A DESIGN FRAMEWORK: Exploring the Bead Plane. DESIGN CHALLENGES: Seven-Color Tori. Geometric Cross Sections. Torus Knots. Knotted and Linked Bracelets. Escher Designs. Wallpaper Groups. INSTRUCTIONS AND PATTERNS: How to Bead Crochet. Resources. Pattern Pages.
Ellie Baker, Susan Goldstine
"Coming from a mathematical perspective, Baker and Goldstine’s
explorations of the challenges and their solutions is engaging and
compelling for those interested in understanding the mechanics of
geometric patterning. For those who would rather skip the analysis
and make something beautiful, the nearly 100 bracelet patterns
offer a wide range of styles to create. If you’re new to bead
crochet, the thorough step-by-step guide will get you going. If you
are at all interested in bead crochet, this book is a must."
—Bead and Button, February 2016"If bead crochet ropes interest you,
then you will really want a copy of this book. It contains an
amazing wealth of information and includes dozens of novel designs,
all with easy-to-follow charts. … There is plenty of interesting
theory for the mathematically inclined, but there are also sections
on how to bead crochet for beginners … the authors explain how they
created the designs in their beading charts. These explanations are
really what separate this beading book from dozens of the other
beading books I have seen. … if you are interested in designing
your own projects, this book will be of particular interest because
it offers a great deal of insight into the design process."
—Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, Vol. 9, 2015 "Some books on
the interactions between mathematics and other disciplines: …
Crafting Conundrums by Ellie Baker and Susan Goldstine …"
—The Best Writing on Mathematics 2015, Edited by Mircea Pitici.
Princeton University Press, 2016, xix-xx."The mathematics presented
in Crafting Conundrums is broad and deep, enriched by its
application to bead crochet. The pattern design techniques
presented are powerful, effective, and clearly explained. Crafting
Conundrums is an excellent resource for anyone interested in bead
crochet or applications of mathematics in the arts."
—AWM Newsletter, September–October 2015"This beautifully
illustrated book is a delight for both the bead crocheter and the
student of mathematics. It can be enjoyed by the crafter without
exploring the mathematics or the mathematician without trying the
craft. But it will entice the crafter to do mathematics, and the
mathematician to crochet tangible displays of her work.
Mathematics at its essence is the study of patterns and bead
crochet is a beautiful medium for making tangible objects to
display patterns. Here we have an extensive study of the
possibilities for bead crochet by two knowledgeable mathematicians.
Starting with a simple hexagonal grid, a wealth of possibilities
emerge. The surprising complexity of this medium is explored in
depth.
Readers can choose from clearly illustrated patterns or design
their own while learning about the underlying mathematics. With
ideas from topology, tilings, graph theory, knot theory, and group
theory, an entire liberal arts mathematics course can be designed
around this text. Whether you are looking to introduce mathematics
topics into your arts curriculum, generate enthusiasm in your
mathematics courses, or simply create stunning bead crochet, you
will find great ideas for exploration."
—Eve Torrence, Professor of Mathematics, Randolph-Macon
College"This book is a collection of wonderful tools for mastering
geeky and beautiful projects that in a tactile and creative way
explore notions like universal covering space, four color theorem,
wallpaper groups, and seven color tori that unfairly seem to be
reserved for mathematicians only. Crafters, puzzle lovers, and
pattern designers will be delighted to find clear instructions on
how to do the projects. I hope that non-crafting mathematicians
will also peek in the book to see how mathematical concepts can be
expressed in amazingly visual ways. It is indeed written with
experience and love of both math and craft."
—Daina Taimina, Adjunct Associate Professor of Mathematics, Cornell
University, and Author of Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic
Planes"This delightful book will give readers a visual
understanding of mathematically inspired designs in bead crochet
ropes. It is a well-written book that straddles the fence between
mathematics and craft. The theory, patterns, projects, and
instructions are presented in a clear and concise manner. If the
technical aspects don’t interest you, then skip ahead to the
pattern pages for a full library of designs. This book will keep
the experienced bead crocheter busy for a long while."
—Judith Bertoglio-Giffin, Bead Line Studios, www.beadline.com"This
is a must-have book for anybody interested in bead crochet
bracelets and cords. It provides a perfect balance between the
design and construction of bead crochet, and the underlying
mathematics that dictates what is and is not possible within this
art form."
—Gwen Fisher, beAd Infinitum, www.beadinfinitum.com"Crafting
Conundrums is a wonderful book that shows the unity of art, craft,
and mathematics. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind.
The authors integrate accessible discussions of the mathematics of
pattern and shape with design challenges and step-by-step
instructions, so that readers can be as practical or as
idea-oriented as the spirit moves them. Crafting Conundrums will
join other special books, like Taimina’s Crocheting Adventures with
Hyperbolic Planes and belcastro and Yackel’s Making Mathematics
with Needlework, on my bookshelf. I need only to look at them to be
reminded that art and math were ‘separated at birth.’ Baker and
Goldstine have reunited them. I wish math could have been like this
when I was in school!"
—Sarah Kuhn, Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts
Lowell"Baker and Goldstine offer a beautiful and precise
mathematical introduction to the deep ideas of bead crochet,
leading the reader to feel like a participant in the development.
Myriad accompanying patterns afford readers an excellent venue for
experiencing the mathematics themselves and for becoming severely
addicted to bead crochet. The mathematical theory is followed by a
generous invitation to further play with the mathematics through
beading, theoretical exploration, or a combination of both. This
book is a wonderful resource for people wanting to deepen their
understanding of mathematics through crafting, people who love
mathematics and crafting, and people who enjoy design. College
libraries, parents of the mathematically gifted, and technically
oriented people take note: You want this book!"
—Carolyn Yackel, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Mercer
University, and Coeditor of Making Mathematics with Needlework and
Crafting by Concepts
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