Crafting and Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan

Did you know that Eucalan is delicate enough for everything your baby touches? Our formula is designed to be gentle on all that’s precious to you, whether that be your hand knit or crocheted items, lingerie, or the most precious: the items that surround your baby! Today we’ve pulled together a few of our favourite knitting and crochet patterns to celebrate your little one and keep them warm. We’ve also added our newest video on how to keep everything your baby touches clean and fresh with Eucalan, even when you’re on the go!

Sweaters

Winter is coming and we know you want to keep your little one warm in chilly temperatures! If you’re looking for something sweet and traditional, try the Norweigian Fir Top Down Cardigan by OGE Knitwear Designs. It doesn’t get cuter than the Teddy Bear Sweater by PetiteKnit for your littlest cub. Add some colourwork to your repertoire with Little Luminosity by Tanis Lavallee. Or gather up all your scraps and make them a fluffy Pengweeno by Stephen West. Check out this great use for all those stripey socks yarns: Little Sock Arms by Stephanie Lotven. And for our crocheters, what’s sweeter than this colourful Child Size Hooded Cardigan by Ashlea Konecny?

Hats

Keep your littlest ones warm with cozy hats! We love the free Garter Ear Flap Hat by Purl Soho; perfect for keeping those little ears safe from the cold! Or try your hand at cables with the I Heart Cables by Justyna Lorkowska. If you’ve got colour-changing yarn (or handspun!) check out the adorable Quynn by Woolly Wormhead. Add a little texture to a plain hat with Gather by Tin Can Knits (and check out their other free patterns). If crochet is your craft, we love the Big Heart Slouch Beanie by Phanessa Fong. Or get colourful with the Babala Hat by Mamachee!

Lovies

Are you looking for a lovey for your littlest love? There are some super sweet patterns on Ravelry and these are our favourites! Look how cuddly and soft the Sweetie Bear Lovey by Ariane Gallizzi is! Or check out all the bunnies and their fun outfits like Bunny Girl in a Dotty Dress by Little Cotton Rabbits. Littles love dinosaurs and Little Dino by Susan B. Anderson is sure to please. Or have some monstrous fun with Bonk by Susan Claudino-Aguilar. Who doesn’t need a Ragdoll Unicorn by Spin A Yarn Crochet? Or try a super sweet Little Lamb Baby Lovey by Ashleigh Kiser!

Blankets

Gorgeous baby blankets have so many uses! Not only will they keep your little one warm, but they’re perfect for laying on the floor and creating the perfect place for your little one to play! For a simple pattern with bits of texture check out Little Moments by Fifty-Four Ten Studio (or their other free offerings!) Add some graphic elements with Chevron Blanket by Melissa Clulow. Or create a patchwork of color with Vivid by Tin Can Knits. If you’re looking for more traditional lace, try Baby Chalice Blanket by Karen Lauger. And for our crocheters try adding some colour with Bertie Baby Blanket by Little Dolally or go wild with Little Larksfoot Rainbow Blanket by Kristin Ballering!

Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan

Now that you’ve created some lovely items for baby, how can you keep them clean and germ-free? Check out our latest video on Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan. Whether they’re store-bought or handmade, keep every item that your baby touches fresh and clean with Eucalan!

 

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Salmon Run – A New Free Shawl Knitting Pattern for You!

Happy fall! We’ve been looking for a great fall project to knit, and today we’re delighted to share a free pattern with you!

The Salmon Run Shawl has been designed for us by Laura Cameron of The Corner of Knit & Tea. This 2-color crescent shawl is the perfect project and accessory for fall. Simple to knit, this shawl is worked entirely in garter stitch, with some simple short row shaping to create color wedges for interest. Knit in Manos del Uruguay’s Alma, a new fingering weight singles yarn, this shawl is not only striking, but squishy and cozy. We bet it will be a favourite all season long!

And the best part is that you can download your own copy of the pattern for free by signing up for our newsletter! (If you already receive our newsletter, you can still sign up and receive the free pattern.)

