MissNeriss

Underway on Thursday – Knitting with Sunkissed

Posted on May 14, 2015 | 2 comments

Last week I showed you the beautiful Scheepjes Sunkissed yarn that had arrived and that I was planning to work on a knitted project and I’ve made terrific progress!

I’ve steamed through the first colour and am working on the second colour. I can already see that three colours won’t be enough, so once I’m finished with the blue I’ll dig around in my Sunkissed collection to find the right colour to match. But in the meantime, I’m just enjoying watching this grow, and am falling more and more in love with the colour variation of this yarn.

I’m also lucky to have had a couple of sunny days – finally! – so I can spend time outside knitting and improving my skills.

View this post on Instagram

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

This really is the perfect project for a beginner, or someone who just wants to sit in front of Game of Thrones and knit. Or someone who wants to learn a new knitting technique. I knit in the English style. Well, kind of. There’s a lot of movement in my hands, and I wanted to learn to refine my style so I was using less energy, if you know what I mean. So for this project I started practicing the Continental style, which worked well while working the knit stitch, but purl? Forgetaboutit. I just cannot get the tension right, and I was knitting much faster if I just went back to the English style.

You’ll have to check back next week to see the final colour that I’ll use, and how it’s all coming together. I’m loving the Sunkissed so much, and the drape is gorgeous. The next thing I’d like to make is a cardigan, or a shawl, but I have to find or develop the perfect pattern….

Stay tuned!

2 Comments

Posted in knit, Scheepjes

Tagged knit, knitted blanket, scheejeswol, scheepjes, sunkissed

Hello Ducky!

Posted on May 11, 2015 | 2 comments

I recently joined a lovely Dutch crochet group called “Holland Heeft Haak Talent” and in the week since I joined it has blown up in excitement over the cutest little duckling amigurumi design. Not wanting to be left out, I had to make one for myself!

My daughter actually wanted me to turn him into a Platypus, so the next time I make one I think that’s what I’ll do. What do you think? He’ll make a cute Platypus?

I used Scheepjes Softfun Denim (505 and 508) that I had leftover from another project, and a 2.5mm hook. Oh, and I put a little squeaker inside. So this little guy is the perfect little toy for a newborn who is just learning to explore his fingers and how to hold onto things. Great bits to chew on and mum or dad can squeak him which always makes babies giggle.The pattern is completely free, and you can pick it up at mrsemonessy.de in English, German, French and Dutch! There’s also a great (German) Youtube tutorial as well.

Have you made one? Adorable isn’t it.

2 Comments

Posted in amigurumi, Projects, Scheepjes

Tagged amigurumi duck, duck, free pattern, mrsemonessy.de, scheepjes, softfun denim

Could it be? Yes it is! It’s Yarn Day!!

Posted on May 7, 2015 | 7 comments

My favourite day of the week!

So, today I have some of the most beautiful cotton yarn to show you – The Sunkissed by Scheepjes.

Just look at those colours! And this is just a tiny selection. There are 11 colours to choose from (so far) and this is just the most beautiful summer yarn. It’s lovely and soft, just like the Cotton 8, and the colour variation is to die for. Actually, you can very easily partner the Sunkissed with the Cotton 8 as they’re the same weight and hook size (sport and a 3mm hook/needle). It’s 100% cotton and comes in 50 gram skeins. There are loads and loads of great retailers in NL and Belgium where you can pick it up, or if you’re outside the Benelux, head to Deramores.com.

But what should I make? Well, I’ve decided on a really simple knitting project. Something that even the biggest novice can make, because let’s face it. That’s what I am: a knitting novice!

Look at the little swatch I’ve already made, isn’t the colour amazing?

I’m not sure I’ll have quite enough to finish this project, so we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we. Pop back next week for an update.

Meanwhile, have you started working on the Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap yet? What do you think of it? I’m overwhelmed by the positive responses that I’ve had so far, thanks so much!!!

7 Comments

Posted in Scheepjes

Tagged cotton yarn, knit, knitting, MissNeriss, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, sunkissed, yarn

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

Breidag – A Yarn Paradise?

Posted on March 23, 2015 | 3 comments

This weekend, together with my friend Tammy, I headed off to Breidag in Rijswijk here in the Netherlands. It’s basically an excuse for yarn freaks like myself to see all the pretties in one place.

I went last year, and that was my first opportunity to be able to get up close and personal with a lot of the beautiful yarns that I had only dreamed about seeing, and this year was more of the same. This year I had two goals in mind: to finally choose a long colour changing yarn from Wol Cafe, and to get my hands on some roving to finally learn how to make my own yarn. I also hoped to find someone stocking the Vinnis Bambi which I first saw when Maaike from CreJJtion showed me this beautiful stole. But overall I just wanted to fondle all the gorgeous yarns.

Upon arriving, Tammy and I decided to first do a lap, then come back to the stalls that we wanted to buy from. We were really hoping to be dazzled by all the choices and the obvious love of yarn art, as we had been last year.

