BeatrICe & BeNedICK
OR Much Ado About Knitting
GAUGE
Approximately 6 sts/8 rows per inch in stocking stitch, but gauge is not essential—knit at a gauge that gives you a fabric you like.
DESIGNEDBY Kathleen roGErs
NOTES
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 oftexprerienced 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. The beading along the cast on edge is optional, as is the use of the stitch markers. Stitch Pattern A may be worked from the chart provided, although line by line instructions are included.
TIPS
This scarf can be knit on straight or circular needles. I like using circulars for lace because I find them more convenient for stowing lace in progress.
ABBREVIATIONS
$\mathsf{K}=\mathsf{K}\mathsf{n i t}$ $\mathsf{K}2\mathsf{t o g}\,=\,\mathsf{K n i t}\;2$ sts together $\mathsf{K3t o g}=\mathsf{K n i t\vdots}$ 3 sts together ${\mathsf{S S K}}={\mathsf{S l i p}}\ 2$ Stitches individually knitwise, then insert the left hand needle into both loops and knit the two stitches together $\mathsf{P=}$ Purl $\mathsf{P2t o g}\,=\,\mathsf{P u r l}\ 2$ sts together YO = Yarn Over $\mathsf{W S=}$ Wrong (Inner) Side ${\sf R S}=$ Right (Outer) Side $\mathsf{s t}(\mathsf{s})=$ stitch(es) $C/0=$ Cast On $\mathsf{B}/\mathsf{O}=$ Bind Off Rep $=$ Repeat BUB $=$ Bring up strung bead along yarn to the stitch on needle for placement
FINISHED SIZE
$8^{\prime\prime}\times72^{\prime\prime},$ blocked
YARN
Handmaiden Sea Silk, 100gms/400m, in colorway Ivory, 1 skein
MaterIals
DIrECTIONS
Needles, US 3 (3.25mm) Tapestry needle Stitch markers, 4 Seed Beads, Size 6/0, 25 Bead needle (or dental floss threader)
STEP ONE: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 cast-on method, cast on 52 sts as follows: C/O 1, BUB, \*C/O2, BUB\*, Repeat $^*$ to $^*$ until all beads are placed and one stitch remains, C/O 1 Remove one of the needles before continuing.
Step two:
“beatrice" stitch pattern A
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, Y/0, K2 \* Repeat \* to \* 4 more times], K4, [K1, \* K2tog, Y/O, $\mathsf{K}2^{*}$ Repeat \* to \* 4 more times], k3 Row 2 (WS): K3, [P3, Y/O, \* P2tog, p2, Y/0 \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times, P2tog], P4, [P3, Y/O, \* P2tog, P2, Y/0 \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 moretimes, P2tog], K3 Row 3: K3, [K1, \* K2, K2tog, Y/0 \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times, K4], K4, [K1, \* K2, K2tog, Y/O \*, Repeat \* to \* 3 more times , K4], K3 Row 4: K3, [\* P1, P2tog, Y/0, P1 \*, Rep \*to \*4 more times, P1], P4, [\* P1, P2tog, Y/O, P1 \*, Rep \* to \* 4 more times, P1], K3 Row 5: K3,[K1, \* K1, Y/0, SSK, K1 \*, Rep \*to\* 4 more times], K4, [K1, \* K1, Y/0, SSK, K1 \*, Rep \*to\* 4 more times], K3 Row 6: K3, [\* P1, P2tog, Y/0, P1 \*, Rep \*to \* 4 more times, P1], P4, [\* P1, P2tog, Y/O, 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 knitting at a different gauge, knit as many full repetitions required for half the desired length of the entire scarf.)
StEP THrEE: 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
STEP FOUR: “benedick" 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 follows: start the row with a knit stitch, followed by repeats of the stitch sequence specified in the row instructions, and endin 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, [Y/0, K］, K1 (86 st row) Row 2: K1, [P], K1 (86 st row) Row 3: K1, [K2tog], K1 (44 st row) Row 4: K1, [Y/0, K2tog], K1 (44 st row) 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.
Step Five: BIND OFF
Bind off very loosely in Knit. (See HOw TO for one way to accomplish this.) OR Work a decorative picot stitch bind off. (See HOw TO for directions.)
StEP SIX: 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 necessary to use blocking wires or pins to get these dimensions. The cast on edge may be pulled into three points. Let dry completely.
SteP seveN: WeaRinG
Throw around your neck with abandon and find yourself engaging in witty repartee, but not necessarily in iambic pentameter. Stitch 2 completely off the left hand needle. (One stitch remains on right hand needle.) Continue until all stitches are bound off.
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 http://www.knittinghelp.com/ an invaluable free library of instructional videos.
How-To's
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
CHart FOr PaTTerN A
NOTE
If you use the chart to knit Stich Pattern A in STEP , remember 1. The chart depicts ONLY the 21 stitch pattern 2. To knit the 52 stitch row you Knit a 3- stitch Garter Stitch border at the beginning and end of each row, and a 4- stitch Stockinette panel between each 21 stitch pattern repeat. 3. Follow the chart from bottom to top. 4. Odd numbered rows are Right Side (RS) Rows and are worked Right to Left. 5. Even numbered rows are Wrong Side (WS) Rows and are worked Left to Right.
CharT A
Resources:
INSPIRATIONAL STITCHES
Walker, Barbara, A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, Pittsville, Wisconsin: Schoolhouse Press, 1998. Thomas, Mary, Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns, New York: Dover Publications, 1972. I love this book and its companion Mary Thomas's Knitting Book with their surprisingly clear b&w photos and illustrations and funny little cartoon drawings. They are compact, inexpensive, and full of excellent information.
INSPIrATIONALl SHAKESPEARE
Actor's Shakespeare Project, Boston, MA http: //www.actorsshakespeareproject.org/ Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA http: //www.shakespeare.org/ Shakespeare Behind Bars http://www.shakespearebehindbars.com/ A brief rant: If you have ever been turned off by Shakespeare because you "couldn't understand it," it is not your fault. You were experiencing Shakespeare performed badly, by actors who didn't understand the language, were unable to embody it convincingly, and were not clear about the storytelling. One of the most amazing set of performances I have seen was Shakespeare & Company's Fall Festival performed by high school students, with an audience that was cheering as if they were at a football game.
Variations on a theme:
1. 1. Choose your own stitch patterns, taking into account the differences in drape and stretch, as well as the number of stitches per repeat, in calculating the stitch count for each half. 2. The directions as written can be knit with a larger needle and heavier yarn for a larger wrap or stole. 3. Instead of lace stitches, choose textured stitches.
