use the pattern here
or
download a PDF on ravelry for a small fee: all profits to MSF
visit their site
https://www.msf.org/
main part central ball/sphere represents the
viral envelope
knitted on 2 needles using short rows
and two colours of wool twisted together
4 types of protein : each knitted separately and sewn on
S spike glycoprotein (red/purple) : i-cord tube with flared top
HE hemagglutinin esterase dimer (blue) : flat disc
M viral matrix protein (green) : bobble
E-protein (yellow) : bobble
optional (hidden inside)
RNA and N-protein : white chain
materials
50g ball each of red and purple double knitting wool
oddments of green blue and yellow dk wool
small ball of white wool
2 4mm needles for sphere (uk size 8 / us 6)
4 double-ended sock needles for surface proteins (uk size 8 / us 6)
stuffing
tapestry needle to finish
crochet hook for loose end
scissors
size
finished ball measures approx 5" diameter (13cm)
finished virus is 7" across (18cm)
pattern
viral envelope / sphere
using 4mm needles
2 strands of dk wool 1 purple & 1 red
cast on 31 stitches
row 1 : slip 1 purlwise; k28; wrap next stitch and turn (1 stitch not worked this row)
row 2 : s1pw; p26; w&t; (1 st )
row 3 : s1pw; k24; w&t; (3 st )
row 4 : s1pw; p22; w&t; (3 st )
row 5 : s1pw; k20; w&t; (5 st )
row 6 : s1pw; p18; w&t; (5 st )
row 7 : s1pw; k16; w&t; (7 st )
row 8 : s1pw; p14; w&t; (7 st )
row 9 : s1pw; k11; w&t; (10 st )
row 10 : s1pw; p8; w&t; (10 st )
row 11 : s1pw; k to end
row 12 : s1pw; p to end
rows 13-96 : repeat these 12 rows 7 more times
cast off
S spikes (approx 60)
using 2 double-ended 4mm needles
red and purple wool
for each spike
cast on 4 stitches
work as i-cord till 1" (2.5cm) long
change to purple wool
k4 stitches
kfb 4 times (8sts)
turn work
pfb p1 4 times (12sts)
cast off
join sides of purple
add stitches at centre of sides to divide into three
attach to sphere
HE dimers
using 4 double-ended 4mm needles
blue wool
cast on 3sts
row 1 : kfb 3 times ( 6sts )
slip onto 3 needles and continue in the round
round 1 : kfb k 3 times ( 9sts )
row 2 : kfb k2 kfb k1 kfb kfb kfb k1( 14sts )
cast off
embroider dark stitch in middle
M proteins (attach as pairs)
using 2 double-ended 4mm needles
green wool
make loop on needle
work 7 times into this stitch : kfbfbfbf (7sts)
turn work p7
turn work cast off 7 stitches
tie 2 loose ends together
E proteins
using 2 double-ended 4mm needles
yellow wool
make loop on needle
work 7 times into this stitch : kfbfbfbf (7sts)
turn work p7
turn work cast off 7 stitches
tie 2 loose ends together
finishing
use tapestry needle or crochet hook to pull spikes through stitches
using picture above as guide
when satisfied with arrangement : sew into position
add green M-proteins in pairs between spikes
add blue HEs using single stitch in centre
add single yellow E-proteins
keep some to cover the seam
optional : make a chain 65" long in white
to represent the RNA and N-protein
use a needle to thread through the stitches on one edge (row-ends)
draw tight and fasten off thread
repeat for the other edge
stuff the sphere with fibre-fill or kapok and the RNA + N-protein
graft or sew the cast-on stitches to the cast-off
make it your own
any colour will do
proteins too fiddly? cut out of felt and/or use beads/buttons
make the spikes on a spool-knitter/icord-mill and use 3 beads for the tops
further reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus
