As you will have seen last week I shared the pattern for my Flopsy Bunny using the Scheepjes Catona, and I enjoyed working with it so much I was struck with more ideas for cool designs, so I immediately jumped on the order machine (laptop) to pick out some colours. I decided to go for two ranges – reds and greens.
I’m thinking apples. Red Delicious and Granny Smith.
Now, I’d best get cracking.
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I’ve had this beautiful selection of Scheepjes Bloom for a couple of months now, but haven’t had any ideas as to what I should do with it. The colours are so vibrant, and there are so many, I honestly felt a little overwhelmed. I mean, look at this colour selection:
It wasn’t until this week that I was doing a bit of Facebook browsing of an evening when I saw this gorgeous poncho WIP by Meet Me At Mikes and realised that I had found the perfect project for my Bloom. The only problem was, I didn’t have enough of one colour to be able to recreate this one exactly and nor did I have the patience to wait for yarn to arrive if I was to order it, so I thought I would do a bit of browsing for something similar and came across this fabulous poncho design by Sewchet. And even better, it had a free tutorial!
It’s a really cool design, and although I didn’t follow the pattern to the letter, the idea is essentially the same.
And then of course I had to block it, which while absolutely necessary, is the most tortuous stage of any project. The waiting, and waiting and waiting drives me bonkers!
But the wait was totally worth it. My daughter is seriously irresistible in her new poncho.
I’m still lusting after the vibrant colours of Meet Me At Mike’s poncho, and I reckon if I dig through my stash I’ll be able to find the yarn. But first I need to finish about six other projects. As usual!
What’s on your hook?
Tagged bloom, crochet, crochet poncho, green gate, haken, poncho, scheepjes
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?
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
8 stitches x 5 rows = 5cm x 5cm
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)
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
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
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 😀
Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed
Tagged big reveal, crochet, design, free pattern, haken, handmade, pattern, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed
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?!
Tagged crochet, haken, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, WIP
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!
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!
Tagged breidag, breien, crochet, haken, handwerkbeurs, knitting, natural fibre, rijswijk, spinning, yarn
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.
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!
Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed, Yarn
Tagged crochet, DIY, haken, MissNeriss, Obsessed with Crochet, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, yarn
It feels like I don’t get to see many rainbows this time of year. January is the month that most makes me miss Australia. This time of year in Holland it’s dark, it’s cold, and the wind is almost too much to bear.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. If you can’t get to a rainbow, bring a rainbow to you!
I had hoped to have this tutu finished for you this week, but a friend of mine had her baby a few days ago and I had the tremendous honour of being her birth partner. I can’t tell you how much I loved being a part of bringing someone amazing into the world, and I still find it difficult to believe that the entire world didn’t stop to acknowledge what had happened.
But, the tutu. It’s coming along nicely. I’ve decided to go down the skirt and top route and the skirt will be a wraparound so it’s easy to get on and off and more durable than an elastic band. I’m just hoping that I managed to buy enough tulle as I bought from a one-off market and I’m sure I’ll never find those exact shades ever again!
I just love working with the Scheepjes Larra. It’s such a smooth yarn to crochet, especially for a tight crocheter like me! I think the outfit is going to look absolutely amazing. I’m almost too scared to show my daughter the progress in case I never get it back to finish! 
I think I’ll have to make myself an adult version!
What do you think of the progress? Any last minute tips for me?
Tagged crochet, haken, heart stitch, larra, larra batik, rainbow, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutu
It’s Yarn Day!
It’s cold outside, which makes me want to just curl up in my little corner and crochet. Luckily, with the arrival of this beautiful Rainbow Larra from Scheepjeswol I can!
I love the Larra. It’s a great weight, very durable and comes in loads of colours. It’s a mercerized cotton, but it’s also very soft and not too shiny. And I love colour change of the batiks, especially the Rainbow.
I love that Rainbow so much I chose the yarn before I had a project in mind! I had to justify getting the yarn, as I just don’t have the space for more yarn that I bought because I loved it. I did have to immediately sit down and make little cakes, just so I could be mesmerized by the colour change. I think that’s my favourite part of winding yarn; watching the colours change.
So, my daughter is obsessed with dancing like a ballerina, but she’s not really a pastel Swan Lake kind of girl, so I’m making her a Rainbow Tutu!
I found all the tulle at my local market – super cheap, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
Perfect colours to counter the dark, grey winter outside, don’t you think?
Meanwhile, you can pick up the Larra at any great yarn seller here in NL, or on Deramores.com internationally.
Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Scheepjeswol
Tagged ballet, crochet, haken, larra, larra batik, MissNeriss, new year, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, tutu
If you follow me on Facebook at all (you should, btw), you would have seen me posting about the Scheepjes Christmas Blog Hop all week, and today it’s my turn!
