Phosphorescent knit neuron
by Gabrielle Theriault
Materials
Worsted weight yarn in a light color (sample knit with less than %2 skein of Bernat Glow in the dark - 70% Acrylic, 30% Polyester) Four dpns, size 6 (4.0 mm) Tapestry needle Stuffing Safety pin or waste yarn
Finished size
Approximately 10 inches
Gauge
2" = 10 sts and 14 rows in stockinette Like most knitted toys, gauge isn't super important. Just make sure that the stuffing doesn't peak out when the neuron is getting stuffed.
Techniques and abbreviations
knit two together I-cord Slide all stitches to the other end of the needle, switch the needle back to your left hand, bring the yarn around the back of the work, and start knitting the stitches again. Repeat this row to form I-cord. After a few rows, the work will begin to form a tube. Pick up stitches Slip the tip of a dpn under the "bar" between knitted stitches, and place the yarn between the needle and the knit piece. with the needle, pull the yarn from under the bar, creating a loop, as you would for a standard knit stitch. Repeat with the bar immediately to the leff. Neuron anatomy
Soma (cell body)
Cast on 6 stitches on dpns and join in the round 1. [kfb] 6 times (12 sts) 2. Knit all 3. [kfb, k1] 6 times (18 sts) 4. Knit all 5. [kfb, k2] 6 times (24 sts) Place marker or tie a spare piece of yarn to mark the beginning of the round. 6. Knit all 7. [kfb, k3] 6 times (30 sts) 8-14. Knit all 15. [k2tog, k3] 6 times (24 sts) 16-17. Knit all 18. [k2tog, k2] 6 times (18 sts) 19-20. Knit all With a yarm needle, secure the loose end of the yarn and tuck it inside. Stuff before continuing 22. [k2tog, k1] 6 times (12 sts) 23. Knit all 24. [k2tog, k2] 3 times (9 sts) 25. Knit all 26. [k2tog, k1] 3 times (6 sts) Axon Continue in I-cord for 10 inches, stuffing tightly as you go along.
Dendrites (top)
Place 3 stitches on a safety pin or spare piece of yarn. First dendrite: Continue with the 3 other stitches in I-cord for a few inches. Knit the first 2 stitches together and continue in l-cord with 2 stitches for a few rows. K2tog, cut yarn and pull tightly through the remaining stitches. If you do not expect to give this toy to a small child, you can leave the loose end of the yarn as it is, you don't need to tuck it in. Second dendrite: Pick up the three stitches that were left behind and knit the dendrite like the first one, making it longer or shorter, as you like. Third dendrite: Pick up four stitches from the base of the first 2 dendrites, two from one row and two from the row above. Knit in I-cord for about 1 inch, then knit the first 2 stitches together and Continue like the 2 other dendrites. Branches: To make little branches, pick up two or three stitches on a dendrite and work in I-cord for as long as you wish. Make short ones, long ones, have fun! The more varied, the better! Tuck in the loose yarn from the end of each branch. You can let them stick out somewhere else along the branch if you will not be giving this toy to a young child.
Dendrites (bottom)
Along the bottom of the soma, make 5 long dendrites with two or three branches on each, by picking up four or five stitches from two rows on the main body. Knit them like the top dendrites.
Myelin sheath
Cut a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie tightly around the base of the axon, twice. Use a tapestry needle to draw the yarn through the axon, coming out an inch away from the first knot. Form a second node in the same way, and repeat until the end of the axon. Please share this pattern with friends, family, and knitting groups, retaining the designer's credit.
