MissNeriss

Can I Really Knit Socks?

Posted on April 15, 2016 | Leave a comment

Socks have always scared me. I see everybody on Instagram knitting their beautiful woolly socks and love them, but think: nope. I can’t knit socks. I’m also very worried about Second Sock Syndrome, that common phenomenon whereby you knit one beautiful sock but can’t be bothered to knit the other.

But my friend Tammy has been telling me for years that I should knit socks; that it’s easy and beautiful, and my other friend Sarah insists the socks last forever and can be worn more than once (can you imagine wearing your socks for more than one day?).

I had never seen a sock being knit in real life either, so it was like a magic trick that everyone but me knew how to do. But at the weekend that changed! I watched Tammy knitting a pair of OMG beautiful socks and I knew I had to do it.

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A post shared by Tammy Canavan-Soldaat (@canadutch)

Because we were all together for Bloggers Day, Sarah was planning on giving Dedri a lesson on basic sock knitting. I wormed my way in and commandeered the yarn that Sarah had earmarked for another project – the lovely Invicta Everest from Scheepjes – plus her fancy new Knit Pro Zing needles and we lined up on the “Naughty Step” for our lesson.

While Kirsten and Esther are smiling for the camera, you can see Sarah Showing Dedri and myself what to do.

After a bit of confusion on how to do Judy’s magic cast on, we were away. Sarah is a great teacher, with endless patience. This is great as I’m a bit of a tantrum thrower when things don’t immediately work for me. But we got there in the end and after a couple of days, I’ve already gone past the heel and am working on the leg!

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

I’m loving the learning process, it’s really satisfying to see this sock growing slowly.

I’m planning on adding Sarah’s Afterthought Heel at the end, hoping it’ll work as I’m pretty clueless at this point as to how to do it, but that’s what tutorials are for, right?

I’m loving this self-striping yarn too, by the way. Often I think self striping yarn is a bit meh, but I love the solid stripes of this one. I’ll have to find a brown and yellow version so I can knit my aunt a pair of Hawthorn socks as she’s about their biggest fan!

You can find this wonderful Invicta yarn at Scheepjes retailers throughout the Benelux, plus Wool Warehouse in the UK and internationally.

Reuniting The Blogger Tribe

Posted on April 12, 2016 | 12 comments

I’m deep in the Come Down from the weekend. Properly miserable.

I have just experienced the most inspirational and energy-filled weekend with the most wonderful group of bloggers; my Blogger Tribe. And now it’s over, I’m devastated.

I exaggerate, obviously. But, there is a very definite come down effect. I went to dinner with friends last night, and while they were all chatting and laughing, I wasn’t really feeling myself. I just wanted to be transported back to the weekend and to hang out with my blogger girls.

Each year Scheepjes hosts a Blogger Weekend and I’m lucky enough for this to be my third year. We started with a small handful of ladies; and now look at us!

This year we descended upon the beautiful city of Groningen in the north east of the Netherlands. If you haven’t been, you must. It hosts one of the best Saturday markets in the country, along with some of the most lovely architecture and it has the coolest vibe. Plus the shopping is amazing!

We spent the first day being let loose in the warehouse to feel all the buttons, squish the yarn, and gasp over the gorgeous fabrics. The girls were all laughing at me because I needed two people to help me carry everything! So be warned, there are a LOT of projects coming from me in the coming months!

We had a great session in the afternoon with tech editor Cara Medus, learning some of the fundamentals of garment design. I’m pleased that although I’m not a fan of maths, I can understand formulas, so what I learned is going to be VERY useful and I can’t wait to put it into practice!

We were also extremely lucky to learn some of the inside gossip, and see some of what’s coming up in the next 6-12 months from Scheepjes, and let me tell you, it’s revolutionary! For a small family business, they’re visionaries and are only going to grow and become industry leaders – mark my words! I’m so excited to be along for the ride.

I wonder what this could be all about…..?

I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you…

Suddenly we were all at dinner, and then all the young’uns retired while the Usual Suspects headed for the bar until stupid o’clock with a few bottles of wine and a lot of laughter and a few tears.