What we quickly discovered though was, much of the same, everywhere. The big brands were very well represented. Lots of Katia, lots of Scheepjes, Phildar and some Catania. I love all these brands, but was hoping for more diversity. However, hidden amongst the giants there were some wonderful pockets of loveliness. Textiel Werk en Zo with their hand dyed and undyed yarns and spinning wheels, Diversan with their natural fibres, and Pink Hazel with their handmade needle cases.

Zeven Katten were there as well, and we had had such a great time with them last year that we wanted to go say hi and see what amazing yarns they had this year, but it was almost impossible to get to the stand! As with these events (and I don’t know if it’s a Dutch thing or not), elbows were sharp and middle-aged women take no prisoners. I found myself getting closer to the front of the pack and someone would swoop in and I’d be spat out the side. In the end it wasn’t worth the hassle, so I moved on.

I had much the same experience at Wol Cafe. Tammy and I waited a few minutes to get in close enough to look at the yarns we were hoping to buy, and the entire time I was there, a woman just kept reaching over my shoulder to grab at the yarns, then as I was paying, she was already shoving me out the way with her backpack. This kind of behaviour really spoils an event for me. Especially right now when I’ve just come back from a month in Australia where I couldn’t imagine a single person not politely waiting their turn! That’s right, culture shock is hitting me hard.

So, what did I get?

Well, I finally decided on a Limited By Wol Cafe yarn. It was a tough choice. Usually I’m totally drawn to the pinks and turquoise colours, but I decided to go with a navy to cream colour.

I also couldn’t resist the Bamboo yarn that I found at Diversan. The entire stall was dedicated to natural fibres, which I LOVE! I’ve found myself really being pulled towards the natural fibres, as the feeling and the colours are just so beautiful.

And finally I bought a drop spindle and some roving to teach myself how to spin. Ideally I’d like to get a spinning wheel, but they’re expensive and I’m not sure my husband would support yet another yarn habit, considering I’m starting to knit as well!

View this post on Instagram

I started practicing yesterday because basically I couldn’t wait any longer (than 24 hours!). So far it’s interesting. I’m not loving it because having to stop and start to keep the spindle spinning and then to wind the yarn is irritating, but hopefully with practice it will improve. Suggestions for great tutorials online will be greatly appreciated!

Overall, what did I think of Breidag? Well, I think MaraMaakt kind of summed it up (aside from her ideas on mulesing). The venue wasn’t the greatest, there wasn’t a lot of atmosphere and there were a LOT of stalls with mass-produced yarns and the big brands. I remember last year being all about the love of fibre. There were not many Wow yarns this year, and I missed the diversity of crafts aside from, well, knitting. There was quite a bit of crochet represented, but almost no spinning or dyeing (two or three stands) and I had hoped to see more beauty.

So, will I go again? I’m not sure. I might consider the handwerkbeurs in October, but it’s in the same location and although Rijswijk is easy for me to get to, the venue is dark and the layout made it crowded. There was a LOT of space in that room, but all the stalls were really crammed in against one another.

The company, however, was amazing. Thanks Tammy!

3 Comments

Posted in Curation, events

Tagged breidag, breien, crochet, haken, handwerkbeurs, knitting, natural fibre, rijswijk, spinning, yarn

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

Holiday

Posted on February 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

This post comes to you lovingly from Sunny Australia!

I’m on holidays right now visiting my family and having lots and lots of fun! Unfortunately it also means that there is virtually zero crochet happening as I’m far too busy being Ms Social Butterfly 2015…

Here’s the one project I managed to complete:

View this post on Instagram

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

It occurred to me that if you are using an RSS reader to read my posts, you won’t see all my pics. I’m adding some from instagram directly and the image doesn’t translate through to Feedly or Bloglovin. So, click through to missneriss.com to see them all.

I had planned to make this beautiful Summer Shawl (from Crejjtion’s Puur Haken book) on the flight over and made great progress on the leg between Amsterdam and Dubai, but after that it was dark, and a really quick day and extended night so I kind of sat in a daze for many, many hours.

It was a gift for my aunt’s 80th birthday and in the end I was up until 10 pm the night before finishing it and getting it on the blocking boards! Thankfully we are in Australia and the blocking was done over night, instead of the usual three days in Holland for a cotton project!

Otherwise, we’ve just been hanging at the beach

View this post on Instagram

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

and trying to avoid the scorching sun, Australia has really put it on for us!

View this post on Instagram

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

I’m in project dream mode too. Wondering what I should make next. I do have a modified Jasper V on the go in orange bamboo, but it’s not satisfying me. I’m spending my days ogling Cleckheaton Superfine Merino and wondering what project would be perfect. What would you make?

There will be a bit of a posting drought over the next few weeks while I’m in Australia, so if you want to keep up with what I’m doing, you’ll have to follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be sharing pics of my daughter and I frolicking in the sun!

See you soon!

MissNeriss

Underway on Thursday – Knitting with Sunkissed

Hello Ducky!

Could it be? Yes it is! It’s Yarn Day!!