Jasper V Pattern – XL

 

The Jasper V!  I loved all the ideas so much that everyone came up with, but one that stuck with me was the use of Jasper and V-Neck.  In the end it was simple and the Jasper V has been born!

Today I’m sharing the pattern for the XL size with you.  This is the first garment pattern I’ve written and stay tuned for more sizes.  I just wanted to get this out to you as soon as I possibly could!

So without further ado, let’s get to it!  For any questions, please send me an email using the contact form and I’ll get back to you to assist, OK?  If you find mistakes, please do the same.  Because it’s a free pattern, I’m the only tester so I’m relying on your help – thanks in advance!!

You can also find a printer version right here:

Printer Friendly Version of the Jasper V

This pattern assumes that you know crochet basics, like Chain, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet and Double Crochet stitches.  You will also need to know how to do the Foundation Single Crochet stitch (FSC).  If you’ve never seen an FSC, you can find a great tutorial video here.  Alongside the FSC, you will also need to know how to do the Mesh Stitch, which is essentially Double Crochet, chain 1, skip 1, Double Crochet into the next stitch.

To keep a beautiful clean straight edge going up the sides, I use this brilliant technique that I found; I recommend you use it too.

All measurements are in centimetres and crochet terms are US based.

This is an original design by Nerissa Muijs.  Please do not reproduce this pattern or sell this pattern as your own work.  Please share it on your social networks, linking it back to the original source.  Please also feel free to sell items made from this pattern and please credit me by linking my website: missneriss.com.  All images are the property of Nerissa Muijs, and if you would like to repost the originals, please send me a message to ask my permission before the fact.

Jasper V - free pattern size XL on missneriss.com #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed #jasper

Written Instructions

Abbreviations

FSC:    Foundation Single Crochet
SC:      Single Crochet
HDC:   Half Double Crochet
DC:      Double Crochet
CH:      Chain
SK:      Skip 1 stitch
MS:     Mesh Stitch

Gauge

21 stitches across x 9 rows high = 10cm2

Materials

  • Scheepjeswol Stone Washed (or similar 4 ply/sock) yarn – 1080 metres
  • 5mm hook; or hook to obtain gauge. I crochet tightly, so consider this when making your gauge swatch, which you will need.
  • Tapestry needle to sew in ends and seams.
  • Stitch markers.
  • Measuring tape to ensure that the sizing is correct for your body.
  • Pins (either ordinary pins, or even stitch markers will do).

 Size

This pattern is for a size XL garment.  The finished circumference (bust/hip measurement) is 110cm (43 inches) around and the length from top to bottom is 68cm (27inches).

Instructions

Row 1:  FSC x 105 (55cm)
Row 2:  CH 3 (counts as first DC and chain), skip 1 stitch, (DC, CH1, SK1) x 50, DC in the last.  Turn.
Row 3:  CH3, SK1, (DC, CH1, SK1) x 50
Repeat row 3 until your work is 43 cm long (41 rows).

Begin the sleeves:
Chain 35 (18cm), tie off and cut the yarn.
Re-attach at the other side, chain 37.  DC into the 3rd CH, CH1, SK1, DC into the next.  Repeat across to the last stitch of the other sleeve (179 stitches, or about 90cm end to end).  Repeat this row for a total of 3 rows and then start the V-neck.

Mark the middle stitch and crochet to the 2nd DC before the marker.  This becomes the decrease.  CH3 and turn (this counts as DC and SK1).  DC into the next DC stitch.  Crochet across to the edge of the sleeve.  CH3, turn.  Repeat that row, always stopping at the top of the CH 3 from the previous row, for 24 rows (23cm).  Tie off and attach yarn to the other sleeve, repeating the action again.

Once the V is complete, do not tie off.  Instead, MS across to the centre edge of the V.  Chain 48, attach at the first stitch on the other sided of the V and MS to the far edge of the sleeve.  This is now the beginning of the back of the top.

Repeat the MS rows for 26 rows in total; essentially the reverse of the front without the V.  After 26 rows, tie off and re-attach the yarn 37 stitches in.  CH3, SK1, (DC, CH1, SK1) x 50 for 105 stitches, turn and repeat for 41 rows (or 43cm).

