At my daughter’s school, instead of memorizing multiplication tables as they are, students learn the mathematical order by using a multiplication circle. Place the numbers 0 to 9 evenly around the circumference of the circle, and when they are connected by lines according to the rules of multiplication, a beautiful shape appears. Children understand the order of numbers both physically and visually through the beautiful geometric forms created by the regularity of the numbers. I was impressed by the children learning multiplication from this visualization of the beauty of numbers.
The idea of the circle of multiplication is incorporated into handwork in the string art.
Make even cuts in the circular paper and then thread it over there with a certain regularity, a beautiful pattern will appear. Various patterns can be created by changing the position and order of thread application.
Layers of threads are piled up, and the pattern looks like a mandala. The process of making is like meditation.
Now, our challenge is what to use these for. For the coming season, how about a Christmas ornament? Other than that, they could be made into cards or hung in mobiles. I’m trying to think of other good ideas.

What is Multiplication Circle?

Here is the multiplication circle that my daughter learned at school. This picture shows it in the form of thread art. The 1 time table is threaded one by one, and the 2 times table is threaded by skipping one space. In this way, the threads are hung along each tier to create these beautiful shapes.
You can also see that 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, and 4 and 6 are symmetrical. Not only each table, but also the whole multiplication are symmetrical and have one big order centered on the 5 times table.

Here is my daughter’s lesson book. It is a multiplication table she wrote at school. She said she liked the shape of the 3 and 7 times table.

Instructions for making

Step 1. Cut in a Circle

Draw a circle on the card board with a compass and cut it with scissors.If you have a circle cutter, it will be very easy to cut out. The size can be any size you like. The circle in this photo was cut to a size of 9 cm.

Step 2. Cut a Slit

Download the cutting template for mount paper. Align the circular card board you made with the center of the guide and scribe the position of the cut on the edge of the mount paper. Using scissors, make a 1-2 mm slit along the scribbled markings. Here is a slit of 0 to 23 is now in place.

Step 3. Thread the First Row

First, thread the 0 position. To prevent the thread from coming off, tape the end of the thread at the back. Next, thread at position 11. Continue to thread at position 1, then at position 12. Then 2-13, 3-14, 4-15, and so on, spacing the thread at intervals of 11. The first step is over when you return to 0.

Step 4. Thread the Second Row

Then, for the second row, thread the yarn in intervals of 10: 0-10, 1-11, 2-12, and so on. After the second row is completed, now you will do the third step: 0-9, 1-10, 2-11, and so on, spacing the 9’s apart. In this way, the thread is applied in layers.

Step 5. Way of End Up

How many layers you end up with is up to you. Here I ended up with 6 layers. Finally, tie the thread at the back and you are done.

Create with Various Colors

Changing the color of each row  makes it more interesting. Especially when doing with children, the different colors will help them to easily identify which row they are on and the position of the thread.

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