As a long time crocheter, I’m sometimes amazed at the artistic ability of fellow crafters. I stumbled across just such an amazing crochet project that a pair of sisters, Christine and Margaret Wertheim, created that combines their love for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The couple’s goal is to help the rest of us see that science and math are all around us and they can be beautiful, by offering a hands-on way to engage, through their Institute for Figuring (IFF).
The IFF is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization whose goal is to share the aesthetic as well as the poetic side of math and science. What started as a one reef project has taken off and can now satellite projects can be found worldwide, and since its inception in 2007, the Crochet Coral Reef (CCR) project has had nearly 8,000 participants. Through the IFF, communities can create and assemble large-scale artwork for permanent display, special events, or as ongoing programs.
Purchase the Crochet Coral Reef: A Project by the Institute For Figuring Paperback – June 26, 2015, by Marion Endt-Jones, Leslie Dick, and Anna Mayer
But why marry crochet with coral to accomplish this task? For one, reefs are living examples of a plethora of geometric organisms all sharing a common space. It provides a way for people to think of geometrical shapes and to recreate them in a tangible way with yarn. It also shines a light on the precariousness of our coral reefs and what the human species has done to damage and change them.
These crochet coral reefs bring together communities of crocheters to create individual pieces of art that are then assembled into something bigger. They become a mashup of handmade creations in every color, shape, and size imaginable.
Sattelite Crochet Coral Reefs
Crochet is an international language, and satellite reefs have been created all over the world. For a full listing of locations, visit the crochetcoralreef.org site; however, the following participants have an online presence where you can check out their projects.
Don’t miss this time-lapse reef-building video created by the Minneapolis Coral Reef Project
Starting Your Own Coral Coral Reef Project
To start an official satellite reef, visit the IFF crochet project and check out the guidelines for doing so here. Want to do you own coral reef? We’ve found these great free patterns to get you started.
Check Out These Paid and Free Coral Reef Crochet Patterns plus Free Video Tutorials
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A mom and wife, Connie blogs about entertainment, travel, living green, products, technology, DIY home remodeling and decor, and more. She's a vegetarian and animal lover and lives in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, WA.
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That looks no neat! What an interesting way to teach people about the underwater world. I love this. I like to crochet, but I do not have the talent to do anything like this.
These are all amazing patters. Every time I read a post from your blog, it really makes me want to pick up the hobby of crocheting again! Every design looks perfect
What a great project. I am slowly learning how to crochet… maybe someday I’ll be able to make some amazing things. Someday…. 🙂 For now I admire what others can do.
What an amazing project!!! I love everything! I wish I could crochet so I could be apart of it!
I thnk this is a nice project especially that brings people together. I love that the idea, it’s awesome!
That looks no neat! What an interesting way to teach people about the underwater world. I love this. I like to crochet, but I do not have the talent to do anything like this.
Innovativenes at its finest. My gram was a big crochet nut so I so appreciate when I come across something I know she would love.
Oh wow! all of these are so life-like! Looks exactly like the coral reef!! How amazing!
This is so super cool! I love this! I need to learn how to crochet! lol
Wow these are all pretty amazing. The whales are my favourite, I would love to try my hand at them although I am terrible at crochet!
These are the cutest little crochet undersea things I’ve ever seen! I would have never thought you could crochet something like this!
These creations are really amazing! Such a great and adorable project!
that was an awesome crochet! omy!! i love everything that is posted on here!
These are all amazing patters. Every time I read a post from your blog, it really makes me want to pick up the hobby of crocheting again! Every design looks perfect
Gosh all of these are so impressive! Creating a crochet aquarium or coral reef would be such a fun project.
What a cool idea! My mom can crochet anything (and I’m still a beginner.) I envy those that are expert crocheters.
These are such cute patterns to make a whole coral reef. I love th whale and the jellyfish.
What a great project. I am slowly learning how to crochet… maybe someday I’ll be able to make some amazing things. Someday…. 🙂 For now I admire what others can do.
What amazing projects! I wish I knew how to crochet!
Oh wow. Those are so realistic. I love that they helped to raise awareness about out coral reefs, as well.
That is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! It really looks like a coral reef! I have to show this to my mom.