Stitching equations: UNF professor crochets her way through math

A vibrant tapestry of yarn and numbers that tells a story and stretches across continents, generations and disciplines was on exhibit in September at the Jessie Ball duPont Center in downtown Jacksonville.  

It’s the story of Dr. Beyza Aslan, University of North Florida associate professor of mathematics and statistics — a mathematician, educator, artist and mother whose journey from childhood crocheting to mathematical artistry is reshaping how we see math.  

Her goal is to show that math is accessible in everything we see; it’s beautiful and can be fun. 

Growing up in Turkey, Aslan learned to crochet before she could even read.  

“In my culture, young girls are taught crafts by the women in their families, not just as hobbies, but as traditions tied to marriage dowries,” said Aslan.  

Yet for Aslan, it wasn’t only about preparing for marriage; she found joy in creating outfits for her dolls, discovering a peaceful rhythm in the loops and stitches that calmed her young mind. 

After decades of academic rigor as an undergraduate at the Middle Eastern Technical Institute and later at the University of Florida where she earned her Ph.D. in mathematics, marriage, raising children and building a career, crafting and crocheting fell by the wayside.  

But in January 2020, at a mathematics conference, Aslan picked up a book on crochet and math that piqued her interest.  

Then came COVID-19. Isolated at home with her two children, she returned to crochet not as a pastime, but as a lifeline. Circular patterns, polygons and Islamic tilings began to emerge from her hooks, each stitch a meditation on geometry. 

Crocheting became more than therapy, it became a bridge between her mathematical mind and artistic soul. She began designing her own patterns, assigning stitches to angles, visualizing 3D topology and even crocheting a soccer ball composed of hexagons and pentagons. 

“Crochet makes math tangible,” Aslan explained.  “You can touch it, twist it, and see it from every angle.” 

Today, she’s on a mission to transform the perception of mathematics from fear to fiercelessly fun by showing that math isn’t just a subject, it’s a vibrant part of everything we see and do, beginning with her exhibit at The Jessie. 

“This exhibit is the start,” said Aslan. “It gave me an entry to promote and change the attitude about math. All students must take math at UNF regardless of their major, and in alignment with Student Success, I want to build upon the success of this exhibit and show that math is fun — there’s a softer side to math.”   

While the exhibit may be over, Aslan’s work is just beginning. After captivating students and educators with her crochet-infused mathematics showcase, she is now turning her attention to something even more ambitious — building a curriculum that blends fiber arts with mathematical exploration for her UNF students with plans to launch in 2027.  

“I envision my students of all majors creating crochet any form of fiber art pieces reflecting mathematics to be exhibited in campus galleries, embracing experiential learning at its finest,” Aslan said.  

To change the perception of math in young learners, Aslan is planning to take her exhibit on the road to area middle and high schools as well.