Now the body of the top is complete and it is time to create the edging and sew it all together.  Lie the top flat, so that the front and back edges all line up, pin the top together and whip stitch it up both sides and under the sleeves.  Try it on and admire your reflection.  You look awesome.

For the edging, Attach the yarn at the join on one side of the bottom of the top and HDC all the way round (210 in total).  Join, CH2 and repeat.  The final row will be a SC row, just to firm it up and prevent excessive stretch.

The sleeves follow much the same rule.  Join at the seam and HDC around. HDC in the side of each stitch, and also in each space between rows.  Repeat the HDC row, then complete a SC row to finish it off. Do the same for the other sleeve.

With the edging, be sure that you keep your tension to be consistent with the shape of the top.  If the edging is too loose, crochet a little tighter or considering going down a hook size.  Same for if it is too tight.  Blocking will help, but can only do so much if the edging is too tight.

The final piece is the V. there should be 2 DC posts each side of your centre stitch marker.  Attach your yarn to the top of the DC furthest from the centre (this will replicate a CH1 and bring the two edges together) and SC into the first stitch of the V.  SC all the way up the side, crocheting into each stitch and into each gap, ensuring you stitch into the stitches, not around them.  The final stitch should be a Slip Stitch into the top of the DC stitch on the body of the top.  Turn, SC into each stitch around, with the final stitch being a Slip Stitch into the next DC space on the body of the top. Turn and repeat for a total of 5 rows.  Tie off and whip stitch the V together for two or three stitches, to keep the rows at the bottom of the V straight while wearing the top.

Making sure the V sits just right... #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet

Tie off, sew in all the ends as securely as possible, soak in Eucalan for a couple of hours then block until dry.  Because it is two layers, allow for a long drying time.

On the blocking board, using my new Knit Pro blocking wires - what a cool idea! #scheepjes #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet #scheepjeswol

Jasper V Diagram - Front

Jasper V - Back

Don’t forget to parade around in front of your friends in your new top, you look amazing!

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Taking Over

This is my “Office”.

I have so many projects on the go at once I’m a bit buried in yarn and, well, stuff.

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Oh how I’d love one of those Pinterest Perfect studios, but alas, I have 115 square metres of house and most of it is taken up by toys, records and more toys!

What does your crochet space look like?

The Big Reveal!

 

 

The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missneriss

This has been one almighty labour of love and a huge learning curve.  It’s the first time that I’ve designed something that I can wear that’s not a hat or a shawl.  Can you tell how proud I am?The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missnerissThe first thing that really strikes me is how warm it is!  When I first started rolling the idea around in my head I thought perhaps it could be something for the beach, but no!  This is really something for chilly mornings or late summer evening BBQs.  I’m sitting at my laptop in my garden wearing it this morning while there’s still a slight chill in the air and it’s perfect.

I love the wide open V-neck and how versatile it will be.  I already wore it walking the dog this morning, and I also plan to wear it when I go out for dinner next, paired with my favourite jeans and a white top.  For the first time I have an outfit ready!

I’m so happy that I chose the Scheepjeswol Stone Washed for this project.  I love the Red Jasper, but I have to be honest, I chose this colour  when it first came available and if I had to choose now, I don’t know what I would do as the collection has since doubled in size, with so many amazing colour choices!

Here are a few more photos for you to get an idea of the texture and how the colour-play works together.

The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missneriss The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missneriss

Isn’t the V-Neck just fantastic?The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missneriss

It didn’t stay hanging over that chair for long this morning, believe me!The Big Reveal!  The labour of love that has been my #stonewashed top is finally ready!  Pattern is coming soon! #Scheepjes #Scheepjeswol #missneriss

And now comes the almighty task of putting the pattern together!  I’ll have to dig though pages and pages of notes to make it more concise for you to be able to follow, and I’ll be figuring out a few sizes while I’m at it.

But first, I need your help!  This design does not have a name yet and I have no idea what I should call it.  What do you think?

If you want to get your hands on the Stone Washed there are loads of options within the Netherlands.  Scheepjeswol has a list of stockists on their website and for those of you who aren’t lucky enough to live in Holland, you can pick it up via Deramores!

