Pattern Description for Interweave Knits, Winter 2009: “Victoria Zygas’s Fiery Ruche Scarf works long sideways rows in stripes, with ruched and ribbed sections for one, two, three different textures in the same fabric. Cleverly woven-in elastic threads can fine-tune the degree of gathering to rich ruffles or gentle rippling.”

Finished Size 6¾“ wide and 60” long, not including tassels.

Yarn Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport Weight (100% wool; 184 yd 168 m/50 g): #308S sunburst gold (A), #N17S French clay (B), #146S pomegranate (C), #N89S roasted coffee (D), and #157S boysenberry (E), 1 ball each.

Needles Sizes 4 (3.5 mm), 5 (3.75 mm), and 7 (4.5 mm): 60” circulars (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Markers (m); tapestry needle; size D/3 (3.25 mm) crochet hook; elastic thread.

Gauge

• 25 sts = 4” in 1×1 rib on smallest needle
• 27 sts = 4” in striped slip st patt in a ruched gauge swatch
• 24 rows = 2½“ in patt (8 rows striped slip st on smaller needles + 8 rows St st on larger needles + 8 rows striped slip st on smaller needles).

Notes:

• Because the stockinette sections push out and the slip-stitch sections pull in, measuring gauge on a large swatch (at least 40 stitches wide) worked in pattern. Measure through the center of a slip-stitch section.
• Make separate swatches in various combinations of needle sizes, until desired effect is achieved. Make separate swatch for ribbing.
• When joining or cutting colors, leave a 5” tail to be worked into tassels.
• The Fiery Ruche Scarf uses five colors that are related in hue as well as value. When choosing your colors, remember that even five unrelated colors can read as a sequence if they cover a range in value (from light to dark or dark to light). Try taking a black-and-white photograph of your yarn balls to see their relative values more clearly. Experiment!