Category Archives: Projects

The “Candace” Scarf

I’ve just finished making this absolutely gorgeous scarf for my mum. I’ve been searching for the perfect project for her for a long time and when I finally came across this amazingly beautiful yarn from Malabrigo I knew that the time was right!

My mum loves all things blue. She has loads of blue clothes and blue jewellery, and of all of the blues, turquoise is the most beautiful on her. It matches her eyes perfectly and she always looks that little bit more vibrant when she wears it.

So making this scarf truly was a labour of love and I can’t wait to see how it looks when she wears it in a few weeks.

20140308-131505.jpg

But why is it called the “Candace” scarf? Well, I’m sure it has a completely different name, but when a bunch of my crafty girlfriends were all chatting about great patterns, Candace piped up with this one and because it’s such a beautiful pattern and loads of us have made one, The “Candace” just sort of stuck.

I’ll share the (free) pattern during the week. I didn’t write it, so I’ll link it, but I did hack it, so I’ll describe what I did so you can make it for yourself!

Crochet Mood Blanket February Progress Report

For the entire month of February it was zero.  That’s right, zilch.  Niets.  Nada.

I don’t know what happened, truly.  On January 31 I was busy and happy and enjoying making my mood blanket, then on February 1 it was like the lights went out.  I put the progress in the cupboard and was busy with other things that interested me more.

But, the guilt became too much.  Be damned if I’m going to give up on this project!  It may not have a years worth of squares at the end, or it may become a cushion (god I hope not), but it will become something!

I spent the last few evenings on the couch trying to catch up as best as I could, so as of today (March 4), I’m only about 12 days behind.  I’ve completely given up on the mood concept, and am just adding random colours and letting it grow.

Here it is:

I still love the colours, and I love the feel of the blanket and it makes me very happy, I just need to be more motivated to finish the bloody thing!

How’s your progress?

Just for your info, I bought the pattern for the blanket from babylovebrand.net and the yarn is Cotton Light by Drops.

#crochetmoodblanket2014 update on missneriss.com

 

Meet Kevin the Minion

Here he is, finished!

Kevin the Minion - as seen on missneriss.com

(click the image to pin it)

I loved making him, and it was a great experiment without a pattern.  Obviously with my critical eye there are loads of changes that I would make, so am considering making even more, and writing the pattern down.  Plus I’d love to make the possessed minion too…

What do you think?  Worth the investment in time?

Image

WIP Wednesday

It’s taken ages, but finally I get to make Kevin the minion! I’m loving this little guy, and can’t wait to see how he ends up when he’s all done.

I initially went searching for a pattern, but the only one that I loved was All About Ami’s but it was much too big, so I decided to make my own.

He’s working up quickly too, which is what I love about amigurumi projects – instant gratification!

How much do you love minions?  Probably not as much as I do….

Fresh off the Hook – Elephant Lovey

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

Finding my Mojo

Somewhere in January my crochet mojo just packed its bags and buggered off on holiday. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not force myself to enjoy any projects, new or old. Feelings of self-doubt plagued me for most of the month; I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to pick up a crochet hook again. Thankfully for me, January was a slow month, order wise. I only had a small backlog to work through. I suppose it was a combination of the winter blues with a bit of post Christmas burnout, I just needed some time for myself.

However, as quick as it came, it was gone! Now I’m back to feeling as enthusiastic as ever. I have a few pattern ideas swirling around and a couple of projects from my favourite designers that I can’t wait to make, including A Morning Cup if Jo’s new Giraffe pattern.

Meanwhile, even though I’d completely lost my mojo, I’ve been plugging away at the #CrochetMoodBlanket2014 project, crocheting a hexagon a day, reflecting my mood. I’ll admit to cheating a bit; I didn’t feel like crocheting a few days, so I added a “filler” colour. Here’s January’s progress:

20140201-231943.jpg

I love the colours I chose, they reflect my own personal tastes perfectly. I’m really a pinks and blues kind of girl. Like my mum, I think turquoise is my favourite colour.

This is the mood palette; I’ve added a few interpretations since, because my moods are way more complex than “Happy,” or “Sick,” it. Turns out. Who’d have thought…?

20140201-232135.jpg

I share pictures all the time on Instagram, so come join me. I’d love to see your photos too. It’s my favourite social media network, as let’s face it. I love looking at other peoples’ photos. I don’t care if we’re never likely to meet, it makes me feel as though we might… So add me here: Miss__Neriss

Here’s to longer days (and cooler weather for my Southern Hemisphere lovelies).

Special Request: Pippi Longstocking

When I was contacted recently by an acquaintance to make a Pippi Longstocking doll for her daughter I did some digging around the internet to find a pattern, only to come up empty. I couldn’t find anything that I really loved. Lots of options, but nothing that that fit the brief.

So, I decided that now was the time to start designing my own Pippi! Something that was exciting and a bit nerv-wracking at the same time because I’d never even made a doll before. I’ve made loads of stuffed animals and characters, but never a doll.

Here’s how it turned out:

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

I’m busy working on a pattern for the doll. Whether it becomes a Pippi pattern listed for free (due to copyright), or a general doll pattern remains to be seen. What would you prefer? A Pippi Longstocking pattern?

Image

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!

Image

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!
 

 

Ravelry Giveaway, just in time for Christmas!

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