Spice Route

Spice Route by Louise Zass-Bangham

What is Being Made

Spice Route is a versatile knitted accessory available in three sizes ranging from scarf to shawl dimensions. The Small measures 16cm x 150cm (6½" x 60"), the Medium measures 24cm x 150cm (9½" x 60"), and the Large measures 33cm x 150cm (13" x 60"). This design celebrates hand-dyed yarn by showcasing its beauty across multiple textural variations within a single piece, making it an ideal project for Spring wear.

Design Features and Reversibility

The scarf incorporates different textural bands throughout its length, creating visual and tactile interest. The inclusion of dropped stitch ladders contributes to the reversible nature of the finished piece, allowing the wearer to display either side. An optional beaded border adds weight and visual enhancement to the finished accessory, with the sample shown using Size 6/0 beads in Debbie Abrahams Clear (64).

Techniques and Stitches Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs multiple stitch techniques to highlight the characteristics of hand-dyed yarn:

• Smooth knit stitches create clean, refined sections that allow yarn color to shine
• Blurry purl stitches add subtle texture and visual depth
• Textured garter stitch (alternating knit rows) produces a more pronounced, dimensional surface
• Dropped stitch ladders create intentional openwork sections that enhance reversibility and add structural interest
• Optional beading along the border (using a 1mm/US 12 crochet hook for attachment) adds weight and decorative detail

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Spice Route is designed for 4-ply weight yarn, which provides excellent stitch definition and allows the hand-dyed colorways to display their full character. The pattern accommodates three different widths using the same yarn weight, with yardage requirements varying by size: 50 yards for the Small size, 75 yards for the Medium, and 100 yards for the Large. The optional beaded border requires 50 to 100 Size 6/0 beads depending on the chosen width, with the sample featuring Debbie Abrahams beads in Clear.

Tension and Construction

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches to 10cm (4 inches) over stockinette stitch, which ensures proper drape and finished dimensions. This intermediate-level project is accessible to knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore textural variation and reversible construction techniques.