“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare – Act II; Scene II

Julius Caesar was a revolutionary leader, a military genius, and ultimately became one of the most famously assassinated persons of power in history. This play is one of my favorites as it successfully blends tragedy and history into a play. William Shakespeare took liberties with the actual stories surrounding the death of Caesar and added flesh to the conspirators – giving them personality and motive. We see the leaders of the conspiracy as assassins seeking to protect the Roman Republic and its ideals by slaying Caesar, but in reality their actions only bring about the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Throughout the play, we see and hear the masterful moves of politicians as they seek to buy the souls of their audience and win them to their side – be it for the Empire or the Republic – with just their voices. Brutus seeks to soothe the crowd after the news of their dirty deed comes out. Unfortunately for the conspirators, Mark Antony delivers the famous monologue in the play and with this rebuttal we see the intricacies of political speeches and manipulation of the populace against the assassins who currently hold the power of Rome. The play is a vast political conspiracy plot and the effects that a coup d’etat / assassination can have on a culture.

This shawl is one of my favorites as it brings in little details that make my nerdy heart leap with joy. From the 23 stripes in the first piece to symbolize the 23 stab wounds of Caesar (Which surprisingly only one wound was actually fatal – hence the one red line in the middle of the piece) to the bloody daggers of short-rows on the side, this shawl is an adventure in shawl making and makes for a fun, unique knit!

Size: 20 inches (51 cm) along the center spine X 53 inches (135 cm) along the top edge. This is the size of the blocked sample and as such, due to blocking differences, gauge differences, and knitter’s preferences, your shawl may be a different size.

Recommended yarn: 3 colors of semi-solid/tonal fingering weight yarn. Sample uses Sun Valley Fibers MCS (75% Merino/15% Cashmere/10% silk; 400 yds per skein) in the color ways Onyx (A), Smoke Signals (B), and Sangria (C)

Yardage: Color A: 275 yds/ 250 m; Color B: 240 yds/ 220 m; Color C: 200 yds/ 183 m

Needles: 32 inch US size 5/3.75 mm circular needles.

Gauge: 6 sts (15 cm) to the inch in garter stitch on US size 5/3.75 mm needles
Notions: stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle.