Our DNA is a top-down capelet worked in the round with raglan in reverse stockinette. From the end of the ribbing to the bottom, an intricate work of cable depicting a full section of double stranded DNA is carried over the heart with a DNA replication cable on the back.

STEM connection

Did you know I’m a biotechnology engineer?
A chemist will say that the base of life is the Carbon atom (It’s kind of true), but what brings life and makes us who we are is the DNA. It is the basis of every living thing on earth, from flowers to trees, all animals and even bacteria; DNA is at the very center of us all.

With this capelet, I want to show that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is also the biology, shown in its most basic, simple form that is included in all of us…

Our DNA cables show how the DNA is formed from the heart of the nucleus, as a simple cluster of nucleotides empty of meaning, to a single double-strand that opens so the DNA polymerase (the replication enzyme) can read and copy the strands of DNA to produce brand new strands that will go into new cells upon their division. Our lives depend on this process perpetually repeating.

YARN
Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK

• 100% extra fine superwash merino wool;
• 137 yds 125m /50g
• #19 Misty Lilac 6 (8, 11, 12) skeins.

Approx. 770 (1050, 1400, 1605) yds of DK weight yarn.

NOTIONS
Size US 5 and 6 (3.75 and 4mm) needles, 24” (60cm) circulars or longer to accommodate the large number of stitches and work in the round. Or size needed to obtain gauge.
Tapestry needle, 6 stitch markers (1 for BOR, 3 for shoulders (mA), 2 for DNA replication cable (mD)), cable needle.

GAUGE
21 sts and 28 rows = 4” 10cm in rev St st after blocking.

DIMENSION
S (M, L, XL): 19 (22, 25, 25)” 48 (56, 63.5. 63.5)cm long and 58 (65, 68, 75)” 147 (165, 173, 190.5)cm at the widest.
To fit 36/38 (42/44, 46/48, 50/52)” 91.5/96.5 (106.5/111, 117/122, 127/132) cm bust.

DIRECTION
Our DNA is a top-down capelet worked in the round with raglan in reverse stockinette. From the end of the ribbing to the bottom, an intricate work of cable depicting a full section of double stranded DNA is carried over the heart with a DNA replication cable on the back. This capelet is worked in the round, top-down, with turtleneck and raglan shaping. It is made to be worn with positive ease; see the ‘Dimension’ measurements and choose the right size accordingly.

At first, the cable won’t appear centered in the back. Due to the raglan and the asymmetry of the DNA, the markers for the first 2 entire DNA reps are off, but trust the process, the entire replication will fit in the center like your spine!