The dierence between a crochet fractal and a computer fractal is that for the crochet version there is a smallest

size which is the original motif (or iteration). One cannot zoom in further and further to see the same pattern repeated innitely. It is limited in the size of crochet hook and the thickness of the yarn the smaller they both are the smaller the original motif will be. Fractal crochet can be approached in two dierent ways depending on ones level of skill at pattern design. The rst way can be done by making several dierent pieces (called motifs) and then joining them as they are created. This means that one may choose to alter the size of the motif in order to create a fractal pattern. Doilies and table clothes lend themselves well to this type of work.

Figure A: Example of a crocheted Pineapple Round Luncheon Set

Figure B: Detail of place mat

The rst example is of the Pineapple Round Luncheon Set as found on Free Vintage Crochet [Figure A] (freevintagecrochet.com/free-doily-patterns/coats241/pineapple-round-luncheon-set-pattern). Looking at the detail of the place mat [Figure B] one can see that there is a smaller motif repeated 4 times in the center (one of which is coloured green) and then bordered by pineapple shapes. The whole of the place mat (coloured purple) has a very similar shape as the original motif though the number of pineapple-like shapes on the center motifs is greater than the number of pineapples on the larger motif. While not a perfect example of a fractal it is very close and can clearly be modied to create a truer fractal pattern. In fact, these motifs are used in various numbers to create dierent decorations for the table such as a table runner, place mat, table cloth and doilies. Hence it would not be dicult to work with the motifs to create an identical number of pineapples on the smaller motifs and the larger motif. Figure C shows an example of how one may work with the pineapple motif. The original motif (circled in red) is created four times and grouped together to create a larger version of the original shape (circled in yellow). This larger motif is then also repeated four times (circled in blue). While this is only a diagram it is an example of how smaller pieces can be worked together to make a fractal. This would require the skill to size the larger pineapple motif as the number of iterations increases.
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Figure C: A possible fractal table cloth design

Figure D:

Another example of a doily pattern which could be used as a fractal design is shown on the cover page of DOILIES Luncheon Sets and Table Runners an instruction book from the 1930s [Figure D]. The doily has a circular motif which is easy to create in any size. The circular motif is repeated and circled around the center motif. The second way to create a fractal crochet is to create it all in one piece and many may nd this method more desirable. What type of fractal would work best when only using one piece of yarn, and not joining two or more motifs? D. Jacob Wildstrom suggests that a good fractal design (using only a single strand of yarn) is one in which as the detail increases so does the size of the crochet design (p.44). He suggests that the Koch snowake would be a poor choice as the detail gets smaller and smaller, and the additions to the snowake are not connected (hence they would not be connected with yarn). Figure E shows how the Koch snowake is constructed. While it may not be appropriate for a crochet design using a single piece of yarn, it would be possible to build this fractal using individual motifs, careful planning, and connecting the motifs together during the construction.

Figure E: The Koch snowake However, the Sierpinski triangle is a good choice as the overall shape remains the same, and it is the detail within the triangle that increases with each iteration. Looking at Figure F one can see that the nth iteration is contained in the n+1th iteration. One would simply have to choose how many iterations to include, and that will determine the size of the crochet design. In other words, the larger the design the more detail there will be.

Figure F: The Sierpinski triangle The Sierpinski Triangle is a very popular pattern for crochet and there are a few dierent patterns available. Mary Pat Campbell has written a blog post which includes the instructions on how to begin the Sierpinski Triangle (http://www.marypat.org/stuff/nylife/ 020325.html). Wildstrom created a diagram of Campbells pattern which is included in his chapter the sierpinski variations: self-similar crochet in the book Making Mathematics with Needlework [Figure G].

Figure G: Mary Pat Campbells design of the Sierpinski Triangle as drawn by D. Jacob Wildstrom
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In this diagram the single crochet is marked by an oval, and the double crochet is marked by a capital T with a cross on it. The design can be followed for as many iterations of the Sierpinski triangle one would like once the center triangle is complete then that completes the iteration. Wildstrom includes his own pattern for a Sierpinski triangle shawl, shown in Figure H. As this pattern is not part of the public domain it will not be shared here. He does share various other patterns for the Sierpinski variations at http://www.crochetgeek.net/crochet/sierpinski/.

Figure H: D. Jacob Wildstroms Sierpinksi triangle shawl Bibliography: Campbell, Mary Pat. (March 25, 2002). Fractal Crochet. Retrieved on October 10, 2013 from http://www.marypat.org/stuff/nylife/020325.html. Wildstrom, D. Jacob. the sierpinski variations: self-similar crochet. In Sarah-Marie Belcastro & Carolyn Yackel (Eds.), Making Mathematics with Needlework, (p. 41-52). Wellesley, MA: A K Peters, Ltd.