Crafting by Concepts

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.

• Introduction. Knit Knit Revolution. Generalized Helix Striping. A Knitted Cross-Cap. Fashioning Fine Fractals from Fiber. Diaper Patterns in Needlepoint. Group Actions in Cross-Stitch. Perfectly Simple: Squaring the Rectangle. Spherical Symmetries of Temari. Quilting Semiregular Tessellations.

The beauty of the visual patterns of mathematics is highlighted in this engaging book. The mathematics is carefully laid out, but following every detail of the mathematics is not necessary to create the patterns of the crafts projects presented. … Excellent photographs throughout amply illustrate the use of mathematics … I highly recommend this book to teachers looking for beautiful projects for their students or to anyone who loves or is curious about circles, spirals, helixes, cross-caps, fractals, diaper patterns, symmetry groups, squaring the rectangle, and tiling spheres or the plane.—Marcia Weller Weinhold, Mathematics Teacher, November 2012There is something in this book for everyone from crafters to mathematicians to educators and students. … This book has a lot to offer for mathematicians and non-mathematicians, presented in a beautifully illustrated and well-organized volume.—L’Enseignement Mathematique (2) 57, 2011If Crafting by Concepts does nothing else, it should help non-math-geek knitters to understand there’s nothing to fear in the typical math of a knitting pattern. It also illustrates that a little mystery can be a lot of fun.For knitters who are into mathematical knitting, this book offers a lot of interesting things to think about. … Crafty math teachers will enjoy the teaching suggestions that will allow them to use these projects and concepts in the classroom, hopefully bringing up the next generation of crafty mathematicians. And these projects take geek craft to a whole new level, which is pretty cool.—Sarah E. White, About.com KnittingI stumbled over this book and simply had to buy it … The authors’ interest is in linking mathematics and craft …—Cally Booker, chairman of the Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, on her blog, August 2011 The editors have collected nine projects from various authors and have presented them attractively in this beautiful book. … The book is wide-ranging, covering many mathematical topics and many craft ideas. … This book would be a great present for a mathematician interested in craft or a craft enthusiast open to thinking about mathematics.—Vicky Neale, Plus magazine, August 2011Fiberarts and mathematics in a marvelous union to not just create but to understand applications in Temari, Quilting, Knitting and ever cross stitch.—Lacis Tools & Materials