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CALLING ALL CROCHET GEEKS AND GRANNIES -- Crochet a mathematical granny square for an art exhibit
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 Granny Life app to choose a "Paris" motif, and submit your choice in the Contact Form.
Step 2: Crochet a square
Choose your own color of Malabrigo Rios yarn and crochet a granny square in your motif using our free Pixie Square pattern.
Step 3: Be part of the art!
Your square could be in an art exhibit in Paris! Submit completed work in the Contact Form.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Getting Started video
Learn how to stitch the first two rounds of the Pixie Stitch granny square. For full instructions and details, see the Pixie Square pattern page.
Edges & Corners video
Learn to stitch edges and corners and how to manage color changes and tension. For details and close-up photos, see the Pixie Square pattern page.
COMMUNITY
Find us in person
Aug-Dec 2025, James Madison University
Nov 1, SUMS Conference at JMU
Nov 14-15, MAA Section Meeting at UMW
Jan 4-7, Joint Math Meetings in DC
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 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.
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 final artwork will consist of multicolored squares contributed from community members, and attached together in a pleasing arrangement to make a wall hanging for exhibition.
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
The motifs used in this project are all generated from a modified 2D totalistic cellular automaton that we call "Rule 6". To read more about the mathematics behind these patterns and how they are generated, see our page on The Math Behind the Motifs. :)
FAQ
Do I have to use a specific type of yarn?
Yes, to have a square included in the artwork you do have to use a specific brand and color of yarn; see the Pixie Square Crochet Pattern for details. Of course, you can also use the free motif generator and free crochet pattern for your own projects with yarn of your choosing.
Can I crochet more than one square for the project?
Yes! You can claim up to five motifs at a time, and submit as many completed squares as you like. If you purchase the yarn for the project then you should be able to make five or six squares.
Is it okay if I crochet left-handed?
Yes! We welcome left-handed crocheters to this project.
When will we find out if the artwork is accepted to the exhibit?
This project has been submitted to the exhibit Création, enre arts et mathématiques at Maison Poincaré in Paris, France, which will be releasing decisions in mid-September, 2025. There are other places the artwork can be submitted, if needed.
Should I "block" my crocheted square when it is done?
No. Please do not block your square before submitting. "Blocking" is the name for wetting/steaming your square and then pinning it into shape; please don't do that. We will block the squares in a consistent way when they are recieved.
What if my finished square doesn't look perfect?
It takes some practice to get the stitches, tension, carried yarn, and square shape to all come out right. If your square isn't perfect then it can be a "learning square"; please hold on to it, because part of the exhibition has to do with the process of creating art. Your practice/learning squares could also be part of the exhibit!
What is the deadline for submitting a crocheted square?
I would like to have most completed squares by December 2025, and will then accept them on a rolling basis until the end of January 2026.
Have a question not covered here? Ask us in the Contact Form.
Completed Squares
The squares below are finished and will be included* in the community art project submitted to an exibit at Maison Poincaré** in Paris, France! 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.
* Some of the completed squares may be the wrong size or have other issues that could preclude them from being in the main artwork. Those squares will be included in the creation/process part of the exhibit.
** Pending the artworks' acceptance into the exhibit, or some other future exhibit.
generation 9
mathgrrl
generation 18
maths_kath
generation 34
Yarnlord
generation 45
wildstrom
generation 96
Lise
generation 140
Reka
generation 149
Flave
generation 175
Flave
generation 233
mathgrrl
generation 241
asabest
generation 242
mathgrrl
generation 244
mathgrrl
generation 250
mathgrrl
generation 251
kwb
generation 270
mathgrrl
generation 271
Yarnlord
generation 274
Reka
generation 300
mathgrrl
generation 304
Flave
generation 413
WhiteTheDragon
generation 476
franherr
generation 501
Reka
generation 516
Geometrygirl
generation 525
Mae
generation 538
cay
generation 566
spoiani
generation 602
Flave
generation 1001
Flave
generation 1038
cay
generation 1352
WhiteTheDragon
CLAIMED SQUARES IN PROGRESS
These motifs have been claimed, and community members are already working on crocheting them for the project. Please check both the "Claimed Squares" and the "Completed Squares" sections before claiming or crocheting a motif, so that none are repeated. You can claim a motif by filling out the Contact Form.
Note: To be accepted, motifs must be Rule 6, 35-50% alive, Generation between 9 and 1407, and not already claimed or completed.
generation 12
Elkie
generation 13
Pokygirl
generation 40
juneb
generation 42
neil
generation 51
hawkslaey
generation 53
Nutella
generation 56
AbbeyPerini
generation 65
Reka
generation 69
LouisY
generation 74
LisaSnailBear
generation 75
Routl
generation 76
heather628318
generation 79
natabat
generation 80
Merriweather
generation 90
asabest
generation 92
Routle
generation 94
cri-kee
generation 97
JHTorres
generation 101
Soperlein
generation 105
Malou
generation 107
Emza
generation 118
KnotUnknot
generation 128
Malou
generation 130
OPaRo
generation 142
gottaotter
generation 144
Malou
generation 163
heather628318
generation 166
Routl
generation 167
sadesf
generation 168
sadesf
generation 172
kathrynve
generation 179
asabest
generation 182
mathgrrl
generation 193
MamaGando
generation 194
Lise
generation 196
Pinn
generation210
Nutella
generation 212
beelzebarb
generation 222
curiosity
generation 248
Reka
generation 261
mathgrrl
generation 281
Jar
generation 285
tangentqueen
generation 289
Marritme
generation 293
MamaGando
generation 298
TwoPi
generation 302
sinsonte
generation 306
Kim
generation 308
clairem
generation 313
cri-kee
generation 309
CrochetFun
generation 311
Bee
generation 333
JHTorres
generation 353
natabat
generation 368
polygonart6777
generation 377
Routl
generation 389
curiosity
generation 395
curiosity
generation 402
kwb
generation 419
curiosity
generation 420
NancyPants
generation 426
curiosity
generation 430
natabat
generation 454
KathiewW
generation 457
Routl
generation 493
Lise
generation 495
Linda
generation 506
JeffA
generation 556
cay
generation 558
Reka
generation 564
albamath
generation 569
Hannah
generation 574
Hannah
generation 579
Hannah
generation 600
Lise
generation 619
Veronica
generation 634
Lisa
generation 666
Malou
generation 782
Flave
generation 802
anntate
generation 1000
Malou
generation 1045
rosstate
generation 1126
lorelei
generation 1308
asabest
generation 1375
MamaGando
generation 1407*
mathgrrl
PROGRESS REPORT :)
As of Aug 25, there are at least 30 completed squares and 86 additional claimed motifs in progress.
Current goal for the artwork: An 11x11 grid made up of 121 squares. We may change this to something larger or smaller, depending on the number of squares that are actually completed and submitted.
We would like to have most of the completed crocheted squares in December for processing and attaching together, but we will accept additional squares through January and try to incorporate everything into the project.
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