Higher mathematics are hard. Yarn is soft. And in most cases, these two things would remain separated — after all, how could concepts like a pursuit curve or circle ratios possibly relate to making a scarf?
Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer are two British math teachers who have been trying to answer questions like that for the last 20 years with their mathematical knitting projects. Together, the pair goes by Woolly Thoughts, and their site features a wide array of afghans, cushions, scarfs, and plush toys that visually express different mathematical ideas in brightly colored (and incredibly comfortable-looking) ways.
But more importantly, Woolly Thoughts sells most of their knitting and crocheting patterns. So you don't just have to admire their Fibonacci sequence throw blanket, you can actually make your own. And while I have approximately zero idea of how to knit or crochet, with winter rapidly approaching, now feels like the perfect time to swing by a craft store, break out some yarn and needles, and start work on my own Penrose triangle blanket.
Or maybe some hexaflexagon thrown cushions!
Who knows? Maybe you’ll even learn some math along the way. And you can read more Ashforth and Plummer's history of mathematical knitting over in their interview with The Guardian.
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