Laresca began as most knitting things began with an idea. A “what if”. What if you took some sort of lace panel up the side and split it over the shoulders? And the perfect textured yarn made the stockinette body have some interest? So many moons ago I swatched a little something like this:

It was a dk weight yarn, a cotton, silk and linen blend. I liked the way the lace was there, but not overwhelming. And the simplicity of the garter edging made me happy. But then I had to draw a picture – a concept sketch if you will. Drawing is not my forte. But I started drawing anyway and this is what I came up with:

I am not sure what’s wrong with the top of her head. And despite my utter lack of drawing skills, Twist Collective was actually able to see my vision and said yes, yes, let’s make it. So they sent me yarn. Rowan Panama Yarn. And I looked at the yarn and said what? But then I started to knit with the yarn. And the yarn was good. And I realized that Rowan Panama was the perfect Florida yarn, and that I was making a garment I could actually wear in Florida. So that made me feel good about the yarn. And the yarn and I became friends. And eventually the yarn became this:

You know I’ve gotten much better at photography and I can usually capture decent pictures of my shawlette work, but I’m still not good with photographing models. But when I saw these pictures I was very, very happy. First off, she’s gorgeous. And I love the way Laresca looks on her, all breezy and comfortable. Exactly what you need for a hot summer.

And I am so in love with the way the lace split and shoulder detailing worked out. I mean I wrote the pattern, I knit the sample, and I knew it fit and worked, but seeing it on the model and knowing that I had an awesome idea that I brought all the way to completion is kind of the best. It’s nice to know all the crazy ideas running around in my head aren’t that crazy after all.