Category Archives: Pattern

Fresh off the Hook – Elephant Lovey

Posted on February 5, 2014 | 20 comments

When a friend asked if I would make her something for a baby boy, all I could think of was this beautiful Elephant Snuggle by local Amsterdam designer Dendennis, so even though the request came through at about 9pm and I was planning on an early night, I couldn’t wait to get started.

In real life the elephant is even better looking than in the photos!

Elephant Snuggle on missneriss.com - free pattern

Elephant Snuggle on missneriss.com - free pattern

Elephant Snuggle on missneriss.com - free pattern

Best news of all, the pattern is absolutely free!

->  Get the Elephant Snuggle here  <-

I used Drops Paris for this project, which you can order via Wool Warehouse* and Caro’s Atelier*.

If you’d like me to make you one of these, feel free to shoot me an email from my contact page, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram too!

*Affiliate Link

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Posted in Drops, Pattern, Projects

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Cabbage Patch Kids are the new Black

I’m calling it. Minions are over and Cabbage Patch Kids are back! Well, I don’t really believe that myself, but it seems everywhere I look I see cute babies wearing Cabbage Patch Kids hats.

Did you have one as a child? I think I was the only girl at school not to have one (I didn’t have any My Little Ponies either, poor me) and now all of a sudden I’m in an age group where it’s time to be nostalgic for all things 80s!

This last week I had two orders to make these Cabbage Patch Kids hats, and I found a great free pattern from the Dearest Debi site. The pattern is for a newborn, but it is extremely easy to up-size it to whatever you need.

Here are the results of my endeavours:

Cabbage Patch Kid hat on missneriss.com. Based on a FREE pattern by Dearest Debi.

What do you think about this new craze to be rocking the crochet world? I’ve never been a fan of Cabbage Patch Kids. I prefer the Garbage Gang/pail Kids instead. But everything comes back into fashion, so best to just embrace it!

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Posted on January 20, 2014 in Monday, Pattern, Projects, Tutorials

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Happy New Year, Crochet a Mood Blanket!

Beste Wensen!

That’s me wishing you best wishes for the new year.  Usually I would be expected to do a lap of the office kissing my colleagues giving them my best wishes, but as I now work from home, consider this my virtual smooch.

2014 is already off to a great start.  I look out the window and it is glorious.  The sun is shining and the temperatures haven’t properly dropped yet, so I’ve never been in such a good mood for the middle of winter, ever!

I’m not usually one for resolutions, as I never keep them, but I decided to have a crack at a few this year.  But instead of starting them on the first of January, I kicked off early.  I started running before Christmas.  Actually, I’ve been going to the gym with a group twice a week and we were on holidays over the Christmas period, so I had to do something to keep active.  Not ever being a runner, I surprised myself by getting out there and doing it.  My husband has been coming with me and although he’s a natural athlete and is nearly walking beside me, he’s amazing.

I’ve also decided to look for more things to be grateful in my life.  I’m a pessimist by nature, so it’s easy for me to find negatives everywhere, especially during the colder months, but that’s not the person I want to be any more so I’m making a change!  Each day I’m going to share something with the world (via FB, Twitter or Instagram) that I’m grateful for.  Perhaps I’ll do a weekly round up here, but we’ll have to see how my motivation and time goes!

In the Crochet world, it’s as busy as ever!  I have orders in the queue for Owl hats, a lion doggie sweater, a pippi longstocking doll, plus slippers that I’ve designed:

I used Sheepjeswol Roma big, and they’re lovely and snuggly. Not only that, because they’re so chunky, the stitches act like a masseur. So massaged, warm feet. What more could a girl ask for?!

Aside from the orders, I’ve picked up a project for myself this year, it’s the #crochetmoodblanket2014 crochet along that I discovered on New Year’s Eve on Instagram. There are more than 1000 people taking part, it’s amazing. I’ve been looking for a community to join that is filled with like-minded souls, and I’ve found it!

