Blocking the Backyard Leaves Scarf

This was a Christmas project out of the Interweave Knits Gift Issue that I knitted from stash. I was drawn to the pattern because it looked like a good way to try lace and I have been feeling like I need some scarves. The scarf is knit in two pieces from the center back (so the leaves balance) and consists of stockinette leaves with yarn over lace that pop out of a garter stitch background. The pattern was very easy to follow and I loved watching the leaves form. I found it addictive and hope to eventually to make a matching hat that uses the same leaf pattern.

I will edit and add finished project photos, but for starters here's some pictures of it being blocked:





(I need an new ironing board cover, no?)

The scarf is steam blocked before you seam it together. I thought I liked it with all the texture that the knitting caused, but as the steam blocking caused it to melt into a flat piece I found I loved it even more.

This scarf is not quite the color I would have chosen, especially considering how many colors Aurora 8 comes in, but I *loved* knitting it and am very pleased to have used up some stash. I had originally bought the yarn to be these cute toy kangaroos and even got so far as to knit half the head, but frogged it after it sat unloved for over 5 months. I used *all* of the four skeins, I was piecing yarn together to do the center seam and here's the yarn I had left:



Pattern: Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 in Sienna, 4 balls.
Needles: Crystal Palace Bamboo 12" straights, size 6