Feeling a little rough after a short nap overnight, it was time for round two! One of the biggest highlights was finally being able to see the finished Last Dance on the Beach CAL blankets that we all designed together in memory of our Beloved Wink. Seriously, these blankets are beautiful. Spectacular. Absolute heirloom pieces. I had no idea, and I mean, absolutely none, that the blankets would be as beautiful as they are. It’s difficult to tell the difference between the Merino Soft and Colour Crafter. The biggest tell is the weight – the Merino Soft is quite a bit heavier than the Colour Crafter, and a bit silkier to touch. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be impressed by an acrylic yarn blanket!

Here’s the Stars (lovely picture by Dedri)

I also spent a bit of time with Esther filming a quick left handed segment for her instructional video for my square. You’ll be able to see my shaking hands in person when it’s my week!

I even took the plunge and have started learning to knit socks! Tammy has been at me for ages to do it, but I just thought it would be too hard. Then I saw her busy with two at a time using the Magic Loop method and they look so easy! So, Sarah gave me a quick course on how to do Judy’s Magic Cast-on and how to increase using her finger and thumb method and I was away! Well, kind of. My knitting skills are not very advanced, so there was a random yarnover creating a hole, then somehow I managed to mess up my stitch count, so I had to rip it all out and start over. by second attempt is much, much better and I just wanna knit all the socks!

I didn’t take any decent photos as usual, but you can see some great shots taken by the other girls on their blogs and Instagram.

Here we are all together with the amazing Dance Under the Stars blanket

From left to right we have Kirsten from Haak maar Raak, Jellina from Jellina Creations, Esther from It’s all in a Nutshell, Dedri (at the back) from Look at What I Made, Carmen (front) from Crafty Queens, Esther (back) from Happy in Red, Christa (front) from the Curio Crafts Room, Mr Scheepjes (Job), Atty (in front of Mr Scheepjes) from Atty’s, Tatiana from Lilla Bjorn Crochet, Bernadette (back) from Berniolie, Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch, Me, Tammy from Canadutch, and Maria from 50 Shades of 4ply. Missing was Annelies from Vicarno, and Susan from Felted Button (we missed you girls!!!!!).

All too soon it was over. It was time to get in the car, leave these lovely women, and make the sad journey home. Now I have a with a head absolutely chock full of inspiration and a heart wishing I could go back in time and hit pause so I could stay there forever. There’s still more I have to tell you about the goodies we received, but that’s for another day!

Thank you so much to Job and our Tribe Builder and the rest of the team at Scheepjes. It’s such an honour to be part of this cool group of women, these girls have changed my world.

Now excuse me, I have socks to knit.

12 Comments

Posted in Scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Tagged last dance on the beach, ldotb, MissNeriss, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap for Kids – Pattern

Posted on April 5, 2016 | 1 comment

Here we are, finally. The kid’s version of my seriously popular Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap is ready.

Making this wrap reminded me just how much I love the Stone Washed yarn. It is such a beautiful yarn to work with. No splitting, froggable, soft, warm – oh so warm, and beautiful colours. The soft Rose Quartz pink I used for this was the perfect choice for my daughter. She’s a pink girl, through and through.

Right, let’s get on with it.

What You’ll Need

Scheepjes Stone Washed XL in 860 (Rose Quartz) – 5 balls (more if your gauge is different)
4 cm bamboo button – you can pick these up at any good craft store, or online
Size 5mm hook (or hook to obtain gauge). My favourite is the Clover Amour.
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)

Notes

In this tutorial I’m going to give the instructions on how to make a Peek-a-Boo Button wrap in a size to fit a 4-6 year old. I will also give you a schematic so you can easily see what measurements you will need to make a wrap for older kids or younger kids.