This is my mood palette:

And here is my progress for the first couple of days:

And day two:

I’m making a hexagon blanket inspired by my grandmother who makes the most beautiful hexagon quilts. Here’s one she made for my daughter, it’s one of her favourite things:

I found the pattern via Baby Love Brand, it’s a paid pattern, but well worth the (very small) investment. I’m using Drops Cotton Light to make it, and the colours are a mix of my favourites.

What’s inspiring you on these first few days of 2014? If you’re looking for a wonderful project, the crochet a mood blanket group is open to all comers, experts and newbies alike!
 

 

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Posted on January 2, 2014 in Drops, Pattern, Projects, WIP

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Ravelry Giveaway, just in time for Christmas!

Posted on December 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

I’m giving away 20 copies of my Merry Mini Christmas hat for free on Ravelry to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit! Just enter MERRYMINIXMAS when checking out!

Free pattern with coupon code MERRYMINIXMAS for the first 20 customers!http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-santa-christmas-hat

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Posted in Branding, Competitions, Drops, Pattern, Projects, Tutorials

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Anyone say headless chicken?

Posted on December 2, 2013 | 2 comments

That’s how busy I am.  I’m running around like a headless chicken and only seem to bumping into stuff and making a mess everywhere.

Work has had me run ragged; changing jobs has been a wonderful step forward for me although a couple of weeks ago some of my most trusted and beloved colleagues were made redundant as a by-product of the business’ strategy shake up.  It was devastating to have them sitting across from me one minute and gone the next.  I’m still quite shaken about it all, I can only imagine how they feel about it.

Christmas orders have also been keeping me out of trouble – I’ve been working on some lovely amigurumi projects which I’ll link upon finishing and a load of hats and even a doggie hoodie!  Here’s a peek:

Santa Bust on missneriss.com. Links to a free pattern by Dendennis!

In time for Christmas, I found this super adorable Santa bust on the Dendennis Facebook page.  Dendennis is a local Amsterdam amigurumist (with his first book coming out next year) and he posted an entire set of winter themed patterns, all for free!

If you haven’t heard of Movember before, it’s an awesome cause I get behind in one form or another every year.  Last year I convinced my dad to shave off his moustache for the first time in years to raise money, and he managed to raise more than $1000 AUD.  Amazing, hey!  This year my husband jumped on the wagon and part of his campaign was to take photos of himself in any pose requested.  He topped it off with an incredible homage to Freddie Mercury: I want to break free #Movember

He’s managed to get himself into the top 100 nationally (Netherlands) and donations are still open for a few more days, so go on.  There’s perhaps no better cause than Men’s Health.

Here’s my mo.

My ode to Movember, free pattern!

Ages ago on the Winkieflash blog I saw a post about an amazing skein of yarn from Knit Collage.  I really wanted to buy it, but at 30 plus euros I couldn’t justify it.  Until I visited KreaDoe in Utrecht and nearly went bananas with all the pushing and shoving and the inability to do or see anything that I really wanted to do.  So I bought myself a skein of Gypsy Garden as a reward, and this hat is the result.  It’s deliciously warm, I’m wearing it every day.  The photo unfortunately doesn’t do it justice, it’s much nicer in person!

Knit Collage BeanieHere’s something I’m extraordinarily proud of; Lucie Bunny.  She began as a pattern from Sidrun that I posted earlier, but over time she has become less someone else’s pattern and much more my own design.  It’s such a shame that I’ll never be able to list her as a pattern for someone else, but that just wouldn’t be fair on the original, original designer.

Lucie BunnyLucie Bunny

I just love her, especially in the muted colours that I’ve made her in.  Such a contrast to many of the amigurumi animals and dolls I see every day.

And finally, an owl hat.  I love making these.  I’ve made quite a few now (but not photographed them before sending them out the door).  This is one that I managed to make too small and still have at home, hence the photograph!  It’s a free pattern that is probably one of the most widely used owl patterns, from Repeat Crafter Me.  She has loads and loads of seriously cute hat patterns, enough to keep anybody busy for months.  And just about everything is free!

