Norepinephrine Knitting Chart

When you guys request a molecule, I really like to see if I can make it happen ASAP.  

The structural difference between norepinephrine and dopamine (which I already charted) is really tiny, so it wasn't hard at all to create a new molecule knitting chart:

Norepinepherine Molecule Knitting Chart: 23 sts x 18 rows

Keep the molecule requests coming!  I'll help out if I can.  Make sure you check out the other Molecule Knitting Charts I've created.  Especially as the March for Science approaches I know people are trying to get their science knitting projects underway.  

Norepinephrine Molecule Knitting Chart © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  These charts are available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.

GENEie Plasmid - A DNA Cable Headband

GENEie Plasmid - A DNA Cable Headband Knitting Pattern

The GENEie Hat Collection was missing something.  These cable and colorwork hats and headbands didn't have a cable headband!  I wanted to make a small cable project that could be worn to show knitter and science pride at the March for Science on April 22, 2017.

Unlike the other patterns in the GENEie collection, the GENEie Plasmid can be knit flat.  This makes the knitting chart slightly more complicated because there are cables on both wrong side (WS) and right side (RS) rows.  There is also a version knit in the round.  Since the GENEie Plasmid is knit until it is long enough and then the ends are joined together, this pattern is really easy to adapt to any gauge and yarn weight.

Materials

• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) needles
• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn.  The sample was knit with KnitPicks Comfy Worsted (20 g, 44 yards)
• Gauge (blocked): 13 sts/2", 14 rows/2" over cable pattern.  Gauge isn't super important for this pattern since you can just keep knitting until the headband is the length you want.  
• Notions (optional):  cable needle, tapestry needle. 
• Finished Sizes: Adult S/M- 18" around (fits with negative ease), 2.25" wide
• Model Head Sizes: Rebecca - 22" head (normally wears a S/M hat)

Abbreviations Used in this Pattern - Updated with links to video tutorials!  I have a whole playlist of videos to help with the construction of the GENEie collection.  Make sure you check out an introduction to 1x1 cables if you want extra help with the GENEie DNA cable stitches.

• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• Sts – Stitches
• S1 – Slip one stitch purlwise
• K-tbl– Knit through the back loop
• P-tbl - Purl through the back loop
• CN – cable needle 
• M1 – Make One. Make a new stitch by picking up the yarn between two stitches, twisting it and knitting.
• WS - Wrong Side
• RS - Right Side
• C1-fkk:  S1 st on CN and hold in front.  K1, K1 from CN
• C2-bkk:  S1 st on CN and hold in back.   K1, K1 from CN
• C3-fpk:  S1 st on CN and hold in front.  P1, K1 from CN
• C4-bkp: S1 st on CN and hold in back.   K1, P1 from CN
• C5-fpp: S1 st on CN and hold in front.  P1, P1 from CN
• C6-bpp: S1 st on CN and hold in back.  P1, P1 from CN

Geneie Plasmid Knitting Pattern - Knit Flat - I am not a big fan of the Provisional Cast on so I decided to sew the ends of the headband together.  However, if you prefer you can start with a provisional cast on and then graft the beginning and end of the headband together.

• Cast on 15 sts.  
• Next Row (WS), K2, P11, K2
• Next Row, start Chart Round 1 (knit the chart right to left or follow the written instructions below the chart.)
• Continue knitting the chart.  Odd rows are the RS (read the chart right to left) and even rows are the WS (read the chart left to right) of the fabric.  
• Repeat rows 1-26 five times or until the piece measures 18".  (Note, I designed this headband to fit my 22" head.  The headband has negative ease so it will stretch to fit your head.  If you need more length keep knitting.)  
• Bind off while knitting Row 1 (or whatever row you are on next in the pattern.)  
• Block the headband.  (The edge of my headband curled significantly and I knew it would be easier to block the headband while it was still flat then once I had sewn the edges together.)  
• Sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge.  Weave in loose ends.  

The Chart - Odd Rows are the RS (knit right to left), Even Rows are the WS (knit left to right).  

