Dimitra Scarf

Dimitra Scarf by Sharon Slarke

What Is Being Made

The Dimitra Scarf is a squishy, soft mosaic stitch scarf designed by Sharon Slarke. This beginner-friendly knitting project creates a finished scarf measuring 15cm (6 inches) wide by 152cm (60 inches) long, making it an ideal accessory for everyday wear. The scarf features a distinctive visual texture achieved through a classic mosaic stitch technique.

Knitting Techniques Used

This scarf employs the mosaic stitch technique, a method where only one colour is knit in each row, creating a multi-coloured fabric without the complexity of traditional colour work. The mosaic approach simplifies the knitting process by eliminating the need to manage multiple colours simultaneously within a single row, making it accessible for beginner knitters.

The primary stitch pattern used is the Bee Stitch, which originates from volume three of a 1980's English knitting series called Creative Knitting. The Bee Stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches and involves a specialized technique where the right-hand needle is inserted into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle and knit in the usual way, allowing the stitch above to drop off the needle. This creates the characteristic textured, squishy appearance of the finished scarf.

Stitches Used

• Bee Stitch: The primary stitch pattern, worked over a 2-stitch repeat. The stitch involves knitting into the row below (a technique called knit below) to create depth and texture.
• Garter stitch: Used for the plain knit rows between patterned rows, providing structure and stability to the fabric.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Dimitra Scarf is designed to be knit with DK weight yarn (also known as 8ply), a medium-weight yarn that works up quickly while maintaining good stitch definition for the mosaic pattern. The pattern calls for Heirloom Merino Magic yarn, a 100% merino wool available in 50g balls with approximately 98 metres (107 yards) per ball. Two balls each of two contrasting colours (colour A and colour B) are required to complete the scarf, totalling 4 balls of yarn.

The recommended needle size is 4.5mm, or whatever size is needed to obtain the correct gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows to 10cm (4 inches) when working the Bee Stitch on 4.5mm needles. Checking gauge before beginning is recommended to ensure the finished scarf meets the intended measurements.

Project Summary

The Dimitra Scarf is an excellent beginner knitting project that introduces knitters to mosaic stitch techniques and the Bee Stitch pattern. The use of two colours in alternating rows creates visual interest without the complexity of managing multiple colours in a single row. With straightforward construction and soft, quality merino yarn, this scarf produces a luxuriously textured accessory suitable for gift-giving or personal use.