Hyperbolic Crochet & Coral Reefs

I have had the most amazing visual overload today that has re-ignited the itch in me to pick up a crochet hook again.

The astonishing Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is currently on display at the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Project Space on London's South Bank and if you can get there for a visit I highly recommend it.

Daina Taimina picked up her crochet hook about ten years ago with the aim of creating a model of hyperbolic space, which is where parallel lines do not stay the same distance apart but gradually curve away from each other. This goes against everything we have ever been taught about parallel lines and was so conceptually challenging in the minds of the worlds greatest mathematicians that they have never been able to write a formula for it or indeed even visualise it...enter Daina.

Using basic crochet techniques and increasing in a calculated way, Daina discovered that it was possible to see the curving of the parallel lines and invented Hyperbolic Crochet. These hyperbolic crochet models have gone on to be used around the world as demonstration models in universities and throughout the mathematics field and Daina has gone on to invent hyperbolic sewing.

The finished hyperbolic crochet items resemble pieces of coral and inspired Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring to begin crocheting a coral reef in order to raise awareness of the plight of reefs. The Hyperbolic Reef is touring and people are welcome to join in and learn about hyperbolic crochet and add their own piece of coral to the reef. If you can't make it to the exhibition but are still inspired there are instructions on creating your piece and it can then be sent to Margaret and Christine for addition to the model, just follow the link for the IFF given above and the details are at the bottom of their page.

It has been a long time since I experienced the Wow factor and this did it for me! The work is incredible. So inventive, colourful, thoughtful, experimental and breathtaking. Craft brings people together in amazing ways and I will just share this last comment with you...

There was a mother with her young son and daughter at the exhibit and they were so excited and the little girl said, 'is this all really made from knitting' and Mum replied with a 'yes', and the daughter piped up, 'well when I get home can you teach me?'

And so from one generation to the next the craft passes again.