 

 

Project Monday

This is what I’m up to this week.  Can you guess what it’s going to be?

An Ever Evolving Love Affair with Stone Washed

Last week I shared the beautiful Scheepjes Stone Washed that arrived in time to start my next project and today I’m showing you how beautiful it is as a garment.

But first, look at the texture.  The colour is just beautiful and the way the stone washed effect works is just ingenious.  The colour is wound around a white core and it really needs to be used in a project where texture is the hero.

The texture, I love it! #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet

Originally, it was my goal to make a hoodie for myself, then to write down and share the pattern with you, for free. As the top has evolved, it became very clear to me that a hoodie is not the way to go this time.  I definitely think that it’s worth exploring in th future, but the Scheepjes was just telling me that it needs to become a classy v-neck, not a summer hoodie.

I made the top all in one piece, starting at the bottom of the front, then working up, over the shoulders, and then down the back.  It makes for a great, almost seamless effect and I’m really happy with it.

Having said that, it wasn’t all roses – there was also a lot of frogging involved trying to get everything just right!  The Stone Washed isn’t the best for frogging either.  Luckily it’s nice and strong, so bears up nicely, but because it’s nice and fluffy sometimes the yarn gets stuck.  But that’s a common problem, not anything particular to the Stone Washed.

Soaking in Eucalan, waiting to be blocked #scheepjes #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet

I think I’ve finally finished the bulk of the work; the edging looks great.  Here it is, soaking in Eucalan and smelling wonderful – I’m on the home stretch!

Right now the top is all pinned out on the blocking board.  I managed to score a set of Knit Pro Blocking Wires last week when I visited the Scheepjeswol HQ so I’ve used them for the first time on this project.  They could not have arrived at a better time to be honest.  I could just thread the wire through the edges of the top and lock it in place with the blocking pins instead of using about ten thousand pins around the outside.On the blocking board, using my new Knit Pro blocking wires - what a cool idea! #scheepjes #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet #scheepjeswol

Making sure the V sits just right... #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed #missneriss #crochetAnd the beautiful V-neck, which has become my favourite feature of the top.Wasn't this supposed to be a hoodie? Not any more! #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed #missneriss #crochet #freepatternNow I expect this to take a couple of days to dry properly, considering the weather outside is dark, grey and wet (welcome to summer in the Netherlands) so stay tuned for the big reveal next week (if it’s dry)!

Yarn Love: Scheepjes Stone Washed

When I first saw photos and posts of this yarn hitting the internet a couple of months ago I knew I had to get my hands on some.  The colours and texture are just so beautiful.

Scheepjes Stone Washed on Pinterest

Image courtesy of Sheepjeswol on Pinterest

So you can imagine just how excited I was when this landed on my doorstep:

Scheepjes Stone Washed in Red Jasper #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashedIt’s all for a big project that I’m working on and can’t wait to get started.

How does it feel? I hear you asking me.  Well, it’s gorgeous.  The yarn is slightly “woolly”, but also has the strength and look of cotton.  The colour is worked around the yarn and is slightly fluffy, and is really effective in its design.  Kudos Scheepjes!

Scheepjes Stone Washed in Red Jasper #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed

This year I’ve moved away from amigurumi a bit and am really into making wearables, and this is no exception!  Having said that, I think this will make great fluffy amis.

Scheepjes Stone Washed in Red Jasper #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed

So what am I going to make?  Well, something completely different – a hoodie!  Ages ago a family member gave me (Dutch) pattern book that is as old as I am and out of the entire book there was one design that I liked and knew I could update.  Problem was, the pattern is jibberish.  Not just because it’s in Dutch – because my Dutch is pretty good – but because the way it’s written makes zero sense.

Vintage hoodie designAt first I tried to translate it, but it just wasn’t working out for me, and the sizing was way out, so it was time to design my own, which called for some (P)inspiration!

It should be great for summer, and will probably be my most daunting project to date.  Not only is it one of the first items of clothing I’ve designed, but it will also be in bigger sizes as I’m making it to fit myself to start with.  All of the ratios are scary when upsizing and downsizing, so we’ll have to see how it goes.