Owl hat, made with a FREE pattern from Repeat Crafter Me

I could go on and on with the projects I’ve been busy with, but honestly, it’s just cutting into precious crochet time!  Must get back to it.

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Posted in Pattern, Projects, Uncategorized

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My first paid pattern listing!

Posted on November 5, 2013 | 2 comments

Several months ago I took my first steps into listing patterns that I have designed on Craftsy and Ravelry, starting with my baby Yoda hat, and they’ve been really successful, into the hundreds of downloads, so I decided that the time has come to see how a paid pattern download will go.

And here it is. My first paid pattern, the Merry Mini Christmas Hat! Right now you can find it on Craftsy and Ravelry. Now, on to world domination!

On Craftsy:

On Ravelry:

Merry Mini Christmas Santa Hat pattern

And just for fun, I’ve linked this one up with Moogly and My Merry Messy Life and Hookin’ on Hump Day

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Angry Birds

Angry Birds

There are two types of people in this world, those who love Angry Birds and those who have never played Angry Birds.

My husband is still obsessed, even after playing the game for a couple of years on his phone. Has to get three stars on all levels. Thinks nothing of working on one level for days (weeks?). I on the other hand just want to get through all the levels as fast as possible and don’t care about my rank.

When a request came in to make this Angry Birds hat for a little boy, I have to be honest and say that I had reservations. I was sure that the end result would be nothing like the actual Angry Birds themselves.

How wrong could I have been?! Even when I was putting the eyes together, you could see that they could only belong to the red Angry Bird and then when it was all finished I couldn’t stop smiling because it looks so fantastic!

I pulled the pattern from Crochet Geek, who is one of the single best crochet resources on the Internet. Clear tutorials, plus videos for both right and left handers; just fantastic.

I used Drops Big Merino for the hat, which is lovely and soft and super stretchy, so will last for ages even on the fastest growing kids. For the face I used Drops Cotton Light.

What do you think? Cool, right?

Click the photo to be redirected to the tutorial.

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Posted on October 8, 2013 in Drops, Pattern, Projects, Tutorials, Uncategorized

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It’s a Minion!

I found this fabulous free pattern for Minion ats on Craftsy from Crochet by Jennifer a few days ago and couldn’t wait to make one. Isn’t it just the coolest hat ever?

Minion - free pattern

Check out the pattern here.

And if you’d like me to make you one, drop me a line for pricing info and delivery as I’d love to make you one.

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Posted on July 28, 2013 in Drops, Pattern, Projects

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Yoda is now on Craftsy

Posted on July 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

I’m taking baby-steps into the pattern design world and along with adding my first pattern to Ravelry, I’ve added it to my favourite pattern site: Craftsy.

If you click on the photo, you’ll go straight to the pattern to be able to download it.

Enjoy!

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Yoda – a free pattern

Posted on July 1, 2013 | 10 comments

Do, or do not.  There is no Try.

Yoda inspired hat for babies.

Yoda hat - free pattern

Materials

  • Bulky yarn that will use a 6mm (or J if using US measurements) hook.  I used Katia Alaska in moss green (17) for this project and the sizing is perfect.  Any bulky weight yarn should do the trick, as long as it uses a 6mm hook.
  • Embroidery needle to attach ears
  • Scissors
  • Stitch marker
  • A love of Star Wars

Skill Level

Beginner

Stitches used

  • Magic Ring – Here is a tutorial on how to make a magic ring
  • Half Double Crochet (HDC)
  • Single Crochet (SC)
  • Increase (INC) For a video tutorial on how to increase using a half double crochet stitch, check this out
  • Decrease (DEC) For a video tutorial on how to decrease using a half double crochet stitch, check this out

Notes

For this pattern I use American terms.  If you decide to use a different weigh yarn, no problem.  You’ll just have to add or remove one or two increase rows and perhaps some length.

