Entrelac Bag

A bag I knitted a while ago now, to try out entrelac knitting.  The pattern came from Knitting Magazine and was originally for a make-up bag (I think); but I decided I was more in need of a new crafty handbag.

 I've been meaning to try out an entrelac jumper since; I love this stitch technique.

 I gave the bag a lining from some recycled scrap material I had; added an inside pocket, tabs with D-rings to attach a strap to and a recycled gold metal tooth YKK zip with a clashing pink tape.

The (slightly gross, I know) broach is made from recycled lace & an extremely child-like, oversized, plastic button.  Can't have it looking too sophistiacted now.

Knitting Pattern: Ipod Case

Here's a super easy, super quick little pattern I made up to create a knitted bag for my friend to store her iPod in.  It can also be used for most cameras, iPhones, mobiles or to give a small present in to make it a little bit special. 

Materials & Tension:

Any DK yarn - I used an acrylic that was varigated for a really fun looking bag that can also be chucked in the wash easly enough.  I knitted mine using 3.75mm needles; although the tension is not so important because the rib pattern allows for stretch.

Pattern:

CO 25 sts

Row 1: (RS) K3, P2, repeat to end

Row 2: P3, K2, repeat to end

Repeat these two rows until bag measures desired length.  I knitted mine for 15cm/6".

Cast off in rib.

Finishing:

Sew up side seam, using a darning needle and main yarn, preferably using mattress stitch.

Thread darning needle with matching coloured elastic and sew around top edge of bag; using running stitch is just fine.  Pull tight so that bag will hold phone etc inside but will happily stretch to allow objects in.  Knot tightly and weave in all yarn/elastic lose ends.

(Here's the bag with an iPhone inside it; first image shows it storing a Blackberry).

The nice thing about a simple pattern is not only the time it takes to complete; but the possibilities it gives to experiment with it.  You can alternate between yarns to create stripes, use a mulit coloured yarn as I did to create effect; sew a button/buttons onto the bag, replace the elasticated edge with a thin ribbon drawstring.... Whatever you feel like!

See it on Ravelry here

Egg Mag!

I have been using my old copy of the fantastic Egg Mag to create paper bags, which I use to sell my items in at my market stalls.

Here they are having made themselves onto the lovely EggMag's website:

http://www.eggmag.co.uk/eggstras/eggcam.html

Check them out and keep your eye out around London & Brighton for a free copy of the mag, it's utterly awesome!!!

Not to mention the magazine which inspired me to donate my profit from all of my bee sales to help save the honey bees!

I have also finally been able to part with my pile of old Howies catalouges; (for some reason they're so lovely it's hard to part with them?!) by recycling them in the same fashion.

Have a look through my previous posts for some pics of them! Better still, come and see me on Sunday's at the Backyard Market on Brick Lane and view them for real!

See my website for more information on my creations & my honey-bee-saving-bees!

www.laurabaxendale.co.uk

Knitted Treasure Bags

Further additions to the gift bag range; here are my first three knitted bags, intened for phones, cameras, MP3 players, treasures, playing cards, mula, gifts, trinkets and all that jazz!

Knitted from all those little bits of yarn still hanging around from the winter's hats & socks projects. These will be available for purchase from my market stall, with more designs and sizes soon to follow!

Only £6.00 each!

Multicoloured hand dyed purpley merino wool from wales, with recycled lilac and wooden bead drawstring fastening.

Green and black striped bag, ribbed merino wool pattern with elasticated top.

Green & purple alpaca, with plastic diamonte button and loop fastening.

Recycled Paper Gift Bags

Here's a little sample of the gift bags I make using recycled catalouges, flyers and whatever else people have finished reading already!

All the lovely people who buy my jewellery at my stalls and online get it handed to them in one of these... Unless of course they just want the empty bags; then I happily sell them separately too!

WWW.LAURABAXENDALE.CO.UK

Keep your eye out, they may be available online soon too!