Once you’ve knit your new shawl, check out our new video on Basic Blocking for Knit & Crochet. This short video will take you through washing your project in Eucalan Delicate Wash, to blocking and pinning for the perfect finish every time. We hope you’ll enjoy it!

We can’t wait to see what you make! Be sure to tag us on Instagram with the #eucalan so we can see what you’re up to.

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The Dreaded M-word: Moth

Moths. The dreaded m-word that sends shudders down every crafter’s spine. We get a lot of questions on how to prevent moth damage to your handknits, as well as how to handle damage when it occurs and what to do if you find moths in your home. Today we’ve put together lots of information on how you can prevent and deal with fibre’s ultimate nemesis.

First, let’s talk about moths. A moth infestation can be devastating, yet no one talks about it! But there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Even if you have the cleanest, most organized house in the world, moths can still be a problem.

Moth Prevention

So let’s talk about prevention. Moths love fibre, and particularly fibres that contain oils from your skin, as well as any spills or stains from food or other substances. So the first thing you can do to prevent moths is to wash your knitted items, particularly those worn directly in contact with your skin, fairly frequently. Also, you should always launder all items before packing them away for the season (i.e. wash your hats, mittens and sweaters before packing them away when winter is over). We suggest using Eucalan in either our Lavender or Eucalyptus as both scents are naturally moth repellent.

You can also store both fibres (yarns) and garments in clean, airtight containers. For yarn storage, we really like clear plastic tubs. These allow natural light in (moths love dark places) and keep bugs out. Any time you bring new yarn into the house, be sure that you place it in a clean, airtight container. To prevent any contamination, you may wish to place yarn in ziplock bags before you place them in tubs as an extra layer of protection. We also recommend the use of lavender sachets, cedar or other natural moth-repellents in those bins to stave off unwanted visitors. We NEVER recommend the use of mothballs as they are toxic to both humans and pets.

For garments, again we recommend airtight containers. You can use plastic tubs for garments as well, or many people use dresser drawers. Again, you should add lavender or some other scented sachets, or cedar (try cedar balls or blocks) to make your woollies less appetizing.

Our final recommendation is not strictly preventative, but more of an alarm system in case things go awry. To get some early warning in case you encounter moths, consider purchasing traps for clothes moths and placing them in areas where you store your fibre and garments. Again, the traps won’t prevent moths from entering your home, but these sticky pheromone traps will attract any moths that do. If you’re keeping a diligent eye on your traps, then you’re likely to notice as soon as a moth appears.

Dealing with Moths

Now that you’ve taken the above steps, let’s talk about what happens if moths do get into your fibre or garments. Let’s say you pull out your favourite sweater to find that it has one or two holes left by moths. First – don’t panic. It may be salvageable. The first thing that you want to do is quarantine the garment and make sure you kill the moth eggs that may still be lurking. You’re going to do this with the liberal application of heat or cold.

If you prefer cold, place the item in a ziplock bag and place it in your freezer (turn the temperature way down and try to keep the freezer frost-free) and allow it to remain at temperatures below freezing for 1-2 weeks. Then bring the item out of the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature. Repeat this process a few more times.

If you prefer heat, place the item in bags (dark trash bags work fine) in a car on a sunny day. The item should remain at temperatures above 120F for at least 30 minutes to kill any moth eggs. Note: you can also attempt to heat your yarn in the oven, but this is a little risky and requires constant attention. We prefer heating in a car, or freezing instead.

Once you have completed either of the two methods above, gently shake items and brush away any moth remnants.

Unfortunately, as you complete this process for the moth damaged item, you also need to examine each item stored near the first item, as well as other areas of your household. Any time you encounter moths you need to make a thorough inspection of your fibre and garments to ensure that none of the other items have been affected. Any items that you fear may have been affected should be subjected to all of the procedures we’ve described above. You will also need to do a thorough cleaning of any area affected including vacuuming, steam cleaning or wiping clean any surfaces that you believe moths have come into contact with.

This may take a while, and you will have to be vigilant. It isn’t fun, but it is necessary. There are other steps that you may need to take, up to and including consulting a pest control expert. We really like Haley’s post at Red-Handled Scissors for more tips on how to deal with clothes moths.

