Maths and Knitting: Sequences

Maths and Knitting: Sequences

One of my favourite knitting books is one which doesn’t have garments or finished item patterns but ot is a library of all thee different stitches you could imagine. Every time I flick through it I think of the sequences you would create.  The patterns will say something like ‘multiple of 9 stitches plus 2’ . In my mind I think that’s 9n+2 so  need 11, 20, 29, 38 ……………….. stitches to create it. I wouldn’t be able to make it with 40 stitches.

Having taught GCSE Maths for the last 6 years I have always wanted to include a knitting pattern in this classic GCSE quaestion. It’s always there on both higher and foundation papers. It usually says draw the next pattern, write the next two numbers in the sequence and explain why 4o isn’t in the sequence.

Who knew that knitters the world over have to think about these questions even if not as explicitly as this all the time!

Knitted Sequences

Comments

  1. Hi Emmajane,

    On the subject of maths and science, I wondered if you had seen our Knitting Science display at McAree Brothers in Edinburgh? We have been loaned some knitted and crocheted pieces by the Edinburgh University Maths dept. which illustrate various mathematical concepts, and help to bring craft and maths closer together (in much the same spirit as your lovely blog)! If you’re interested, we have a post on the display here: http://blog.mcadirect.com/

    Best wishes,
    Heather

    • Hi Heather

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I have heard about and seen pictures of this lovely display. It’s so inspiring. I have now followed the blog too. I would love to see it in real life but it’s a bit far for me to go at the moment. I look forward to updates on the blog.

      Best Wishes
      Emma

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