Cord.Knitted.Necklaces.

A few necklaces made from hand knitted cords.

The first was made from the leftover yarn after knitting a pair of socks.  I began french knitting to see how long it would be.  It was very long; so then I crocheted a chain with the cord using my hands instead of a hook.

The second is made from a knitted i-cord (using two double pointed needles).

 To begin you knit a large 'bead' and then again when the cord is long enough to finish.

These were my very first attempts at knitting beads, so I could use a bit more practice but overall am happy with it.

This second necklace I knitted from the pattern Gaucho's Lariat from Domiknitrix by Jennifer Stafford.

Knitted Bikini

I recently had the dilema of what to make for a friend who is off to Australia for a year. It's got to be handmade, obviously and preferably knitted (to remind her of me!), yet remain practical for her adventure...

The answer, of course, was a knitted bikini:

I found a free pattern called the BVI Bikini on Ravelry.

I followed it true to word, until it came to adding the straps (I'm still getting used to crochet patterns; so sometimes it's easier to freestyle it still).

The ties were a row of chain stitch which I then worked dch (double chain stitch) into.

It was nice and quick to knit up, I think I'll have to make one for myself too.

 The best tip I picked up fron this pattern, is after the cups have been knitted, you should hand sew elastic around the edges of them.  This will make them stay in place and give them the hold that commerical bikinis made from synthetic fabrics have.

I'm happy to say that my friend absolutely loved it ("The best present ever!") and it fitted her perfectly!

Just a special something for those cooler, nightime beach parties perhaps?

All the best, Saz!

xxx

From Paris, With (some knitted) Love

Hand knitted heart, in beautiful shades of maroon, purple and lilac, hanging from a hand sewn bow; created using second hand Parisien lace I personally bought back to London and gave a home, to save it from the fate of a bin. All of this on a luxurious & natural cord, hand knitted from a mixture of hemp & bamboo.

Currently priced at only £15

E-mail me now at info@laurabaxendale.co.uk to purchase or find out more.

Custom colours available.

A few words on new knits and bits

It has been a small while now since my last blog; not to mention any major website update. I have been busy with many things; include a change of residence and set up of a new creative studio space.

Most importantly, however, is that I have been busy working on many new creations; knitting has taken the reigns on my work and the variety of textile surfaces are beginning to form a satisfying mix. Obviously I am still working with recycled materials and have revisted past techniques to include wire, linens, hemp, bamboo, acyrlic and natural wool and even a flast of recycled French lace.

A sneak of a these will be posted shortly, then during the next few months will begin to appear on my website.

Keep peaking back!

Abergavenny: Discovery Beautiful Countryside & Knitted Treasures!

I was lucky enough to get away camping for a few days this August Bank Holiday Weekend; the destination being Abergavenny in Wales, situated between the Brecon Beacons & the Forest of Dean; MTB perfection! We had some fun treking to the tops of some rather big hills on the bike, with our dog closely following, to discover some wonderful views such as this:Without boring you all too much with my holiday snaps; here's only a couple from a beautiful little cycle we had along a canal one day too:

On my final day there we spotted signs for a Gift Fair that was being held in Abergavenny Town Hall and had to stop off for a quick peak! It was definitely worth it; there was everything from stalls of old-school comics & action figures; to books, craft supplies (wonderful!), local hand made food, jewellery to name a few!

An absolutely fantastic find was Odd Balls stall; chock full of fabulous bags, broaches, phone holders, purses and such, all made my a lovely lady named Belinda. She uses 'odds & bods' to create some very irrestistable recycled goodies!

Here was my handmade souvenir from her; a big & beautiful purple flower broach! Please e-mail Belinda on bee.oddballs@gmail.com to find out more!

My second fantastic knitted discovery was Amanda Bland's stall. She is a knit wear designer who creates unquie hand knitted scarves; not only does she sell these but also an amazing array of yarn, needles & all the patterns so you can recreate them yourself too!

My favourite was the 'Big Necklace' and after a lot of umming and ahhh-ing I finally went for a green - purple - yellow - sparkle eyelash style yarn to take home with me!

Here is my creation of it all:

A close up to show off the super snazzy yarn used to make my new scarf / necklace!

Please e-mail Amanda on a.j.bland@hotmail.co.uk; there was a wonderful selection to choose from!

On my list of things I wanted to find this holiday was a pot of locally produced honey; which was being sold in the gift fair. Already started on it as you can see; it tastes delicious! Also came away with a handful of jars of various chunteys; which have all been sampled and are so, so tasty! Buying local honey something we should all be doing, it is a super easy way to help support all the bee keepers and help save the honey bees!

I also have to mention the brilliant caravan / campsite we pitched ourselves up at; which I really, really to recommend staying at if you are thinking of visiting the area for a few days: www.blossompark.co.uk

The owners were so friendly and accomodating! It was in a perfect location; stunning scenery, short drive/ride to the village, lovely clean toilets/showers, electricty, cheap to rent a good size pitch... The owners even lent us a pack of playing cards on a rainy night! (I'd forgotten my knitting...)

So; all in all, a fantastic trip!

Hand Knitted Bags For Your Treasures

Bags to stash your mobiles, cameras, MP3s & any other treasures you choose, hand knitted by myself, giving a use to all my odds & ends of yarn from knitting projects of yonder!

Now available on my website

www.laurbaxendale.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.

Bike Component Project ~ Interiors

Some of my work from a project I completed during my second year of study, which I have since been developing ~

The theme for this project was anything industrial and/or mechanical. I found my visual inspiration from gear cogs, bike cranks, chains and barb wire.

The shapes and patterns formed by such objects really interests me, especially focusing on bike cassettes and how all the components are constructed and work together.

The fabrics I designed were intended for interiors, examples of which I have included here ~

I incorporated gear shapes in my knitted samples, which I created on my knitting machine. I found this a really effective and rewarding technique as it appeals to my love of constructing.

I have since continued to work with the project theme and have begun to develope my work from knitted samples into pieces for interiors.






This is the first of my final works, although there are many more currently in the creating proccess, so the collection will be expanding in the very near future!

Recycling Project - Year Two

Here is a sample of products resulting from my first recycling-based project, completed during my second year of study.

I worked with strips of used Sainsburys carrier bags, which I crocheted and knitted with in order to produce a range of wearable and sustainable accessories. I also experimented with applying heat to my work to achieve varied textures and appearances.

Necklaces ~

Crocheted circles, attatched to chain stitch, untreated.One of my first heat-treated results, used here as a singular pendant.Chain necklace, made with 3-D knitted peices, as opposed to the previous flattened circles. Again, heat was used to create the various components. Rings & Corsages ~

Heat treated crochet work, mounted on a metal ring base.

Bisto broach; crochet circle mounted in a recycled bisto lid!Singular corsage, semi-heated, on elasticated band Multi-corsaged bracelet, connected via chain stitched plastic.Belts & Bags ~

Plastic buckle detail, with black elasticated band and popper stud fastening. Knitted plastic belt, with black plastic buckle fastening. I also experimented with using the plastic strips on a larger gauge knitting machines, the results of which I used to create a range of bags; an example of which I have included below. This image is taken of a clutch bag, with crochet circle and popper stud fastening detail.
A year on and all of the products are still lasting strong! A far more resourceful and attractive use of plastic bags then throwing them away and allowing our landscape to become littered!