Written instructions - Flat Plasmid

1. K8, C2-bkk, K5
2. K2, P2, C5-fpp, C6-bpp, P5, K2
3. K6, C2-bkk, K2, K-tbl, K4
4. K2, P1, C3-fpk, K3, C4-bkp, P3, K2
5. K4, C2-bkk, K5, K-tbl, K3
6. K2, P1, P-tbl, P6, P-tbl, P2, K2
7. K3, C4-bkp, P6, K-tbl, K3
8. K2, P1, C6-bpp, p6, P-tbl, P1, K2
9. K3, K-tbl, K6, K-tbl, K4
10. K2, P2, C6-bpp, K5, P-tbl, P1, K2
11. K3, C1-fkk, K3, C2-bkk, K5
12. K2, P4, C6-bpp, P2, P-tbl, P2, K2
13. K4, C1-fkk, C2-bkk, K7
14. K2, P6, C6-bpp, P3, K2
15. K4, C2-bkk, C1-FKK, K7
16. K2, P4, C5-fpp, P2, P-tbl, P2, K2
17. K3, C4-bkp, P3, C3-fpk, K5
18. K2, P2, C5-fpp, P5, P-tbl, P1, K2
19. K3, K-tbl, K6, K-tbl, K4
20. K2, P1, C3-fpk, K6, P-tbl, P1, K2
21. K3, C1-fkk, K6, K-tbl, K3
22. K2, P1, P-tbl, P6, P-tbl, P2, K2
23. K4, C1-fkk, P5, K-tbl, K3
24. K2, P1, C6-bpp, P3, C5-fpp, P3, K2
25. K6, C1-fkk, K2, K-tbl, K4
26. K2, P2, C6-bpp, C5-fpp, P5, K2

Working cables on the wrong side of knit fabric is not my favorite thing to do.  It is much easier for me to keep track of where I am in a project when I can follow the chart in the same direction each time.  Therefore, I also wanted to provide instructions to create a GENEie Plasmid headband in-the-round.

GENEie Plasmid Knit Flat (top) and in-the-round approximation (bottom)

GENEie Plasmid - Knit in the Round - I didn't knit a sample of this version of the GENEie Plasmid headband, the picture is an approximation of what this would look like.   This knit headband will have double layer of knit fabric versus the single layer in the flat version.

• Cast on 26 stitches.  Divide the stitches onto 3 double pointed needles as follows: 13, 7, 6. Join to knit in the round.
• Round 1: K2, Knit the 9 chart stitches, K14.  
• Continue knitting chart rows 1-26 five times or until the headband measures 18"
• Bind off while knitting round 1.  
• Stitch the cast on edge to the bind off edge and weave in loose ends.  Block if desired.  

GENEie DNA Cable Knitting Chart (for in the Round) - This the chart that was originally found in the GENEie Pussyhat knitting pattern.  Check out that pattern for line by line written instructions.

Chart Key

Approximation of what the GENEie Plasmid Headband (in the round) would look like.  There would be a little more space on either side of the double helix. 

I am so glad that I finally designed a cable headband.  In Boston, where I plan to march, the weather can either be really warm or cold and raw at the end of April.  I am glad that I have options to show my craftivism at the March for Science.

Scale comparison of the GENEie Plasmid Headband and the GENEie Next Generations Colorwork Headband.  

 Designing the GENEie Collection has been a whirlwind. Since the end of January, I have designed 6 different GENEie variants to support the March for Science  I also designed the Ice Cap Aquacessories knitting patterns which have H2O molecules around the brim of a headband and hat (not pictured).

The updated GENEie Collection designed by ChemKnits in support of the March for Science:

GENEie (Cable Version)

GENEie (Colorwork Version)

GENEie Pussyhat

GENEie Next Generations Headband and Hat (Colorwork - bottom left and right)

GENEie Plasmid Headband (Cable)

GENEie Plasmid Knitting Pattern © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  This pattern is available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.


This post contains some KnitPicks affiliate links.  I became an affiliate in October 2018 after using KnitPicks yarns for many years.  All yarn selections and options are my own. 

Neurotransmitter Molecule Knitting Charts - Dopamine and Serotonin

I have designed many different molecule knitting charts over the years.  I love when I get requests to chart specific molecules because I know that these will turn into unique knit garments.  Recently some followers requested that I create charts for the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine Knitting Chart - 23 sts x 13 rows

All of the love to the Wellesley sibling who requested the dopamine knitting chart.  I hope that you are able to find someone to help you turn this into a hat for the March for Science.

Serotonin Knitting Chart - 27 sts x 18 rows

How can you incorporate these molecules into knitting projects?  You could put a bunch of molecules around the brim of a hat or headband.  You can either use stranded knitting or you could duplicate stitch the molecule onto your garment after the fact.

Do you have any molecule requests?  I can chart many molecules but the smaller the molecule the easier it will be to fit it onto a knit garment.  I have had some requests that are too complex for me to create, but I will do my best to help you out with your molecule knitting hopes and dreams.

Serotonin and Dopamine Molecule Knitting Charts © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  These charts are available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.

Aquacessories - H2O Molecule (aka Water Molecule) Knitting Charts

The "Ice Cap" Headband - Aquacessories with Water Molecule Knitting Charts

I like to design molecule knitting charts, and I've even knit many projects (mostly beer cozies) with them over the years.  Currently my most popular molecule chart is the DNA cable which can be seen in the GENEie Hat Collection.  Recently I was asked to design some H2O knitting charts.  Hydrogen is usually invisible in the molecule charts I design, so this presented a unique opportunity to think about the shapes a different way.

There is a lot of movement in water molecules so I designed a few versions.  I think that it would be really fun to have these molecules dance around the brim of a hat.  I had a lot of fun coming up with various "vibrations."

Ice Cap (Aquacessories Hat & Headband Knitting Pattern) - I recommend a gauge of 22 sts/4" and 12 rows/2" over colorwork stockinette using size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles and worsted weight yarn.  Since I have not knit a sample of this pattern please consider this more of a guideline for creating your Aquacessories.  If I get a chance to knit up a sample I'll update this page accordingly.

• Using worsted weight yarn (in three colors), cast on 100 sts with the main color on US size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles.  Join to knit in the round. 
• *K2, P2* around for 3 rounds (headband) or 5 rounds (hat).  
• *K10, M1* around (110 sts).  
• Next round: Join the contrasting colors and begin round 1 of the knitting chart.  You will repeat the chart 5 times in each round.
  

  

  22 sts x 9 rows

• Continue knitting the remaining 8 rounds of the knitting chart.  Break the contrasting colors and continue either the hat or headband instructions. 
• HEADBAND 
• Knit across for 1 round
• *K9, K2tog* around (100 sts)
• Knit 2 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around)
• Bind off in ribbing pattern.  Weave in loose ends and block if necessary.  
• HAT 
• Knit in stockinette (knit every stitch around) until the hat measures 6.5" from the cast on edge.  
• Begin crown decreases as follows:
• *K9, K2tog* around (100 sts) 
• K around 
• *K8, K2tog* around (90 sts) 
• Continue to decrease stitches every other round until 10 stitches remain.  
• K2tog around (5 sts) 
• Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches with CC. Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.

When I realized how ordered these water molecules were arranged on the headband I had to rename it the "Ice Cap"! 

Here are some other water molecule knitting charts that you can incorporate into your favorite Aquacessory.

H2O Knitting Charts - Ball Version - For some "vibrations", rotate the chart 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

Water Version #1 - 11 sts x 9 row

H2O Knitting Charts - Molecular Formula Versions - There are more ways you could rotate these water molecule knitting charts beyond the three options I've shown below.  They can be flipped and rotated to try to fit them together in an array.  

Letter Version #1: 9 sts x 7 rows

Letter Version #2: 9 sts x 9 rows

Letter Version #3: 10 sts x 6 rows

 Incorporating Water Knitting Charts into Aquacessories Hats & Headbands

The March for Science is coming up on Earth Day - April 22, 2017.  A bunch of crafters are working to create a variety of hat styles in green and blue to show our support for evidence based legislation, climate change, and many other science issues.  (To read more about why I am marching check out the original GENEie hat knitting pattern.)  

I haven't knit any samples with these charts, but I have some idea about how you could incorporate it into a hat or a headband.

Water Water Everywhere Knitting Chart

The last chart is an example of how you might incorporate multiple H2O charts into one garment.  There are additional rotations beyond what I shared above.  If you were to cast on 100 stitches and knit this chart 5 times around you would have a very busy water hat (Aquacessories!)   Keith said that this chart looked a little like a "Ho, Ho, Ho!" Christmas hat, but I decided to share the busy water example anyway.  Do you see water or laughter in this chart?  

An example of how you can put a bunch of the letter water molecule knitting charts together.  This example is 20 sts x 34 rows.   

How would you use a H2O knitting chart?  Let me know in the comments!

