Category Archives: Projects

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I love taking photos, but my time is so limited that I never seem to get round to taking fabulously constructed shots with great lighting. Coupled with a daughter who will not sit still to take a sharp shot and a husband I never see during daylight hours, my model opportunities are often limited to desperate selfies! Honestly, most photos are taken on my couch at 11pm with my iPad before items get wrapped and shipped. Because of that, Instagram is my absolute best friend. I can share what I like there and it’s ok that my images aren’t professionally finished. Poor lighting isn’t the end of the world. I just try not to post blurred photos…

Here’s some of my latest creations that have only really made it as far as Instagram:

The pattern for this one is coming soon!

The pattern for this one is available to buy on Craftsy and Ravelry

Meanwhile, did you know that WordPress allows you to add Instagram images to posts by merely pasting the image link into the post/page? Looks fantastic and is interactive as well! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, it’s where I spend most of my time.

How do you tackle the time vs lighting vs model issues?

A dog and a monkey walked into a bar…

Well, they didn’t. Β But could you imagine where that might lead..?

These are two little guys that I finished last night and are ready to head off to their new homes today.

Johnny the Monkey from #Zoomigurumi on missneriss.com

 

This is Johhny the Monkey from the Zoomigurumi book, produced by amigurumipatterns.net. Β It, and it’s sequel Zoomigurumi 2 are my absolute favourite pattern books. Β I love the photographs and I LOVE the patterns inside. Β All my favourite designers are in there!

And this one I found on CraftsyΒ (or it could have been Ravelry or Etsy, it’s for sale there too)Β – Pudge the Pup. Β Isn’t he just adorable? Β My daughter is in love with him. Β So much so that there will be arguments soon when it’s time for me to send him off to his new home.

Pudge the Pup - pattern on Craftsy.  Seen on missneriss.com #amigurumi #crochet

 

Both animals were made with wool this time. Β Usually I use cotton yarn, but I wanted them to be extra snuggly and fuzzy and they look great.

Johnny the Monkey was made with Drops Merino Extra fine, and Pudge the Pup with Drops Big Merino.

Anyone say headless chicken?

That’s how busy I am. Β 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. Β It was devastating to have them sitting across from me one minute and gone the next. Β 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! Β 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. Β 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. Β 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. Β Amazing, hey! Β This year my husband jumped on the wagon and part of his campaign was to take photos of himself in any pose requested. Β He topped it off with an incredible homage to Freddie Mercury:Β 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. Β 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. Β I really wanted to buy it, but at 30 plus euros I couldn’t justify it. Β 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. Β So I bought myself a skein of Gypsy Garden as a reward, and this hat is the result. Β It’s deliciously warm, I’m wearing it every day. Β The photo unfortunately doesn’t do it justice, it’sΒ much nicer in person!

Knit Collage BeanieHere’s something I’m extraordinarily proud of; Lucie Bunny. Β 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. Β 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. Β Such a contrast to many of the amigurumi animals and dolls I see every day.

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

My first paid pattern listing!

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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Everyone loves a baby dragon

Baby dragon hat on missneriss.com

Dragons are like, so hot right now. Just like owls, everywhere you look someone is sporting a dragon in some form or another. Here is my latest creation, an updated version of the dragon hat that I posted earlier. I changed the pattern somewhat, to have the tail wrap around the ears more, and I also altered the spikes.

baby dragon hat on missneriss.com

This one is for a 12 month old and watch this space for the pattern that still needs to be put together (along with patterns for about 5 other projects). Β Meanwhile, I’m going to add this one to my Etsy store as a custom listing.

Baby dragon hat on missneriss.com

Yarn used: Drops Big Merino and Drops Paris for the spikes. Big Merino is lovely and stretchy, so lasts much longer on growing kids. I just wish it came in 100g skeins instead of 50.

Baby dragon hat on missneriss.com

Meet Luci Bunny

Meet Luci Bunny at missneriss.comHi there! Β Meet Luci Bunny, the newest addition to the MissNeriss Collection. Β I made Luci for very special order from a woman from my former life as a tour guide in Australia. She was looking for something similar to her own Mouse; the cuddly toy from her own childhood, who is too fragile for her toddler to play with. Β We exchanged emails and ideas until eventually we settled on something similar to what you see here. Β However, we were still undecided if we should make a mouse or a bunny. Β So I left it to the hook to decide.

