Knitting patterns inspired by scientific concepts and models from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and more. Updated 6/22/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Sweet Tantalate Shawl
One skein shawl with a diamond lace pattern inspired by the molecular diagram of the chemical compound lutetium tantalate, LuTaO4. It's a deep crescent shape with a circular opening for the neck so it stays securely on the shoulders. Uses one skein 400 yards (366 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Lindsey Freeman for Knitty.
Mars Rover Hat
This beanie is a salute to both the Curiosity Rover and the upcoming Mars 2020 rover. (The outline triangle under the back of the rover is the ground penetrating radar signal from a science instrument on the back of Mars 2020.) Designed by Sarah Milkovich. DK weight yarn.
Microprocessors Socks
Computer technology inspired socks with Fair Isle circuit tiles. Great gift for the computer and IT experts in your life. The construction features corrugated ribbing on the cuff and a boomerang heel with a clever way of adding a little extra depth than a regular short row heel, for a better fit. Sizes Baby, Toddler, Medium Adult, Large Adult. Designed by Heatherly Walker for Knitty. Fingering weight yarn.
Anamorphic Raintangle
An anamorphic image is one that appears normal only when seen from some particular perspective or when viewed through something such as a mirror. This rainbow is the shape you would expect it to be until you place it at a precise distance from a cylindrical mirror (like a toilet roll tube covered with reflective foil). It is then reflected as a striped rectangle. Designed by Woolly Thoughts
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Woolly Thoughts Knitting Patterns
- See more Rainbow Knitting Patterns
Astronomer’s Beret
Simple embroidery creates a star chart of the winter night sky that is visible in the northern hemisphere on this hat with a three-color, corrugated ribbed band. DK weight yarn. Designed by Merri Fromm for Knitty
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
- See more Beret Knitting Patterns
Lunar Mittens
Phases of the moon in stranded colorwork. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Holly C. Watson
Solar System Baby Sweater
This baby cardigan features planets and stars in intarsia. The text in the back is the name of the designer's son and can easily be changed. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Honey Pollack and titled "Kohavim"
Ammonite Potholders / Trivets / Coasters
These spiral pieces can be used as potholders or coasters or as washcloths. They are knitted all in garter stitch with intarsia colorwork and look good on the reverse as well. Designed by Sybil R.
I've Made You the Moon
This clever moon toy softie has craters that are created by picking on stitches on the surface of the ball. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Rosie Bill. Great room decoration or toy for your favorite little (or big) astronomer!
Carbon Fingerless Mitts
These mitts feature a slipped stitch pattern inspired by carbon ring structures. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Shanna Felice
Geodes
Create your own crystal minerals with beads and yarn with these 2 patterns. The top pattern Amethyst Geode is designed by Barbara Tomlinson and includes a video tutorial. It’s a variation on the original Oddknit pattern designed by Jessica Goddard shown in the bottom image.
- Get the free knitting pattern by Barbara Tomlinson
- See Ravelry page for Amethyst Geode
- Get the free knitting pattern by Oddknits
- See Ravelry page for Oddknit Geode
- Get seed beeds for this project
Hypercaffinated: Caffeine Coffee Cozy
This cozy has the caffeine molecule on the front, and a ribbed back so it can stretch to fit a variety of coffee cup sizes. Designed by ChemKnits. Pictured project by Knitist
More Free Patterns
Hydrocarbon Cowl
This shoulder cozy features a smocking and texture pattern inspired by carbon ring structures of hydrocarbon molecules. Designed by Agness Kaku. Pictured project by YavannaRaven who made a couple of modifications
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Shoulder Cozy Knitting Patterns
Multiverse Shawl
From the designer Anja B. Lindner: “The concept of infinite parallel universes is translated into a triangular shawl. The main panel in the multi-colored yarn stands for our universe, the eight smaller short row wedges represent different parallel universes, with the figure eight being a symbol for infinity. The multi-colored yarn is featured in different stitch patterns, changing its appearance and giving an idea of everything that could be.”
