Spring Leaves
Someone recently asked on her blog -- I'm sorry I can't remember who she was -- if her readers ever intentionally did not work on a project, because it was so enjoyable that you don't want to finish it. I sort of felt that way about this scarf. It was, to use a hackneyed phrase, a peak knitting experience.Pattern: Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt, appearing in Scarf Style
Yarn: Cascade 220 wool, 2 hanks, color # 9451
Needles: 5mm (US9) Addi Turbo circulars, 24 inch length
Dimensions: 82 inches long, 5 inches wide, blocked
Modifications: Left out one pattern repeat to make it shorter, could have left out at least one more.
Other thoughts: My favorite project I have ever knit, as if that weren't already clear. This is wonderfully fun and actually not a bad beginner lace project. There are no difficult "k1, yo 4 times into the next st"-type stitches. It is done in easy-to-handle DK or worsted weight. If you can do basic increases and decreases, yarnovers, slip stitches, and read a chart, you can make this scarf successfully.
The slip stitch, double knit edging is genious. One tip: on the wrong side, the first three stitches are as follows: slip st wyif, k1, slip st wyif. When you take the yarn to the back to knit that second st, you need to take the yarn between your needles to create that neat edge. Many of you are probably saying duh, but it took me a few rows to figure it out.
I am becoming a big fan of Cascade 220. It softened up nicely in the blocking process, after a Kookaburra bath. The color is really pretty, a beautiful blue-green with very subtle flecks of yellow. Here's a closeup!
posted by Laura at 10:38 AM
27 Comments:
Congrats! It warmed my heart to read about a project that you loved so much, especially as I just finished knitting a scarf that wasn't my choice of yarn, size, or anything.
Great color, and great job!
Oohh....that is so pretty...I love that colour with your jean jacket.
Lovely lacey scarf. Love the Cascade. Is it the superwash or the regular?
What a lovely scarf! I've heard so many good things about that pattern.
Sooooo pretty. You did such a beautiful job!! - I have that same Cascade color - Cascade is my all-time favorite yarn.
Loverly! Adore that color - fantastic job. Hope you still have just enough "fresh" air left to wear it out & about :o)
That's really beautiful. I love the color (and Cascade 220, in general)! :)
Very nicely done, such neat edges. Looks great with the jean jacket.
What a lovely scarf! I'm developing a deep love of Cascade 220 too. The color you used is so pretty. Sometimes heathered yarns are so heathered they overpower the pattern, but yours is just right.
That is quite lovely! And that shade of Cascade 220 is supurb!
I thought this would be too difficult because the chart looks so comlpex, but since you're reporting it's not so bad, I may give it a try. It is really beautiful!
that scarf is absolutely *gorgeous*!! I love the color! great job
Your Backyard Leaves is gorgeous!!! I absolutely adore the color and pattern. That closeup is just beautiful, too. Fantastic work!! I really enjoy the process of knitting, but I don't think I've had a peak knitting experience yet. It must be such a delicious temptation to rush through and finish instead of savoring the experience... kind of like how I feel about creme brulee! ;-) Love the scarf... take care, Laura! :-)
Oh that is a really beautiful color and scarf. Congrats! I want one!
I just have to say though... holy crap! It's a repeat shorter than called for in the pattern and it's STILL 84" long? I'd be happy to get a 60" scarf most days. maybe that's just cuz I'm pygmy sized...
That scarf is really pretty. I haven't really tackled lace yet, but I have a few projects in mind. I like Cascade 220 also, I've used it a few times. I think I need to get some of that Kookaburra wash - I've heard good things about it.
Great Scarf!
Wonderful job. Very lovely...
Amanda
That might have been me who asked if you avoid knitting something wonderful. The socks I was talking about? Still on the needles. I allow myself 1 row a day. OK, I did about 3 yesterday, but I'm to the toe decreases!...
Backyard Leaves is on my 'to knit' list.
So pretty! I love that color. This is now moved up on my "to knit" list!
Very lovely. The color is very leafy.
I love that scarf every time that I see it knit up.
Beautiful scarf - I love the color. I just got this book, and like this pattern, but was scared to try. But now I think I'll add it to my list
Look at you, LACE KNITTER! And inspiring people to try Backyard Leaves, too. The scarf is simply gorgeous, you did such a good job. :-) I *might* be inspired to try this again, but with Cascade 220 instead of the Cascade Sierra; I think the wool makes a difference.
Laura that looks gorgeous. I have been admiring other's Backyard Leaves for a little while and now I am a little bit more tempted. I HATE knitting scarves, as a rule, because they just go on and on. However, you obviously enjoyed the process on this one so it must be worth a try.
oh, that is so beautiful! the colour is fantastic. well done!
Wow, beautiful. I have eyed this pattern myself in the past. It just moved up a notch or two on my long to-knit list.
It's gorgeous! I love the color. So many people have raved about how wonderful this pattern is...after seeing yours, I'm probably going to have to make one myself!
Laura, that is absolutely gorgeous and gorgeous on you! I adore the subtleties of the coloring and the leaf lace pattern.
Cascade 220 is the best, isn't it? It comes in a zillion colors!
this looks slammin'! i really like the color you picked, and your reinactment pose from the book is the icing on the cake. you may have inspired me to try this....i hope you werent kidding when you said that this pattern is "ok" for beginners!
beautiful!
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