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Making Mathematics with Needlework
Ten Papers and Ten Projects
by
sarah-marie belcastro (Editor), Carolyn Yackel (Editor)
Price: $35.00
Availability: In stock.
Summary
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.
Details
ISBN: 978-1-56881-331-8
Year: 2007
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 200
Web Site:
http://www.toroidalsnark.net/mkbook.html
Reviews
AWM Newsletter (PDF)
January 2010
“The book is structured to be of interest to mathematicians, mathematics educators, and crafters. … Following the instructions in the book, I knitted without difficulty a torus, an algebraic sock, and a pair of hyperbolic pants for a newborn; I also hand-sewed a Fortunatus’ purse. … 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. Live compartmentally, they do not.”
Mathematische Semesterberichte (in German) (PDF)
July 2009
“Alles in allem ein lesenswertes Buch ueber Mathematik, das insbesondere denjenigen unter uns, die neben Mathematik auch Nadel und Faden moegen, viel gute Laune verspricht!”
Australian Mathematical Society Gazette (PDF)
May 2009
“From a craft perspective, this is a charming book. It includes precise and detailed instructions for projects both practical (knitted beanies and socks) and whimsical (quilted Mobius strips, a knitted torus and a class exercise on the construction of a Fortunatus’ purse). 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.”
Knitty online magazine (External Link)
March 2009
“This one-of-a-kind book takes a truly mathematical approach to crafting – and a truly crafty approach to mathematics.”
mumbling monkey (blog) (External Link)
February 2009
“After reading it, I remember I have only scratched the surface in my own understanding of both needlework and mathematics. Ultimately, it is an enjoyable read that inspires creativity in fresh ways.”
CMS Notes (PDF)
November 2008
“While constructing mathematical models, usually for teaching purposes, has a long history, usually the construction methods come from the workshop rather than the knitting basket. This recent book goes some distance towards remedying this by demonstrating how knitting and other needlework techniques can provide interesting and useful models and the construction methods themselves yield interesting mathematical questions.”
Journal of Mathematics and the Arts (PDF)
October 2008
“This book provides straightforward applications of traditional needlework skills to mathematically inspired craft projects. … Making Mathematics with Needlework 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.”
Mathematical Reviews (PDF)
August 2008
For the 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.
The Stereopticon (PDF)
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.”
L'Enseignement Mathématique (PDF)
August 2008
Beautifully illustrated, and with complete patterns and the mathematics behind each project, this book successfully connects the worlds of matheamtics and the fiber arts… . Making Mathematics with Needlework will inspire mathematicians, mathematics educators, and crafters.
American Scientist (PDF)
May 2008
“Yackel and belcastro have created 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.”
Science News (PDF)
March 2008
“The authors are all mathematicians and crafters who provide instructions on how to wear a passion for math on your sleeve, pant leg, head, or feet.”
SciTech Book News (PDF)
March 2008
“The book is attractively produced as if it was indeed simply a craft instructions book, and many color photos illustrate the projects.”
The Midwest Book Review (PDF)
February 2008
“Profusely illustrated, the text is fully accessible to non-specialist general readers with an interest in needlecraft, in the mathematics underlying needlecraft, as will as having a very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.”
The London Mathematical Society (PDF)
February 2008
“As an artist working within a computing and maths department I am probably the perfect customer for this book, combining as I do a flair for needlework and clothes design and a more than passing interest in maths… . Initially it is hard to shrug off the ‘knitter’ in me who baulks at a seemingly over-complicated explanation of what can be demonstrated in moments with needles and wool, but 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.”
Newsjournal of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) (PDF)
December 2007
“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.”
Advance Praise
September 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
How exciting it is for this knitting nerd to see a book that combines two loves of my life, math and needlework! This book makes it clear why they were natural partners all along. 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
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