Once you have cleared your home of moths, then you can go back to our prevention tips (and monitoring with traps) to hopefully avoid future problems!

Dealing with Moth Damage

Once you have rid your house of moths, it’s time to consider what to do with moth-damaged items. Some may be beyond salvaging and you may need to dispose of these items. However, not all is lost. Last August we explored visible mending in Laundering and Mending Your Woolens. Since then we’ve also seen two wonderful books published: Visible Mending: Artful Stitchery to Repair and Refresh Your Favorite Things by Jenny Wilding Cardon and Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim and More by Katrina Rodabaugh. Both are excellent resources that may help you breathe new life into your affected garments.

Dealing with the M-word is never something we look forward to, but we hope we’ve given you a few tips and tricks on how to make your home less attractive to moths, as well as deal with the problem should it arise!

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Fall Crafting Inspiration with Eucalan

Can you believe that summer is almost over? The kids are heading back to school and fall is just around the corner. If you’re feeling the urge to craft, check out today’s roundup of our favourite new knit and crochet patterns for fall to inspire your next project!

Sweaters

The start of fall always makes us want to knit beautiful sweaters and there’s no shortage of new patterns there! If you love gorgeous fall cables check out River Jumper by Jennifer Wood or Mrs. Grimmet’s Weskit by Carol Sunday. If it’s texture you’re after, try Gridlines by Susanne Sommer or the new Eno Pullover by Kirsten Kapur. If you want a bit of colourwork, check out the Yésica Fair Isle Pullover by Paula Pereira. If you want to mix your colourwork and your texture, Stonecrop Cardi by Andrea Mowry (also available as a pullover) is perfect for that! If you’re in need of that perfect neutral cardigan to wear all fall long, try Potomac by Devin Ventre. For our crocheters, we love the Olive Cardigan by Emily Truman and the understated elegance of Leaves Cascade by Ana D.

Shawls

Fall always makes us want to wrap up in wool. There’s no better way to do that than to knit a warm, cozy shawl. If you’re looking for big chunky cables then Under the Oak by Jennifer Weissman looks so cozy! If lace is your jam then check out Autumn Rain Shawl by Susanna IC or Catch My Fall by Melanie Berg. If you’re in the mood for simple garter stitch with just a touch of lace, try Tsukimi by Angela Tong or Intermission Wrap by Veronica Parsons. On the other hand, if it’s fun and funky shapes you’re after try Hole Lotta Love by Emelie Björnkvist. Or tackle brioche with the Flying Foxtail Shawl by Stephen West. If you’ve got crochet on the brain then check out Succulent by Michele DuNaier or the Dragon County Shawl by Michele Costa!

Winter Woollies

Fall is gorgeous with changing leaves and cooler days, but winter is coming! And when it does, make sure you’re ready with some gorgeous winter woolies. For a cabled hat, check out the Herrington Hat by Jodi Brown. Or take your brioche to the next level with Incidence by Hunter Hammersen. If you want to try colourwork, check out the August Hat by Sarah Solomon (and Kelbourne Woolens’s Year of Hats free patterns to try other techniques!) If your heart is set on  matching accessories try the Carneau Hat & Mittens by Amy Christoffers. Add some COLOUR to your dreary winter days with these cozy Bellevue Mittens by Knox Mountain Knit Co. Or again, try your hand at colourwork with the Evening Frost Mitts by Angela Tong. Keep your neck warm with this gorgeous cowl, Renly by Marina Lariz. Or grab your hooks and some bulky yarns and try the Berry Hat by Bobbi Intveld or the Unique Mosaic (Scarf) by the WoolAddicts Design Team!

We hope you feel inspired to start crafting for fall and winter. And don’t forget to finish those gorgeous new projects with a bath in Eucalan and a proper blocking!

We can’t wait to see what you make! Tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #eucalan to share your projects with us.

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Celebrate #BRAugust with Eucalan

It’s August and that means it’s time for BRAugust. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, read on for a little history and some inspiration and resources on how you can celebrate BRAugust, too!

