Inspired by Xiran Jay Zhao’s novel, Iron Widow, Chrysalis is a triangle shawl featuring a striking faux-cable design modelled after the armour Wu Zetian wears on the novel’s cover. The shawl uses mosaic knitting — simple slip stitches, increases and decreases — to create the cable-like motif.

50% of proceeds from all pattern sales will be donated to the following organizations, on a monthly basis:

• 25% to Anera.org, which provides emergency relief and long-term aid to vulnerable communities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan
• 25% to Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq Team, which provides veterinary care to Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario

FINISHED DIMENSIONS

• Lowest point to centre neck split: 15.5” / 39.5 cm
• Outer shawl edge length from point to point, measured on an angle: 38” / 96.5 cm

See final image for a schematic.

YARN

Fingering weight yarn in 2 colours:

• Colour A (gold): 350 yards / 320 metres
• Colour B (black): 460 yards / 420 metres

Sample yarn: Valkryie Fibers Matte Sock (75% superwash merino / 25% nylon) in “Spirit Metal” and “Welcome to Your Nightmare”

Note: For a DK version, one test knitter used 494 yards / 452 metres of Colour A and 638 yards / 584 metres of Colour B.

NEEDLES
3.5 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

GAUGE
28 sts x 64 rows = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) square in mosaic pattern

REQUIRED TECHNIQUES
Backward loop cast-on increase
Slipping stitches
Basic decreases
Mosaic knitting