Category Archives: Projects

Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap Pattern Size S-XL

Posted on April 30, 2015 | 189 comments

Here it is, what you’ve been waiting for – the pattern for the Peek-a-Boo Wrap!

I’ve made this for you in four different sizes, from Small through to XL.

Here you can find a written pattern for size Medium, and below you can find a chart which will give you the measurements and stitch counts for sizes Small, Large and XL.

For the Dutch speakers among us, I’ve also had the design translated. You can find it here. Veel plezier!

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux including Caro’s Atelier*, or internationally from Wool Warehouse* and Deramores*.

And even better, Esther from It’s all in a Nutshell has created a video tutorial, which is enormously helpful!

Are you ready?

What You Need

Scheepjes Stone Washed XL in 850 (Garnet) – 12 balls for size M (I used 11, but get an extra to be safe)
S = 10 balls (each ball of Stone Washed XL has 75 metres)
M = 12 balls
L = 15 balls
XL = 17 balls
7cm bamboo button – you can pick these up at any good craft store, or online
Size 5mm hook (or hook to obtain gauge)
Measuring Tape
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Eucalan wool wash

Gauge

8 stitches x 5 rows = 5cm x 5cm

Stitches

Note: All stitches are in US terms
Chain (CH)
Half Double Crochet (HDC)
Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only (HDCBLO)
Half Double Crochet Front Loop Only (HDCFLO)

Size Medium

Chain loosely 119 stitches. If you’re a tight crocheter, consider going up a hook size to make sure that the chain isn’t too tight.
HDC into the third chain from the hook, and all the way across (a total of 117 stitches across). CH2, turn.
HDCBLO in the first stitch, HDCFLO in the next. Repeat this front and back (HDCBLO/FLO) format all the way across, CH2, turn. Note: It’s important to ensure that you have an odd number of stitches to make it easier to achieve the texture of the stitches. If you finish the row in the back loop, when you start the next row, start in the front loop and vice versa. You’ll find very quickly as you go that the look of the wrap will be different if you don’t maintain the BLO then FLO stitch pattern in alternating stitches.
Repeat this pattern building rows for 25cm.
Now we are going to make the first sleeve. Follow the HDCBLO/FLO pattern for 20 stitches, then CH 35, skip 35, then continue the HDCBLO/FLO pattern all the way to the end. Make sure you double check that you stitch into the BLO or FLO correctly (if the stitch in the row below was FLO, you need to stitch into the BLO).
HDCBLO/FLO to the chain from the previous row, then HDC 35 into the chain, then continue the HDCBLO/FLO to the end. the short end becomes the collar of the wrap.
Repeat step 3 for a further 37cm and then we will make the next sleeve. Making sure you start from the top of the collar and work down (add a row if you need to), repeat steps 5 and 6.
Continue building the final front panel, for 25cm, then we will make the button hole.
Starting from the top of the collar, repeat the HDCBLO/FLO pattern for 37 stitches. Chain 7, skip 7 stitches, then repeat the HDCBLO/FLO pattern all the way to the end.
HDCBLO/FLO to the chain from the previous row, then HDC 7 into the chain, then continue the HDCBLO/FLO to the end.
Build a further 7 rows, or complete your ball of yarn. Tie off, weave in ends.
Sew button on the opposite end of the garment to the button hole 9cm from the end, 25cm from the top.
Block, stretching a little (especially the length) and you’re done!

Size Chart

You can switch out the stitch counts and centimetres in the written pattern above for the numbers in the chart below, depending on your required size.

	SMALL		MEDIUM
	CM	Rows	CM	Rows
Length	70	Chain 117 + 2	70cm	Chain 117 + 2
Back	32	32	37	37
Front (button)	20	20	25	25
Front (button hole)	27	27	32	32
	CM	Stitch Count	CM	Stitch Count
Start Sleeve	12.5	20	12.5	20
End Sleeve	20	32	22.5	35
Start Button Hole	23	37	23	37
Button Hole Size		7		7

	LARGE		X-LARGE
	CM	Rows	CM	Rows
Length	75cm	Chain 123 + 2	75cm	Chain 123 + 2
Back	42	42	47	47
Front (button)	30	30	35	35
Front (button hole)	37	37	42	42
	CM	Stitch Count	CM	Stitch Count
Start Sleeve	15	24	17.5	28
End Sleeve	25	39	27.5	43
Start Button Hole	25	40	25	40
Button Hole Size		7		7

*Affiliate Link

189 Comments

Posted in Free, Pattern, Patterns, Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed, Tutorials

Tagged crochet, crochet garment, crochet tutorial, crochet wrap, design, free, free pattern, gratis haakpatroon, haken, MissNeriss, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, tutorial, yarn

Say Hello to the Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap

Posted on April 22, 2015 | 35 comments

Finally! But, it was worth the wait, right?

