The mathematics of coral reefs - in crochet

[rachelk]

(Sorry if it's been posted before.)

 

Using crochet to model hyperbolic geometry and thus disprove Euclid's 5th postulate. No, seriously!

 

Margaret Wertheim and her sister are crocheting a giant coral reef based on mathematical patterns.

 

This link is a video of a talk she gave

 

And here are some pictures

 

Edited: to credit Daina Taimina, the mathematician/crafswoman who invented hyperbolic crochet.

[Swayde]

Those coral reefs are gorgeous!

[Elle]

This has been posted here before, but I never get tired of looking at pictures of crocheted coral! Thanks so much for posting another link!

[jeannej]

Using crochet to model hyperbolic geometry and thus disprove Euclid's 5th postulate. No, seriously!

 

Hyperbolic space....Fascinating.....Beautiful....Oh so Crochetable!

Ah, the lines that can be duplicated via "domestic feminine art" - from here to inifinity!

 

Thank you for the share, Rachel, it's new to me. And it is always a good day when I learn something new...and beautiful too.

Oh, should anyone want to create their own piece of hyperbolic spacel check here.

[Nikka_hotpinkpixy]

Crochet for math....yeah my school would love that..."no, i'm not playing around, i' learning about hyperbolic space!"

[jeannej]

Crochet for math....yeah my school would love that..."no, i'm not playing around, i' learning about hyperbolic space!"

 

Sounds like a chance to stitch up some 'extra credit', Nikka!

[tnkycrochetnut]

Oh my word. Thanks for posting this. I know you said it has been posted before but I missed it. So thanks again for posting it. It is just fascinating. It's not your grandmother's crochet. I am just awe struck with the thought of taking a simple hook and some yarn then to see what "art" comes from that.

[rachelk]

In the talk she says mathematicians had tried and failed to model this stuff, and even thought it couldn't be modelled. And it turns out that crochet can model it! I think it's fascinating.

[lynns]

that is amazing!!

 

 

I have an empty 110 gallon tank sitting in my family room, how cool would this be to make some and add fish and other sea creatures hehehe

 

 

last night when I was searching for some patterns I came across this,

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/c-coralReef.html?r=1

 

http://sydneyreef.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post.html

[rachelk]

Nice pattern links, thanks.

 

I never much fancied amigurumis or socks, but I can see me filling a tank with coral.

[Nee]

WOW!!! speachless ! LOL