Crochet maps use texture to represent land and water

Data visualization is an inherently digital practice, and it leaves our work feeling flat.

I began experimenting with crochet as a way to make maps that can be read with our hands as much as by our eyes. I started with point, line, and polygon vector features, but crochet is an excellent medium for raster data as well.

Each of my patterns begins with a geospatial dataset (or multiple datasets). I apply some generalization techniques to create a crochet pattern I’m happy with.

Each piece takes many hours of work. You can learn more about my process and why I do this by checking out one of my presentations below:

How (and why) to incorporate texture into your data visualizations (Wisconsin Tableau User Group)
Journalists are turning to crochet to tell data stories (Nieman Reports)
Data visualization using fabric (Perpetual Notion Machine on WORT FM)

Completed: May 2023
Technologies used: QGIS / Crochet (interlocking layers, mosiac crochet)