Sunday 27 November 2016

Moving Onwards

Hi all, 

Just letting you know that I have a new blog and website now at www.bluemtnsknits.com.au. From now on all bluemtnsknits news, releases and blog posts will be posted there. To celebrate I'm also releasing a new free pattern on Thursday the 1st of December. Here's a sneak peak! 


 Please come by and check it out then

Hope to see you soon :)
Thanks for reading, 
Adelaide


Friday 26 August 2016

A Catch Up of Sorts

Hi all, 

It's been a while on my poor dear blog. So what's been happening at Blue Mtns Knits? 

Over the past few months I've started a new local job which has taken up most of my time.
 In the meantime I've been on Facebook and Instagram.

So for a quick snapshot of the past few months:

I had a go at Me Made May
 (Does anyone else find it really hard to take selfies every single day?)

Me in my me made knitted Noro Tunic

I did a market at Grand View Markets Wentworth Falls on the June public holiday weekend. Although it was zero degrees in the morning and there was a heavy frost, it was still awesome! 



 And I've been making stuff. 

Baby Katoomba Slouchy Beanies

Crochet Hexagon from Ruby Hexagon Blanket (Free patt on Ravelry)

Adult's Katoomba Slouchy Beanie


For the future I'm hoping to achieve that mythical work/life balance and be back soon. 


Thanks for reading, 
Adelaide


Sunday 1 May 2016

Me Made May 16 #MMMay16



So a last minute decision was made! I am signing up for Me Made May 16 #MMMay16 


I, Adelaide from www.bluemtnsknits.blogspot.com.au and #bluemtnsknits, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '16. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade item of clothing on my days off - currently Friday, Saturday and Sunday - for the duration of May 2016 :) 

This pledge is a challenge designed by 'So Zo..What do you know?' to encourage people who are crafty to wear and love their handmade garments more. This is the 6th year of Me Made May but my first year of participating so it'll be interesting to see how it goesI'm hoping the handmade inspiration will rub off on me this month and that I'll discover my wardrobe stables. 

I'm only committing the pledge to my days off because at the moment I have no interest in making black work pants/skirts or plain shirts. If you wish to find out more about the challenge and be a late sign up too then the link is here

I'll be documenting it on Instagram and do a round up on the blog to let you know how it goes. 

Also as a more personal pledge I aim to finish knitting a cardigan this month but more on that coming soon. 

Thanks for reading, 
Adelaide 

Saturday 16 April 2016

Leaves have Ripenend to the Fall



I'm so excited about going to Mt Wilson Gardens Autumn Festival today! 
Autumn is definitely here. Isn't the vibrant crimsons, oranges and golds of the maple leaves stunning? Crunching through the leaves surrounded by these swirling colours just warms the soul...even if it is a chilly morning! 



 If you're in the Blue Mountains then pop up to the Mt Wilson Autumn Gardens Festival. It is 9am to 4pm today, Saturday the 16th of April at Mt Wilson. It's $8/garden, $20 for three or $50 for all nine. There's also some lovely Blue Mountains artisan stalls and high tea refreshments available. More info is hereMaybe I'll see you there :) 


And now I'm leaving you with an early morning snap of clear beautiful blue sky 
and some warm autumn colour.


Have an awesome day! 
Thanks for reading, 
Adelaide


smile emoticon

Wednesday 23 March 2016

O my Luve is like Red Red

Once the cold chilly Autumn morning's start I find myself drawn to warm colours, especially red! There's something so satisfying, so vibrant and so cheery about it. Just looking at it makes me feel toasty and warm. So I wasn't that surprised when I looked back over my past few weeks knitting I realised a common theme...






Can you guess?!?  

I hope you too find something cosy, warm and red to snuggle up to this winter. 
Watch out for new designs coming to Blue Mtns Knits soon!




Friday 26 February 2016

Tutorial: Blocking Your Knits!



The most important thing to make your knitting look good (other than the actual knitting process) is to block your knits. You've put all that hard work, spent literal hours knitting and it's only one more tiny step.

 I know, every time I finish a knit I'm super excited that's it's done! And then I think, "Do I have to block it?" I go through this even though I've learnt the hard way that it's not worth skipping that final step. So now I go over this imaginary list running in my head!

Cons:
  • It takes time. 
  • I have to walk all the way to my ironing board. 
  • It takes time. 


Pros: 
  • It makes my knitting look fantastic!
  • It fixes 99.9% tension issues I've had. 
  • It gives my knitting great stitch definition. 
  • Checks if the yarn you have bought has a colourfast dye or is it going to leach dye at the first drop of water (which isn't good if you have given a friend a hand knitted hat that they are proudly wearing and it begins to rain...I'll let you imagine the rest) 
  • If it's a lace pattern it opens up your pattern, lets it be seen and makes your accessory garment the right size! 
  • It can make things bigger if you just want a smidge more room! 
  • It doesn't take that much time... 


So after ticking this off I decide yes it's worth blocking. After reading this post and finding out how simple it actually is I hope you will block too :)

But what is blocking?

