unstashed

I knitted this cardi a few years ago now.  I haven't worn it much; mainly because I've been a bit too precious over it (a lot of time went into making this) and partly because I really didn't like the original buttons I'd sewn on it.  Time for a change.  Small details can really alter the appearance of things.  

I'd forgotten how many pretty little treasures I had stashed away in my button collection.

Bags and tins and boxes in boxes of them

These multi coloured buttons are the perfect match for the textured forest green cardigan.  I got these from MacCulloch & Wallis (off Oxford Street) back when I used to work there.
I'd completely forgotten I had them.

Now it'll definitely get worn.  I love it like it was new

New [old] Cardi {AYOKA}

I finally got round to paying a visit to Ayoka; a charity shop run by the St Margarets House Settlement.  Before I knew it was one of their projects, I used to cycle past it on my commute to work and was always intrigued to pay it a visit.

The shop is small and requires a bit of a rummage in some corners... Organised but still a bittle of a jumble... Just they way charity shops should be.

I got this beaut of a cardi there:

 Check out the crocheted epaulettes

 What makes this cardi like none other I've seen are these fantastic crocheted patches (doilies!) on the side, spreading from front to back.

 The front and back sections have been knitted separately and stitches cast off/on to leave an open space for the crochet design to be sewn into; the picot edge allowed to float freely.

Along the arms is a criss-cross and bobble pattern; 

not too dissimilar to the cardigan I am knitting for myself at the moment:

St Margarets House run so many different projects; including the Gallery Cafe, literally next door to the charity shop.  I stopped in there for lunch & ended up staying for hours... All the food is either vegetarian or vegan and very reasonably priced; I had a homemade vegan burger and it was probably the best I've found in London yet!

Take a look at their website as they also hold craft/sewing events there too... I might try to get involved!