Origins

BRAugust was originally the brainchild of Becca McLellan, director of the Why Not Youth Centre in Brantford, Ontario. Becca founded the BRAugust initiative in 2015 after disadvantaged women kept asking her if the centre had any bras available. For many women, finding a bra that fits can be a challenge, but for homeless women, simply finding a bra can be difficult. So Becca asked women in the community to donate their gently used bras, and in the first year she collected almost 2,000!

In honour of Becca’s initiative, all of us at Eucalan go through our closets each year to find bras that are still in great condition, but don’t get worn often. If you’re interested in participating, collect any gently used bras and use our tips to launder them in Eucalan.

Then check out Free The Girls, a 501(c)(3) organization that collects donations of gently used and new bras, and then distributes them to women who have been victims of human trafficking around the world. These bras are sold by the women, providing income to support their families, educate their children, and create the foundation for a new life of dignity and self-determination. Donations are accepted by mail, or you can drop them off at locations throughout the US and Canada!

Crafting

In recent years, many crafters have adopted the #braugust hashtag and used it to spur creative making of bras and undergarments during August. While this primarily occurs in the world of sewing, there are also some fun patterns for knitters and crocheters available. We’ve collected a few resources from both the knitting and sewing world for you here today.

If you’re a knitter, there are a ton of fun patterns to knit your own bras or lingerie. The runaway favourite these days is the Ripple Bralette by Jessie Maed Designs. This pattern offers generous sizing from a 28” to a 62” bust and takes only 1-2 skeins of fingering weight yarn to complete! We also love the Girly Knits Bra Top by Lauren Riker – along with the matching shorts, this could be the perfect summer pajama set! For our crocheters we love the Three Flowers Crop Top by Nomad Stitches and the Summer Bra Top with Fabric by Fatima.

If you follow the hashtag #braugust or #braugust2019 on Instagram, you’re going to see some beautiful items. Bra maker and sewist Ying of the Tailor Made blog sponsors the #braugust2019 Photo a Day Challenge encouraging sewists to share their makes. If you’re looking for a way to get started making your own bras, we like “The Bra Dilemma Solved” from Threads magazine for getting your ducks in a row. We also found that there are several classes on Bluprint that are a great introduction to bra-making. For inspiration, tips and tricks we love the Orange Lingerie blog, especially the roundups she has done in past years for #braugust. She also has a great list of resources for purchasing supplies and kits!

We hope this article has given you some inspiration and resources to celebrate #BRAugust! If you decide to participate, we’d love to see what you make!

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Eucalan: An Alternative to Dry Cleaning

Summertime can be hot and sticky, and if you own special items that are dry clean only, then your cleaning bills are probably skyrocketing. But we’ve got great news: you can skip the dry cleaner!

There are plenty of reasons to ditch dry cleaning, but first and foremost, dry cleaning is terrible for the environment. As previously mentioned, it’s also expensive, and that’s not even factoring in the time you spend waiting in line to pick up your items.

The good news is that garments that are labeled “dry clean only” can be laundered quite easily and safely at home for a fraction of the cost and Eucalan can help!

First off, consult our laundry lessons for how to wash specialty items. This will give you the basics of how to launder different kinds of fabrics. We’ve also got a host of videos on our YouTube channel to guide you along the way. From washing silks to wedding dresses we’ve got tons of tips for caring for those delicate garments.

Our blog is also a great resource for specialty items. From coats to shearling to wool blankets to party dresses, our archives are chock full of examples on how Eucalan can be used for everything!

If you’re looking for additional eco-conscious ways to cut down on laundry expenses, we also have a great post on Laundry Tips to Save the Earth and Your Wallet.

We hope we’ve given you some tips to save on those dry cleaning bills and be kinder to the environment!

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Kids Summer Crafts

Summer is here and long, lazy days are ahead. Of course that means the kids are out of school and you’re probably in need of some summer inspiration. Today we’ve pulled together our favourite ideas for summer crafting projects suitable for the whole family! We also have a Pinterest board chock full of ideas for Kids Summer Crafts.

