Hyperbolic Crochet & the Coral Reef

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a celebration of the intersection of complex math, handicraft, and the disappearing wonders of the marine world. Created & curated by Christine & Margaret Wertheim of the Institute for Figuring, the reef is coming to the Smithsonian this fall. A reef satellite group called the 'Smithsonian Community Reef' formed to bring the reef to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in a Temporary Exhibit in the Sant Ocean Hall, Ocean Focus Gallery October 16, 2010 – April 24, 2011.

Lancaster Yarn Shop invites YOU to be part of a very exciting, international project! Join us this THURSDAY, JULY 15 between 5 & 8 PM to learn the basics of hyperbolic crochet. Working with Lancaster fiber artist Christa Wissler, we'll put together our own 'South-Central Pennsylvania' reef which will be sent to Washington DC on August 30, 2010 to be installed with the rest of the reef.

We will meet with a teacher at least one additional time--& we get together weekly, so we have several weeks to get our reef together!

Last week at our weekly Knit Night, I mentioned the project & showed a slide show of some incredible photographs of crocheted coral. Interest was really piqued when a visiting cheerful crocheter named Niya from the Washington DC area spoke up. Turned out she is already involved in the project & not only did she have samples of crocheted coral in her car, she had beautiful book marks for everyone here! Many thanks to Niya for her enthusiastic hooking!

relevant links:

This page is Daina Tamina's original article about crocheting hyperbolic planes.
Margaret Wertheim's 'Beautiful Math of Coral (& crochet)'--a lecture from www.ted.com.
The main page for the IFF project is here.
Here are some ideas for creating your own coral.
The Smithsonian Satellite Reef: here.
Of course, there is a great group here on Ravelry!