Rowan Designer DK is simalar to Rowan wool cotton (or so I've been led to believe)

That's about as much help as I can possibly be on this one I'm afraid!!

Hey,

I must have a piece of a ball I can send you... send me your address and I'll drop it in the mail. DDK is more like 22/4 inches if you ask me, 24 sounds like the Lightweight DK Rowan also sold. (Confusing, eh?) DDK is/was also a pretty squishy yarn, closer to a merino than something sturdy (I think Quebecoise is a sturdier yarn? I have never actually felt any). So it's easier to squoosh (technical term) into those cables...

I've just bought some Zara merino from Elann for Cromarty; it might pill a bit, but hey, so would the DDK. And it'll be cozy comfy to wear!

2.5 needles... my hands hurt at just the thought!

Designer D.K. was a standard D.K. A nice,squishy wool ! Quebecoise is more of a worsted.Denser and less compressible.Thicker.
The new Yorkshire Tweed D.K. might work.Rowan's Wool Cotton would be great as the stitch definition is fantastic.
Lightweight D.K. was a lot finer.Almost a 4 ply.

I can't give you substitution suggestions but it sounds like you should stop with the yarn you are using. Too hard on your hands. Not worth it. (Even though what you have done is beautiful!)

I was going to send you over to KBTH - but it looks like you've already been there!

My LYS still has Rowan DDK. Not sure if she has enough of one color for a whole sweater, but I could grab a skein and bring along to NY. Having some in hand may make it easier to find a substitute.

:-)

definitely sounds like the wool just does not want to be knit that size so maybe use it for a different project. p.s. ribster is making my hands sore too, i went down a needle on that one, think maybe i could have gotten away with one of the lighter versions of the yarn - it came in three weights i think and i bought the heaviest. but obviously i am way too far along now to worry about that!!! :)

I forgot about "the bent needle." *teehee* Back in the days!