分野別セミナー

Abstract: Mathematical questions that can be asked about fibre arts include: what mathematical concepts can be
illustrated by this form; what mathematical objects can be created using it; what mathematics is intrinsic to this
form; and what mathematics is used to solve practical questions arising when making an item using this technique.
Knitting, crochet, weaving, temari and bobbin-lace have been examined through the mathematical lens. For example, knitting is like coding. That hyperbolic surfaces can be crocheted was a notable discovery. New patterns for weaving and bobbin lace have been designed by exploiting a mathematical notation once established. In this talk I will outline some of the mathematics of the traditional Japanese stitching form hitomezashi. Duality, probability, enumerative
combinatorics, fractals, and even a connection to alternating sign matrices – this talk will touch on them all, and
examine one or two of them in more depth. My book A Stich in Line: Mathematics and One-Stitch Sashiko will be
published by Taylor and Francis in December 2024.