Tag Archives: etsy

Christmas Gift Guide – Notions

If you haven’t already, head back to my post from earlier in the week where I shared my recommendations for gifts for the crocheter on the go.  Loads of inspiration to be had!

Now onto today’s guide.

Notions make wonderful gifts.  Especially for loved ones who live far away and need lightweight gifts to pop in the post.

Wrist Ruler

I’ve been wearing variations of the I Love Handles Wrist Ruler for most of this year and I LOVE it! It ages beautifully and I have complete strangers regularly noticing and commenting on it.  It’s just the most convenient accessory, great for measuring gauge and I don’t know about you, but I can never find my tape measure when I need it! I’ve also been known to measure up spaces and furniture in Ikea using it.  You’ll surprise yourself with how useful it is.  I’ll have a full review coming soon!

Wrist Ruler from ILOVEHANDLES.com

This version is leather (available in multiple shades), but there is also a vegan option if you prefer.  You can buy direct from ilovehandles.com for $19.95 USD, or if you’re in the Netherlands wol-zo-eerlijk.nl stocks them for 22.95 EUR.

Stitch Markers

Ok, full disclosure: these are made by me.  They’re a set of ten colourful stitch markers/progress keepers designed to match your set of Clover Amour hooks.  Whenever I put a project down for even a few days, I often struggle to remember which size hook I was using, so I designed these markers to be attached to your work and remind you which hook to use!  Because of the large clasp, they’re easy to use and can also work with knitted projects when you need to slip markers from one needle to the other.

Stitch Markers made by Nerissa Muijs. shop on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/574419467/knitting-and-crochet-stitch-markers?ref=shop_home_active_1

They’re on Etsy for 9.50 EUR for a set of ten.

Cohana Shozaburo Scissors

I know I touched briefly on these in my last gift guide post, but these are deserving of their own recommendation.

Thread Clippers by Cohana, available at Black Sheep Wools: http://bit.ly/cohanaBSW

These Shozaburo thread clips are handmade one pair at a time by Japanese artisans; the iga braids that wraps the handles are made using a traditional method that has long been practiced in armour making.  The blades are so sharp that I keep mine stored safely up high on display, away from little fingers.

The thread clippers are available at Black Sheep Wools for 40.50 GBP

Nostepinne

I find winding yarn to be one of life’s pleasures.  I have a lovely swift from Scheepjes and a horrible cheap winder that I bought a long time ago from a bargain shop somewhere. But I find that my arms and a nostepinne are the perfect tools for winding hanks into cakes or balls.  The rhythm of winding and moving my arms is almost meditative.

You can find nostepinnes all over Etsy at varying prices, but I love these from Be Inspired in South Africa the most:

 

 

They’re essentially made to order from varying woods, and are priced between 250 and 650 RAND (15-40 EUR).

Sock Blockers

An item that has been on my wishlist for a long time is a set of sock blockers.  I know they’re not really that necessary, but they’re cool and fun and great if you’ll be gifting socks instead casting them off and sliding them on your feet.  I love these from Bryson:

Bryson stainless steel sock blockers from Loop London: http://www.loopknittingshop.com/p/3694/Bryson-Stainless-Steel-Sock-Blockers

Image credit: Loop London

They’re available from Loop London for 19.50 GBP.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of the Christmas Gift Guide!

And We’re Off! The Noor Shawl

Remember the other day I told you about Berniolie and her Noor shawl?  Well, look!

Scheepjes Sunkissed

My Scheepjes Sunkissed arrived yesterday and I’m very excited to crack on!  So much so that my 3500 other projects are all being shoved to the side while I work on this one!

Scheepjes Sunkissed

You can get the pattern on Ravelry here, or Etsy here and you can get the gorgeous yarn from either Wool Warehouse or any Scheepjes retailer.

 

Treasury Tuesday – Project Bags

Project bags and pouches are my new thing.  I have about 10 that I’ve picked up in the last couple of months, mostly from Hema because they’re cute and cheap!  But I do absolutely adore the handmade versions I see on Etsy and Instagram, so I’ve put together a little treasury of some of the most beautiful – most of these are now on my wishlist.


