Crocheted eukaryotic cell - with tutorial


 Not as exciting as bacteria, but lots of fun to make nevertheless.

The entire thing is worked up in worsted weight yarn: cotton for the nucleus, DNA, and mitochondria, acrylic for the ER, and wool for the cell membrane. I used a size G (US) hook.

If you want to make your own cell, here's a brief tutorial. You'll need to be able to make flat shapes (either intuitively as you crochet in the round, or with a modified...pot holder pattern I suppose).

CELL TUTORIAL
Materials: Yarn needle, size G hook and worsted weight yarn in 5 colors.
Skills: Magic/double ring, single crochet, increases, and the ability to make a flat disc in the round by placing increases appropriately.

Cell membrane

Magic/double ring start. Crochet 14 rounds, making the membrane remain flat. Then crochet 2 rounds without any increases to form the "wall" of the cross section.

Nucleus
Magic/double ring start. Crochet five rounds, making the nucleus remain flat. Then crochet 2 rounds without any increases to form the "wall" of the cross section.

Chromatin
FUN PART! Loosely wind some yarn around your fingers and nestle it into the nucleus. Thread one loose end through a yarn needle and sew up and down through the nucleus, tacking the chromatin in place as you go. You can then sew the nucleus on to the membrane.

ER
Made in three parts, and worked in rows instead of in the round. Chain 18, and crochet 2 rows on top of this. Repeat as above, starting with 15 chains, and then again with 11 chains. Using the loose ends, sew the long edge down parallel to the nucleus. Conceal the ends.

Mitochondria
Make 3 or 4 of these as follows: Chain 4 and crochet in the farthest chain from hook to make a ring. Crochet in a spiral for 3 - 6 rounds and finish off, preferably on the same side of the mitochondria as your start point. Then use these ends to tie onto the cell membrane. Conceal the ends.

Comments

NEEDLEWINGS said…
Your work and vision is incredible! I am so glad I happened by! I haven't crocheted in many years. It almost makes me want to take up crocheting again! Well almost..... I just never have enough time to add more to my plate, so will just admire those who have a wonderful specialty:)
Laura Graham said…
Wha?? This is amazing!!
I was looking over some of your projects; amazing and so very creative!
Aline said…
Your work is fantastic!!!
I post your blog in my blog... take a look: www.mimosedecor.blogspot.com
kisses from Brazil!!!
Dev Forester said…
Simply amazing! =] Keep up the great work!
Anonymous said…
Oh, my! This is some awesome stuff, there. The Fern fronds could also be moss prothalli! :-D

... ever the biology nerd.
Miranda said…
Hi Jessica, we would like to use your photo of the crocheted cell with a link to your site in an online course on Anatomy (Unitec Institute of technology, Auckland New Zealand). We want our students to make a cell model and want to show them how creative that can be. Would you be happy with that?