Tag Archives: free pattern

Spring Scarf – Pattern

I’ve been working on this scarf for months. I found the yarn in my local store ‘t Spoeltje, here in Almere Haven (it’s Parrot, by Hjertegarn) and I love it because I’m such a magpie in that I LOVE bright colours and love variegated yarns. But it sat there for ages, not becoming anything. I do that. I buy yarn because it’s pretty, but have no project in mind. Eventually I decided to try making a triangle shawl. I stumbled across a pattern somewhere on the internet, but couldn’t follow it properly, so kind of just tried my best and made it up a bit as I went along. Then the pattern disappeared, and I have no idea where to find it again. Luckily it was very simple to figure out from what I’d already done.

It went on for a while. I’d work on a few rows, then put it back in the cupboard. For about six months. But this week I decided to finish it off. I was coming to the end of the ball of yarn, so decided to create a trim for it. Man. What a task. Because I had no pattern, I had no idea how it should be finished off. I had no stitch count, and I honestly couldn’t be bothered trying to figure out some fancy trim. And googling “crochet trim” is a disaster. There are way too many options, my head just exploded.

So in the end, I decided to just leave it. I quite liked the plain effect as the shawl is so colourful anyway I didn’t think it would be missed.
Spring Scarf - free pattern on missneriss.com

But then, I decided I didn’t like it that much. My husband didn’t like it either. So what was I going to do with it? Well, first I had to block it. I had never blocked anything before, because I tend to make amigurumis and normal scarves, nothing that needs the extra effort to block. But, I had some Eucalan Wrapture wool wash as a sample from a previous yarn order, so I washed it and pinned it out to dry.

Then I had to wait. And wait. For a day! I decided when I looked down at the blocked piece that I really liked it after all. The colours worked out beautifully, and it is perfect for Spring. Plus the yarn was going to be deliciously soft with the Angora blend.
Spring Scarf blocking - free pattern available on missneriss.com

This morning it was dry, so I unpinned it and promptly started wearing it. I may never take it off, actually.
Spring Scarf - free pattern on missneriss.com

Now I’m being asked for the pattern. It’s far too complicated to write out, so I’ve smashed out a chart.
Spring Scarf chart pattern on missneriss.com

Just keep crocheting until you either 1. get to the size you want, or 2. run out of yarn like I did!

For other projects I’ve also used Malabrigo yarn, which can be picked up at Wool Warehouse* (with global shipping).

Enjoy.

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Cabbage Patch Kids are the new Black

I’m calling it. Minions are over and Cabbage Patch Kids are back! Well, I don’t really believe that myself, but it seems everywhere I look I see cute babies wearing Cabbage Patch Kids hats.

Did you have one as a child? I think I was the only girl at school not to have one (I didn’t have any My Little Ponies either, poor me) and now all of a sudden I’m in an age group where it’s time to be nostalgic for all things 80s!

This last week I had two orders to make these Cabbage Patch Kids hats, and I found a great free pattern from the Dearest Debi site. The pattern is for a newborn, but it is extremely easy to up-size it to whatever you need.

Here are the results of my endeavours:

Cabbage Patch Kid hat on missneriss.com.  Based on a FREE pattern by Dearest Debi.

What do you think about this new craze to be rocking the crochet world? I’ve never been a fan of Cabbage Patch Kids. I prefer the Garbage Gang/pail Kids instead. But everything comes back into fashion, so best to just embrace it!

Ravelry Giveaway, just in time for Christmas!

I’m giving away 20 copies of my Merry Mini Christmas hat for free on Ravelry to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit! Just enter MERRYMINIXMAS when checking out!

Free pattern with coupon code MERRYMINIXMAS for the first 20 customers!http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-santa-christmas-hat

Anyone say headless chicken?

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

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

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

Yoda is now on Craftsy

I’m taking baby-steps into the pattern design world and along with adding my first pattern to Ravelry, I’ve added it to my favourite pattern site: Craftsy.

If you click on the photo, you’ll go straight to the pattern to be able to download it.

Enjoy!

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Bring on the Summer!

Bring on the Summer!

I made this lovely sun hat for the mother of a friend of mine and when I gave it to my friend, she loved it so much she has decided to keep it for herself and now I’m commissioned to make a second for her mum.

I found the inspiration on Pinterest (of course!) and it comes from the Japanese site for Pierrot Yarns.  The chart pattern left me scratching my head for a while, but I figured it out (mostly) in the end.

