Edit: Thanks to ravelry I just found out the yarn I used for the Rhubarb Scarf can be found under the name Diakeito Diamusee Fine outside Japan, here and here and I guess at other places, too. I also saw it quite often stashed and knit up... now that I know the common name it's suddenly everywhere.
Good luck finding it (in case you want to)!
Can anybody explain why I live under the impression I own the most beautiful scarf on earth?
It sure feels good.
Thank you very, very much for all your nice words about the Rhubarb Scarf!!!
I did want to be back earlier to give you the specifics about yarn, hook and stitches but I got sick and took some time off to get on my feet again.
So, a little late but better than never, some hints for you.
The yarn DiaScenery by Diakeito is special. If you don't have access to it, don't try to find something that's exactly like it. It is not from the current season, rather from two years ago, and even in Japan it might not be available everywhere. I found it on my search for a substitute for yarns like STR (Blue Moon Fiber Arts) or KPPPM (Koigu) to make a Chevron Scarf. It has colour repeats of about 50 cm length and would be classified as fingering weight, 220 m per 40 g.
I am not very familiar with the weight classifications and am a little surprised to find STR mediumweight in the same class as KPPPM, both fingering, although the Koigu definitely is much finer. I also have sock yarn from The Knittery at home, which is classified as fingering, too, but compared to the aforementioned it is clearly lighter. And, to finish this, the DiaScenery is even lighter than the fingering 4 ply sock yarn from The Knittery (which is in my case in fact a 3 ply although its tag says 4 ply... a bit confusing).
If you search for a yarn substitute, a lovely handpainted sock yarn would be my choice. A couple of contrasting yarns. I am sure there are lots of possibilities to create something similar as my Rhubarb Scarf. Not the same, but something you could be happy with.
I used a 2.5 mm hook. The stitch - thanks my dear readers - is a so called Catherine Wheel. Lovely name. Since I found out I have visions of cruel torture situations in the Middle Ages in my head.
Anyway. It is referred to as Catherine Wheel and it is old and in many stitch directories. The great thing about this stitch is that it is letting the two combined yarns intertwine a lot while it gives each colourway enough own space to develop some strength and show off its colour. Clusters of colour. Both yarns mix but don't dissolve into each other. I thought the stitch pattern would be a perfect match for the lenghth of colour repeats and the weight and was very happy how it turned out.
And very happy you all liked it that much, too!
You asked for a pattern... I will try to write it down as quickly as I can. Maybe those of you who own a stitch directory that includes the Catherine Wheel could tell me the ISBN to share the information with all crocheting readers.
Something else I wanted to share with you since some time... did you discover the link on my side bar to the Last Minute Gift Countdown over at the Cotton Spice blog? That poor link was all I managed before I withdrew to my bedstead in order to gain vitality again...
It started on Monday and will run for another full week, make sure to take a look each day!
Talk to you soon again... till later!
PS: More pictures of the yarn over here.
Edit: Alice ( aka futuregirl / Queen of Floss) says the stitch pattern for a Catherine Wheel can be found in 300 Crochet Stitches (The Harmony Guides, V. 6).
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