GENEie Knitting Pattern - Colorwork Version

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

GENEie - A Thinking Cap for Science Fans (Colorwork Version)

At the end of January, I was approached by two different knitters who were interested in my DNA Knitting Charts to make hats for the March for Science on Earth Day, April 22.  They were interested in the DNA Cable Chart that I used in some of my previous designs, but since I had already designed a complementary colorwork DNA Helix knitting chart I knew that I could create two complementary science designs.

I am proud to release two science themed knitting patterns today in support of the March for Science. GENEie, a DNA Helix Beanie Hat, is the perfect thinking cap for science fans. I believe that people can and should disagree and debate hypotheses, but they should back up these hypotheses with facts.  You cannot negate data when it doesn't fit your theory, you have to change your theory to incorporate all of the evidence.

The date for the march had not yet been set when I started designing the hats.  Earth Day (April 22) is an appropriate day for Scientists to gather to support scientific research, community outreach and evidence-based policies.  It might be a little warm for winter hats, but knitting these fun DNA helix knitting patterns is a great way to show your support for the scientific community.  The stranded colorwork version of GENEie is a warm winter hat, if you want a lighter version check out the cable version of GENEie.

Normally I just provide charts with my patterns, but I wanted to make these DNA hats as accessible as possible to all knitters.  The line-by-line written instructions have been tested and tech edited so they should be free from errors. The entire pattern is written in this post or you can download the PDF of the GENEie Colorwork Version 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 in two colors, 130-160 yards total.  The sample is knit with KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Winter Night (Blue – 41 g, 90 yards) and White (20 g, 44 yards). 
• Gauge: (Unblocked) – 22 sts/4” & 26 rows/4” over stranded colorwork in stockinette.   
• Notions (optional): Stitch marker to note beginning of round, tapestry needle.
• Finished Size: Adult S/M, 18" around, 8.5" deep

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
• SSK – Slip, Slip, Knit (decreasing one stitch)

Knitting Instructions – GENEie Hat (Colorwork Version)

• Cast on 100 sts in MC.  Place marker and join to knit in the round.
• Knit 6 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around)
• Next Round: Join CC and knit Chart Round 1.  This chart is knit from the bottom up, right to left.  The DNA pattern is a repeat of 10 stitches.  In each round you will repeat the chart 10 times.  
• Continue knitting in stockinette, following the chart through Round 33.  
• Crown Decreases (beginning Chart Round 34).  Make sure you follow the charted colors as you work the decreases.  
• Chart Round 34: *K8, SSK* around (90 sts)
• Chart Round 35: K around
• Chart Round 36: *K7, SSK* around (80 sts)
• Chart Round 37: K around
• Chart Round 38: *K6, SSK* around (70 sts)
• Chart Round 39: K around
• Chart Round 40: *K5, SSK* around (60 sts)
• Chart Round 41: K around
• Chart Round 42: *K4, SSK* around (50 sts)
• Chart Round 43: K around
• Chart Round 44: *K3, SSK* around (40 sts)
• Chart Round 45: K around
• Chart Round 46: *K2, SSK* around (30 sts)
• Chart Round 47: K around
• Chart Round 48: *K1, SSK* around (20 sts),  Break MC
• Chart Round 49: SSK around (10 sts)
• Round 50 (Not charted): SSK around (5 sts)
• Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches with CC.  Weave in loose ends.  Block if desired.  

GENEie Colorwork Knitting Chart.  Work from the bottom up, right to left. 

GENEie Colorwork Chart Key

As Neil deGrasseTyson said, “Once science has been established, once a scientific truth emerges from a consensus of experiments and observations, it is the way of the world [...] When different experiments give you the same result, it is no longer subject to your opinion. That’s the good thing about science: It’s true whether or not you believe in it. That’s why it works.” 

Full Line-by-line Written Instructions – If you don’t want to follow the chart, here are the row-by-row written instructions.
- Cast on 100 sts in MC.  Place marker and join to knit in the round
- Knit 6 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (*K2, P2* around)
- Join CC and begin Colorwork section.  All stitches are knit unless otherwise indicated
1. *5-MC, 3-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
2. *4-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
3. *3-MC, 1-CC, 4-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
4. *2-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 5-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
5. *1-MC, 1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
6. *1-MC, 1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
7. *1-CC, 1-MC, 5-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
8. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
9. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
10. *1-MC, 4-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC* repeat from * around
11. *1-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC, 1-CC, 4-MC* repeat from * around
12. *2-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 5-MC* repeat from * around
13. *3-MC, 1-CC, 6-MC* repeat from * around
14. *2-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 5-MC* repeat from * around
15. *1-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC, 1-CC, 4-MC* repeat from * around
16. *1-MC, 4-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC* repeat from * around
17. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
18. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
19. *1-CC, 1-MC, 5-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
20. *1-MC, 1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
21. *1-MC, 1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
22. *2-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 5-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
23. *3-MC, 1-CC, 4-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
24. *4-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
25. *5-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
26. *6-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC* repeat from * around
27. *5-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
Rounds #28-33, repeat Rounds #2-7
Round #34 is the beginning of the crown decreases.  All stitches are knit except for the indicated SSK decreases.
34. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (90 sts)
35. *1-CC, 6-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC* repeat from * around
36. *1-MC, 4-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (80 sts)
37. *1-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
38. *2-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (70 sts)
39. *3-MC, 1-CC, 3-MC* repeat from * around
40. *2-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (60 sts)
41. *1-MC, 1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
42. *1-CC, 2-MC, 1-CC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (50 sts)
43. *1-CC, 1-MC, 1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
44. *2-CC, 1-MC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (40 sts)
45. *1-CC, 3-MC* repeat from * around
46. *1-CC, 1-MC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (30 sts)
47. *1-CC, 2-MC* repeat from * around
48. *1-CC, SSK-MC* repeat from * around (20 sts) Break MC.
49. SSK-CC around (10 sts)
50. SSK-CC around (5 sts)
- Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches with CC.  Weave in loose ends.  Block if desired. 

Make sure you check out the GENEie Cable Version Knitting Pattern!  

The first generation of GENEie comes in forms, the textured cable version and the stranded colorwork version.  Did I just say first generation?  Could there possibly be other GENEie's in the works?  Stay tuned to find out!  

GENEie Colorwork Hat 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.