The good people at Eucalan have sent me some samples of their products to try for myself and to also share with my readers, which is really rather lovely. What is also quite lovely is that there is quite a synchronicity to this story. The recipe and inspiration for Eucalan originated in Australia, which given the play on the name of Eucalyptus is probably no surprise for most Aussies. The founder of the company was given the recipe whilst visiting Australia. Apparently the recipe for the no-rinse wool wash came from the Ministry of Agriculture. What is a bit surprising however is that Eucalan is not that easy to find in Australia. Why? I'm not so sure. So it was very exciting when I was contacted and asked if I would like to try it. Eucalan is very highly regarded overseas. In fact, Knit Goddess Clara Parkes has previously declared it her favourite wool wash so I was very interested to give it a go. Straight up, Eucalan's environmental credentials pleased me. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate free and scented with pure essential oils, not synthetic fragrances. The eucalyptus base acts as a moth deterrent and the low-sudsing formula means no rinsing, which is a great water and time saver. The formula is also lanolin enriched which helps preserve the life of wool and keep it looking good. As an added bonus, my hands feel lovely and soft after washing my woollies with it! The no-rinsing means that some of the eucalyptus and lanolin remains in the fibre working even harder to keep your woollies looking good. I delved into the samples and selected two for myself; the original eucalyptus and the new Wrapture by Kristin Omdahl. The eucalyptus I set to work in my washing machine on a hand wash cycle with two rather grubby yellow superwash jumpers. One would be Toby's, the other mine. The Wrapture I used to wash and block two smaller accessories, a new cowl design knit in the super glorious White Gum Wool and a scarf knit in Malabrigo Worsted that's been hanging around since before Christmas. The jasmine scent in the Wrapture is not overpowering, it's more subtle and just so very very lovely. It's so easy to wash with Eucalan. Just squeeze the suds through and let it soak for a few minutes. If your garments are grubbier, like Toby's get, you can leave it to soak for a few hours or over night and the dirt and grime is drawn out and settles at the bottom of the basin. Nice! I've totally decided this no-rinse gig is the way to go. While generally I really don't mind hand washing, it does tend to pile up and anything that speeds up the process means I'm more likely to get it done. I am a bit lazy like that. If I can avoid some housework, I will. All my garments washed up beautifully and smell ever so lovely. Subtle and not overpowering, just the way I like it. They are now sitting to dry, hence no after shots but I can attest that my yellow grubs, I mean jumpers, are looking very clean and lovely. I shall have some shots of my new cowl design up hopefully this weekend. So would you like to give Eucalan a try?
I have a couple of wee packs to give away for you to try too. First up, I have a Getaway Gang (pictured top) which includes 8 single use wash packs, 4 stain treating wipes, a 20 pack of lint remover sheets, a mini sewing kit and a nail file. Pack two: a stain treating wipe and three single wash packs. Pack three and four: two single wash packs. I am happy to post these anywhere in Australia or New Zealand so you can give them a try. All you need to do is leave a comment below. No need for any stories or confessions, just tell me what yarn you are currently knitting with. Easy. Almost no thinking required. Next Tuesday at around this time I shall close comments and randomly draw some winners. If you're interested in a retailer for Eucalan, Yarn Over do stock it. If you know of anywhere else in Australia or New Zealand, let me know so I can amend this post. Eucalan do also ship internationally.
Bel Shields
17/2/2014 11:06:51 am
Lovely! I'm currently knitting with merino DK for one project and BWM Classic for another - both your designs, as it so happens. :)
Brenda Green
17/2/2014 11:11:04 am
I currently have some fingering MCN on the needles, on another set of needles if have some Happy-go-knitty 50% Merino/50%silk and on some more needles I have some Touch Yarns 8ply/DK Merino
Danelle
17/2/2014 11:11:19 am
Knitting with BWM Classic 8 ply in Maize
hani connochie
17/2/2014 11:14:20 am
Tangle and Stash!
Amy
17/2/2014 11:15:24 am
Currently knitting with Zealana Heron - soooo toasty and warm!!!
Daphne
17/2/2014 11:19:50 am
What a lovely giveaway! I agree it's very difficult to find Eucalan in wool shops - would love to win one!