Ice Cap, Aquacessories and H2O Molecule Knitting Charts © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  These charts are available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.

GENEie Pussyhat Knitting Pattern

Update: The GENEie Hat Collection now has 5 different knitting patterns, including a Pussyhat and a headband for warmer climates.  

When your knitworthy best friend asks you to make her a DNA Pussyhat you design her a DNA Pussyhat!  I am pleased to share another addition to the GENEie Thinking Cap for Science Fans collection - The GENEie Pussyhat! I spliced the GENEie cable onto the square Pussyhat shape.   A bunch of knitters are already planning to knit these hats in green in support of both the Women's March and the March for Science, scheduled for Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

The GENEie Pussyhat has a DNA double helix cable running up the side of the front and then down the side of the back of the hat. The free knitting pattern for the GENEie Pussyhat is available below on this post.  You can download a PDF for the GENEie Pussyhat Knitting Pattern through Google Drive.

Materials

• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) double pointed needles (or circular needles long enough for magic loop.)  
• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn.  The sample was knit with hand dyed bare Wool of the Andes Yarn (66 g, 147 yards).  
• Gauge (unblocked): 20 sts/4", 28 rows/4" over stockinette
• Notions (optional): Stitch markers to note beginning of round, cable needle, tapestry needle. 
• Finished Sizes: Adult Large - 21" around, 8.5" deep
• Model Head Sizes: Rebecca - 22" head (normally wears a S/M hat), Keith - 23.5" head (normally wears a L hat)

After the Women's March in January 2017, all yarn stores are still out of pink yarns.  Since I had some Bare Wool of the Andes in my collection I decided to dye my own! A tutorial for the yarn dyeing process will be on the ChemKnits Tutorials YouTube channel by the end of February 2017.

Abbreviations Used in this Pattern - Updated with links to video tutorials!  I have a whole playlist of videos to help with the construction of the GENEie collection.  Make sure you check out an introduction to 1x1 cables if you want extra help with the GENEie DNA cable stitches.

• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• Sts – Stitches
• S1 – Slip one stitch purlwise
• K-tbl – Knit through the back loop
• CN – cable needle 
• M1 – Make One. Make a new stitch by picking up the yarn between two stitches, twisting it and knitting.
• C1-fkk -  S1 st on CN and hold in front.  K1, K1 from CN
• C2-bkk -  S1 st on CN and hold in back.   K1, K1 from CN
• C3-fpk -  S1 st on CN and hold in front.  P1, K1 from CN
• C4-bkp - S1 st on CN and hold in back.   K1, P1 from CN
• PM - Place Marker
• SM - Slip Marker

GENEie DNA Cable Knitting Chart - The chart for the GENEie Pussyhat is slightly different from the GENEie Hat (Cable Version).  The cables of the Pussyhat are on a background of stockinette versus reverse stockinette in the original cable version.

Chart Key

Knitting Instructions: GENEie Pussyhat

• Cast on 100 sts.  Place Marker (PM) and join to knit in the round.
• Knit 5 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) 
• Cable Round 1: K10, M1, PM, Knit the 9 sts of Chart Row 1, PM, K1, M1, (K10, M1) 6 times, K2, PM, Knit the first 8 stitches of Chart Row 1, M1, PM, K10, M1. (110 sts)  
• Cable Round 2: K11, SM, Knit the 9 sts of Chart Row 2, SM, Knit until the next marker (70 sts), SM, Knit 9 sts of Chart Row 2, SM, K11. 
• Continue knitting while following the chart to create the DNA Helix Cables between the markers. Knit a total of 52 rounds or when the hat measures 8" from the cast on edge. (The sample worked chart rows 1-26 twice.) 
• Divide stitches in half and graft closed with the Kitchener stitch.  The first stitches you graft together will be the first and last stitch of the rounds.  (Alternatively, you can use a three needle bind off or bind off and stitch the top of the hat together if you want to avoid the Kitchener stitch.)   
• Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.  

Modification for a slightly smaller hat

If you would like to make the body of the hat slightly smaller, Cast on 100 sts, knit the ribbing but then skip the M1 stitches written in round 1 above.  All Cable Rounds will be as follows: K10, Knit 9 sts of Chart Row, K62 sts, Knit the 9 sts of Chart row, K10 (100 sts)

Line-by-line Written Instructions for the DNA Helix Knitting Chart - The DNA Cable Knitting chart on a stockinette background is 9 stitches wide and 26 rows long. The written instructions below are for the 9 stitches of the cable. The chart is read from the bottom up, right to left.   