Thanks so much to Atty’s for yesterday’s post, wasn’t it just fabulous? I’m definitely going to make some of those coasters, but I don’t know if I’ll actually use them as coasters, or get some Christmas washi tape and decorate my walls!
So let’s get to my contribution for this fabulous event, a yarn wreath.
For this I used a couple of different techniques instead of just crochet. I made pom poms in varying sizes, and also made yarn-wrapped balls to decorate this gorgeous wreath.
What do you think of my palette? I wanted something different, yet a little bit Christmas-sy and so I took Kirsten’s advice and spent countless hours (days?) trawling through Design Seeds for just the right colours and I thought that this one was just perfect.
So let’s get to the instructions, shall we?
3 mm crochet hook
Scheepjeswol Stone Washed yarn in five shades (801, 807, 815, 813, 814)
A 25cm Styrofoam ring that has a flat side
About 20 Styrofoam balls in three sizes (4, 5 and 6 cm)
Fabric glue
Cardboard to make pom poms (or a pom pom maker if you prefer)
Scissors
First start working on the ring. Using the glue, fasten the end of the lightest shade of yarn (801) to the Styrofoam ring. Once it’s a little dry, start working the yarn around and around, adding dobs of glue as you go to ensure it all stays in place. Once you come back to the beginning, snip the yarn, and fasten it all in place. Set aside to dry thoroughly.
To make the Yarn Wrapped balls, take the colour of choice (make multiple in each size and colour), fasten the end of the yarn to the ball with the glue and start winding the yarn around the ball, like you’re just winding any old ball of wool. Make sure that you add dobs of glue every now and then to keep the yarn in place. Once it’s completely covered, snip the yarn and glue the end in place.
To make the pom poms, first cut two pieces of cardboard into corresponding sizes to your balls and make them into doughnuts. I like to cut an opening to help wind the yarn around, but you should use your favourite pom pom method. Using the various colours, wind the yarn around the cardboard until it’s very full, then cut and fasten it all together, trimming it to be a nice, round ball.
To make the crochet balls, you’ll need the different size styrofoam balls and a matching stitch count.
4cm ball:
Start with a magic ring, and stitch 6 single crochets (UK double crochet) into the ring, tightening it once you’re done.
For the second round, increase into each stitch around with single crochet so that you have 12 stitches around.
Round 3: Increase, then single crochet into the next stitch, repeating around until you have 18 stitches.
Round 4: Increase, then single crochet into the next 2 stitches, repeating around until you have 24 stitches.
For the next 5 rounds, single crochet around, before beginning your decrease at round 10. Insert the ball here too.
Round 10: Decrease (2 single crochet together), then single crochet into the next 2 stitches, repeating around until you have 18 stitches.
Round 11: Decrease, then single crochet into the next stitch, repeating around until you have 12 stitches.
Round 12: Decrease around until you have 6 stitches, cut the yarn, tie off and using a tapestry needle close up the ball.
5 cm ball:
Follow the above instructions until you’ve completed round 4.
Round 5: Increase, single crochet into the next 3 stitches, repeating around until you have 30 stitches.
Round 6-13: Single crochet around and after round 13 insert the ball.
Round 14: Decrease, single crochet into the next 3 stitches, repeating around until you have 24 stitches.
Continue with the instructions from round 10 of the 4 cm ball.
6 cm ball:
Follow the instructions for the 5 cm ball until you’ve completed round 5.
Round 6: Increase, single crochet into the next 4 stitches, repeating around until you have 36 stitches.
Round 7-19: single crochet around, and after round 19 insert the ball
Round 20: Decrease, single crochet into the next 4 stitches, repeating around until you have 30 stitches.
Complete the ball as per the instructions from round 14 of the 5 cm ball.
Now is the time to put it all together. I like to vary the colours, sizes and textures, trying to make sure that no two balls of the same size and texture are next to one another. Start building your wreath using the fabric glue to attach each ball to the wreath and its neighbour. This will take some time as the glue needs to dry a little before you can proceed. Make sure you hold the wreath up to see how it’s coming together often so you can get a feel for the result.
Once you’re happy, leave it to dry properly over night, and then you’re ready to hang it!
What do you think? Will you try to make one? I’ve really enjoyed the process and I absolutely love the result. I’ve started buying all my Christmas decorations in matching colours and if you check back here in a few days, you’ll see that I have something to go with this that I think you’ll love. I’m also using the leftover balls as baubles for the tree – fun!
In the mean time, be sure to visit 50 Shades of 4ply tomorrow for the next installment of the Scheepjes Christmas Blog Hop!
Love,
Nerissa
Posted in Christmas, Scheepjes, Scheepjeswol, Stone Washed, Uncategorized
Tagged Christmas, crochet, crochet pattern, DIY, free pattern, haken, kerst, MissNeriss, Obsessed with Crochet, pattern, projects, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, tutorial, yarn
MissNeriss 