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.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The most awesome book I’ve ever seen…
I opened the book and was hooked. … One thing I found wonderful about the book is that, while I’ve had quite a bit of math, I’m not a mathematician and struggle reading math journal articles. However, I haven’t had any difficulty reading and understanding the technical sections of the projects. While the authors use mathematical notation and equations to describe the work, they keep it at a level that any scientifically literate person should be able to understand. …
—FCIWYPSC blog, January 2011
The book contains interesting pictures and photographs. Anyone interested in mathematics or needlework will find new, interesting topics and inspiration in the book.
—The European Mathematical Society, October 2011
A ‘confluence of mathematics and fiber arts’ written for mathematicians, mathematics teachers, and devotees of needlework … . Thank you for providing me the opportunity to review this excellent book.
—Margaret A. Reilly, Ph.D., Association for Women in Science, August 2010
… The color photographs are delectable, and the illustrations in color are very helpful. It makes a great coffee table book for people to flip through and then decide to explore further. … As a member of the mathematics community, I thank the two editors for building a community of mathematicians and needleworkers, and for bringing their passion in all they do into their professional lives. …
—AWM Newsletter, January 2010
…a charming book. It includes precise and detailed instructions for projects both practical and whimsical. The mathematics applied to knitting is particularly useful in the construction of knitted garments, providing simple formulae for ensuring that stitches are picked up evenly. The analysis of all possible variations in basic stocking stitch is fascinating, and the innovative ideas for the construction of knitted garments encourages further experiments in producing garments without seams.
—Australian Mathematical Society Gazette, May 2009
…demonstrate[es] how knitting and other needlework techniques can provide interesting and useful models and the construction methods themselves yield interesting mathematical questions.
—CMS Notes, November 2008
This book provides straightforward applications of traditional needlework skills to mathematically inspired craft projects. … contributes something quite innovative to the two areas it unites. More importantly, perhaps, this book will be an important starting point for scholars who want to show that the traditional activities of women require at least a tacit understanding of mathematics, and the mathematics embedded in such activities can be challenging, novel, and interesting.
—Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, October 2008
For mathematically minded readers who know about and practice the fiber arts, this is a nice source of ideas and information … almost any reader will learn about both art and mathematics in this well-organized and amply-illustrated book.
—Mathematical Reviews, August 2008
At first glance the patterns capture the reader’s attention: they are colorful, stylish, and have clear instructions. A second, slower paging through the book reveals the structural symmetry of each design, and the ‘ah, ha’ of mathematics makes its presence known … . Fiber arts enthusiasts who would like to improve their design skills will find the book useful and inspiring … . This meshing of mathematics theory and fiber arts applications is also useful for people who teach mathematics.
—The Stereopticon, August 2008
Beautifully illustrated, and with complete patterns and the mathematics behind each project, this book successfully connects the worlds of mathematics and the fiber arts … will inspire mathematicians, mathematics educators, and crafters.
—L'Enseignement Mathématique, August 2008
… an excellent synthesis, one that offers enough ideas to keep geeks (of both the crafty and mathematical varieties) busy with needles and yarn, pencil and paper, for years to come.
—American Scientist, May 2008
Profusely illustrated, the text is fully accessible to non-specialist general readers with an interest in needlecraft, in the mathematics underlying needlecraft, as well as having a very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.
—The Midwest Book Review, February 2008
… I am soon charmed by the way that the laying out in mathematical terms of a process I know by heart can inspire a confident sense of knowledge.
—The London Mathematical Society, February 2008
I encourage you to let the authors’ passion for their projects speak for itself. It takes more than exclamation points to convey enthusiasm, and these authors have it leaping off the page throughout the book.
—SIAM, December 2007
This book demonstrates the interplay between mathematics and needlework, including stories of what happens when mathematicians turn to their hobbies but still continue to think about mathematics. I hope this book will encourage mathematicians to develop more tactile ways to explore abstract ideas and to make them more accessible to their students. But even if you are just looking for ‘math craft’ ideas, this book—with clear instructions and beautiful pictures—is for you. Have fun with it!
—Daina Taimina, adjunct professor of mathematics, Cornell University
… I wish this had been one of my textbooks when I was in school.
—Norah Gaughan, author of Knitting Nature
A wonderful and validating book: mathematics from your fingertips to your brain and back again!
—Helaman Ferguson, mathematical sculptor
From the Author
We invite you to peruse the first book to contain both mathematics papers and fiber arts project instructions. Our fervent desire is that if you are mainly interested in the patterns, you will also try reading the Overview sections to see how the math feels. If you are mainly interested in the math, we hope that you will also try out the teaching ideas to hook your students further into mathematics. And, if your goal is to make your classroom a little more snazzy, we hope you will also try to make some of the projects yourself. The interplay between the sections of each chapter is amazing, and you will be surprised how much more fulfilling each part is when combined with the others.
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More About the Author
sarah-marie belcastro is a free-range mathematician whose primary mathematical research area is topological graph theory. She enjoys connecting people to each other, connecting ideas to each other, and connecting people to ideas. Among her many non-pure-mathematics interests are the feminist philosophy of science, dance (principally ballet and modern), and changing the world. sarah-marie did her undergraduate work at Haverford College and her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. For more, see http://www.toroidalsnark.net where the most popular pages are those on mathematical knitting.
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51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.
February 3, 2008
Format:Hardcover
Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Sarah-Marie Belcastro (Co-Director, Hamshire College Summer Studies in mathematics and Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Smith College) and Carolyn Yackel (Mathematics Instructor, Mercer University), "Making Mathematics With Needlework: Ten Papers And Ten Projects" is unique in that it combines mathematics papers with fiber arts project instructions. Each chapter showcases a particular project and that project features sections on mathematics and mathematics education along with detailed instructions for completing the needlecraft project. The featured projects include a Quilted Mobius Band (making a mobius quilt); Diphantine Equations (making a bi-directional hat); Sierpinski Variatins (making a Sierpinski shawl); a Two Knit Stiches Tours; Symmetry Patterns in Cross-Stitch; Algebraic Structure (making algebraic socks); Fortunatus's Purse; (K)Not Cables and Braids (making a pillow of Braid Equivalence); The Graph Theory of Blackwork Embroidery (embroidering a Holbeinian Graph); and making Hyperbolic Pants. Profusely illustrated, the text is fully accessible to non-specialist general readers with an interest in needlecraft, in the mathematics underlying needlecraft, as well as having a very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok, I'm a bit of a math geek -- I have my masters in math. And I'm addicted to knitting books and yarn (as a quick perusal of my review history will demonstrate). So I ordered this book. Each chapter presents a new concept and a new project. The projects are not your typical fiber arts projects but they are all beautiful. They also should give even the most math-phobic individuals a new appreciation of the math.
I have taught math online to adult college students and this would be perfect "supplemental reading" to show people that math doesn't have to be scary.
I have taught math online to adult college students and this would be perfect "supplemental reading" to show people that math doesn't have to be scary.
By Dee leach
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book proved to be what I was expecting. A lot of math and a lot of needlework patterns to back up the math. I was not so interested in the math but the knitting/crocheting/cross-stitching etc that was featured. I have not read through the entire book yet, but I plan on doing so.
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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