Like other heavy elements, metals were formed through nuclear fusion after a star died and became a supernova. Although most elements were relatively unknown before the 19th and 20th centuries, metallic elements have shaped human development from the very beginning. Even parts of our history - the Bronze Age and the Iron Age - are defined by what we as a species were doing with metal. Metallic elements have fascinated humans since we learned to walk upright and say “ooooh!”

The Elemental: Colors of Metal shawl is from my “SCIENCE IS BEAUTIFUL” series. This shawl includes an example of the colors that occur among the metallic elements - white (Ti), dark metallic grey (Fe), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), bluish-gray (Os), and gold (Au). Each element is depicted with its accurate electron configuration with “electron” beads in the color of the element. This shawl would be perfect as a wedding shawl or veil. It is very delicate and the metallic coloring of the beads makes them very subtle. This is easily turned into a “something old/new/borrowed/blue” shawl (see in pattern notes below). This is the third of three designs involving elements (see also, Elemental: Birth of a Supernova and Elemental: Noble Gases & Halogens).

This pattern is also available as part of the Knit Picks Independent Designer Partnership, found HERE.

PATTERN NOTES:
You will need 2 skeins (880 yds) of the yarn listed and US 7 (4.5mm) double pointed needles, 16” (40cm) and 40” (100cm) circular needles, and size 1.0mm crochet hook for beading only.

You will also need size 6.0 beads in the following colors/amounts: 22 white (Ti), 26 dark metallic (Fe), 29 copper (Cu), 47 silver (Ag), 76 bluish-gray (Os), 79 gold (Au)

To make this a “something old/new/borrowed/blue” wedding shawl:
SOMETHING OLD: the structure of the elements themselves are almost as old as the universe itself – you can’t get much older than that!
SOMETHING NEW: the yarn
SOMETHING BORROWED: borrow a wedding ring/rings from parent/s/grandparent/s of the bride/groom and attach them to the shawl with either ribbon or left over yarn – attach tightly enough that you won’t loose the ring, but not so tightly you can’t get them back off
SOMETHING BLUE: the beads for Osmium are blue or you can use blue ribbon to attach the something borrowed

To add a pop of color, weave a colorful ribbon around the outer edge of each of the elements. Bring the ribbon over and under each of the yarn overs, beginning and ending on the backside of the shawl. Make sure the ribbon is flat and the shawl isn’t buckling around it, then sew the ends of the ribbon together. You will need about 20 yds of 3/8 inch (or smaller) fabric ribbon. If you think the shawl will ever get wet or need to be washed and reblocked – do NOT use craft ribbon.

A big thank you to my TESTER EXTRAORDINAIRE: puffycats