Need help finding the right yarn for a project...feeling like I've scoured the universe and not found what I need!

I want to knit the cerus scarf (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cerus-scarf) for a friend who is in the hospital with esophageal cancer. I was hoping for a nicely variegated yarn in reds and blacks (preferably mostly black with subtle changes in reds) and I just can't seem to find the right yarn without it going over $100 or including brown or white! I need about 450 yards in a DK weight and I was wondering if any of you fine folks have come across something that might work. Fiber is only important to the extent that it feels soft and cozy and not cheap and plastic-y. A nice acrylic is a-ok (particularly if the price is right, i just started my own business so money is tight!) Thx in advance all!

Edit: I accidentally a word