Crochet Pattern: E. coli Bacteria (PDF print at home)

Crochet your own (highly magnified) Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria!

This PDF pattern provides clear instructions of the materials and techniques you need to create your own giant bacterium of E. coli, with detailed illustrations of each step. It's A4 size which you print yourself, the text is fairly big and the step by step photos are clear. This pattern is worked as amigurumi (in the round), using basic crochet stitches so should be accessible for near beginners.

You’ll need fairly small amounts of double knitting (DK) weight yarns in an orange colour plus thinner dark blue and teal coloured yarns, 3.5mm crochet hook, stitch marker, and around toy stuffing. The completed bacteria measures around 17cm long by 7cm wide (not including hair-like projections), it is not a toy and not intended for children!

Escherichia coli is a rod shaped bacteria with pili and flagella hair-like structures on the surface. There are many different strains, most do not cause problems, and E.coli is found as part of the normal human microbiome, especially in the intestines. Pathogenic strains however, can cause infections which range from relatively mild gastroenteritis and bladder infections, to pneumonia, meningitis, kidney failure, and the extremely serious hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can result in permanent problems and possibly death. 

Ideal for crocheters interested in microbiology, public health, medicine and/or education.

Please note that this is a pattern only, not a completed item.