I picked up a mannequin from Xenos just to be able to show this off to you properly, and the form is just perfect.

And so is the peek-a-boo button. Better than I ever could have imagined. I’ll be honest, when I first ordered the yarn and the button, I hadn’t really calculated the size of the button correctly, but now I couldn’t imagine having chosen anything else.

I love how there is just enough strength in the stitch to hold the collar up at the back. It’s always surprising just how soft and supple the Scheepjes Stone Washed is after blocking – I wasn’t sure if the collar would keep standing!

Most of all, I adore the texture of the stitch I used. It’s a very ordinary Half double Crochet, but in alternating front and back loops, giving the design just that little bit extra texture. Plus the stitch allows just enough stretch for the top to really mold to the shape of the figure.

Can you tell how happy I am with the result?

~~Coming very soon, the pattern! I’m drafting it in multiple sizes. So we’ll have sizes from S through to XL next week!~~

The pattern is now live! You can pick it up here: Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap. Coming soon: pattern in Dutch! OMG that’s going to be tough 😀

35 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed

Tagged big reveal, crochet, design, free pattern, haken, handmade, pattern, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed

Spring has Sprung – and is Quilting a New Craft Obsession?

Posted on April 8, 2015 | 5 comments

Spring has sprung! My first tulip is out and flowering. And about time, too. Seriously, I’m still sending my daughter off to school in a winter coat and scarf and it’s April! This is not acceptable. Thank God I was able to spend a month in Australia because if I hadn’t, this extended cold would be the end of me.

Spring has Sprung in my garden.

I love the little bulbs that appear in my garden every year. I have the standard tulips and daffodils, plus a bunch of hyacinths forest bulbs and something new seems to appear every year. My peonies are coming and I hope I get more than one bloom this year. I made the mistake of splitting the plant and transplanting half of it, not knowing that it takes two years for a peonie to bloom again!

Spring has Sprung in my garden.

I made this table centrepiece at a workshop at my local flower boutique. I say boutique because this place is a-mazing. The flowers are just starting to pop out, and I’m enjoying watching it change each day.

Spring has also seen me start a LOT of new craft projects. I have another knitting project in the pipeline, plus the WIP that I showed you last week is just about ready to reveal (along with a pattern), and then there’s this! In between it all, I made a quilt!

It’s a Jelly Roll Race Quilt, one of the easiest and fastest quilts out there, but I wanted something simple to sink my teeth into in case I had bitten off way more than I could chew.

I made the top myself at home on my machine following this tutorial and then had a session with the Quilt Guru in my local craft group where she showed me how to sandwich it and then assemble it, all in a single evening!

I’m so impressed with the end result! The last bit of quilting I did for myself was when I was still at school – I designed and pieced together my own cushion top. Plus I’ve been an assistant to my Gran while she’s been making her own fabulous quilts all of my life, but that has all been by hand. I’ve never done any quilting on a sewing machine!

There are a few little imperfections here and there – we won’t examine my straight stitching skills too closely – but overall it’s beautiful. My daughter loves it, and I’m planning on putting it on her bed as a throw. It’s not quite large enough for a bedspread for her, but perhaps my next one will be.

But, wow. It’s an expensive hobby! I bought the 40 strip Jelly Roll while in Australia for about $55 AUD, then I had to buy the edging fabric and the backing fabric. Not to mention the wadding and thread. And then there are the tools you need – cutters, rulers, cutting board and the sewing machine itself. So, I’m not in a rush to become a quilter, that’s for sure!

The Jelly Roll I used is called Printemps 3 Sisters, and it’s by Moda Fabrics. You can find Jelly Rolls at fabric stores everywhere, or online. Or of course you could make your own (I won’t be)! Aren’t the colours divine?

Can you quilt? What are your favourite styles and where do you get your fabrics?

5 Comments

Posted in Projects, Quilting

Tagged bloemboetik, jelly roll, moda fabrics, quilt, Quilting, spring, tulip

WIP – Growing Fast!

