Hyperbolic Crochet Tutorial:  The Expanding Spiral

All of the photos below are of the same hyperbolic crochet piece.  What I love about this particular form is that it can be twisted, folded, and stretched into multiple shapes.  It is fun to play with!

INSTRUCTIONS

This piece is made using Koigu Merino Sock Yarn with a US size 0 steel crochet hook (2.55 mm).

Crochet any length of chains – in this case I chained 25.

Round 1: 2 sc in each chain, chain 1 for turning chain

Round 2: Turn and increase (2dc) in 2 out of every 3 stitches.  In other words, *1 sc in a stitch and then 2 sc in each of the next 2 stitches*, repeat from * to *.  Make 1 turning chain

Round 3: Turn. Increase (2dc) in every other stitch. Make 1 turning chain.

Round 4: Turn. Increase in every third stitch. Make 1 turning chain.

Round 5: Turn. Increase in every fourth stitch. Make 1 turning chain.

Continue for as many rounds as you’d like to do to reach the width you’d like, always increasing less each round.

The tighter you crochet, the sturdier the final piece will be.  The more loosely you crochet, the floppier the piece will be.  For maximum sturdiness, try a smaller crochet hook.  For a draping effect, use a larger hook.

For a VERY sturdy sculptural piece, crochet over clear monofilament fish line.

IDEAS:

• Experiment with different sized yarns and colors

• Try using crochet thread.  Maybe make a pair of earrings.

• Try it using bead crochet techniques.

• If you start with a long enough foundation row, this could make an interesting necklace or scarf.

• Try a large sculptural piece using fabric strips or bulky weight yarn

Have fun!

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Expanding Spiral Collage

This is the same crochet piece, twisted into different shapes