This weekend I got a chance to visit the Smithsonian Community Reef exhibit at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa. This is a satellite of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project. And of course I brought my camera!
Started by sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute of Figuring, the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project has been bringing attention both the beauty and the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef. Since it's conception in 2005, it's grown from one family's living room project to communities around the world. There are now several traveling exhibits of these reefs, and more reefs are being created still today.
All of the reefs are created with crocheted pieces and found objects. More than 800 participants from around the world have created over 4,000 pieces of coral. They are made using crochet techniques and hyperbolic geometry to create complex, natural-looking forms that mimic live coral.
What does Hyperbolic mean? I'll let the Smithsonian explain:
In 1997, Dr Daina Taimina, a mathematician, discovered how to make physical models of the geometry known as "hyperbolic space" using the art of crochet. Until that time many mathematicians believed it was impossible to construct such forms; yet nature had been doing just that for hundreds of millions of years. Many marine organisms embody hyperbolic geometry in their anatomies, including corals. This geometry maximizes surface area in a limited volume, thereby providing greater opportunity for filter feeding by stationary corals.
Seeing it in person was absolutely amazing. I could've looked at it for hours, there was so much to see, so many corners and stitches and surprises around every corner. The kids didn't let me linger too long, but I got these photos and came away from the exhibit both awed and inspired. I highly recommend going to see one of these Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reefs if you get the chance!
And if you are interested in trying your hand at hyperbolic crochet, here are some free patterns to choose from!
- The Institute for Figuring and WFC In the Loop Instructions for Coral Shapes Patterns (these would make great scrubbies or embellishments!):
- Hyperbolic Scrunchie on Cayenne's Yarncraft:
- Double Hyperbolic Scarf by Sophie Gelfi (Ravelry free download):
- Baby Developmental Ball on The Sunroom: (be sure to read the comments for explanations of some of the stitches)
Have you gotten a chance to visit one of the reefs? Have you contributed a piece to one of the projects? Have you made any hyperbolic crochet projects before? Tell us all about it in the comments!
Be sure to check out and like the moogly Facebook page to get the latest updates, links, sneak peeks, and more! Moogly is also on Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr – come join the fun! You can contact me at TamaraKelly@mooglyblog.com.
Elayne says
Amazing...Wish I could see it in person..
Lorie says
These are fantastic! I would love to see them in person some day...
My friend has requested a "brain hat". I have seen some knitted patterns but the only crochet one I have found seems to be no longer available. It would seem that the hyperbolic shapes used for some of these corals would make a good brain look...
What do you think? Are you up to creating a crochet brain hat pattern?? 🙂
moogly says
Lorie, there's one here, and it's free! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brain I don't know if I'd want to write one up, that has got to be one looooooong pattern lol!
ETA, there's also one that was in Crochet Today Set/Oct 2010, if you can get your hands on an issue! They sell them individually here: http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/brainy-maniac
Angelita says
ohh is fantastic!
Robin Andersen says
cool. I contributed 17 pieces to the Smithsonian exhibit and I am sure I see one of mine in your photos.
moogly says
Robin that's fantastic!! Congratulations and good on you! Can you point out which one?
Liz Hasler says
Beautiful pictures! I'm so jealous that you got to go there. I can only imagine what it looks like in person. Thank you for sharing your pics
Terri says
Wow! I've been doing hyperbolic crochet for years and I never knew it had a name.
hehehe
H Smith says
A friend showed me a photo of a crochete hyperbolic plan & asked if I could make something like this. To me, it looked like a ruffle scarf (I had made a bunch of these last year for Christmas presents). I googled & found tons of patterns & have been playing around with different values of N. These pictures of coral reefs are fantastic (and way above my abilities as a crocheter).
Marrie says
Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...Oh my GOD!...