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

Katoomba Track Scarf Knitting Design

THE SCARF 

The Katoomba Track Scarf began when I made my husband a Slouchy Beanie and Mittens. And of course he wanted a handmade warm and comfortable scarf with simple lines to match! 

So I tried a few different swatches and everything was too fussy, too busy and just not right. Eventually he said he wanted a scarf out of plain stocking stitch, guys love plain he kept telling me. And I kept telling him that people didn't make scarves out of stocking stitch because the edges roll and they never sit right.  But he was insistent...

So I was stuck until one night when I was lying awake at 3am (as you do) and it hit me. Do a rib border! It would match and be plain. So I tried it and loved it! It doesn't roll like stocking stitch and looks like a railway or bush track. 

Since it was created to match the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie, it became the Katoomba Track Scarf. And one I'll definitely be knitting again. It's a great unisex scarf and really shows off the yarn you choose to use. 

THE MEASUREMENTS

The Katoomba Track Scarf measures 63"/160cm long and 7"/18cm wide. 

THE GAUGE

14sts and 20 rows to 4”/10cm by 4”/10cm square over stocking stitch using 7.00mm needles.

THE MATERIALS 

• 4 x 50g/50m/55yds balls of 14ply/super bulky. (I use 100% Australian Wool) 
• 7.00mm/US11 knitting needles. 
• Wool Needle. 

THE ABBREVIATIONS

K - Knit

P- Purl

Rep - Repeat

St/s- Stitch/es

THE PATTERN

Cast on 28 sts.

Rib Section 

Row 1: K3, *P2, K2, rep from * to last 3 sts, K3. (28sts)

Row 2: P3, *K2, P2, rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Rep rows 1 and 2, 3 more times (8 rows in total).

Main Section

Row 1: K3, P2, K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K3. (28sts)

Row 2: P3, K2, P2, K2, P10, K2, P2, K2, P3.

Rep rows 1 and 2 until scarf is 62"/157.5cm or desired length making sure that there is at least 10g/10m of yarn left.

Rib Section

Row 1: K3, *P2, K2, rep from * to last 3 sts, K3. (28sts)

Row 2: P3, *K2, P2, rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Rep rows 1 and 2, 3 more times (8 rows in total).

Bind off loosely in rib.

Sew in ends using wool needle. For best results always block your knitting.
For a tutorial on Blocking your Knits check out my blog post here.

I hope you enjoy your Katoomba Track Scarf! 

If you would like me to make the scarf for you in an amazing array of colours from 100% Australian Wool then check out my Etsy shop here :) 

If you'd like the pattern for the matching beanie then that's available in my Etsy shop here. 

Introducing the ‘Katoomba Slouchy Beanie’

For Blue Mtns Knits first design, I'm proud to reveal the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie!

Katoomba Slouchy Beanie in Australian New Wool. Colour: Charcoal. Size: Adult Small

Katoomba Slouchy Beanie in Australian New Wool. Colour: Charcoal. Size: Adult Small.

If you're looking for the perfect hand knitted winter slouch beanie, then this is the one for you. The Katoomba Slouchy Beanie has been designed with a stylish yet comfortable fit. This relaxed design combined with the classic rib band for the brim and stocking stitch body gives it a modern appeal. Its simple lines make it the perfect unisex beanie with its masculine rustic texture for boys or classic timeless boyfriend style for girls.

Katoomba Slouchy Beanie in Australian Superfine Merino Colour: Dark Red Wool. Size: Adult Small

The Katoomba Slouch Beanie comes in a wide range of sizes from seriously cute Newborn to extra comfortable large Adult. It also is available in a wide range of colours and in two types of Australian wool: New Wool and Superfine Merino. 

The Australian New Wool is a rugged  rustic yarn that embodies the traditional nature of wool. It has a wide colour range of twenty colours. It's a warm, versatile and a hard wearing yarn. And it's recommended for those who beanies need to be up to anything. 

