Tag Archives: MissNeriss

Last Dance on the Beach CAL – Week 4

Posted on May 11, 2016 | 1 comment

Surely it’s not week four already? Didn’t week three just start yesterday?!

This week it’s Atty’s turn, with her waves square.

Atty’s designs are fabulous. I love watching her create, it’s like her hands have minds of their own – the motifs grow and change and suddenly they’re there, and beautiful.

Click here to download the pattern from the Scheepjes website. As usual, Esther has created a fantastic series of videos in English, Dutch and for us lefties.

To help you with your gauge and tension, visit the Tips and Tricks document at the CAL home page, plus a great video, again by Esther here.

Do make sure you share your squares on social media so we can all see and comment on them. Use hashtag #scheepjesCAL2016 or #lastdanceonthebeach all over the internet and I’ll be sure to find them on Insta or Twitter or Facebook.

Happy Hooking!

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Posted in ScheepjesCAL2016

Tagged CAL, crochet, haken, ldotb, MissNeriss, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Reuniting The Blogger Tribe

Posted on April 12, 2016 | 12 comments

I’m deep in the Come Down from the weekend. Properly miserable.

I have just experienced the most inspirational and energy-filled weekend with the most wonderful group of bloggers; my Blogger Tribe. And now it’s over, I’m devastated.

I exaggerate, obviously. But, there is a very definite come down effect. I went to dinner with friends last night, and while they were all chatting and laughing, I wasn’t really feeling myself. I just wanted to be transported back to the weekend and to hang out with my blogger girls.

Each year Scheepjes hosts a Blogger Weekend and I’m lucky enough for this to be my third year. We started with a small handful of ladies; and now look at us!

This year we descended upon the beautiful city of Groningen in the north east of the Netherlands. If you haven’t been, you must. It hosts one of the best Saturday markets in the country, along with some of the most lovely architecture and it has the coolest vibe. Plus the shopping is amazing!

We spent the first day being let loose in the warehouse to feel all the buttons, squish the yarn, and gasp over the gorgeous fabrics. The girls were all laughing at me because I needed two people to help me carry everything! So be warned, there are a LOT of projects coming from me in the coming months!

We had a great session in the afternoon with tech editor Cara Medus, learning some of the fundamentals of garment design. I’m pleased that although I’m not a fan of maths, I can understand formulas, so what I learned is going to be VERY useful and I can’t wait to put it into practice!

We were also extremely lucky to learn some of the inside gossip, and see some of what’s coming up in the next 6-12 months from Scheepjes, and let me tell you, it’s revolutionary! For a small family business, they’re visionaries and are only going to grow and become industry leaders – mark my words! I’m so excited to be along for the ride.

I wonder what this could be all about…..?

I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you…

Suddenly we were all at dinner, and then all the young’uns retired while the Usual Suspects headed for the bar until stupid o’clock with a few bottles of wine and a lot of laughter and a few tears.

Feeling a little rough after a short nap overnight, it was time for round two! One of the biggest highlights was finally being able to see the finished Last Dance on the Beach CAL blankets that we all designed together in memory of our Beloved Wink. Seriously, these blankets are beautiful. Spectacular. Absolute heirloom pieces. I had no idea, and I mean, absolutely none, that the blankets would be as beautiful as they are. It’s difficult to tell the difference between the Merino Soft and Colour Crafter. The biggest tell is the weight – the Merino Soft is quite a bit heavier than the Colour Crafter, and a bit silkier to touch. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be impressed by an acrylic yarn blanket!

Here’s the Stars (lovely picture by Dedri)

I also spent a bit of time with Esther filming a quick left handed segment for her instructional video for my square. You’ll be able to see my shaking hands in person when it’s my week!

I even took the plunge and have started learning to knit socks! Tammy has been at me for ages to do it, but I just thought it would be too hard. Then I saw her busy with two at a time using the Magic Loop method and they look so easy! So, Sarah gave me a quick course on how to do Judy’s Magic Cast-on and how to increase using her finger and thumb method and I was away! Well, kind of. My knitting skills are not very advanced, so there was a random yarnover creating a hole, then somehow I managed to mess up my stitch count, so I had to rip it all out and start over. by second attempt is much, much better and I just wanna knit all the socks!

I didn’t take any decent photos as usual, but you can see some great shots taken by the other girls on their blogs and Instagram.

