Slash Neck Top {finished}

The finished result of my Slash Neck Top project ~

 I began knitting it from a pattern I had been handed down, in amongst a bunch of second hand knitting needles, a few years back.  It had been typed up (on a typewriter!) and had no photo or picture to show what the top looked like.  So I decided to find out.

 I used second hand wool I had from my generous stash...

 The pattern calls for 2 x 100g ball of DK; I didn't have a whole 200g in the same colour, so opted for this 100g ball of sky blue acrylic yarn and this not-quite-a-full-ball of 100g mid-blue.

 The only amendments I made to the original project was to down-size my knitting needles; as I always need to do this to achieve the correct tension square for projects.  Although no tension measurements were given in the pattern, I decided it would be wise.  I also kept track of how many rows it took to knit the 2" rib, so it would match perfectly for the front and back.

 I knitted the back half of the top solidly in the light blue yarn; for the front, I had to mix both the shades in to make them last.

  So for the front, the rib was knitted in the light blue and then I joined in the mid-blue for the bulk of the stitch pattern.

 When it came to the sleeves; the pattern calls for extra stitches to be cast on and these knit in moss stitch.  I used a stitch marker to keep track of where the pattern changes.

 For the front; I cast on these extra stitches in the light blue, as the mid blue was running out...

 The darker shade lasted for a few more rows; then I completed the rest of the top in the main light blue colour.  It actually worked out really well in relation to where the colour change sits on the top and also in terms of the effect it creates.  The change in colour picks out the wave effect created from the lace pattern.  Perfect.

And it's a perfect fit, too.

Tropical Orchid

All sewn up and just in time for spring ~

 Kid mohair & silk, candy stripes, delicate texture, intricate lace pattern...

It took a while but it was worth it.

I love the organic edge the stitch pattern created.

It's on Ravelry here

Jiffy - Lace

I  was delighted to be introduced to this fantastic paper pattern book earlier today...

Jiffy lace uses a knitting needle and a crochet hook to create the stitch pattern (?!)

I'm in love with this collar and cuff combo ~

  Here's how JIFFY LACE is done:

STEP ONE:

STEP TWO:

STEP THREE:

STEP FOUR:

{Work.In.Progress}

W.I.P. ACTION

Lacy Summer Socks

I knitted these over a year ago... You may be able to see they have been well-worn if you look closely at the photos, so thought I'd better post them already:

 These were the first socks I knitted from the toe-up and was so happy with the sleeker result.

 The top edge is cast-off loosely and due to the nature of the pattern they create this charming, flowing cuff:

I think they're one of my favourite pairs of socks and definitely ones that get the most compliments!

The pattern comes from Knitting Lingerie Style (Joan MGowan-Michael), I'm also in the midst of finishing a knitted bra from the same publication.

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!

Finally finished my Tropical Orchid....

...Well, almost. 

I still need to tie all the ends in and sew it up -

 but the knitting part is done -

 and that's what really counts, right?

The pattern (Tropical Orchid by Erica Knight) is from an issue of Simply Knitting. 

I saw the top on the front cover and liked it so much it made me buy the magazine. 

A little ignorant of me to really look at how intricate the pattern was...

Took me a little longer than the 1-2 weeks I had hoped for!

Worth it though because the pattern is beautiful and so effective when you see it as a whole piece of fabric. 

I used the left over mohair/silk yarn from my Clouds sweater and so made a few alterations to the original pattern - basically mine is striped and sleeveless, which gives it an entirely different look.

I'll get some far nicer photos taken once the sheets of tendrilous knitting have been transformed into a wearable garment!

Lace Knit Purse

Here's a little something I knitted up for a friend's birthday a few months back.  Her favourite colour is purple so this sparkly yarn had her name written all over it.  I began to knit the Lacy Drawstring Bag pattern from Textured Knits (Julia Cooper) but decided to freestyle it into a purse instead.

I used a contrast mint coloured yarn and added this minature sweet buttons for the opening.

It went down a treat!

You can buy the book here

It's got some great patterns in it, I'll post my other knits from it soon!

Spontaneous Lace Pattern Top

A reversable garment, with an irregular pattern.

I started with a simple, square, shape.

Then created lace holes at whim in front of my knitting machine.

Just a bit of fun I had testing out my skills after being away from a knitting machine for a few years.

I enjoyed it.

I want to do more.

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.