Additional Note for Yarn: Designer chose to use two (2) skeins {each 480 yds/100 g, for a total of 960 yds} of Jazz Handz Fusion Fiber fingering-weight 4-ply 100%-cotton wound (not spun) yarn, in Dragon Fire, which utilizes four colors {Gold, Burnt Orange, Copper, and Fudge}, for nine slow color changes -- without any solid color bands appearing.

Additional Note for Gauge: Side (scale-and-flame) panels -- Approximately 8.2 rows/in and about 5.7 sts/in (measured after blocking).

The Tanllwyth / Wisdom stole is a striking piece that may also be displayed on any flat surface (as a table runner or dresser scarf, say) when not being worn as a garment. It showcases interesting techniques (such as reversible intarsia) and stitch patterns (scale-and-flame, for example) and features an entirely new and original dragon motif designed specifically for this piece (by logical extrapolation from the skeletal and muscular aspects of a variety of real creatures past and present).

The name is Welsh, literally translated as “blazing fire.” Given the traditional portrayal of the mythical dragon as breathing fire, the name fits!

Fire itself has long symbolized knowledge, and there are many myths concerning how humanity first acquired fire/knowledge. The traditional guardian or keeper (even hoarder) of knowledge/wisdom in many cultures is the dragon (or serpent); just one example is the fire-breathing dragon (called Ladon) guarding the Hesperides garden in which grew golden apples in 3rd century BC Greek myth.

Modern archaeology strongly suggests that amongst the wisdom to be attributed to historical Amazons (or, more accurately, perhaps, equestrian nomad Scythians) is the invention of cavalry (and refinement of its highly specialized techniques for fighting).

An archer mounted on a horse cannot use her hands to control that horse, as they are needed for shooting bow and arrow, and thus relies solely on pressure from her legs to guide her horse, neither saddle nor stirrup having yet been invented. Further, some depictions show Amazon horse-archers mounted faced toward the rear of their horses to deliver a true “Parthian shot” while riding away from a target at speed (full gallop).

Be sure to view all five patterns in Themiscyra: The Paradise Island Collection … the Diana / Courage cuff for the wrist, the Thalassa / Power wrap, the Myrina in Atlantis / Grace convertible scarf-vest, the Tanllwyth / Wisdom stole (this pattern), and the Maravilla / Wonder shawlette or head-covering … original knitting designs inspired by legendary Amazons for real women today!

(P.S. Right now, you can buy the entire Themiscyra collection for about $10 less than what you would spend buying each of the five patterns individually; that’s a savings of around 30%. Though we don’t know whether Amazons valued thrift per se, it does seem wise!)

Note Regarding Files Included in Pattern Download: In addition to the actual pattern PDF file and the separate enlarged chart PDF file, two more files are also separately available for download -- the front matter (preface/introduction) and back matter (concerning yarn used) for the collection. Further, if desired by the purchaser, higher-resolution single-page images are available from the designer upon request for any (or all) pages of the pattern.