Knitted Scarf Design Inspired by Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing

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Beatrice&Benedick

(knitted scarf) Recently I saw a sparkling production of Much Ado about Nothing and so much enjoyed the "merry war" between Beatrice and’ Benedick that I wanted to design a wrap that would incorporated two contrasting patterns, joined in one item. This design also solves the oft-experienced tedium of knitting a long scarf with a single pattern: just when you think you cannot bear another stitch of pattern A, you switch to pattern B. The scarf is knit in one piece, with an optional beaded cast on, and optional picot bind-off. Skills: Basic lace knitting (yarn over, simple decreases) Finished Measurements: 8x72in(20x183cm), after blocking

laterials: Handmaiden Sea Silk, 100gms/400m(437yd), Ivory, 1 skein Needles, US 3 (3.25mm) Tapestry needle Stitch markers, 4 (optional) Seed Beads, Size 6/0, 25 (optional) Bead needle (or dental floss threader)

Gauge: 24sts/32rows in 4x4in(10 x10cm) of stocking stitch Notes: The beading along the cast on edge is optional, as is the use of the stitch markers. A chart is provided for Stitch Pattern A ("Beatrice").

Directions:

Optional Beaded Cast On String 25 beads onto the yarn, knotting the end. Measure for long-tailed cast on, leaving the beads on the tail. Holding two needles held together (to insure a loose cast-on) and using the long tailed caston method, cast on 52 sts as follows: CO 1, BUB, \*CO2, BUB\*,repeat \* to \* until all beads are placed and one stitch remains to be cast on, Co1 Remove one of the needles before continuing. If not using beads, cast on 52 sts very loosely. Stitch Pattern A (Beatrice) Pattern A (Beatrice) is a six row pattern. The pattern itself is worked over 52 sts in two 21 stitch sections (which are bracketed [] in the directions), separated by a 4 stitch stockinette panel with a 3 stitch garter border at the beginning and end of each row. Knit the six rows as follows (or use Chart A): Row 1 (RS): k3, [k1, \* k2tog, YO, k2 \* Repeat \* to \* 4 more times], k4, [k1, \* k2tog, YO, k2\* Repeat \* to \* 4 more times], k3 Row 2 (WS): k3, [p3, YO, \* p2tog, p2, YO \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times, p2tog], p4, [p3, YO, p2tog, p2, YO \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times, p2tog], k3 Row 3: k3, [k1, \* k2, k2tog, YO \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times, k4], k4, [k1, \* k2, k2tog, YO \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times , k4], k3 Row 4: k3, [\* p1, p2tog, YO, p1 \*, Rep \* to \* 4 more times, p1], p4, [\* p1, p2tog, YO, p1 \*, Rep \* to \* 4 more times, p1], k3 Row 5: k3,[k1, \*k1, YO, ssk, k1 \*, Rep \*to\* 4 more times], k4, [k1, \* k1, YO, ssk, k1 \*, Rep \*to\* 4 more times], k3 Row 6: k3, [\* p1, p2tog, YO, p1 \*, Rep \*to \* 4 more times, p1], p4, [\* p1, p2tog, YO, p1 \*, Rep \* to \* 4 more times, p1], k3 Repeat this six-row sequence 34 more times for a total of 210 rows, (or if you wish a different length or are kniting at a different gauge, knit as many full repetitions required for half the desired length of the entire scarf.) Transition Rows Stitch Pattern B is worked over fewer stitches than Stitch Pattern A, so two transition rows are worked as follows to accommodate the decrease: Row 1: Knit across evenly spacing eight k3tog decreases. 44 sts on needle at end or row. Row 2: Knit all stitches Stitch Pattern B Pattern B ("Benedick") is a seven row pattern, which is reversible. The rows are worked over a base of 44 sts as foliows: start the row with a knit stitch, followed by repeats of the stitch sequence specified in the row instructions, and ending the row with another knit stitch. Row 1 is an increase row (to 86 sts), and Row 3 a decrease row (back down to 44 sts) Row 1: k1, [YO, k], k1 (86 sts) Row 2: k1, [P], k1 (86 sts) Row 3: k1, [k2tog], k1 (44 sts) Row 4: k1, [YO, k2tog], k1 (44 sts) Row 5: Repeat Row 4 Row 6: k all sts Row 7: Repeat Row 6 Repeat this seven-row sequence 29 more times for a total of 210 rows, or to desired length. Bind Off Bind off very loosely in knit. Or Work a decorative picot stitch bind off. Finishing Work in ends with tapestry needle. Soak scarf in cool water for at least twenty minutes. Roll in a towel and press to remove. excess water. Lay out on towels or a blocking board and pat gently into shape, spreading the width to 8 inches, and the length to approximately 72 inches. It should not be necessary to use blocking wires or pins to get these dimensions. The cast on edge may be pulled into three points. Let dry completely. Wear with abandon and find yourself engaging in witty repartee, but not necessarily in iambic pentameter.

To Bind Off Loosely in Knit

Stitch one: Knit one stitch as usual, resulting in one stitch on the right hand needle. Stitch Two: Knit the next stitch, but do not pull it completely off the left hand needle.

Pass Stitch One over Stitch Two and then pull Stitch 2 completely off the left hand needle. (One stitch remains on right hand needle.) Continue until all stitches are boundoff.

Picot Stitch Bind-Off

Adding picot stitches to the bind-off is essentially casting on and casting off a series of small tails at the desired intervals. For the forty-four stitch “Benedick" pattern, I set a picot at each end and 10 more, placed every four stitches. To create a picot in a bind-off, return the single stitch on the right needle to the left needle and using the cable cast-on method add two (or three) stitches. Bind off those new stitches and continue binding off as usual until you reach the next stitch where you wish to place a picot. For a demonstration of the cable cast-on method consult the Knitting Help website or their free app, which provide an invaluable library of instructional videos.

Chart for Stitch Pattern A

If you use the chart to knit Stitch Pattern A, remember the chart depicts ONLY the 21 stitch pattern to knit the 52 stitch row, knit a 3-stitch Garter Stitch border at the beginning and of each row, and a 4-stitch Stockinette panel between each 21-stitch pattern repeat follow the chart from bottom to top odd numbered rows are Right Side (RS) Rows and are worked Right to Left even numbered rows are Wrong Side (WS) Rows and are worked Left to Right CHART KEY

CHART A