Chart Key

1. K5, C2-bkk, K2
2. K4, C2-bkk, C1-fkk, K1
3. K3, C2-bkk, K2, K-tbl, K1
4. K2, C4-bkp, P3, C3-fpk
5. K1, C2-bkk, K5, K-tbl
6. K1, K-tbl, K6, K-tbl

7. C4-bkp, P6, K-tbl
8. K-tbl, K6, C2-bkk
9. K-tbl, K6, Ktbl, K1
10. K-tbl, P5, C2-bkk, K1
11. C1-fkk, K3, C2-bkk, K2
12. K1, K-tbl, K2, C2-bkk, K3
13. K1, C1-fkk, C2-bkk, K4
14. K2, C2-bkk, K5
15. K1, C2-bkk, C1-fkk, K4
16. K1, K-tbl, K2, C1-fkk, K3
17. C4-bkp, P3, C3-fpk, K2
18. K-tbl, K5, C1-fkk, K1
19. K-tbl, K6, K-tbl, K1
20. K-tbl, P6, C3-fpk
21. C1-fkk, K6, K-tbl
22. K1, K-tbl, K6, K-tbl


23. K1, C1-fkk, P5, K-tbl
24. K2, C1-fkk, K3, C2-bkk
25. K3, C1-fkk, K2, K-tbl, K1
26. K4, C1-fkk, C2-bkk, K1


The GENEie Pussyhat has a DNA double helix cable on a stockinette background.  If you would like to have the cable on a reverse stockinette background, check out the knitting charts from the original GENEie Cable Version.

The knit DNA double helix on a stockinette background (pink) and a reverse stockinette background (gray).

I believe in evidence based legislation.  This is one of the reasons why I will March for Science.  I believe that women's rights are human rights and that human rights are women's rights.  I believe in standing up and letting my voice be heard, and this is why I spliced my DNA cable knitting motif with the pussyhat shape to create the GENEie Pussyhat.

The GENEie Cable Version with the GENEie Pussyhat

Variations

For an all over cable pussyhat, start with the instructions for GENEie (Cable Version). Work charted rounds 1-27 and then rounds 2-27 until you've reached the desired length.  Graft the top together.  

To make a smaller hat, you can skip the stitch increases immediately after the ribbing portion or you can increase/reduce the total number of stitches between the two cable charts. Start with a multiple of 4 stitches to make the ribbing work out. 

A side view of the GENEie Pussyhat.  The DNA cable strand runs up the front of the hat and then down the back.  

 Pictures from knitting the GENEie Pussyhat 

Placement of the markers and the two cable sections.

The GENEie Pussyhat right before grafting the top together.  

The GENEie Pussyhat right before grafting the top together.

The GENEie DNA Hat Collection

Top: GENEie - The Next Generations Headband (top left) and Hat (top right).
Middle: GENEie Pussyhat.
Bottom: GENEie Colorwork version (bottom left) and Cable version (bottom right)

It has been a whirlwind creating 5 different GENEie hat samples in the last two weeks.  I was inspired to create these designs by YOU, my supporters.  I really appreciate that you enjoy my scientific perspective on knitting.  Are there any molecules you would like to see charted?  Let me know and I'll see what I can do!  

GENEie Pussyhat Knitting Pattern © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  This pattern is available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.

This post contains some KnitPicks affiliate links.  I became an affiliate in October 2018 after using KnitPicks yarns for many years.  All yarn selections and options are my own. 

GENEie - The Next Generations

Update: The GENEie Hat Collection now has 5 different knitting patterns, including a Pussyhat and a headband for warmer climates.  

Earlier this month, I released GENEie, the DNA Beanie Thinking Cap for Scientists. These free knitting patterns come in two versions: the cable GENEie and the stranded colorwork GENEie.  I designed these patterns in support for the upcoming March for Science on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.  I have received an AMAZING response to the GENEies on Facebook, and take all of the suggestions you have given me seriously.  On the original pattern posts I hinted at the evolution of the GENEie, and I am pleased to present today GENEie - The Next Generations!