Posted on March 26, 2015 | 3 comments

I’ve only about four skeins to go, I’d say I’m nearly finished!

As with all the Stone Washed projects I’ve done in the last almost 12 months, I absolutely love the texture. This yarn is just really, really great looking. I love the fluff-factor too. Look at the stitch detail:

I’m working a really very simple half double crochet into alternating front and back loops, and it just looks great.

I’m actually almost at the stage where I need to think about working in the button. Now, this button is huge. Like the size of a slice of orange. I’m hoping that it’s the right choice, but only time will tell!

Hopefully by this time next week I’ll be able to show you the finished product, won’t that be fun?!

3 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes

Tagged crochet, haken, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, WIP

Home from Holidays and it’s Yarn Day!

Posted on March 19, 2015 | 6 comments

I’m back! I can’t say if I’m happy to be back home from my “Other” home or not, but one thing’s for sure, I’m very happy to find this huge pile of yarn waiting for me!

I have a really cool project in mind for all of this. A while back my Mother in Law asked me if I could make her a vest for days and nights when it’s too warm for a coat and too cold without, so I’m working on something that I think will be great.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nerissa 👩🏼🇦🇺🇳🇱 (@miss__neriss)

The colour and texture of the Scheepjes Stone Washed XL is just perfect for this project, the colour variation adds interest, and the fluffiness adds serious warmth! What do you think of the start? I just couldn’t wait to crack on, so have been measuring and counting and doing what I can to beat the jetlag.

I also chose these enormous coconut shell buttons, which will be both a feature and functional.

More progress photos to come, stay tuned!

PS. If you’re looking for this yarn but don’t know where to find it, you can pick it up at loads of great retailers (in person or online) in the Netherlands here, or internationally from deramores.com. Happy hunting!

6 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed, Yarn

Tagged crochet, DIY, haken, MissNeriss, Obsessed with Crochet, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, yarn

Rainbow Hearts Tutorial Sizes 12 months – 10 years

Posted on February 3, 2015 | 15 comments

Here it is! I’ve created the tutorial for the Rainbow Hearts Tutu!

I’ve created this in multiple sizes, but please do bear in mind that I’ve based the sizes on Crochet Maths. That’s a technical term that involves quite a bit of finger in the air guestimation. The numbers are sound, but if your child is larger or smaller than the standard clothing sizes, do take that into account.

Please do also note that I have created this tutorial for you completely free of charge. Please do not pass this design off as your own, and please do not sell the pattern as if it were your own. Do by all means feel free to sell items that you make from this tutorial, but do also be so kind as to send me photos, tag me on FB or Instagram, create projects in Ravelry or even link to this post. Thanks for being cool about this!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Rainbow Heart Top

What You’ll Need

Two balls of colour 1 – Scheepjes Larra in off-white (7326) and one ball of colour 2- Larra Batik in Rainbow (7503)
3.5 and 4 mm crochet hooks (or sizes to obtain gauge)
Measuring tape
Scissors
Tapestry needle

Gauge

Two hearts across = 5cm
Two hearts high = 6cm

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

DC (Double Crochet
FDC (Foundation Double Crochet)
CH (Chain)
SS (Slipstitch)
SC (Single Crochet)

Notes

This tutorial has been created using sizing for a 3 year old child. A size chart has been created if you wish to make this top for a smaller or larger child. This chart is based on standard clothing sizes, so if the child is small large for her age, do bear that in mind when starting.

Step by Step

Chart for the Heart Stitch used in the Rainbow Hearts Tutu - free crochet tutorial on by @missneriss

(left-handed chart)

