Red Blood Cell

Red Blood Cell Knitted Decoration

What Is Being Made

The Red Blood Cell is a knitted decorative ornament designed by Dawn Finney. This project creates a three-dimensional, plush representation of a red blood cell—a scientifically-inspired craft piece suitable for educational displays, medical-themed decorations, or novelty gifts. Each finished piece measures approximately three inches (7.5cm) in diameter when worked to the specified tension.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques to achieve its distinctive shape and structure:

• Tension Control: The pattern requires using needles two to three sizes smaller than the yarn's recommended needle size. For example, if your DK weight yarn recommends US5 (3.75mm) needles, you would use US2.5 (3mm) needles instead. This deliberate tension reduction creates a tightly knit weave that prevents stuffing from showing through the fabric.
• Single-Piece Construction: Each red blood cell is knitted as one continuous piece, worked from the base upward, rather than being assembled from multiple components.
• Increases: The pattern uses increases (knitting into the front and back of stitches) to shape the piece as it grows.
• Seaming: The two sides of the knitted piece are joined together using standard seaming techniques.
• Stuffing Integration: Polyfil stuffing is inserted around the circumference as the seaming progresses, allowing for even distribution of filling.
• Running Stitch Finishing: An inner circle of running stitch provides the final structural detail and helps define the cell's characteristic shape.

Stitches Used

The Red Blood Cell pattern utilizes basic knitting stitches appropriate for beginners:

• Knit (K): The fundamental knit stitch forms the base of the fabric.
• Purl (P): Purl stitches are used in combination with knit stitches to create stocking stitch.
• Stocking Stitch (St st): This classic stitch pattern, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows, forms the main fabric of the decoration. Stocking stitch produces a smooth, uniform surface ideal for a realistic cell appearance.
• Increase (Inc): Increases are worked by knitting into both the front and back of a single stitch, creating additional stitches to shape the rounded form of the blood cell.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: DK (double knitting) weight yarn in red is the primary material. The DK weight is a medium-weight yarn that works well for small decorative projects and provides good stitch definition.

Needles: US2.5 (3mm) knitting needles are recommended based on the tension guide provided. These needles should be sized two to three sizes smaller than your yarn's standard recommendation to achieve the tight gauge necessary for this project.

Additional Materials: Polyfil stuffing is used to fill the knitted form, creating a three-dimensional, plush decoration. Optional embellishments such as eyes may be attached to personalize each red blood cell.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this project's success. Work to a tension of 30 stitches and 40 rows to 4 inches (10cm) square using US2.5 (3mm) needles. This specific gauge ensures that your finished red blood cell will measure approximately three inches (7.5cm) in diameter and that the knit fabric will be dense enough to contain the polyfil stuffing without gaps or visible filling showing through.