While the Australian Merino yarn is a superfine grade with a micron of 19.5. This low micron count signifies means that it's a very high quality. The wool is very soft to touch, feels quite lightweight to wear and gives a lot of warmth from the fibre. Superfine Australian merino is the wool that is recommended for babies or anyone who has previously suffered a wool allergy. 

 And if you're interested in the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie pattern or kit,  it's coming soon! The Beanie uses 6.00mm and 7.00mm circular or double pointed needles. It uses 14ply yarn and has a tension of 14 sts and 20rows over stocking stitch to a  4" by 4"/10cm by 10cm square using 7.00mm needles. 

This is available as a ‘Made to Order’ hand knit in both Australian Superfine Merino Wool and Australian New Wool in my Etsy store. It will also soon be released as a knitting pattern and a kit. Also keep a look out for some ‘Ready to Ship’ immediately ones I’ll be posting here. 

From having visited Katoomba nearly every school holidays as a Sydneysider child, to really getting to know it as a local town centre since I moved up the Blue Mountains over two years ago, it’s always been an important place to me. I knew it would be the inspiration behind a few of designs (hint: more coming!). I hope you enjoy the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie. Coming up I’m going to have some posts on my handmade process, the inspiration, knitting know how and the Australian wool that I use and love.

Thanks for joining me on this journey,

Adelaide

The Blue Mtns Knits Blog!

Welcome :)

Hi I’m Adelaide and this is my blog for my BlueMtns Knits shop. Here I plan to share my knitting passion, inspiration and behind the scenes of Blue Mtns Knits: Australian hand knits, knitting designs and kits. 

At Wentworth Falls wearing the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie and Scarf

But first a bit about me...

 For the last eight years I have worked in the Australian craft industry, helping customers, teaching and textile designing. With my passion still going strong I realised I wanted to get back to where I started. The hands on making, the working with yarn, the envisioning of what two needles and some strings of wool can create and most importantly connecting with other lovers of handmade craft. So Blue Mtns Knits was born J

Leura Cascades Look Out, Blue Mountains

Named after where I live in the Blue Mountains, Australia. Blue Mtns Knits embodies my beliefs of,

Australian produce 

Merino Sheep from a farm in Cowra NSW, Australia

All my knitted creations use 100% Australian wool. Australia has a proud heritage of quality wool produce and here at Blue Mtns Knits we embrace it. My designs are available in Australian New Wool: a traditional rugged rustic yarn that embodies the pioneer spirit or the beautiful Australian Merino: a high quality 19 micron this yarn captures your senses with its wonderfully soft and cosy touch.

 Thoughtful Design

Blackheath in the Winter Snow, Blue Mountains

 My knitting designs are inspired by both the beauty and the practical needs of the natural Blue Mountains landscape (especially in the cold chill of winter). With a modern aesthetic that ties in to our traditional wool heritage, these creations will be the ones you or your loved ones enjoy wearing this winter to keep yourselves warm, cosy and looking good ;-)  

Handmade from Me to You

Hand Knitting

All garments and accessories are crafted by hand and by me J. Being hand knitted, they have a life of their own. A unique body and rustic texture. And they are created with a deep felt love for knitting and wool that together makes every single piece special. 

Handmade by All

At Wentworth Falls wearing the Katoomba Slouchy Beanie, Scarf and Mittens. 

 I also believe in spreading the knitting love. With just the want, the will and the time to try, anyone can hand knit. The benefits are not just unique and amazing winter warmers but knitting’s relaxing rhythmic repetition has been medically linked with improving your health including reducing stress, enriching your memory and growing your dexterity.  If you want to start knitting I’ll be running a ‘Knit Starter’ series so stay tuned for more.  

I hope this blog inspires you to not only pick up those needles and have a go, but to appreciate Australian handmade knits. I’ll be posting twice a week and if you have any questions or comments I’d love to hear from you. You can keep up to date with Blue Mtns Knits on:

 Etsy

 Facebook  

Pinterest 

Thanks for joining me on this journey,

Adelaide