I only followed the pattern very loosely.  I used a bulkier yarn than the pattern called for and then when I was almost finished I realised it was too floppy and I hated it.  There was no way I could allow my friend to take it.  By this stage it had become a bit of a monster project.  Who knew so many single crochet stitches would take so long!

I kept pushing the project to the bottom of the pile to be looked at much, much later.  When I couldn’t put it off any longer I decided to re-evaluate.  My solution was to rip the entire brim out and start it again.

I’m so glad I did!  The second time around I just seemed to get how to do it. and make the brim lovely and firm.  I worked some leather chord into the last three or four rows to add just a little bit more strength, but I’m not sure if that really helped or not, but I like to think it will.

To finish off I added three flowers, which complement the hat perfectly.  I found the pattern for those on The Party Artisan and added beaded embellishments to the centre of each one.  It was pure luck that I had the same colour beads lying around.  It must be because I’m so in love with pink…

Here’s the hat with the edges rolled up.

Sunhat

Now I want one for myself, it’s one of the projects I’m the most happy with so far and one that will only improve the more I do it.

Materials used

Hat:  Drops Paris 26, 5mm hook for the hat and 4mm for the brim
Flowers: Drops Paris, 33, 59, 60, 5 mm hook
Leather chord from a craft store worked into the final three rounds for some added stiffness

Today I’m linking this post over at Hookin’ on Hump Day on Moogly and My Merry Messy Life, hosted by Tamara and Sara, go check out all the fabulous projects linked this week.

Moogly

Irresistible Owly Cat Toy – Tutorial

Ive been dreaming about this really cool project for a few weeks. As you already know, I’m a huge fan of A Morning Cup of Jo Creations and I’ve been making dozens of her mini owls (want one? Leave a comment or message me via my Facebook and I’ll be in touch ASAP). But aside from looking cute, what can these owls be used for?

A bouncy cat toy, of course!

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Let me explain how I made it. That’s right, it’s my first ever how-to!

First things first. Go to Craftsy and download Josephine’s Baby Owl Ornaments pattern. It’s free!

You can see from her pattern that the owls are indeed very mini, but it’s very easy to upsize the owls by using a heavier yarn. For my toy I used Katia Nevada #27 (purple) and a 6mm hook (US 9-10).

Once you’ve finished your owl, added eyes (I used 8mm safety eyes) stuffed him and sewn him up, don’t tie off. Instead, chain 8, single crochet into the other end of the top seam. Then slip stitch through 4 stitches of the chain that you just made so that you are now in the middle of the chain.

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Now chain 35, or as long as you’d like to make your bouncy chord.

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To make the handle you will need to use a foundation single crochet. If you don’t know how to do this stitch, Tamara from Moogly Blog has a great simple video tutorial to show you how. FSC the right length to be able to wrap around your handle. I created 35 stitches, then joined with a slip stitch at the top of my chain.

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Continue back down your chain, with 4 single crochet per chain, creating a bouncy spiral. Once you reach the beginning of the chain, slip stitch down the last 4 stitches to the body of the owl. Finish off and hide the loose ends in the body of the owl.

To make the Owly Bouncy Cat Toy extra irresistible, add a bag if catnip and a small bell and you’re ready to play!
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If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  And if you spot mistakes, please let me know!

Apologies that the photos aren’t the best.  I plan to make this again very soon, so will add better photos.

Wow! MissNeriss Featured on Hookin On Hump Day

Moogly

Imagine my surprise and delight upon waking this morning to discover that my Beautifully Stashed post from last Wednesday has been featured on Hookin On Hump Day by Moogly and My Merry Messy Life.

featured on hookin on hump day

Be sure to check out the other links:

Thanks so much for sharing the love ladies!

Now to think about what I should submit today….

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Squishies Rule

Squishies Rule

One of my absolute favourite crochet designers is Jo from A Morning Cup of Jo Creations and recently she released this pattern for free!

Along with the adorable squishy bunny, you can get your hands on a duck, a chick and a sheep (I’m dying to get started on the sheep).

The absolute best thing about these patterns is that the possibilities are endless! I don’t have to restrict myself to making squishies from her patterns, now I want to create my own! When I can find a spare moment, I’m going to whip my daughter up a little piggy squishy, because we love snorting together (too much Peppa Pig, perhaps?).

I thoroughly recommend you check out Jo’s Facebook page and look her up on Craftsy (click the picture, it will take you straight there).

But while I have you, who’s your favourite pattern designer? It’s ok to say yourself, by the way. A bit of horn tooting never hurt anyone!