I started designing and knitting the samples for the first GENEie hats before a date for the March for Science had been announced.  Full wool hats might be too warm for April but some knitters were discussing knitting them in cotton.  (Wool hats might be perfectly fine in Boston, but are rarely fine in other parts of the county!)  The original GENEies would not work well as a headband since it would truncate too much of the design, so I wanted to flip the chart 90 degrees and tweak it a bit to form GENEie - The Next Generations.  

The Adult L Headband on Keith - 23.5" head

The entire knitting patterns for the GENEie Next Generation headbands and hats are available in this post for free.  The entire pattern is written in this post.  The PDF with full line-by-line written instructions is coming as soon as it has been tech edited.

Materials

• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) double pointed needles (or circular needles long enough for magic loop.)  
• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors.  The Adult L headband sample was knit with KnitPicks Comfy Worsted in Marlin (Teal; 24 g, 52 yards) and Ivory (6 g, 14 yards).   The toddler hat sample was knit with KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Winter Night (Blue; 29 g, 64 yards) and White (6 g, 15 yards).  I do not have yardage estimates for the Adult Hat at this time but would estimate over 110 yards for the MC and ~20 yards for CC. 
• Gauge (unblocked): 22 sts/4", 12 rows/2" over colorwork
• Notions (optional): Stitch markers to note beginning of round, tapestry needle. 
• Finished Sizes:
• Adult L Hat - 21.5" around, 8.5" deep.  
• Adult L Headband - 21.5" around, 3.25" wide.  
• Toddler Hat - 16" around, 6.5" deep.  
• Toddler Headband - 16" around, 3.25" wide

GENEie the Next Generations, The Adult (L) Headband and the Toddler Hat

Model Head Measurements & Fit notes - The Models (AKA the ChemKnits family) have the following head sizes:

• Keith - 23.5".  The Adult L headband fits with negative ease (stretches to fit the head.) 
• Rebecca - 22".  The Adult L headband fits easily with no stretching.  The Toddler fits on top of her head but ends well above the ears. 
• "Lucky" (3 years old) - 20" - Fits well into the toddler hat but could use some more rounds.  
• "Rowdy" (1 year old) - 18.5" - Toddler hat fits perfectly.  

The toddler hat on Rowdy - 18.5" head

Abbreviations Used in this Pattern - If you need more help with the techniques, I have a whole playlist of videos to help with the construction of the GENEie collection. Make sure you check out an introduction to stranded colorwork for help creating these designs.

• MC – Main Color (The background color.)
• CC – Contrasting Color (The color of the DNA Helices.)  
• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• Sts – Stitches
• K2tog– Knit 2 together (decreasing one stitch)

Sideways DNA Helix Knitting Chart

GENEie - The Next Generation DNA Knitting Chart.  The round markers are in red to the right of the chart and stitch numbers are below the chart in gray.  This knitting chart is 28 sts wide and 12 rows tall.  

Chart Key

Line-by-line Written Instructions for the DNA Helix Knitting Chart

1. *K8-MC, K3-CC, K7-MC, K3-CC, K7-MC* repeat from * around
2. *K6-MC, K2-CC, K3-MC, K2-CC, K3-MC, K2-CC, K3-MC, K2-CC, K5-MC* repeat from * around
3. *K5-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K4-MC* Repeat from * around
4. *K3-MC, K2-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K2-CC, K2-MC* Repeat from * around
5. *K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC* repeat from * around
6. *K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC* repeat from * around
7. *K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC* repeat from * around
8. *K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K5-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC* repeat from * around
9. *K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K5-MC, K1-CC, K3-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC* repeat from * around
10. *K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K7-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K2-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC, K1-CC, K1-MC* repeat from * around
11. *K3-MC, K2-CC, K3-MC, K2-CC, K9-MC, K2-CC, K3-MC, K2-CC, K2-MC* repeat from * around
12. *K5-MC, K3-CC, K13-MC, K3-CC, K4-MC* repeat from * around

Knitting Instructions: GENEie - The Next Generation Headband (Toddler, Adult L)

• Cast on (84, 112) sts in MC. Place marker and join to knit in the round.
• Knit 3 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) 
• Knit 1 rounds MC (K every stitch) 
• Join CC and Knit the 12 rounds of the knitting chart. Follow the chart from the bottom up, right to left. The 28 chart stitches are repeated 3 times each round for the toddler size and 4 times each round for the adult size. Break CC after Chart Round 12. 
• Knit 2 round in MC. 
• Knit 2 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) 
• Bind off in ribbing pattern. (This is the third round of ribbing.)  
• Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.