String ‘n Things

Of course our favourite crafts are those that involve yarn! We’re smitten with this Sugar Bee Crafts tutorial on Heart String Art. Or check out these Easy DIY Macrame Friendship Bracelets from Crafts Unleashed. If you’re happiest at your sewing machine, we love this Beach Towel Backpack tutorial by Craftaholics Anonymous.

Paper Crafts and More

If you’ve got a stash full of paper, we’ve got some gorgeous crafts for you. Encourage everyone to head outside after you make these Quick ‘N Easy Giant Paper Pinwheels from KidsActivities.com. Or bring a bit of the outdoors inside with these paper plate Collage Suncatchers from Hands on as We Grow. And we can’t stop dreaming about these Rainbow Paper Dahlia Flowers created by Craftaholics Anonymous!

Painting the Town Red

Paint projects are fun for everyone – take them outdoors on the lawn (and into the sunshine) to make cleaning up easy! Add some whimsy to your garden with these Ladybug Painted Rocks from Crafts by Amanda. Learn How to Paint with Bubbles with this tutorial from Living Well Mom. Or use items from around the house to paint towels, totes and more, using tips from this DIY Colorful Citrus Painted Tea Towels tutorial from Making Home Base.

For the Littlest Scientist

If you’re looking to combine arts and sciences, we’ve got a few fun projects for you! Everyone loves slime, but did you know it’s possible to make it magnetic? Check out How to Make Magnetic Slime by Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. Head out to the water and discover what floats with this Cork Boat Races tutorial from No Biggie. Or add a little fizz and colour to your day with this Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment from Happy Hooligans.

We hope we’ve given you a few ideas for summer craft projects to entertain your “campers” in the long days ahead!

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O Canada! Celebrating Canada Day

Eucalan is proud to be Canadian owned! Every component of the Eucalan product line is manufactured within an hour and a half of our home office in Paris, Ontario, reinforcing our commitment to the beautiful Canadian environment. Each year we celebrate Canada Day and our hometown pride; here are some of our favourite ways to do both!

Decorations!

Get in the holiday spirit with these fun crafts, activities and decorations. Set the scene right at your front door with this lovely wreath from The Penny Drawer. Adorn your tables with fresh flowers using these Canada Day centerpieces by Love Create Celebrate. Make a mantle more festive with this simple Canada Day bunting by Simple as That or add a rustic touch to any room with this gorgeous DIY maple leaf decor with driftwood by Sustain my Craft Habit. If you’re looking for an activity to do with the kids, check out these fun windsocks by Happy Hooligans. And if you’re hosting a celebration, take memorable photos by creating a Canada Day photobooth by East Coast Mommy!

Canada Day Treats!

Nothing says celebration like some red and white treats to enjoy the day! Set the stage with beautiful summer appetizers like The Perfect Simple Tomato Salad by My Kitchen Love or Canadian Red, White & Bacon Skewers by Jo & Sue. Quash everyone’s thirst with these lovely non-alcoholic drinks, Oh Yummy Canada! By Visual Meringue. And don’t forget the desserts! Try these gorgeous Canada Day Fruit Kabobs by Frugal Mom Eh! or these sweet and chilly Canada Day Popsicles by Exploring Healthy Foods. Or let everyone build their own desserts with this gorgeous Canada Day Sundae Bar by Moms & Munchkins!

Craft your pride!

If you’re itching to pick up your needles and hooks we’ve selected a few of our favourite knit and crochet projects to show your Canadian pride. Keep that head warm with the Canada 2018 Buffalo Plain Hat by STASH Lounge (celebrating the winter Olympics and the Canadian curling team!) or the Chinook Toque by Bethany Dearden. Create a simple cowl to keep you toasty with the Canucklehead Cowl by Jessie McKitrick. Looking for a portable summer project? We love socks! Especially Canada Deh! by Dana Gervais and these great colourwork ones, Oh Canada by Tippy Canoe Handmade. And if you’re looking to settle in for a larger project, check out this gorgeous Canada Flag C2C Blanket by Jessica McLean!