Row 1: Using colour 1 and the 3.5mm hook, FDC x 114, join with a SS, ensuring that the work does not become twisted.
Row 2: CH2 (counts as 1^st stitch), DC x 113, SS to join.
Row 3: Attach colour 2 at the top of the SS from the previous row, but do not cut colour 1 as you’ll be using it again in Row 4. Skip 2 stitches, 3 x DC into the next stitch, CH 1, 3 x DC into the same stitch (this creates the heart), CH 1, skip the next 5 stitches, 3 x DC into the next stitch, CH1, 3 x DC into the same stitch. Repeat around, SS into the SS from your colour join (total of 19 hearts). Do not cut the yarn, you will carry it up and use it again in row 6, 9, 12 etc.
Row 4: Change to the 4mm hook (you can stick to the smaller hook if you crochet loosely) and switch back to colour 1. CH 4, SC into the CH 1 space at the top o the heart from the previous round. CH 2, DC into the DC that is direclty underneath the chain between hearts, making sure you stitch in front of the chain – you need to hide that chain for the heart effect to work. CH 2, SC into the CH 1 space at the top of the next heart. Repeat around, join with a SS to the 2^nd chain from the beginning of the row.
Row 5: Switch back to the 3.5mm hook. CH 2, 2 x DC into the CH 2 space from the previous round, DC into the CH1 stitch, 2 x DC into the next CH 2 space, DC into the next DC, repeat around, join with a SS.
Row 6: Switch back to colour 2 and repeat row 3.
Continue to repeat rows 3, 4 and 5 until you have a total of 15 hearts.
Row 46: Repeat row 4.
Row 47: Repeat row 5.
Row 48: CH 1, SC into each stitch around, join with a SS, tie off and weave in the ends.

Heart stitch from the front - free crochet tutorial on by @missneriss

Heart stitch from the front – see the DC between the hearts is in front?

Heart stitch from the back- free crochet tutorial on by @missneriss

Heart Stitch from behind. See the hearts are all in a row, the DC in between hides this from the front.

Straps

Make two, using the 3.5mm hook and colour 1. Gauge is 13 stitches per 5 cm. Increase or decrease this amount as needed for your required length.

Row 1: CH 67 – loosely.
Row 2: SC into the 3^rd stitch from the hook, CH1, Skip 1, SC into the next. Repeat all the way to the end, turn.
Row 3: CH 1, SC into the CH 1 space. CH1, SC into the next CH 1 space. Repeat across, turn.
Row 4: Repeat row 3.

Assembly

Ensure that the seam will be under the arm. Attach the straps above the 3^rd heart from each side and when attaching the other ends, cross the straps so they will be attached to the opposite side.

Size Chart

Age	Waist	Hearts	FDC count	Rows of Hearts
12-18 months	50 cm	16	94	9
1 ½ – 2 years	51 cm	17	102	11
2-3 years	52 cm	18	108	13
3-4 years	53 cm	19	114	15
5-6 years	55 cm	20	120	17
7-8 years	58 cm	21/22 hearts	126/132	19
9-10 years	61 cm	23/24	138/144	21

Tutu

What You’ll Need

8-12 metres of tulle (one metre of each, cut into 10cm wide strips)
Chord (make a chain from your contrasting heart colour that is 80-100cm long
Fabric Scissors
Tape measure

Step by Step

Take your tulle and fold it so it is double (the tulle will probably be sold to you folded double anyway) and cut it to the length that you want. I wanted a floor length ballgown style tutu, and cut it to 70 cm. Repeat this for each colour. Depending on the size of your child’s waist you’ll need more or less fabric. I used approximately 120 cm of each colour (I bought in 150 cm lengths).
Once your colours are all cut, lie them on top of one another in the correct order (colours of the rainbow) and cut them all at once to be 10 cm widths (I had 12 strips of each colour in total). It doesn’t have to be perfect, or even straight. We’re not striving for clear straight lines with this project. Stack all the sections and set them aside.
Now make the chord. You can use normal chord that you might have lying around if you like, but I decided to make a chain in the same yarn that I used for my hearts. This makes a pretty and sturdy little chord, perfect for tying at the waist. Make this to be between 80 and 100 cm long. My daughter’s waist is just over 50 cm, so I made mine to be 80 cm – plenty of length to tie a tight bow.
Once you have the chord and the tulle, it’s time to start assembling the skirt. Take the folded end of each length and slip it around the chord leaving about 15-30 cm of chord at one end (this will be so you can tie the bow, then thread the two open ends through to make a slip knot. Pull this very tight and make the knot as small as possible. Repeat for each colour until you use all your fabric, or reach the required length. Try to make sure you use a full spectrum so the join is invisible. Also try to make sure the knots are as close together as possible. This adds a lot of pouf to your skirt, making it a real princess ballgown.

Make sure you keep fitting your ballerina as you go, because if the skirt is too long, you won’t be able to tie it tight enough when finished, and if it’s too short you’ll have a gap.

There you have it! An easy tutorial to make the Rainbow Tutu outfit of your dreams!

(I’ve also added this to the latest Hookin on Hump Day link up.)

