mathematician Daina Taimina who used crocheting to make a three-dimensional model of
hyperbolic space. Upon seeing the photos, I was hooked!
The hyperbolic curve is easy to make. Starting with a circle or straight line of chain stitches
(about
8 stitches for a short curve or a long curve with 30 or more stitches), the
single crochet stitches are increased (for example one increase in every
3 stitches) to create the undulating curve. The pieces created have
an organic appearance. It is the naturalness of the curves that
allows the
creation of shapes that mimic those found in the
formations of a coral reef. Making a coral reef
piece is instant gratification! The type of yarn
used and the ratio of increased stitches is what
makes each piece unique. The crochet pieces
are made of acrylic, wool (felted), mixed fibers,
and plarn (plastic bag yarn).
Crocheting is no longer an activity relegated
to the bus commute. New coral reef pieces
are being created while watching television
and even while sitting in restaurants. My
family did not understand my love for the coral
reef and as more and more crocheted pieces
appeared around the house, there was talk
of an intervention. Vindication came while
visiting the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef
exhibit in New York City. To see a huge
reef in person with many unusual
pieces is beyond words! The Crochet
Coral Reef project through the IFF now
has satellite reefs worldwide. Soon
thereafter, I was invited to participate
in the creation of a satellite reef for the
City of Scottsdale. When a piece I had
contributed to the Scottsdale project
was displayed in the Smithsonian
Museum of Natural History, my family
was in awe and all of the intervention
talk ceased!
Many, many crochet coral reef pieces
later and two crochet coral reefs are
growing in my cube at work. One is
a “bleached” reef of white, off-white,
light colors, the other a “colorful” reef.
The reefs never fail to surprise and
delight the visitor who can’t believe
they are created by crocheting.