We hope we’ve added a little fun to your celebration this year. Happy Canada Day from Eucalan!

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2019’s Top 5 Swimsuit Trends

Summer is here! With it comes lazy days by the pool or on the beach. Here are some of the top swimsuit trends of 2019 to help you find the perfect swimwear this season! Don’t forget, Eucalan can keep it looking great and smelling fresh and clean every time.

Stripes

Whether it’s a gorgeous rainbow of colour you’re after or slightly more neutral tones, stripes are hot for 2019. Go rainbow fun with the High Leg One Piece Swimsuit from Gap! Or try a more modern look with the Chroma Bandeau Top and Bottom from Athleta. For a classic look, we love Sassy Striped One Piece Suit from Lingerie Diva.

Textures

Ribbing, smocking, ruching – it’s all about texture this summer! If you’re up for some colour, try this Violeta Ribbed Bikini by Mango. Looking for ruching? Try the flattering Elegant Dance Solid One Piece by Cupshe. For a sweeter look, we love this Tory Burch Costa Printed One Piece by Shopbop.

Prints

As with mainstream fashion in 2019, prints are in! Make a statement with animal pieces, go for bold geometrics, or keep it sweet and demure with wallpaper florals. We love the Beach Floral Keyhole One Piece Swimsuit by LOFT and the Beach Riot Julia One-Piece Swimsuit by Anthropologie for fun summer prints. For something a bit racier, try this Zebra Print Swimsuit by Mango.

Cutouts

Cutouts are another design trend for the season: think plunging necklines, high cut bottoms or snips in unexpected places. Try a daring neckline with the Adriana Strappy Monikini by Lingerie Diva. Stick to stripes and (mostly) classic shapes with the Solid & Striped Louise Swimsuit by Shopbop. Or try a few fun cutouts in this floral Mia Printed One Piece Swimsuit by Free People.

Details

It’s all in the details! Belts, hoops, laces, ruffles and more; all the extra details are where it’s at this year. We love the lacing in this Magical Mauve Bikini by Lingerie Diva. Or try elegant braiding as a bust detail with the Empreinte Curl One Piece Swimsuit (Modeled and reviewed by Wen of Comics Girls Need Bras). Or stick to a more classic look with this Ruffle Neck Plus-Sized Swimsuit from Old Navy.

We hope we’ve given you some fun ideas for being pool and beach-ready this summer!

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Special Occasion Lingerie

Spring signals the coming of special occasions: proms, weddings and more! As lingerie addicts, we love purchasing new lingerie (or wearing a treasured favourite) each time the occasion warrants.

The keys to keeping special occasion lingerie in top shape are washing before storage and storing appropriately each and every time. For more tips on how to keep your strapless, backless or plunging bras, corsets, lacey panties, and shapewear in great condition for all the special days to come, check out Preserving Special Occasion Lingerie with Eucalan.

Do you have a special event coming up? Now is the time of year when lingerie companies feature their special occasion lingerie and we love seeing what’s hot right now!

This Lingerie Journal review has you covered with several boutique bridal items… but you don’t need to be a bride to wear these! Check out Spring, Bridal and Swim Looks from Independent Boutiques for more.

Our favourite looks include (from left to right): Leglicious Girardi Marianne Toeless Holdups, Leglicious Millesia Cravache Basque, and Lashes N Lace Love Song Robe

There are a ton of amazing lingerie makers on Etsy. We browsed through a few of our favourite makers and selected a few highlights for you below: Daydream sets in lights or dark by Barely There Intimates, ethereally lacy sets from Allechanto, silky sleepwear from BettiBones, a stunning White Lace Corset from Corsettery, and a fiery camisole and panty set by Dannyliz.

Finally you can check out some of our favourite sources for lingerie reviews and recommendations. We’ve already mentioned The Lingerie Journal, but we adore Cora from The Lingerie Addict and Wen from Comics Girls Need Bras.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for any special occasions you may have coming up, along with some tips and tricks to keep your new purchases or old favourites in great shape!

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