My Newest Knitting Project — Diamonds in Valentina

I haven't had much time lately to knit or devote to my knitting blog. Teaching and getting everything ready for my classes has kept me pretty busy. But today, after I was finally done with my teaching prep for next week, I had some time to sit down, relax, and knit—and I almost finished my newest scarf! 

I really like this diamond pattern. It is easy to follow, not difficult to knit, and once you get going, it has such a nice rhythm to it. You don't have to constantly stop and figure out where you are, and it knits up pretty fast.
The yarn I am using is RIOS Valentina 689, 100% Superwash Merino Wool. I really like the color, and I think it works beautifully with the diamond pattern.

There is one little thing I would have done differently from the start. The pattern calls for 2 knit stitches on each side on every row. I think I would have made it 4 knit stitches on each side instead. The sides are rolling inward quite a bit, so the scarf will definitely need to be blocked when it is finished. I think the extra two stitches on each side might have helped with that. 

But that is really only a small thing. I enjoy knitting this pattern very much, and I am happy with how the scarf is turning out.
Now I just have to finish it! And if I have enough yarn left over, I would like to make a matching headband to go with it.
It was really nice to have a little time for knitting again today.

Cast On 38 Stitches

Row	Instructions
1	K8, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K12, rep once, K8
2 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts (including YOs), K2
3	K7, K2tog, YO, K3, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K10, rep once, K7
4 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
5	K6, K2tog, YO, K5, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K8, rep once, K6
6 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
7	K5, K2tog, YO, K7, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K6, rep once, K5
8 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
9	K4, K2tog, YO, K9, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K4, rep once, K4
10 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
11	K3, K2tog, YO, K11, YO, sl1, K1, PSSO, K2, rep once, K3
12 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
13	Repeat Row 9
14 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
15	Repeat Row 7
16 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
17	Repeat Row 5
18 (WS)	K2, P to last 2 sts, K2
19	Repeat Row 3
20 (WS)	Repeat Row 2