Daphne
17/2/2014 11:22:16 am
It's Bendigo woollen mills luxury 8 ply for me now
Belinda
17/2/2014 11:27:04 am
I'm just casting off a wee Elizabeth in Milla Mia. I love this yarn!
Katie
17/2/2014 11:40:06 am
Knitting with RRHY belle
Lil
17/2/2014 11:50:39 am
I'm knitting mittens in white gum wool dyed by Anais
cassy farrell
17/2/2014 11:52:09 am
Currently knitting with BWM, Rubus yarns, some hand dyed by me (Clickety Stitches) & crocheting with Debbie Bliss cashmerino! Multiple projects on the go! ;)
Sandra Kay
17/2/2014 12:04:22 pm
Featherbrush yarns sparkle dk 17/2/2014 12:05:43 pm
I'm working with some BWM Luxury 4ply, in a beautiful fuchsia shade :)
Lianne gafa
17/2/2014 12:22:14 pm
I am knitting with BWM at the moment my first ever cardi/jacket for me 17/2/2014 01:03:35 pm
I have so many projects on the go, so get ready:
Vic
17/2/2014 01:22:11 pm
Oh I'd love to try this!! What a gorgeous giveaway! I'm currently testing your cowl pattern using MT 'Happiness' - and it totally lives up to it's name!! :)
Renee
17/2/2014 01:33:08 pm
Mosaic Moon Kona Superwash Aran
Michelle
17/2/2014 01:37:39 pm
Sounds lovely! Currently knitting a "Frippery" with Madeline Tosh DK in candlewick for my 2 year old!
Robyn McCallum
17/2/2014 02:17:58 pm
Just finished a wee bAby cardigan in Tansy Yarn Company BFL 'eucalyptus bloom' :) 17/2/2014 02:33:50 pm
Would love to try these! I'm currently crocheting ( for a change ) with RRHY's 4ply in a gorgeous red :)
pyrrha
17/2/2014 05:01:24 pm
I have so many things on the go at the moment, but as it happens, three of them are in Wandering Wools yarns - she's an indie dyer from the US who does really lovely saturated colours on yummy squishy wools. The US was much more convenient to buy from when we were in Norway, BTW, I aim for Aus and NZ dyers these days!
pyrrha
17/2/2014 05:02:52 pm
Oh, and I have a feeling I've seen Eucalan for sale at Morris & Sons in the city, but I can't find it on their website to confirm. I really would like to try it one day, as I've heard a lot of rave reviews about it.
Michelle H
17/2/2014 05:21:18 pm
Gorgeous yarn i have spun from First Editions roving
Kim
17/2/2014 06:39:18 pm
Sounds lovely! I'm knitting a bloom dress in Adorn Silky Merino DK.
Kath
17/2/2014 07:07:00 pm
Malabrigo rio
Junita
17/2/2014 07:45:36 pm
Bendigo Woollen Mill sock yarn
Trudi
18/2/2014 02:51:37 am
I've heard of Eucalan, but never seen it. Which project are you wanting to know about? I'm working on 3 using Wollmeise, and another with Fibrewebs yarn.
Kaye
18/2/2014 05:31:10 am
I'm knitting an Opal sock yarn, rainbow coloured. I'm nearly ready to graft the toe on the final sock, so have been looking through my stasg and mentally going through the list of things I want to make trying to decide on what I'll knit next.......decisions, decisions......it can be tough being a knitter!!!!!
Maree
18/2/2014 10:10:54 am
I'm knitting with BWM 8-ply cotton and Cascade Heritage Sock.
Trudie
18/2/2014 01:58:25 pm
I'm knitting with Regia sock.. testing a pattern :)
Lynley
18/2/2014 04:41:47 pm
I am knitting a baby Granny's Favourite with Sublime merino DK.
Diane
18/2/2014 06:29:12 pm
I have to admit that I have at least eighteen projects in progress . I will talk about one and that is my first time using white gum wool dk . So amazingly soft and lovely to knit with . It keep stopping to caress it
Brianna
21/2/2014 05:37:43 pm
Knitting with BWM cotton and millamia. Also patting a white gum wools sample card and trying to decide on which of the pretty colours to get. Comments are closed.
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Who am I?Textile artist, knitwear designer and teacher. Print Patterns for LYS available from:archives:
January 2019
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