Small Zippered Knitting Proj…

$26

Eiffel Tower Bag, Japanese K…

$28

Cosmetic Bag, Beauty Purse, …

$46

red knitting project bag SKU…

$25.9

Butterfly and Birds Tote Bag…

$29.75

Pink and white small owls zi…

$37

Handmade knitting project ba…

$32

Knitting Project Bag – Large…

$25

Reversible tote bag sewing p…

$4

Knitting Project Bag

$25

Pre-order! Knitting Project …

$11

Knitting Bag, Knitting Proje…

$54

Pastel Purple: Hand Painted …

$22.21

knitting project bag – Tulip…

$35

Knitting Project Bag, Yarn b…

$68

Project Bag, Large Project B…

$15

*clicking on any of the pictures will take you to the listing in Etsy, isn’t that cool?!

Powered By Handmadeology

Special mention must go to my Instagram friend Vanessa Kind, who is busy making project bags in anticipation of opening an Etsy store, but at this rate she’s selling them too quickly to get any stock!  Here’s an example of one of my faves:

Enjoy the rest of your week!

PS. I’m sorry if you’re reading this on your mobile and can’t see it very well – the code doesn’t automatically shrink to fit, and I’ve made it as small as possible without it being impossible to see.

Treasury Tuesday

I’ve been on a major yarn buying binge lately.  I promise that I’ll compile pics of the yarns and projects, but today I just want to share with you some inspiration.

I’ve trawled Etsy and created a Treasury with some of my absolute favourite hand dyed yarns.  I didn’t think about the fibre content today, I focused 100% on colour.  It’s difficult to say which is my favourite, because they all stand out for different reasons.  I love rainbows – to me they represent my daughter.  Maybe I should make a treasury with just rainbow gradients….


Hand dyed Yarn “Rainbow…

$79

Canadian Hand-dyed yarn. 80/…

$28.99

Hand dyed yarn/merino/silk/n…

$30

Sparkle Hand Dyed DK Yarn – …

$35

Hand dyed Gradient sock yarn…

$39.8

Vintage Lavender hand dyed A…

$24

Hand Dyed Yarn ‘Shy’…

$26

SOCK YARN, 2 available, ~110…

$25

Gradient Dyed 4ply/Fingering…

$30

Mermaid, Size 20, 40, 50, 70…

$7

Handspun Yarn BFL Colour Mus…

$35

Rainbow 4 ply yarn

$30

Silky Singles – Fingering We…

$19

Sock Hand Dyed Revelry Sock …

$23

Superwash Merino yarn – Hand…

$15

bullet journal spoil base so…

$14.5

Powered By Handmadeology

Have a colourful Tuesday!

How beautiful are all the Christmas ideas on Esty?  A couple of days ago I finished making the amigurumi elf by Buttonbeautiful and I went back to her shop to browse more patterns (they’re THAT good).  While I was there, I thought that I should make a Christmas Treasury to showcase other amigurumi patterns.  I was reading maRRose regular Treasury Tuesday post the other day where she shared her own Christmas inspiration and something sort of clicked in my head – I should share my treasury on the blog for all of you who don’t necessarily spend as much time on Etsy as you should!

So, here it is, what do you think?  I’m not sure I could pick a favourite if I have to be honest.  Maybe the Christmas Deer Doll, or the slightly wonky Christmas Tree?  I do know that I seem to have a thing for Reindeer though!


Amigurumi Crochet PDF Patter…

$3.8

Rudy The Reindeer Amigurumi …

$4.5

Rudolph reindeer plush – cro…

$24

Amigurumi Pattern – Frosty t…

$5

Christmas lights amigurumi /…

$15.95

Knit your own amigurumi Chri…

$4

Amigurumi Crochet PDF Patter…

$4.5

Christmas Deer Doll. – pdf …

$5

Crochet Pattern – Christmas …

$3.99

Christmas Friends Pattern

$8

Pattern, Christmas tree, Cro…

$3.5

3 Gnomes – pdf knitting patt…

$6

Waldorf Christmas Babies – p…

$4

Santa’s Reindeer Crochet…

$5

PDF Tree Pattern, Ornament P…

$3.9

If you want to, you can import your own Etsy treasury to your blog too.  This little piece of magig is powered by Handmadeology and took about 20 seconds to make, including the copying and pasting here.  It’s so simple, I’m going to make the treasury sharing a regular thing!

