(1)
5 How to Use This Book		2	(2)
6 Conclusion		4	(3)
1 Knit Knit Revolution		7	(22)
1 Overview		7	(2)
2 Mathematics		9	(7)
3 Teaching Ideas		16	(3)
4 Crafting Revolutionary Hats		19	(10)
2 Generalized Helix Striping		29	(22)
1 Overview		29	(2)
2 Mathematics		31	(9)
3 Teaching Ideas		40	(2)
4 Crafting a Helix Striped Spiral Nightcap and Bed Socks		42	(9)
3 A Knitted Cross-Cap		51	(8)
1 The Math and Motivation behind the Pattern		51	(1)
2 Crafting the Knitted Cross-Cap		52	(7)
4 Fashioning Fine Fractals from Fiber		59	(30)
1 Overview		59	(1)
2 Mathematics		59	(12)
3 Teaching Ideas		71	(3)
4 Crafting the Sierpinski Triangle		74	(15)
5 Diaper Patterns in Needlepoint		89	(22)
1 Overview		89	(1)
2 Mathematics		90	(10)
3 Teaching Ideas		100	(2)
4 Crafting the Symmetry Cube		102	(9)
6 Group Actions in Cross-Stitch		111	(30)
1 Overview		111	(1)
2 Mathematics		112	(18)
3 Teaching Ideas		130	(2)
4 Crafting the Two-Color Symmetry Sampler		132	(9)
7 Perfectly Simple: Squaring the Rectangle		141	(10)
1 The Math and Motivation behind the Pattern		141	(2)
2 Crafting Perfectly Simple		143	(8)
8 Spherical Symmetries of Temari		151	(36)
1 Overview		151	(3)
2 Mathematics		154	(13)
3 Teaching Ideas		167	(2)
4 Crafting Three Temari Balls		169	(18)
9 Quilting Semiregular Tessellations		187	(48)
1 Overview		187	(1)
2 Mathematics		188	(6)
3 Teaching Ideas		194	(5)
4 Crafting Semiregular Quilts		199	(36)
About the Contributors		235	(4)
Credits		239	(4)
Fiber Arts Bibliography		243	(4)
Index		247