Blocking is the act of stretching out your knits, wetting or steaming them and leaving them to dry. It relaxes and realigns the fibres which gives your knitting a professional finish. Because it can change the size of your tension slightly I always recommend you block your tension square too. You know the square you always knit to check your gauge before you cast on a garment ;) Well...now back to blocking

Quick Note: I've found it best to only block natural fibres. Wool works best because it can spring back. Cotton is not bad but I always find it always grows in the blocking process so be prepared. And Acrylic I would not block at all. 

The Set-Up:
  • An ironing board or a folded towel (something you can stick pins into and it will hold) 
  • Pins - Any kind will do as long as they have a pointy end and aren't rusty.  
  • A spray bottle filled with water. 
  • A piece of knitting or crochet that needs blocking!


The Act:
1. Place your knitting on the ironing board. I'm using a 100% wool lace swatch to show you the full wonder of blocking. At this stage it will look all scrunched up and unappealing like this. 

2. Pin your knit to the towel or ironing board stretching it out to the size you would like.


3. Spray it with water until it is damp to touch. The shiny bits are all the drops of water :)


4. This is the tricky part. Leave to dry. It usually takes two or three hours in summer and a whole night in winter. 

5. Take out the pins and you have amazing knitting! 


Look at that stitch definition, it is so even! 


 And there you have it. This is the method of blocking I use about 95% of the time and it works marvellously! I have another super quick 5 minute method for express blocking that I'll do a post on in future but this is my favourite and gives the best results. 

And just a note about blocking double layered items like winter hats. 
When I block my beanies I lie them flat and pin them as below. I have tried blocking them over plates and foam balls but I always find that they overstretch them. The trick with the beanie is to make sure you spray enough water on to dampen both layers. Then I find it blocks quite well. :) 

Katoomba Slouchy Beanie Merino Newborn Size 


Enjoy your knitting and blocking! :) 

Adelaide










Wednesday 24 February 2016

The Leura Beret Hand Knits and Pattern Release!

I'm super excited to announce the release of my latest design, the Leura Beret! :) 

Leura Beret Dark Red New Wool Adult Small

Leura Beret Speckle Merino Wool Adult Small
In the cold chilly morning when you're looking for that head warmer to throw on, keep yourself warm and look on trend all through the haze of an early start, then this is the one that I reach for. So I'm hoping it'll be the one you'll reach for too ;-) 

Leura Beret Speckle Merino Wool Adult Small

This is a stylish and chic beret has a classic rib band and the body is knitted from a stocking stitch with relaxed simple lines that accent the circular design. It's knitted in the round, so it's seamless and very comfortable to wear. 

Back of  Leura Beret Dark Red New Wool Adult Small

Once again this is available as a Made to Order handknit in either lovely soft Australian Merino wool or a rustic traditional Australian New Wool depending on your choice. 


Baby New Wool Fur Beret 
It comes in many sizes all the way from cute little Newborn to comfy Large Adult. If you're ordering a knitted by me hand knit then I've separated the listings in my Etsy shop so Newborn, Baby (6months) and Toddler (1 to 3 years) are together and Child/Teen, Small Adult and Large Adult are together.

Newborn, Baby and Toddler Berets

If you have any queries on sizing then check our my post on sizing for the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie here because it's fitted to the same sizing standard. I also have some Ready to Ship ones available too if you need an immediate beret (as we all do). 

Leura Beret Knitting Pattern

And if you're a knitter the pattern is available here and contains all the sizes from Newborn to Large Adult. This is a quick, easy and satisfying knit which will have you churning out berets for everyone! 

Also if you're looking for a beginner pattern which has some interest then the Leura Beret design is a great one to try. It uses the long tail cast on, is knitted in the round and does have some increasing and decreasing which if you'd like more info on I'll be covering in the blog soon :) 

Materials needed include:
  • Newborn - 40g/40m/44yds (Baby - 50g/50m/55yds, Toddler- 60g/60m/66yds, Child/Teen - 70g/70m/77yds, Small Adult -90g/90m/99yds, Large Adult - 100g/100m/111yds) of 14ply or Super Bulky yarn. The beanies pictured are knitted in Australian wool.  
  • 6.00mm/US10 circular with 60cm cable or double pointed needles.
  • 7.00mm/US11 circular with 60cm cable  or double pointed needles.
  • Stitch Marker
  • Wool Needle. 

Newborn Merino Wool Light Grey Beret

This beret has been inspired by Leura Village which is the place to be in the Blue Mountains. It has a very stylish mix of shops (including the most amazing chocolate shop!), eclectic galleries, stunning gardens and yummy tearooms as well as some beautiful scenery. I'll be having a spotlight on Leura to visit on the blog soon :) 

Leura Village in Spring Sourced from Weekend Notes
I hope you enjoy your Leura Beret

Me wearing the Leura Beret at Sublime Lookout Leura
Thanks for joining me on this journey :)

Adelaide