PATTERNS

The original scarf was probably sport weight wool, but DK/light worsted and worsted will work, too. "Worsted" is really a misnomer that yarn manufacturers often use to label the weight of the yarn, but all it really means is that the fibers were combed before being spun. The weight of so-called worsted actually varies quite a bit between brands.

There is no reason to alter the pattern unless you knit rather loosely, quite tightly or want to use heavier yarn. If you must, choose the worsted or the aran pattern. These are calculated to the most common gauges suggested on the labels of manufacturers. Fuller worsted hardly looks any different at around 84 percent the row count, but I don't recommend aran weight. The scarf will lack drape and look more like one of your gran's afghans than a professional garment, but it will do if you need a scarf in a hurry. Unfortunately, the options for sport weight wool are few. For that reason I have chosen to focus on DK/light worsted options.

The original scarf measured approximately 12 feet (blocked, not including tassels) for its screen debut. Despite the loss of a grey stripe, it continued to stretch to something around 14 feet for its tenure in Season 12. It must have been around 6 stitches per inch wide and 8 rows per inch long. DK on a US #5 produces this gauge exactly for me, but I won't recommend a specific needle size. You will find knitting and blocking a swatch in your choice of yarn the best way to determine the right needle size as both your tension on the yarn and the needle size determine the gauge. Take a little time to experiment.

THE STUNT DUPLICATE

A duplicate/stunt version of the scarf was also created that was later used as the primary scarf and ultimately became half of the super-long scarf starting in Season 16. It is ostensibly smaller than the original and has some subtle differences in the pattern. It's narrower at only 60 stitches. For the most authentic replica of this particular scarf, I recommend switching to smaller needles to make a smaller finished size. The colors are very slightly different, though this could be due to differing amounts of wear and fading compared to the original. As it is today, the purple and gold are a tad brighter and more saturated, the brown is a tad lighter, the tan is less saturated, and the red is a wee bit darker.

BLOCKING
More about this will be added to the knitting tips section, but for now a little advice. You might be finished knitting only to find that your scarf is much shorter than you imagined. Don't panic! Pure wool will stretch 40 to 50 percent with the wet blocking technique. When knitting the original scarf (Season 12.5), I end up with a strip measuring 11 inches wide and about 8 feet long. After blocking, it measures 10 inches wide and about 12 feet long, which is right on target for that version, which will stretch even more with wear. See this photo for an example of what you might get.

Blocking will make your replica much more authentic looking. The original and duplicate/stunt version of the scarf might not have been intentionally blocked, but they were definitely wetted and stretched (more like mishandled and stretched to their limits if the pronounced ribbing is anything to go by).

TASSELS (12/01/2012)
The number of tassels changed as the scarf was damaged and repaired. It probably started out with 14. An ideal Season 12 photo is needed for proof of the actual number, but in many it appears to only have 12. By Season 13, the now gold end of the scarf definitely has 12 tassels, but these are a repair and don't necessarily define the original number. 14 will space perfectly across 66 stitches with four stitches between each tassel. For 60 stitch scarves, 12 tassels will space evenly (though I'm not sure of the initial number). Start on stitch #3, leave 4 stitches between each tassel and end on stitch #58. More about this will be added to the knitting tips section.

TO SLIP OR NOT TO SLIP?
The original scarf definitely has a slipped stitch edge. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The duplicate/stunt version of the Season 13 scarf does not. It's a little difficult to discern the edge of the original in the small publicity photo at right, but the lack of slipped stitches on the back of the duplicate scarf is easy to spot as diagonal loops over the edge where the rows change color.

I prefer to slip the last stitch of each row knit-wise as it neatens the edge and can help hide color joins.

COLORS
Pantone colors and yarn swatches were evaluated directly against the Shada scarf to make these color selections. The colors presented on this site do not to significantly vary from the colors of the Shada scarf in its present state. I do not believe that it has enough wear or fading to really be concerned about. The intensity of new yarn is generally enough of a fix. This choice is reinforced by a comparison to the Today Promotions scarves, the reference for which is believed to have been the actual stunt duplicate. Those scarves are wool blend and still match the real thing very closely, which suggests that the Shada scarf is fairly stable despite its history of wear.

