yarn scrap hyperbolic mobius crochet
This is part of my research for my MA in Design. I’m exploring the idea of infinity.
I’ve made a few of these now, mostly using scrap yarn and they are a brilliant way of using up odd ends. They work better with stripes so you can see the never ending edge.
They are quite a mindful thing to play with. Without exception, everyone I have handed one to has been surprised and delighted. At the end of the project I’ll donate them to a dementia cafe so if you know of one in Bristol please let me know – links to my social media are at the bottom of this post.
If you use Ravelry I have a link to the pattern there too. If you don’t use Ravelry, or have never heard of it and like knitting or crochet beware the rabbit warren! I can lose days looking at patterns on there.
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hyperbolic-mobius-fidget-toy
Mobius strips are just a strip of paper/cloth/crochet with one twist in them but that one twist does amazing things. When you join the ends together the strip has just one side and one edge. This means if you are making a mobius strip in crochet you can just keep going around and around and making it bigger.
The hyperbolic aspect is formed by the increases. You can play around with these and have more to make a frillier edge or less to have it tighter. Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes: Tactile Mathematics, Art and Craft for all to Explore, Second Edition
Make the mobius strip
If you are new to crochet you will only need to know 2 things, the first is how to make a chain and there is a good YouTube tutorial here.
For this hyperbolic mobius toy I used Super Chunky yarn and a size 8mm hook. I’ve made them in DK with a 4mm hook too, your stitches need to be quite dense so you don’t get a floppy toy.
The annoying thing about crochet is that there are different terms in the UK and in America. I’ve called the stitch I use Single Crochet, which is actually the American term, in the UK we call it Double Crochet. For simplicity, and because I found a tutorial calling it single crochet I’ll stick to that. It doesn’t really matter what stitch you use though and it might be fun to try different ones as you go along.
If you need a tutorial for single crochet try this one.
Chain 16 Stitches
Miss one chain and single crochet into each other chain until the end
Join the ends
You need to twist the ends of the crochet strip so the top joins the bottom now.
This is how you would join the strip to make a cylinder. DO NOT DO THIS!
Instead, flip that end over so you are joining the top to the bottom
Put your hook through in the first space and make another single crochet to join up the top and bottom. Then you just keep crocheting around and around. If you have the join right you will never meet the end. If you have it wrong you will make a tube.
Start the hyperbolic increases
This is a little further along in the crochet but it shows the sequence. Single Crochet 2 stitches then Single Crochet 2 stitches into the same space.
Pretty soon you will meet the open gap
Make sure you don’t turn it into a cylinder by accident! Just crochet through it, keeping the pattern of 2 single crochet then 2 single crochet into one space.
When to stop
Because this is an infinite line you can go on forever in theory, in practice you will either run out of yarn or the centre hole will get full. You can join yarn together by knotting it and sewing in the ends when you are finished.
You can go on forever!
This is one ball of super chunky yarn with no joins.
Here is one of the double knit mobius strips. This one has an increase every other stitch.
I’ll make a detailed video as soon as I can but if you make one of these, please let me know how you get on. I’ll add more crochet, knitting and sewing tutorials to the site in the near future.
Hi. I'm Lisa
Less-waste is where I share the little things I find that help me lead a more ethical life, on a super tight budget.
I also run less-stuff for people who love their belongings and want to declutter gently.
My social media accounts represent both websites.
- You can find me on Instagram if you want to see snapshots of real life on my feed.
- I’m on Twitter and try to join in on chats about organic food, gardening and living ethically.
- The Facebook page is where I share info from others.
- I’m also on Pinterest where I've gathered really good resources to help us enjoy seasonal food. You will find boards about productivity and crafting there too.
- You can find me on YouTube, testing eco-friendly products and attempting to film without being interrupted by a cat.
