Stick numbers in the simple hexagonal lattice

Abstract

In the simple hexagonal lattice, bridge number is used to establish a lower bound on stick numbers of knots. This result aids in giving a new proof that the minimal stick number is 11. In addition, the authors establish upper bounds for the stick number of a composite knot. Constructions for (p, p+1)-torus knots and some 3-bridge knots are given requiring one more stick than the lower bound guarantees.