Keep in mind that print and fiber are quite different. Matching to coated Pantone chips is probably better due to the reflectivity and depth of color that yarn exhibits. Color matching will never be exact even with guidance, and it's virtually impossible to match how the scarf appeared in the 1970s. You might find these colors dark - especially the tan. Studio lighting and video recording often made the scarf seem lighter than it is. The hues in photographs also tend to wander. Perhaps the trickiest color is the grey. If often appears bluish in photographs, but it is a very warm grey bordering on a deep taupe. See the example of the Shada scarf today as it appears with some sunlight and in typical artificial light. Quite a difference isn't it?

These free Behr paint chips found in hardware stores also make a good guide.

You can always compare yarn to commonly found red bell pepper, Bosc pear, turmeric, roasted peanuts, tarnished copper coins, red onion and steel wool. Vegetables and coins will vary, but these will put you in the right direction. Click to enlarge.

100% WOOL RECOMMENDATIONS (12/10/2012)
I had decided to abandon single brand profiles, but there have been enough requests that they simply must be reintroduced. Following those are compatible combinations that have been tested for reliable gauge and blocking. Best colors are highlighted, and problem areas are noted. Recently manufactured lots from each brand are occasionally checked to ensure that colors and quality are the same. Notice that some choices will change rank or disappear.

A few colors now appear in both worsted and light worsted / DK categories. The weight of these is somewhat in between and shouldn't pose any gauge problem. If anything, a little steam to block perfect widths might be required.

New swatch photos are coming soon as well as a yardage calculator. Until then, keep in mind that you need around 40 inches per row for light worsted / DK patterns.

Sport Mixed Combo (12/01/2012)
This combo really needs work. The problem lies in the fact that sport yarn varies in the number of plies depending on manufacturer. The textural differences can be quite apparent at this gauge.

Stick to the original or duplicate pattern for sport weight. Stay tuned for more options to be identified.

Light Worsted / DK Mixed Combo (01/27/2013)
These choices are very much light worsted - just as well be DK weight. Note that Cascade 220 Superwash pills and felts a bit, but this failure makes it compatible with the plain wool in this combo. Stick to the original pattern for this combination.

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted (12/10/2012)
This yarn is great for wool on a budget and is the best I can recommend for beginners (much easier than acrylic). This will work for the original pattern, but the result will be thick. Better drape will result from using the worsted pattern. The color concessions are very minor - the best palette when sticking to a single brand of wool. Beware Knit Picks discontinuing colors sooner or later, though.

Cascade 220 (12/10/2012)
This yarn makes a fair representation of the overall color scheme. It's my least favorite single brand option, but it is widely available. This will work for the original pattern, but the result will be thick. Better drape will result from using the worsted pattern.

Worsted Wool Mixed Combo (12/10/2012)
These mix with no significant difference in gauge between brands - certainly nothing than can't be evened out when blocking. There's a hit for every single color. This will work for the original pattern, but the result will be thick. Better drape will result from using the worsted pattern.

ACRYLIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Low cost and easy care can be had with acrylic, but not in a single brand. Stay tuned for sport options.

Worsted (12/10/2012)
If you knit tightly and are skilled at steam-blocking, these will work with the original pattern, but the result will be thick and could lack drape. A few of these are also in the aran options below, but there is some wiggle room in the yarn weight. The green is the trickiest, but I haven't found another option.

Aran (05/04/2012)
These are easy to find. Depending on your gauge, the full worsted or aran pattern will be best for this combo.

WOOL BLEND RECOMMENDATIONS (10/30/2012)
The combination of Patons Decor and Plymouth Encore Worsted works perfectly because they are the same yarn. Their content and appearance are quite identical, and they're imported from the same place. There are only so many fiber factories in Hungary/Turkey. The the worsted or aran patterns are recommended for this yarn.

The green is a bit tricky here. The best option is to pick the neps out of the tweed as you go. It's slightly annoying but not a big deal. A better purple is probably coming soon.

COTTON RECOMMENDATIONS
Coming soon will be Tahki Cotton Classic and Berroco Pure Pima recommendations. The colors are superb, though the mercerized cotton plies look a little different. Cotton would be a great choice to wear for times of the year when wool is unbearable.

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