Luci Bunny at missneriss.com

As the mouse/bunny evolved, I just wasn’t feeling that she could be a mouse, so a bunny started to appear instead. Β I spent ages trying to get the ears and eyes just right, but in the end I think she looks perfect.

Luci Bunny at missneriss.comAs is always the case, I’ll be very sad to wave goodbye as Luci Bunny packs her bags and leaves home today, but I’m still happy because she has fuelled some serious creative juices in me. Β I want to make another one.

Luci Bunny at missneriss.com

 

The original pattern is by Sidrun on Craftsy, although I used heavier yarn and I altered the pattern quite a bit.

I’ve also started sharing my inspiration on Tumblr, so pop over and take a look at all the gorgeous images and patterns that I’m finding and sharing over there. Β missnerisscrochet.tumbler.com

 

 

Where does the time go?

These last few weeks have been busier than ever! Β With a big influx of orders (thank you thank you!) and holidays, coupled with starting a new job, I’m just about pooped!

Finding the time to post here has been a struggle, and my poor Facebook page is looking a little neglected too. Β I don’t even have time for my absolute favourite pass-time – browsing Pinterest!

So, what have I been up to, crochet-wise? Β Well, I’ve made a lovely dragon, based on this patter by Sidrun on Craftsy, I’ve made another Huggable bear from A Morning Cup of Jo Creations, also on Craftsy. Β Both were massive undertakings. Β They are both more than 30cm tall, and in amigurumi terms, that’s pretty huge. Β Most toys I make are around 10cm tall. Β My poor fingers hated me at the end, having to keep the tension really tight (so the stuffing wouldn’t show through), but I was so happy with the results:

Dragon http://missneriss.com

Huggable bear http://missneriss.com

Not only have I been busy with those two giants, which probably took me on average a week each to make, Spartacus is the coolest thing since sliced bread, so there have been oh, about 10 of those on the go! Β Not to mention a couple of Hello Kitty hats and a custom order for a mouse/bunny which will be based on another Sidrun pattern found on Craftsy. Β Please do stop by Kristi’s site – SidrunΒ – which incidentally means “Lemon” in her native language; Estonian.

Following on with the dragon theme, I’ve also made a super cute dragon hat, based purely on a screenshot a friend sent me. Β Here is the end result:

Dino hat at http://missneriss.com

I hear the hat has not come off for a week. Β When we eventually do get it off, I’m going to take it back and tweak it a little, because as it is now, there will be cold ears come December!

In between all of that I found some absolutely gorgeous yarn in my local craft store last week and I just had to make a hat for my daughter:

Custom hat on http://missneriss.com

The photo really does not do it justice. Β The colours are truly neon and amazing. Β The yarn is Katia Extreme, and although pricey (I think I paid 8.95 euro), lovely to work with and so, so soft! Β I whipped this hat up using a pattern that I bought a while back from Baca CreationsΒ and it was done within an hour-ish, so super easy!

Coming up, I have more dino hats to make, a gorgeous hooded cowl (still hunting for the perfect pattern, so any hints would be welcomed), more Spartacus, cake pops (can’t wait to make those!) and Angry Birds. Β Not sure when I’ll find the time to work, or sleep in there, but I’ll manage!

What has been keeping you busy? Β As it’s Monday, I’m linking up with the Lovely Molly from The Move to America for her regular Monday morning cup of coffee, so head over there to say hi too.

The Move to America
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This is Sparta!

This is Sparta!

I’ve loved making this gorgeous little Spartacus hat this week. Β The pattern comes from EtsyΒ and I tweaked the pattern a bit as I thought it needed a few more rows to add some length and it turned out wonderfully.

This is Sparta!

I’ve also linked this up with Moogly and My Merry Messy Life’s Hookin On Hump Day, check it out!

Moogly
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Little Piggy Slippers

Little Piggy Slippers - free pattern

Aren’t these just the cutest slippers? Β I made them for the niece of a friend of mine, but they languished in my WIP basket for a long time because I wasn’t impressed with how they were turning out.

After a not so subtle nudge from my friend (as in, “Can you bring them Friday please,”) I finished them off and am very pleased with the end result.

Little Piggy Slippers - free pattern

The pattern is from Garnstudio (Drops) and is made in Drops Paris Light and Shocking Pink, with a scrap of black for the eyes.

You can grab the pattern, for free, here.

Little Piggy Slippers - free pattern