Here we are all together with the amazing Dance Under the Stars blanket

From left to right we have Kirsten from Haak maar Raak, Jellina from Jellina Creations, Esther from It’s all in a Nutshell, Dedri (at the back) from Look at What I Made, Carmen (front) from Crafty Queens, Esther (back) from Happy in Red, Christa (front) from the Curio Crafts Room, Mr Scheepjes (Job), Atty (in front of Mr Scheepjes) from Atty’s, Tatiana from Lilla Bjorn Crochet, Bernadette (back) from Berniolie, Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch, Me, Tammy from Canadutch, and Maria from 50 Shades of 4ply. Missing was Annelies from Vicarno, and Susan from Felted Button (we missed you girls!!!!!).

All too soon it was over. It was time to get in the car, leave these lovely women, and make the sad journey home. Now I have a with a head absolutely chock full of inspiration and a heart wishing I could go back in time and hit pause so I could stay there forever. There’s still more I have to tell you about the goodies we received, but that’s for another day!

Thank you so much to Job and our Tribe Builder and the rest of the team at Scheepjes. It’s such an honour to be part of this cool group of women, these girls have changed my world.

Now excuse me, I have socks to knit.

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Posted in Scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Tagged last dance on the beach, ldotb, MissNeriss, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016

Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap for Kids – Pattern

Posted on April 5, 2016 | 1 comment

Here we are, finally. The kid’s version of my seriously popular Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap is ready.

Making this wrap reminded me just how much I love the Stone Washed yarn. It is such a beautiful yarn to work with. No splitting, froggable, soft, warm – oh so warm, and beautiful colours. The soft Rose Quartz pink I used for this was the perfect choice for my daughter. She’s a pink girl, through and through.

Right, let’s get on with it.

What You’ll Need

Scheepjes Stone Washed XL in 860 (Rose Quartz) – 5 balls (more if your gauge is different)
4 cm bamboo button – you can pick these up at any good craft store, or online
Size 5mm hook (or hook to obtain gauge). My favourite is the Clover Amour.
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)

Notes

In this tutorial I’m going to give the instructions on how to make a Peek-a-Boo Button wrap in a size to fit a 4-6 year old. I will also give you a schematic so you can easily see what measurements you will need to make a wrap for older kids or younger kids.

My friend Esther from It’s all in a Nutshell has made a fantastic instructional video on how to create the stitch and her brilliant method of tracking her progress. You can see it here:

Instructions

Loosely, chain 74 for the base chain, plus 2 to start the 1st row.
HDC into the 3rd loop from the hook, and all the way across. The stitch count should be 74. CH2 and turn. Note, the CH2 does not count as a stitch.
HDC into the back loop (HDCBLO) of the first stitch, then into the front loop (HDCFLO) into the next. Repeat this alternating back loop/front loop pattern all the way across. CH2 and turn.
You should have ended the previous with your last stitch into the front loop of the stitch. On this row you need to make sure that if the stitch from the previous row was in the front loop, this row needs to be in the back loop. This creates the lovely texture and drape that makes this wrap so beautiful. If you ensure your stitch count is even, it is easy to manage – you will always start the row in the BLO and finish in the FLO. So, HDCBLO in the first stitch, HDCFLO in the next. Repeat across, CH2, turn.
Repeat for a total count of 16 rows (or 16 cm – 1 row should be about 1cm high). Now we will make the first arm hole. The first stitches of the row will form the collar height, so in the HDCBLO/FLO pattern, crochet 14 stitches. Then CH15 and skip 15 stitches, HDCBLO into the next. Then continue the FLO/BLO pattern all the way across. CH3, turn.
To close the sleeve, HDCBLO/FLO all the way across to the beginning of the chain from the previous row, then HDC 15 times around the chain, HDCBLO into the next stitch, and repeat the HDCFLO/BLO pattern to the top.
Now you’ve closed the sleeve, you’re working across the back of the wrap. Repeat the HDCBLO/FLO rows for another 25 rows, then repeat steps 5 and 6 for the second armhole.
Crochet another 18 rows and then we will make the button hole. This is a place where you can make a few personal adjustments – if the child is handy, you can do a fitting at this point, so see if it’s the right place to place the button hole. A smaller child may need the button hole a few rows earlier, and larger children perhaps a few rows later.
We’ll work from the bottom up to make the button hole for this size (if you add or subtract rows, you may need to work from the top, but the principle is the same). HDCBLO/FLO for 40 stitches, CH4, skip 4, HDCBLO in the next. HDCFLO/BLO to the end, CH2, turn.
HDCBLO/FLO to the chain, work 4 HDC around the CH4 from the previous row, then HDCFLO in the next. HDCBLO/FLO across.
Work another 4 rows (or until you run out of yarn), tie off and weave in the ends.