My friend Esther from It’s all in a Nutshell has made a fantastic instructional video on how to create the stitch and her brilliant method of tracking her progress. You can see it here:

Instructions

Loosely, chain 74 for the base chain, plus 2 to start the 1st row.
HDC into the 3rd loop from the hook, and all the way across. The stitch count should be 74. CH2 and turn. Note, the CH2 does not count as a stitch.
HDC into the back loop (HDCBLO) of the first stitch, then into the front loop (HDCFLO) into the next. Repeat this alternating back loop/front loop pattern all the way across. CH2 and turn.
You should have ended the previous with your last stitch into the front loop of the stitch. On this row you need to make sure that if the stitch from the previous row was in the front loop, this row needs to be in the back loop. This creates the lovely texture and drape that makes this wrap so beautiful. If you ensure your stitch count is even, it is easy to manage – you will always start the row in the BLO and finish in the FLO. So, HDCBLO in the first stitch, HDCFLO in the next. Repeat across, CH2, turn.
Repeat for a total count of 16 rows (or 16 cm – 1 row should be about 1cm high). Now we will make the first arm hole. The first stitches of the row will form the collar height, so in the HDCBLO/FLO pattern, crochet 14 stitches. Then CH15 and skip 15 stitches, HDCBLO into the next. Then continue the FLO/BLO pattern all the way across. CH3, turn.
To close the sleeve, HDCBLO/FLO all the way across to the beginning of the chain from the previous row, then HDC 15 times around the chain, HDCBLO into the next stitch, and repeat the HDCFLO/BLO pattern to the top.
Now you’ve closed the sleeve, you’re working across the back of the wrap. Repeat the HDCBLO/FLO rows for another 25 rows, then repeat steps 5 and 6 for the second armhole.
Crochet another 18 rows and then we will make the button hole. This is a place where you can make a few personal adjustments – if the child is handy, you can do a fitting at this point, so see if it’s the right place to place the button hole. A smaller child may need the button hole a few rows earlier, and larger children perhaps a few rows later.
We’ll work from the bottom up to make the button hole for this size (if you add or subtract rows, you may need to work from the top, but the principle is the same). HDCBLO/FLO for 40 stitches, CH4, skip 4, HDCBLO in the next. HDCFLO/BLO to the end, CH2, turn.
HDCBLO/FLO to the chain, work 4 HDC around the CH4 from the previous row, then HDCFLO in the next. HDCBLO/FLO across.
Work another 4 rows (or until you run out of yarn), tie off and weave in the ends.

Wetblock using Eucalan, or another wool wash, pin out on blocking boards, stretching as needed, and wait impatiently for it to dry.

Peek-a-boo button wrap for kids. Using Scheepjes Stone Washed XL, designed by MissNeriss.

Below you can see the schematics of the measurements of the entire wrap in the size that I have described above. Using these measurement points, you can very easily customise the wrap to your own size.

To get the total height, take a tape measure and measure from the base of the skull to mid hip. The button should sit over the breast/chest and the closure should be slightly off centre.

This design has been created with the specific use of Scheepjes Stone Washed XL in mind.

You can pick the yarn up at any great Scheepjes retailer in the Benelux, Wool Warehouse or Deramores internationally, and Paradise Fibers in the US.

1 Comment

Posted in free pattern, gratis haak patroon, gratis patroon, haken, Pattern, Scheepjes, Stone Washed

Tagged crochet, haken, MissNeriss, peekaboo button wrap, scheepjes, stone washed XL

Get Set, Go! – Last Dance on the Beach CAL packs on sale Today!

Posted on April 1, 2016 | 3 comments

Today’s the day! Today you can start getting your hands on the yarn packs for the upcoming Last Dance on the Beach CAL that I have the absolute honour of being a part of!

There are quite a few places you can get your hands on the packs still, but hurry. Seriously, they’ll be sold out faster than Adele concert tix.

If you’re in the Netherlands, head to Caro’s Atelier here in Almere or online to pick up the Colour Crafter pack for 43.40, or the Luxe pack for 159.90.

If you’re in the UK or international (like in Australia – I feel so bad for you guys, having no Scheepjes distributors yet), head to either Wool Warehouse or Deramores.

In the US, head to Paradise Fibers, and in South Africa, Be Inspired has you covered.

Just to remind you, here’s what’s in the kits.

I don’t know about you, but I want that tote!!

I might have to jump on my bike later and head over to Caro’s Atelier to have a feel…

And if you can’t decide which fibre is right for you, check out this wonderful comparison by Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch. It’ll really help you make up your mind.

What are you still doing here? Why haven’t you left to order your pack yet?

Oh, and if you want to assemble your own colour packs using Scheepjes yarns, you totally can. The info on how many balls you’ll need has been released in the Facebook groups just now. Dutchies head here, and internationals, this one is for you.