15 Comments

Posted in Pattern, Projects, Scheepjes, Scheepjeswol

Tagged free, free pattern, larra, MissNeriss, rainbow tutorial, rainbow tutu, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutorial, tutu

Ta-Da! Rainbow Heart Tutu is Here!

Posted on January 27, 2015 | 14 comments

And it’s beautiful.

It’s exactly how I envisioned it, and my daughter LOVES it!

When I tried snapping some photos of her yesterday, it was impossible to get a clear, smiling pic, she was far too busy twirling and twirling and twirling and twirling. She’s just so happy to finally be able to wear her fabulous big princess tutu and flounce around the room like she’s off to a ball.

It’s just a shame that it’s January and freezing cold, because I imagine if she could, she’d be wearing this outfit 24 hours a day. She did ask: “Mama, can we take this to Australia?” so I’ll have to find some space in our luggage to squeeze in the world’s poofiest tutu!

Aren’t the hearts just gorgeous? I know I go on about it, but I just love the colour change of the Scheepjes Larra Batik. I love that each row is a different colour and the beautiful stitch detail that the Larra gives.

I hope I can find the time to take some better photos, I was much too busy enjoying the twirling to concentrate on how the photos would turn out!

And, coming soon: The tutorial! You’ll be able to make this outfit for yourself, very soon!

14 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Scheepjeswol

Tagged ballet, crochet, heart stitch, larra, larra batik, rainbow, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutu

Rainbows in January

Posted on January 20, 2015 | 3 comments

It feels like I don’t get to see many rainbows this time of year. January is the month that most makes me miss Australia. This time of year in Holland it’s dark, it’s cold, and the wind is almost too much to bear.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. If you can’t get to a rainbow, bring a rainbow to you!I had hoped to have this tutu finished for you this week, but a friend of mine had her baby a few days ago and I had the tremendous honour of being her birth partner. I can’t tell you how much I loved being a part of bringing someone amazing into the world, and I still find it difficult to believe that the entire world didn’t stop to acknowledge what had happened.

But, the tutu. It’s coming along nicely. I’ve decided to go down the skirt and top route and the skirt will be a wraparound so it’s easy to get on and off and more durable than an elastic band. I’m just hoping that I managed to buy enough tulle as I bought from a one-off market and I’m sure I’ll never find those exact shades ever again!

I just love working with the Scheepjes Larra. It’s such a smooth yarn to crochet, especially for a tight crocheter like me! I think the outfit is going to look absolutely amazing. I’m almost too scared to show my daughter the progress in case I never get it back to finish! I think I’ll have to make myself an adult version!

What do you think of the progress? Any last minute tips for me?

3 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes

Tagged crochet, haken, heart stitch, larra, larra batik, rainbow, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutu

Rainbow Tutu Progress

Posted on January 13, 2015 | 9 comments

Aren’t these colours just amazing? I’m so impressed with how they pop out.

I’m really enjoying using the Scheepjeswol Larra for this project. It’s easy to work with and it works up really fast as a result.

The stitch I’m using is a Heart Stitch nested into a series of Double Crochets and I’m about halfway through making the top of the tutu. I still haven’t decided how I’ll do the sleeves – I’m letting this just grow organically, jotting down the stitch count as I go so I can write the pattern once it’s complete.

I’m also considering how I’ll do the tutu part – should I make it a dress, or would it make more sense to make the tutu a skirt and then the top can be worn all the time. Decisions decisions.

What would you do?

9 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Scheepjeswol

Tagged crochet, heart stitch, larra, larra batik, rainbow, rainbow tutu, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutu

New Year, New Yarn!

Posted on January 6, 2015 | 3 comments

It’s Yarn Day!

It’s cold outside, which makes me want to just curl up in my little corner and crochet. Luckily, with the arrival of this beautiful Rainbow Larra from Scheepjeswol I can!

I love the Larra. It’s a great weight, very durable and comes in loads of colours. It’s a mercerized cotton, but it’s also very soft and not too shiny. And I love colour change of the batiks, especially the Rainbow.

I love that Rainbow so much I chose the yarn before I had a project in mind! I had to justify getting the yarn, as I just don’t have the space for more yarn that I bought because I loved it. I did have to immediately sit down and make little cakes, just so I could be mesmerized by the colour change. I think that’s my favourite part of winding yarn; watching the colours change.