7/16/12 There is an error that appears in position 31 of rows 37/38 of the tip chart and 9/10 in the middle and base charts. The yarnover in the purl row should be in the knit row below it. I will publish an updated pattern soon.

I am a biologist first and a knitter second. That said, I love knitted lace, especially botanically inspired lace patterns. I have admired several lace patterns that are called “oak leaf” but couldn’t bring myself to knit them because they were botanically incorrect. While there is enormous variation in leaf shape within the genus Quercus, the existing patterns didn’t seem to be consistent with any common species, and in the few patterns that included acorns, the acorns were not close to being consistent with the leaf shape. So, my love of leafy lace and my inability to tolerate botanical inconsistencies resulted in this attempt at a somewhat more realistic white oak lace pattern.

The pattern is charted except for set up and finishing.
You can use any yarn with an appropriate needle size (probably 1 size larger than the label suggests. This pattern will look best in yarns that have good stitch definition.

The scarf is tapered at both ends; the beginning is the tip of the branch and the end is the base of the branch. The middle of the branch chart can be repeated as many times as desired. The middle chart can also be used on its own as a lace edging or insert.

I used Cascade 220 Superwash, which is listed as a worsted weight wool. Based on my experience knitting with it - it knits up more like a dk. If you are substituting another yarn and want a similar look, I would suggest trying dk or light-worsted weight yarns.