knit DNA

A right-handed pattern is up, I see. That’s good, because I do NOT think I could figure one out myself!

I can’t resist! I’m such a geek. I love science. And a knitted model of DNA? How fun!

Everybody knows that A-form DNA (that which is found in nature) is a right-handed helix. But the pattern for my knit DNA is a left-handed helix. Let’s bypass discussion of how insane it is to go through the trouble of devising a way to knit DNA, but only an inaccurate model.

I refuse to create a left-handed DNA model. So I spent Tuesday night devising a way to knit a right-handed helix. And I’d include a picture, except that because I didn’t knit a complete turn, it looks a little phallic.

Tonight I finished a hat. For it, I used my circular needles, then as it got smaller at the top, I christened my double-pointed needles. Then I added a pom for comic relief. For extra kicks, I tried the twisted tube tutorial, and decided I can do that. So the next step will be actually making the twisted tubes that form the sugar-phosphate backbone of my DNA.

So far, my knitting experience is that I’ve made one and a half scarves, both with the stockinette stitch. So I can knit and I can purl. This DNA is much harder than that. So today I got a book about knitting from the library, so I can practice some other stitches, and I also bought some black yarn and double-pointed needles for the twisted tube.

I found the instructions to knit DNA. And I’m a nerd.