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In early spring of 2019, a member of my family sent me a butterfly kit to snap me out of a period of unexpected grief and depression. The beginning of 2019 was profoundly difficult with the sudden and severe illness of a family pet, who subsequently had to be euthanized to relieve her pain.

A jar of a few tiny caterpillars with special food, instructions, and a habitat for them once they reached the chrysalis stage gave me something to nurture. I emerged from my grief, like a butterfly emerging to stretch wings that have formed during the miraculous change of metamorphosis.

I started a butterfly garden with some milkweed and other butterfly host plants, in addition to flowers that provide nectar to the adult butterflies who stop to lay their eggs. We have had several rounds of monarch and black swallowtail caterpillars this past summer. Caterpillars, chrysalises and glorious butterflies are represented in the endless circle of life for these wearers of gossamer wings

Life of Gossamer Wings is a rectangular wrap knitted on the bias, which means that it is increased and decreased by one stitch every right side row. There are large sections of garter stitch stripes, with slipped stitch and mosaic stitch patterns to keep it interesting. An adventurous beginner will find the slipped stitches easy to memorize, but will keep seasoned knitters interested.

The joy of releasing the butterflies allows you to soar with them. As the updraft catches their wings and sends them off to places far away, you can travel with them. Feel the breeze and spread out your wrap, like wings that will carry you off to anywhere you can imagine.

Details:

Yarn Used - Original:
Twin Mommy Creations Elemental Sock (75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon, 400 yds / 366m, 3.5 oz / 100g skein); fingering weight.
Twin Mommy Creations Elemental Minis (75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 40 yds / 37m, .35 oz / 10g mini skein); fingering weight.

The sample used the Elemental Sock in Smudged Highlighter and Elemental Minis in Wicked to the Core, Glacial Runoff and Dragonfruit, Please.

Yardage:
MC: Smudged Highlighter; 619 - 757 yds / 566m – 692m
CC1: Wicked to the Core; 216 - 264 yds / 198 - 241m
CC2: Glacial Runoff; 180 - 220 yds / 165 - 201m
CC3: Dragonfruit, Please; 197 - 240 yds / 180 - 220m

Yardage estimates include 10% +/- those used in sample.

Yarn Used - Abridged:
Whimsical Colors 2-ply Bliss (80% Superwash Merino / 20% Nylon, 400 yds / 366m, 3.5 oz / 100g skein); fingering weight.

The sample used Blue Seas Confetti, Electric Blue, Strawberry Lemonade and Lagoon.

Yardage:
MC: Blue Seas Confetti; 375-400 yds /343–366m
CC1: Electric Blue; 200-225 yds / 183-206m
CC2: Strawberry Lemondade; 120-145 yds / 110-133m
CC3: Lagoon; 125-150 yds / 114-137m

Yardage estimates include 10% +/- those used in sample.

Needles:
US 5 (3.75mm) circular, 24” (61cm)

Notions:
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers to separate pattern repeats (optional)
Lifeline thread (optional)

Gauge:
20 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10cm for Garter Stitch (swatch worked on US 5 needles after blocking).
19 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10cm for Stockinette Stitch (swatch worked on US 5 needles after blocking).

Size:
One size only, can be adjusted to suit personal sizing preferences by adding or subtracting repeats, especially sections of garter stitch.

Special Techniques:
Increases using m1
Decreases using k2tog
Slipped stitch knitting
Mosaic knitting

This pattern has been professionally tech edited to ensure it is as error free as possible. Thanks to Heather from Crafty Ferret Tech Editing.

Thanks to test knitters Fiatwoman, cutnpaced, Madelijn, Sungal01 and garagedyeworks.