Go on, go!

Just a little note: this post does contain a couple of affiliate links. So if you choose to purchase from Wool Warehouse or Deramores using my links, you’ll be helping me fund my yarn addiction. Thanks very much for that! X

3 Comments

Posted in CAL

Tagged a creative being, CAL, crochet, dance in the rain, dance in the sea, dance on the beach CAL, dance under the stars, haken, scheepjes yarn kit, ScheepjesCAL2016

Last Dance on the Beach

Posted on March 25, 2016 | 5 comments

I can’t believe I can talk about this, finally! Today is the day! Scheepjes has just revealed the final images of the Last Dance on the Beach CAL which starts on April 20.

Scheepjes, together with a group of wonderfully talented designers (myself included!) have created the most beautiful CAL, based on my friend Marinke Slump’s last, unfinished design.

Marinke’s death hit very hard last year, so when I was offered the opportunity to participate in this last, beautiful tribute I couldn’t not take part. The results are spectacular. It’s a design full of love, full of dreams, full of hope.

There are three gorgeous colourways, Dance on the Beach, Dance in the Sea, and Dance under the Stars. I keep swinging back and forth between all three, unable to pick a favourite.

There will be kits available to buy on April 1, and the CAL will start on April 20. There will be two kits in each colourway available, one will be the Luxury Kit, which is filled with the gorgeous Scheepjes Merino Soft, and the other will be using their Colour Crafter Premium Acrylic. So there will be a kit to fit everyone’s price point. The Basis Kit will retail for 43.40 euros, and the Luxury will retail for 159.90 euro. 2 euros from the sale of each kit will be donated to charities for mental health both in the Netherlands and the UK. Here’s what’s inside:

The CAL will run for 14 weeks and each new installment will be released as a PDF on Wednesday afternoons (CET).

In the Benelux you can get hold of the kits via the wonderful Scheepjes stockists Scheepjes stockists, or internationally via Wool Warehouse, Deramores, and Paradise Fibers in the US.

Are you going to join us? It’ll be the most wonderful shared experience.

5 Comments

Posted in CAL, Scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016, Yarn

Tagged CAL, colour crafter, crochet along, merino soft, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap – For Kids!

Posted on March 3, 2016 | 9 comments

I’m really not a fan of Dutch winters. I’ve had this wrap ready to show you for ages, but haven’t had any decent light-filled days to photograph it. Finally at the weekend there was glorious sunshine, so Raina and I spent the morning outside taking pics.

Raina really loves her wrap. It looks cute on her, don’t you think?

The Scheepjes Stone Washed XL is also a seriously snuggly yarn. Even though it’s a cotton/acrylic blend, it’s warm enough that Raina had no complaints about the cold when it was only 5 degrees outside!

I’m in the process of writing the instructions for kids sizes. I need to get hold of a few different sized kids and a tape measure!

Stay tuned, the instructions and measurements are coming soon.

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Wool Warehouse*.

*Affiliate Link

9 Comments

Posted in free pattern, Scheepjes, Stone Washed

Tagged crochet, free pattern, haken, hand made, MissNeriss, pattern, peek-a-boo button wrap, scheepjes, scheepjeswol

I saw This on Pinterest Today

Posted on March 1, 2016 | 3 comments

Beautiful Free Crochet Flower Patterns – time to think spring!

3 Comments

Posted in Pinterest

Tagged amigurumi, crochet, haken, IFTTT, MissNeriss

#rusticlacesquare Blanket is Finished!

Posted on February 17, 2016 | 21 comments

It has taken me months and months, but finally, it’s finished!

It’s absolutely beautiful. Spectacular even. I really struggled to capture the beauty in photographs, to be honest.

I used the joining method that Marianne from MaRRose-CCC came up with, which is essentially genius. The blanket just grew beautifully and the joins are virtually invisible which I just love. Especially as I hate joining motifs.

Once the blanket was done I had to come up with an border. I searched the internet high and low for inspiration, but to be honest, there aren’t a lot of examples out there. Cornel Strydom used a simple scalloped edging, which I loved, but wasn’t quite right for me.

