Math was always my favorite class in school and in college. And now I found math beauty in crochet. This is crochet hyperbolic coral.
Dr. Daina Taimina, a professor of mathematics at Cornell University, discovered that the best way to make models of hyperbolic surfaces is using crochet.
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Creating hyperbolic models using crochet is relatively simple: in each round, you add stitches at a constant rate.
The more frequently stitches are added, the more quickly the model will ruffle up. You can use single crochet, half double, or double crochet as you choose (I used double crochet).
You can experiment with different yarn and hook sizes to achieve different looks. You can work with a single strand of yarn or a combination of yarns worked together.
I used my crochet hyperbolic corals and other sea motifs to create a series of crochet wall arts.
If you are participating in the Coral Reef Project, these instructions will help you to create a variety of hyperbolic corals.
Make sure to check out the pictures I took at the amazing PNW Community Fiber Coral Reef Exhibition!
Hyperbolic Coral – Crochet Pattern
The pattern for this hyperbolic coral is also available as a print-friendly, styled, and advertisement-free PDF file. You can get it from my Etsy shop. The free pattern is below.
You can add this hyperbolic coral crochet pattern to your Ravelry library HERE.
You can PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards HERE, or PIN the image below.
Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
DC – double crochet
HDC – half double crochet
SC – single crochet
Sl St – slip stitch
Materials:
I used crochet cotton threads size 10 and hook size 1.8 mm (for smaller corals),
crochet cotton threads size 3 and hook size 3.25 mm (for larger corals).
Feel free to use any yarn and hook size for your hyperbolic corals. You can also work with a single strand of yarn or a combination of yarns worked together.
Find my favorite craft and crochet supplies HERE!
Notes:
– Work in both front and back loops;
– Work in a spiral – do not join rounds;
– You don’t need to use a stitch marker to keep track of where the rounds started – you will be adding stitches at a constant rate;
– Number of rounds depends on the size of the coral you desire (my samples have from 5 to 7 rounds).
Instructions:
Model 1.
Ch 8, join with Sl St to form a ring.
Round 1. SC, 2 HDC, 16 DC in the ring, do not join the round.
Round 2 and all following Rounds: 2 DC in each St.
Last Round – finishing: When you have the coral as big as you want, make HDC in next 2 Sts, SC in next St, Sl St in next 2 Sts, fasten off.
Model 2. Brain coral.
Ch 8, join with Sl St to form a ring.
Round 1. SC, 2 HDC, 16 DC in the ring, do not join the round.
Round 2 and all following rounds: 3 DC in each St.
Last Round – finishing: When you have the coral as big as you want, make HDC in next 2 Sts, Sl St in next 2 Sts, fasten off.
Decorative edges:
You can also add decorative edges to your crochet hyperbolic corals.
Method 1: After making last Sl St in the last Round: *Ch 4, Sl St into the next St* – repeat from * to * to the end of the Round.
Method 2: After making last SC in the last Round: **Ch 3, SC into the next St** – repeat from ** to ** to the end of the Round.
I hope you enjoyed this Hyperbolic Coral free crochet pattern!
Happy Crocheting!
I have started doing Free Form crochet projects. These shapes will be great for me. I love all the different shapes I can get with simple stitches. Thank you for the patterns. I love the caterpillar.
Hi! I love these hyperbolic corals. I’m a retired high school math teacher and I get especially excited about the mathematics used in crochet. I loved using activities to teach concepts in class. Sure wish I’d have been more active in crochet at that time; I would have definitely used it in class. What fun! ANYWAY, I am thinking to try using the new Red Heart Scrubby yarn, Mary Maxim Scrub It yarn, or strips of nylon netting to make some of these corals as 3D dish scrubbers and washcloths. I know they will be great with the nylon netting because of its stiff texture. I’ve actually experimented with the constant stitch increase on nylon netting…once. It turned out pretty cool, but my niece wanted it so I didn’t get to try it out myself. Looking forward to trying your patterns on the yarns. Thanks for the post. I’m looking forward to checking out your other patterns, and recipes as well.
#BestIdeaEver — This is great idea
My daughter and I both love your hyperbolic corals. She wants make some to include in her Textiles GCSE project and I do just for fun! Is your pattern written in US or UK terms?
Thank you for sharing your lovely work.
Hi Barbie, Thank you so much for your interest in my hyperbolic corals pattern! The pattern uses crochet US terms. Olena
I love your patterns am practicing, beautiful projects.
Merci pour les explications du crochet corail hyperbolique
Great! Thanks! How do you know when to work in frint or back stitch?
If you mean front or back loop: if it is instructed FLO (front loop only) – work under front loop, BLO (back loop only) – work under back loop.
I just recieved an amazing introductory lecture about hyperbolic functions from a mathematics professor from stoneybrook, I’m going to make her one as a thank you.
What a wonderful gift idea for a mathematics professor! I hope she will like it!
I’ve been looking for ‘crocheted pom-poms’ and I think these would work?
I think, yes, if you make “brain coral” working 3 or 4 double crochet in each stitch.