Mathematical craftwork has become extremely popular, and mathematicians and crafters alike are fascinated by the relationship between their crafts. The focus of this book, written for mathematicians, needleworkers, and teachers of mathematics, is on the relationship between mathematics and the fiber arts (including knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and quilting). Each chapter starts with an overview of the mathematics and the needlework at a level understandable to both mathematicians and needleworkers, followed by more technical sections discussing the mathematics, how to introduce the mathematics in the classroom through needlework, and how to make the needlework project, including patterns and instructions.
sarah-marie belcastro and Carolyn Yackel earned their Ph.D.s in mathematics from the University of Michigan. Carolyn Yackel is an Associate Professor in the mathematics department at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, specializing in connections between mathematics and art. sarah-marie belcastro is a Research Associate at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Acknowledgments, Introduction: An Overview of Mathematics and Fiber Arts, 1 Quilted Mobius Band, 2 Picking Up Stitches and Diophantine Equations, 3 The Sierpinski Variations: Self-Similar Crochet, 4 Only Two Knit Stitches Can Create a Torus, 5 Symmetry Patterns in Cross-Stitch, 6 Socks with Algebraic Structure, 7 Fortunatus's Purse, 8 (K)Not Cables, Braids, 9 The Graph Theory of Blackwork Embroidery, 10 Stop Those Pants!, About the Contributors, Credits, Index