Baby’s First DNA Model
Knit this softie DNA model for a baby toy, a gift for scientists and teachers, a rattle with bells inside, a crib mobile, classroom models, and more. Some Ravelrers have modified it for specific chromosomes or to unzip. Designed by Kimberly Chapman. Pictured project by kittyvonditty
Computer Hat
Beanie featuring computers with a monitor, keyboard, tower, and mouse in stranded colorwork. Designed by Heidi Arjes of Craftimism and included in a free ebook of her science themed hat patterns.
DNA Headband
Headband with cable in shape of double helix. Designed by ChemKnits
Hangover Beer Cozy
This “hangover” beer cozy features two chemical structures in intarsia: the first shows a scheme of alcohol metabolism in the liver (the drunkiness side), the reverse has the structure for ibuprofen for hangover relief. Designed by ChemKnits
Chromosome Cap
This beanie features cables inspired by chromosomes. Sizes Child (Adult Small, Adult Large). Designed by Carissa Browning. Pictured project by who knit hat a little larger to make it slouchy.
DNA Scarf
This scarf features a cable modeled after the double helix of DNA. Designed by June Oshiro. Pictured projects by heatherashley and 1les
GENEie DNA Cable Hat
This beanie features DNA helix cables. Colorwork pattern also available. Designed by ChemKnits
Atomic Blocks: The Periodic Table
Each face of Alegria DaSilva’s squishy toy blocks features the atomic number and symbol of a different element.
Molecule
A knit version of the acrylonitrile molecule, as used in the production of acrylic fibres, represented as a ball and stick model.
Trilobite
Oddball Knits’ pattern for fossils encased in “stone”.
Periodic Table
Jessica Evans designed charts for the Periodic Table of Elements that can be used for knitting or crochet. The pictured projectis knit by GretelW with modifications. Oh, and if you wonder about the quote at the top of the pictured afghan, it’s from Tom Lehrer’s Elements Song If you haven’t heard it, you’re in for a treat!
Patterns for Purchase
Solar System Blanket
Circular blanket worked from the center outward. The solar system is accurately scaled in Astronomical Units (except for the sun), and finishes with an attached garter stitch edge. Designed by Emily Bujold. Pictured projects by Darlamour, fricknfrack, and Egmrspretty. Consider using a tweed yarn to simulate a star field background as Darlamour did.
Rosalind Franklin DNA Shawl
Watson and Crick's work on DNA structure built upon earlier work by a female scientist by the name of Rosalind Franklin. This shawl is a tribute to her, an asymmetrical shawl featuring a DNA double helix cable. Designed by verybusymonkey. Pictured projects by Nadeshda and SueHauser
Solar Eclipse Knit Hat
Celebrate the next eclipse or commemorate the last one with this beanie in stranded colorwork. Designed by Heidi Arjes
Marie Curie Mittens
These mittens feature the atomic models of the two atoms that Marie Curie and her husband discovered, Radium and Polonium. Knit with colorwork, cables, and beads. Designed by Emily Bujold. Pictured project by millicurie.
Darwin Shawl
This shawl was inspired by the last line in Charles Darwin’s most famous work, “On the Origin of Species”, which is “…from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.” The stitch patterns radiating outward are larger versions of the previous “layer” and culminate in a beautiful, intricate lacy edging. The shawl is written for one skein of sock yarn, but includes instructions for upsizing. Designed by verybusymonkey.
Andromeda Mittens
Andromeda Galaxy depicted in a variety of types of colorwork. Designed by Emily Bujold
Red and White Blood Cells and an Activated Platelet
These softies inspired by blood cells make great toys, paperweights, and gifts. Don’t knit? The designer ButterflyLove also sells the finished objects
- Get the Red Blood Cell knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the White Blood Cell knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the Activated Platelet knitting pattern on Etsy
Amigurumi Frothing Flask, Bunsen Burner, Test Tube, and Bubbling Beaker
These softies inspired by laboratory equipment of science experiments make great toys, paperweights, and gifts. Don’t knit? The designer ButterflyLove also sells the finished objects