Scheepjes Stone Washed in Red Jasper #scheepjes #scheepjeswol #stonewashed

But for now, I’m off to make swatches.  After I’ve finished fondling my new stash…

This colour is Red Jasper (847).

Socks for Stools?

I hate our floor.  Hate the timber, hate the colour, hate that it always looks dull and dirty, but marks like these have meant my husband has been dragging his feet on replacing them.Marks on my floor.  Hate them.

That was until I saw this post from Stephanie over at All About Ami:

It was like the heavens opened and a light shone down, telling me exactly what I needed to do to be able to finally get new floors – make chair socks!

So first up is the high chair.  It’s been through many sticky felt bottoms, but they just don’t last, and don’t stick very well to the round feet of the high chair.  I used Zpagetti yarn scraps that I had in the cupboard and just smashed them out.Stool Socks, made with zpagetti yarn on missneriss.com

6 SC into a Magic Ring, then in row two I increased by two (inc, 2SC x2 = 8), then crocheted four more rows of 8SC.  The socks are a tight fit, but that’s what I need so they don’t slip off.

I’m also hoping that the heavy cotton yarn won’t wear out quickly, but when it does, they take less than five minutes and about a metre of yarn to replace.

Too easy, right?  Now to bring up the new floors discussion again…

How to: Crochet a Perfect Circle

Today I want to introduce you to one of the very best hacks I’ve found and show you how you can do it. This is something I’ve learned making amigurumis, and is especially useful when making really big stuffed animals. And not only for amigurumis, but for making mandalas or anything that needs to become a circle in a solid colour; like coasters, cushions, or floor rugs. Trust me, you’ll be thankful for this one.

You know how you increase and increase and your circle really becomes more of a hexagon (or pentagon, octagon or whatever)? Well, it’s is thanks to the placement of the increase stitches. If you follow the Inc, SC method (or SC, Inc), as the piece grows, the increases become corners when what you really want is a circle. This is what I mean:

20140627-143931-52771436.jpg

You don’t really want this, right? I’m not a fan of the spoke look myself, and I found that when making amigurumis I had to really stuff the critter tight to work the corners out. This makes the poor little amigurumi really hard and not so cuddly, and my daughter wants cuddly! So, the method I have for you will make your circle come out just like this:

20140627-144235-52955794.jpg

I think we can agree this looks much better, can’t we? Ready to learn how to do it? Basically, all you have to do is offset your increases. Really, it’s that simple. I’ll show you an example pattern that you can apply next time you’re crocheting a circle, or increasing in the round.

(US terms)

R1: 6SC stitches into a Magic Ring

R2: SC Increase around =12 stitches

R3: (Increase, 1SC) x 6 = 18 stitches

R4: 1SC, (increase, 2SC) x 5, Increase, SC = 24 stitches

R5: (Increase, 3SC) x 6 = 30 stitches

R6: 3SC, (increase, 4SC) x 5, increase, 1SC = 36 stitches

R7: (Increase, 5SC) x 6 = 42 stitches

R8: 4SC, (increase, 6SC) x 5, increase, 2SC = 48 stitches

R9: (Increase, 7SC) x 6 = 54 stitches

R10: 5SC, (increase, 8SC) x 5, increase, 3SC = 60 stitches

As the circle grows in this way, corners may begin to appear again, so you should add an extra offset to the rounds.

R11: (increase, 9SC) x 6 = 66 stitches

R12: 3SC, (increase, 10SC) x 5, increase, 7SC = 72 stitches

R13: (increase, 11SC) x 6, = 78 stitches

R14: 6SC, (increase, 12SC) x 5, increase, 6SC = 84 stitches

R15: (increase, 13SC) x 6 = 90 stitches

R16: 4SC, (increase, 14SC) x 5, increase, 10SC = 96 stitches

R17: (increase, 15SC) x 6 = 102 stitches.

Continue in this way until the circle is as large as you need it to be.

When it comes to decrease rows, do the same thing, but in reverse. Look at the difference: 20140627-145541-53741247.jpg What do you think? Going to give it a try on your next project?

For this tutorial I used Scheepjes Catona.  It’s one of my favourite amigurumi yarns, I’ve used it in a couple of designs, like my free flopsy bunny pattern.