This pattern is written in the round.  I’m not a fan of joining and chaining and a visible seam, but you can work that way if you prefer.

I’ve made three sizes; newborn, 6-12 months, and 12 months – 2 years.  I do have an adult version too, but will add that separately, later.

By all means, please feel free to sell items that you make from this pattern, but please do not sell this pattern or make changes and redistribute it claiming it as your own.  I would be forever grateful if you credit Miss Neriss when using this pattern – it’s important to all support one another.

May the force be with you, and if you spot any mistakes, please let me know!

Newborn Hat

R1:      7 HDC into a magic ring, pull tight to close the hole.
R2:      INC into each stitch around (14)
R3:      INC, 1HDC x 7 (21)
R4:      INC, 2HDC x 7 (28)
R5:      INC, 3HDC x 7 (35)
R6:      It gets a bit weird here. A normal increase round makes the hat too big, yet leaving it at R5 makes it just too small (for a premie you could skip R6 and go straight to R7).  Instead we have a reduced increase row: INC, 6HDC x 5 (40).
R7-13: HDC around (40)
R14:    SC around (40)
R15:    SC around (40), tie off and weave in ends.

Newborn Ears

Yoda hat - free pattern

Make 2.
R1:      MR4
R2:      HDC x 4 (4)
R3:      INC, HDC x 2 (6)
R4:      HDC x 6 (6)
R5:      INC, 2HDC x 2 (8)
R6:      HDC x 8 (8)
R7:      INC, 3HDC x 2 (10)
R8:      HDC x 10 (10)
R9:      INC, 4HDC x 2 (12)
R10:    HDC x12 (12)
R11:    DEC, 4HDC x 2 (10)
Sew open end shut then attach to the side of the hat.

6-12 Months Hat

R1:      7 HDC into a magic ring, pull tight to close the hole.
R2:      INC into each stitch around (14)
R3:      INC, 1HDC x 7 (21)
R4:      INC, 2HDC x 7 (28)
R5:      INC, 3HDC x 7 (35)
R6:      INC, 4HDC x7 (42)
R7-16: HDC around (42)
R17:    SC around (42)
R18:    SC around (42), tie off and weave in ends.

6-12 Months Ears

Make 2.
R1:      MR4
R2:      HDC x 4 (4)
R3:      INC, HDC x 2 (6)
R4:      HDC x 6 (6)
R5:      INC, 2HDC x 2 (8)
R6:      HDC x 8 (8)
R7:      INC, 3HDC x 2 (10)
R8:      HDC x 10 (10)
R9:      INC, 4HDC x 2 (12)
R10:    HDC x 12 (12)
R11:    INC, 5HDC x2 (14)
R12:    HDC X 14 (14)
R13:    INC, 6HDC x2 (16)
R14:    HDC x 6 (16)
R15:    DEC, 6HDC x 2 (14)
R16:    DEC, 5HDC x 2 (12)
Sew open end shut then attach to the side of the hat.

1-2 Years Hat

R1:      7 HDC into a magic ring, pull tight to close the hole.
R2:      INC into each stitch around (14)
R3:      INC, 1HDC x 7 (21)
R4:      INC, 2HDC x 7 (28)
R5:      INC, 3HDC x 7 (35)
R6:      INC, 4HDC x7 (42)
R7:      INC, 5HDC x7 (49)
R8-17: HDC around (49)
R18:    SC around (49)
R19:    SC around (49)
R20:    SC around (49)

1-2 Years Ears

Make 2.
R1:      MR4
R2:      HDC x 4 (4)
R3:      INC, HDC x 2 (6)
R4:      HDC x 6 (6)
R5:      INC, 2HDC x 2 (8)
R6:      HDC x 8 (8)
R7:      INC, 3HDC x 2 (10)
R8:      HDC x 10 (10)
R9:      INC, 4HDC x 2 (12)
Sew open end shut then attach to the side of the hat.

Yoda hat - free pattern

You can also find this pattern on my Ravelry store

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