Disney’s first animated feature film to feature a Chinese heroine, 1998’s Mulan tells the story of a devoted daughter who, when her country comes under threat of war, disguises herself as a man so she may take her father’s place in the army. Inspired by a traditional Chinese legend, production designer Hans Bacher and art director Ric Sluiter set the film during the Ming and Qing dynasties, using watercolor and Chinese paintings for inspiration. The addition of Mulan’s dragon companion, Mushu, was suggested by Roy E. Disney after he was told that dragons can be any size in Chinese folklore. Courageous and determined, Mulan is considered a Disney princess though she is not royal by birth or marriage. A skilled warrior capable of overcoming any obstacle, she is an inspiration to anyone striving to be true to themselves.

Designed to be scooched down around the neck or pulled over the head like a hood for added coziness, this snood is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. Tricolored corrugated ribbing edges flank Mulan’s stranded colorwork dragon sidekick, Mushu; Cri-Kee, the lucky purple cricket given to Mulan by her grandmother; and her flowered jade comb. Combine all these motifs together, and you’ll be one lucky knitter!