The Adult L Headband on Rebecca - 22" head

The Adult L Headband on Lucky - 20" head

What is a headband if not the bottom of a hat?  I was knitting the toddler hat sample as I released the original GENEies.  As soon as people started discussing headband possibilities I knew that it would be easy to create both versions from with this single DNA knitting chart.  

Knitting Instructions: GENEie - The Next Generation Hat (Toddler)

• Cast on 84 sts in MC. Place marker and join to knit in the round. 
• Knit 5 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) 
• Knit 2 rounds MC (K every stitch)
• Join CC and Knit the 12 rounds of the knitting chart. Follow the chart from the bottom up, right to left.  The chart will be repeated 3 times in each round.  Break CC after chart round 12.  
• Knit 6 rounds in MC or until the hat measures 4” from cast on edge.
• Next Round: *K19, K2tog* around (80 sts) 
• Knit 2 rounds in MC
• Begin crown decreases as follows:
• *K6, K2tog* around (70 sts) 
• K around 
• *K5, K2tog* around (60 sts) 
• K around 
• *K4, K2tog* around (50 sts) 
• K around 
• *K3, K2tog* around (40 sts) 
• K around 
• *K2, K2tog* around (30 sts) 
• K around 
• *K1, K2tog* around (20 sts) 
• K around 
• K2tog around (10 sts) 
• K2tog around (5 sts) 
• Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches with CC. Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.

Toddler Version on Rowdy (1 year) - 18.5" head

Toddler Version on Lucky (3 years) - 20" head

Toddler Version on Rebecca (33 years) - 22" head

Knitting Instructions: GENEie - The Next Generation Hat (Adult L), not pictured.

• Cast on 112 sts in MC. Place marker and join to knit in the round. 
• Knit 5 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around) 
• Knit 2 rounds MC (K every stitch)
• Join CC and Knit the 12 rounds of the knitting chart. Follow the chart from the bottom up, right to left.  The chart will be repeated 4 times in each round.  Break CC after chart round 12.  
• Knit 14 rounds in MC or until the hat measures 6” from cast on edge.
• Next Round: *K54, K2tog* twice (110 sts) 
• Knit 2 rounds in MC
• Begin crown decreases as follows:
• *K9, K2tog* around (100 sts)
• K around 
• *K8, K2tog* around (90 sts)
• K around 
• *K7, K2tog* around (80 sts)
• K around 
• *K6, K2tog* around (70 sts) 
• K around 
• *K5, K2tog* around (60 sts) 
• K around 
• *K4, K2tog* around (50 sts) 
• K around 
• *K3, K2tog* around (40 sts) 
• K around 
• *K2, K2tog* around (30 sts) 
• K around 
• *K1, K2tog* around (20 sts) 
• K around 
• K2tog around (10 sts) 
• K2tog around (5 sts) 
• Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches with CC. Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.

Three balls of yarn into two hats.  Rowdy is wearing the GENEie Next Generation toddler size hat and I'm wearing the GENEie Colorwork Version hat. 

Notes on the samples:

At the time of writing this post, I have only knit two samples of the four pattern options.  After knitting the toddler size hat I removed one row from the knitting chart to create the version published in this post.  While the DNA helix is slightly different the total row count remains the same.  The GENEie Next Generation Adult Headband shows the published version of the chart.  

I ran out of yarn when knitting the headband adult (L) sample so the sample is two yards short.  The size measurements reflect the size of the headband as written in the pattern, not the one shown in photos.  The yardage calculation reflects the amount I would have needed to knit those last two rounds.  

I hope you enjoyed these DNA Helix knitting patterns!  Don't forget to check out the first generation GENEie DNA Beanie Hats - the GENEie Cable Version and the GENEie Colorwork Version.  

GENEie - The Next Generation Colorwork Hat & Headband Knitting Patterns © 2017 ChemKnits & Rebecca Roush Brown.  This pattern is available for free via www.ChemKnits.com for your personal or charity use.  You are not to copy or distribute this pattern without the permission of the publisher, ChemKnits.


This post contains some KnitPicks affiliate links.  I became an affiliate in October 2018 after using KnitPicks yarns for many years.  All yarn selections and options are my own.