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:

 

Project Pile: Scalloped Neckline Lace Dress

A couple of weeks ago I decided that I wanted to crochet a dress for my daughter.  I haven’t made a lot of clothing, but the few pieces I have made are wonderful.  They’re so much fun, and give such a feeling of accomplishment.  So when I came across this pattern, I knew it was the right one.

Crochet Scalloped Neckline Lace dress

I especially loved the texture and the romantic neckline, but had to find the perfect yarn.

Eventually I settled on using Scheepjes Softfun, a yarn that I’ve heard so much about, but hadn’t had the opportunity to use yet.

But before I could begin, I had to check a few projects off the list.  I had to finish a scarf, a couple of amigurumi projects, and finalise the Bucketful of Sunshine pattern, but once they were all out the way, it was all systems go!

I just love the neckline on this pattern, it’s just so beautiful.

The project was surprisingly easy.  It took me a few swatches to get the gauge right, as I crochet much tighter than the average designer, it seems.  In the end I had to upsize to a 4.5mm hook (the pattern calls for a 3.5mm hook) which seems to be about the norm for me now.

Here is the end result.  I’m so happy with the outfit, my daughter looks so cute!

Thanks to Carrie for this photo, taken at the weekend:

http://instagram.com/p/osnnHEB5-S/

And here she is, with her first love: Peppa Pig.

Crochet scallope neckline lace dress

Now I’m hoping for a long, hot summer so we can wear the dress every day!

 

Project pile: Summer Dress

I always tend to have at least three projects on the go. Right now I’m finishing up a couple of Elephant Snuggles, plus an exciting design that is just about ready to share with you, along with the Convergence top, another Spring Shawl, and a vintage Dutch pattern that I’m translating and altering!

Not one to just let that be enough, now I’ve added this one to the list:

And the yarn I’m going to use is the absolutely gorgeous Softfun yarn from Scheepjeswol.

20140510-124927.jpg

20140510-124933.jpg

As soon as the elephants are done, I’ll get started. Can’t wait!

Oh wait, I forgot. I’m also working on a Candace Scarf too!

New Design: King’s Day Bunting Necklace

Holland’s biggest party for the last 100 or so years – Queen’s Day – has been given a revamp.  You see, last year Beloved Queen Beatrix decided to retire, and her son, Prince Willem Alexander became the first King of the Netherlands in more than 100 years.

Not only do we have a new word to learn – Koningsdag instead of Koniniginnendag (try saying that three times fast), we have a new day to celebrate – 26 April instead of 30 April.  Well, I don’t know if this is the permanent date, or just the first date.  You see, King Willem Alexander’s birthday falls on 27 April, which this year is a Sunday and he’s decided we can all celebrate on the Saturday instead.

Still with me?

So, to celebrate the first King’s Day, I’ve created a new design!

King's Day Bunting necklace, available on missneriss.com #koningsdag #koninginnendag

Want to get your hands on one?  Well, you can!  I’m making these for the lead up to King’s Day and they’re available to buy from my Etsy Store!

The necklace is €15 euros (plus shipping if you need it) and is made from a nickel-free silver plated chain and delicate cotton yarn.

St Patrick’s Day Baby Leprechaun Hat Pattern now Available

It has taken months and months and MONTHS to get there, but I finally have my St Patrick’s Day Leprechaun hat pattern ready to go.

Well, I have it in the newborn size for now.  I’m still working on the toddler size and will post the adult size as soon as I can.

The pattern is available in all of my stores, Etsy, Craftsy, and of course, Ravelry!

Here’s how it looks:

Baby Leprechaun - St Patrick's Day, pattern now available!

To celebrate, I’m giving away two copies of the pattern for free!  All you have to do to win is comment on this original post (on missneriss.com), and I will draw a random winner on Wednesday 12 March!  I will announce the lucky winners here and they will also be contacted by email.

Good luck, and thanks so much for your ongoing support!

Updated 13 March 2014

And the winners are:

Suzy and Patricia!  Congratulations, the pattern is on its way to you!