In the end I went digging through my crochet stitch bibles, and found an edging that I liked, but wasn’t quite right either, so I decided to modify it slightly.

Here’s a close-up:

So how did I do it? It’s really very simple.

The pattern works on a 10 stitch repeat, so first of all, what you need to do is do a lap around the blanket in single crochet stitches, to get the edging into multiples of 10. Each finished square has loose loops at the corners, I joined those with one SC around both loops. I had to fudge it a little bit, because the squares themselves don’t have quite the right stitch count. I crocheted into each stitch, and in the chain sections I crocheted one stitch less than the chain. So when the last round of the square has a chain 3, I single crocheted 2 stitches into that space. Make sense? Otherwise the edging will become too ruffly.

On the second round, start at a corner, skip the next 4 stitches, Treble Crochet into the fifth. Chain 1, and TC, Ch1, 4 more times. Skip 4 stitches, SC into the next, skip 4 stitches, TC, CH1 5 times into the next. Repeat that fan pattern all the way around. there should be a SC at each corner, so there is a fan on each side of the corner.

The third and final round, start at a corner and Double Treble, CH2 8 times into the SC in the corner of the previous round. SC into the middle TC from the previous round, CH2, DTC (Double Treble Crochet), CH2 4 times into the SC stitch between fans from the previous round. SC into the middle TC from the previous round. Repeat this all the way round, making sure that you have the 8 DTC stitches in each corner. If you take a look at the pic above, you’ll see what I mean.

I cobbled together a chart. It’s not fabulous because I’m still getting my head around the Stitchworks software, but it will help you get the idea.

I’m so happy with the results, I just love the blanket. I just want to wrap myself in it, with a cup of tea and enjoy the sunshine. You know what? I’m going to do just that. #enjoyeverymoment

For this project I used Scheepjes Linen Soft. I used almost 5 balls of each colour, and just over two for the border. I have enough yarn leftover to make at least one matching cushion, when I get the chance.

ETA: If you haven’t seen or made the square for yourself already, here’s the chart:

If you don’t read charts, I’ve found a written description by Crochet Tea Party on Ravelry.

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Wool Warehouse.

21 Comments

Posted in blanket, free pattern, Tutorials, Uncategorized

Tagged crochet, free crochet pattern, haken, linen soft, rustic lace club, rustic lace square, rustic lace square border, rusticlacesquare, scheepjes, tutorial

WIP: Peek-a-Boo!

Posted on February 9, 2016 | 4 comments

Has a week slipped by already? The flu has been in residence here for the last week. Wow, what a horrible virus it has been too. I’m only just starting to come out into the light again, and my husband, well, the poor thing is on his fourth day in bed. In all the years we’ve been together, he’s taken his first sick days from work.

I’ve been so unwell I haven’t even been able to crochet. Can you even imagine?! Luckily I’ve still made good progress on my Peek-a-Boo. This Stone Washed XL wrap basically crochets itself.

I’m actually already at the stage where I’m choosing buttons. Although I think I’ll let my daughter decide which she likes (I’m going to guess she goes for the flowers). Which would you choose?

I also need to start writing the instructions. You can see, not very far into that yet!

Hopefully next week this will be finished, and I’ll have been able to beg or bribe my daughter into modelling it so I can show you how it looks!

Until then, beware of the flu!

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Deramores, Wool Warehouse, and at Paradise Fibers in North America!

4 Comments

Posted in free pattern, Scheepjes, Uncategorized, WIP

Tagged crochet, haken, peek-a-boo button wrap, scheepjes, stone washed

New Yarn, New Design

Posted on February 2, 2016 | 2 comments

It’s that time again. Time to start working on something new. And time to revisit my old flame: Stone Washed XL.

You already know how much I love this yarn, it’s such a pleasure to work with. I also love the pastels that were added to the range last summer, they’re all just so pretty.

For this project I’m using the lovely soft pink (860) and after many requests, am making a child’s version of the Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap!

This Easy Start tab, is without a doubt the single most innovative idea from Scheepjes. This is them really thinking about the user experience. I can’t rave about it enough.

For now, I’m off to crack on with this Peek-a-Boo. What are you up to this week?

Don’t forget: You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Deramores, Wool Warehouse, and at Paradise Fibers in North America!