Shop it here: Wool Warehouse* or Caro’s Atelier*

Enjoy!

*affiliate link

Two Little Dickie Birds – finger puppets

Two little dickie birds sitting on a wall, one named Peter, one named Paul. Fly away Peter, fly away Paul. Come back Peter, come back Paul. – nursery rhyme

Dickie Bird finger crochet pattern, toddler and adult fingers on missneriss.com

This is a rhyme that my daughter and I say together every night. I’m not sure where it came from, but all of a sudden she’s mad about all the old nursery rhymes I heard as a child. It’s amazing what comes back to you when you’re operating on almost zero sleep…

Dickie Bird finger crochet pattern, toddler and adult fingers on missneriss.com
I thought it was a bit boring only playing with our fingers, so I thought it would be cool to crochet a couple of Dickie birds and surprise her at bed time last night.

Dickie Bird finger crochet pattern, toddler and adult fingers on missneriss.com

Huge hit! She loved them. So much so that I had to make some toddler size ones too!

Of course I had to write down the pattern and share it with you, so here you go.

Two Little Dickie Birds

What you’ll need:
4ply cotton yarn in two colours plus black and yellow*. I used a combination of Phildar coton 3 and Linie 163 because that was what was in my stash.
A 3mm hook
Scissors
Fabric glue
Tapestry needle

Adult size

1: 6SC Into a magic ring
2: INC x 6 = 12 stitches
3-6: 12SC = 12 stitches
7: (INC, 3SC) x 3 = 15
8: 15SC = 15 stitches
9: (INC, 4SC) x 3 = 18 stitches
10-13: 18SC = 18 stitches

Making the face:

Before increasing at row 7, make the face. Cross-stitch the eyes using black yarn into row 4, with 3 stitches in between.
Attach the yellow yarn to row 5, between the eyes. Chain 3, slip stitch into the same stitch, tie off.

Wings (make two):

1: 6SC into a magic ring
2: (INC x 3), HDC, HDC and picot into the same HDC, HDC, SC, slip stitch and tie off. Hide all the ends and glue the wings to the sides of the body.

Toddler size

1: 6SC Into a magic ring
2: INC x 6 = 12 stitches
3-6: 12SC = 12 stitches
7: (INC, 3SC) x 3 = 15
8-10: 15SC = 15 stitches

Repeat face and wing instructions from the adult size.

20140622-210249-75769180.jpg

*Affiliate link

A Productive Weekend

Hello production line!

Well, not really a production line, but a productive couple of days.  It started on Friday when I decided to tidy the huge cabinet that houses our TV, recipe books, some glasses, and just a plethora of crap.  I emptied two drawers of rubbish, tidied Raina’s books and put loads aside to pass on to other kids and then started on my “miscellaneous crochet stuff” draw.  This drawer housed all my printed patterns and old half finished projects from before Raina was even born!

I managed to chuck the projects – they had all been made using the wrong hook – and sorted out all the patterns.  On that mission I came across the pattern I’d bought ages ago from Etsy for a cute little teddy bear:  crochet teddy bear pattern from Magic with Hook and Needles

Now, because Friday saw the beginning of the Dutch campaign to takeover the world win the World Cup I had an entire evening to crochet to my heart’s content. and here was the result:

I only just noticed right now that I used almost the same backdrop as the original designer, how strange!

I used Drops Paris with a 3.5mm hook, and 6mm safety eyes.  I also made the scarf, but my daughter immediately ripped it off.  What is it with toddlers and their need to rip all and any clothes of dolls and stuffed toys?

So while I was feeling productive, and considering there was even more football on TV, I whipped up one of these Zpagetti hanging baskets that I’ve been seeing for the last few weeks on my Facebook feed.

It’s not quite the same as the original as the yarn I used was slightly lighter in weight than the Hoooked Zpagetti that the pattern calls for, so I made it a bit taller and not as much of a ball in shape.  I think it might well be a great way to store my winter accessories in the hall cupboard, and was an easy project that can be done in an evening on the couch while pretending that the World Cup isn’t happening.

FYI: Holland flogged Spain in their opening match, and Robin van Persie scored what is probably the Goal of the Series.  Check this cool re-creation: