CALLING ALL CROCHET GEEKS AND GRANNIES -- Crochet a mathematical granny square for an art exhibit

Granny Life

Crochet granny square motifs determined by algorithms

We invite you to create unique granny squares that will be combined in a future mathematical art exhibit (in Paris, if our project is accepted).

To be part of the project, choose your own granny square motif using our interactive app at www.mathgrrl.com/granny-life, then follow the crochet pattern and project instructions below.

We welcome all crafters, artists, and mathematicians, from beginners to experts :)

Instructions

Step 1: Choose a motif

Use the interactive Granny Life app to choose a "Paris" motif, and submit your chosen motif in the Contact Form.

Step 2: Crochet a square

Follow this crochet pattern to make a Pixie Square in your motif.

Step 3: Be part of the art!

Step 3: Your work could be part of an art exhibit in Paris! Submit your completed squares in the Contact Form.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

Getting Started video

Learn how to stitch the first two rounds
of the Pixie Stitch granny square

Edges & Corners video

Learn to stitch edges and corners and
how to manage color changes and tension

COMMUNITY

Find us in person

July 14-18, Bridges Eindhoven (find Carolyn Yackel for demo and supplies)
Aug 6-9, MAA MathFest Sacremento (contact person TBD)
Aug 11-15, Illustrating Mathematics ICERM (find Laura Taalman for demo and supplies)

Social media

Bluesky - @mathgrrl.com, #grannylifecrochet
Mastodon - mathstodon.xyz/@mathgrrl
Reddit - @i-am-mathgrrl, r/crocheting, r/geekycrochet
Facebook - @mathgrrl, Crochet Granny Square group

Contact Form

Ask questions
Claim motifs to crochet
Submit completed squares
We would love to hear from you!

Art Project

This project combines traditional artistic crafting with modern scientific and mathematical methods, and invites community members from the crafting and mathematical communities to participate together. The artwork explores rule-based pattern generators in the fiber arts, with a modified classical crochet technique that accommodates detailed, pixellated motifs generated from two-dimensional cellular automata. The finished work will be a large square wall hanging that measures approximately 200x200 centimeters, comprised of one hundred crocheted 16-centimeter granny squares created by crafters, artists, and mathematicians.

The motivation for using totalistic cellular automata to create granny square motifs is to create a set of motifs that naturally work together. Naively, we could make completely random choices to make a 10x10 grid of granny squares, each with traditional crochet symmetries. But by using motifs that are generated from cellular automata rules, it is possible to obtain a much more interesting and structured set of 100 designs. Even better, if we restrict our attention to just one totalistic rule (in this project we will use "Rule 6"), then we can obtain a set of 100 designs that share various pattern similarities and form a more cohesive final artwork.

The purpose of this artwork is not to illustrate cellular automata; rather, it is to leverage mathematics as a design tool, in a partnership between human creativity and algorithmic structures that creates a beautiful and cohesive artistic work.

This project has been submitted for consideration to the Création, entre arts et mathématiques exhibition at Maison Poincaré which will be on display in Paris, France from April-July 2026. Decisions for this exhibition will be made in September. If accepted to the exhibit, this work will need to be completed by March 2026, and so all contributed squares should be submitted and mailed in by the end of January, 2026.

MATHEMATICS

(lots of math coming soon!)

IN PROGRESS

Please check the list below before claiming or crocheting a design, so that none are repeated. You can claim a design by filling out the Contact Form.

Rule 6, Generation 12
Elkie claimed 7/20/25

Rule 6, Generation 51
hawksley claimed 7/16/25

Rule 6, Generation 18
maths_kath claimed 7/15/25

Rule 6, Generation 45
wildstrom claimed 7/14/25

Rule 6, Generation 242
mathgrrl claimed 7/14/25

Completed Squares

You can notify us that you have completed a square, and obtain instructions for mailing it to us for inclusion in the artwork, by filling out the Contact Form.

Rule 6, Generation 233
mathgrrl completed 7/15/25

Rule 6, Generation 250
mathgrrl completed 7/15/25

Rule 6, Generation 244
mathgrrl completed 7/12/25

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