Defarge Does Shakespeare is the third book in the What Would Madame Defarge Knit? series.It’s more than just a pattern book — it’s a treasure of links, essays, and designs to entertain your hands AND your mind. In its 200+ pages, you’ll find 29 knitting patterns and essays designed to delight your inner bibliophile.
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Madame Thérèse Defarge, the fearsome tricoteuse from A Tale of Two Cities, worked the names of the condemned into her knitting as she sat near the guillotines—a knitter for the dead.
As in the beloved first two volumes in this series, this book brings together a host of knitting talent all inspired by the plays and poetry of William Shakespeare.
Advance praise for Defarge Does Shakespeare:
There is a lot to like about Defarge Does Shakespeare, and you can spend a great deal of time digging through this book…. It has a really distinctive feel that is different to many other knitting books I have seen, and it is unashamedly nerdy about William Shakespeare. If you know a literature student who loves knitting small projects, DDS would make a very thoughtful gift.
—Karie Westermann
Praise for previous books:
“This wonderful collection of essays provides a delicious narrative for the companion patterns, and the patterns bring color to the classic stories that inspire their design. Together, patterns and essays bring a fresh perspective on old friends, breathing new life into classics I thought I knew well. The patterns are wonderfully inspired, such that knitting and reading are brought together in a unique way where each adds depth to the other.”
— Sally Holt, Managing Partner, Create2Thrive LLP
“Every time you wish for something in this book, it shows up.”
— Dr Gemma, CogKNITive Podcast
Patterns:
Browse information about the patterns on Ravelry.
- A Mothers Comfort Shawl by Erica Hernandez
- Midsummer’s Evening Wrap by Meg Warren
- Fairy Queen Tea Cozy by Alexandra Aulisi & Cassandra Deavers
- The Yellow Gartered Dude Abides by Elizabeth Green Musselman
- La Serenissima Stole by Meg Warren
- Unparallel’d by Beverly Army Williams
- Lady M by Mari Chiba
- Lear’s Socks
- Titus Awful Nice Pie by Kathleen Rogers
- Sonnet 73 Gauntlets by Becky Greene
- Prosperos Bookmark by Diane Trap
- Exeunt, Pursued by a Bear by Amy Tyszkiewicz
- Lavinia’s Gloves by Mari Chiba
- The Very Sole of Wit by Meg Warren
- Malvolio’s Yellow Stockings by Chrissy Gardiner
- Simple Comfort Shawl by Erica Hernandez
- Lover’s Tangle Socks by Becky Greene
- (Fair is) Foul Cowl by Erica Hernandez
- Taming of the Shrug by Heather Ordover
- Ophelias Watery Death Cassandra Deavers and Alex Aulisi
- Diamonds in the Ruff by Wendy McDonnell
- Mrs Lears Mitts by Julia Temisevä
- Ravel’d Sleeve of Care by Laura Ricketts
- The Yellow Gartered Dude Abides by Elizabeth Green Musselman
- Fair (is Foul) Cowl by Erica Hernandez
- Ophelia’s Garden Mitts by Rosemary Cox
- Mrs Lears Scarf by Julia Temisevä
- Violas Stockings by Sarah Jordan
- Petard Pants by Laura Ricketts
- Desdemona’s Handkerchief by Natalie Servant
- Tamoras Torc of Vengeance by Kathleen Rogers
Designers:
Kate Atherley, Alex Aulisi, Cassandra Deavers, Becky Greene, Erica Hernandez, Becky Herrick, AnneLena Mattison, Jennifer Mauser, Wendy McDonnell, Heather Ordover, Laura Ricketts, Kathleen Rogers, Natalie Servant, Julia Temisevä, Diane Trap, Meg Warren
Photos by Caro Sheridan unless otherwise specified.