Wetblock using Eucalan, or another wool wash, pin out on blocking boards, stretching as needed, and wait impatiently for it to dry.

Peek-a-boo button wrap for kids. Using Scheepjes Stone Washed XL, designed by MissNeriss.

Below you can see the schematics of the measurements of the entire wrap in the size that I have described above. Using these measurement points, you can very easily customise the wrap to your own size.

To get the total height, take a tape measure and measure from the base of the skull to mid hip. The button should sit over the breast/chest and the closure should be slightly off centre.

This design has been created with the specific use of Scheepjes Stone Washed XL in mind.

You can pick the yarn up at any great Scheepjes retailer in the Benelux, Wool Warehouse or Deramores internationally, and Paradise Fibers in the US.

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Posted in free pattern, gratis haak patroon, gratis patroon, haken, Pattern, Scheepjes, Stone Washed

Tagged crochet, haken, MissNeriss, peekaboo button wrap, scheepjes, stone washed XL

Peek-a-Boo Button Wrap – For Kids!

Posted on March 3, 2016 | 9 comments

I’m really not a fan of Dutch winters. I’ve had this wrap ready to show you for ages, but haven’t had any decent light-filled days to photograph it. Finally at the weekend there was glorious sunshine, so Raina and I spent the morning outside taking pics.

Raina really loves her wrap. It looks cute on her, don’t you think?

The Scheepjes Stone Washed XL is also a seriously snuggly yarn. Even though it’s a cotton/acrylic blend, it’s warm enough that Raina had no complaints about the cold when it was only 5 degrees outside!

I’m in the process of writing the instructions for kids sizes. I need to get hold of a few different sized kids and a tape measure!

Stay tuned, the instructions and measurements are coming soon.

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Wool Warehouse*.

*Affiliate Link

9 Comments

Posted in free pattern, Scheepjes, Stone Washed

Tagged crochet, free pattern, haken, hand made, MissNeriss, pattern, peek-a-boo button wrap, scheepjes, scheepjeswol

I saw This on Pinterest Today

Posted on March 1, 2016 | 3 comments

Beautiful Free Crochet Flower Patterns – time to think spring!

3 Comments

Posted in Pinterest

Tagged amigurumi, crochet, haken, IFTTT, MissNeriss

Crochet Brioche Beanie – WIP

Posted on November 20, 2015 | 4 comments

Last week I shared with you the beginning of a new project, using a crochet Brioche stitch that I’ve figured out.

This week I’m showing you some of the work in progress.

I love the stitch pattern, the colour change is so effective. At first glance it really looks like knit!

And then there’s the decrease:

This took a bit of figuring out, but the overall effect is amazing.

Then there’s the trim:

I’m considering making this a bit longer, because it’s going also turn up:

And the final touch? The pom pom! According to The Guardian, pom pom beanies are right on trend in 2015, and lucky for me I’m all over it!

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But aren’t these colours just insane? The vibrancy of the Scheepjes Colour Crafter is amazing. I haven’t edited the images to boost the saturation at all. Quite the opposite, in fact! Orange and hot pink (or is it really Shocking Pink?) are probably my favourite colour combination. They’re just such happy shades. I have a cousin who would rock these colours and my aunt would easily pull off decorating her house using these two. In fact I think she may have even done it!

Next week, the reveal! And you know what the best part is, I’ve made this hat to be One Size Fits All! Well, most…

You can pick up the yarn at Scheepjes retailers all over the Benelux, or internationally from Deramores, Wool Warehouse, and at Paradise Fibers in North America!

4 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Uncategorized

Tagged crochet, crochet beanie, crochet hat, crochet pattern, DIY, haken, MissNeriss, pattern, pom pom, projects, scheepjes

Revisiting my First Love: Amigurumi. A Project begins…

Posted on July 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

It’s been ages since I made any Amigurumi. There was a long time there where it was all I made. I have a few favourite designers, including A Morning Cup of Jo Creations and Local Legend Dendennis. I’ve also long been a fan of the Zoomigurumi books, with just about all of them in my collection.

But amigurumi and I have been on a break. It was only recently when I posted a photo on Instagram for #ThrowbackThursday that the desire reignited.

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

So I got online and ordered myself a few of the brand new Scheepjes Catona minis so I could get cracking.

I ordered three, as usually one 50g skein of yarn is not quite enough and two is too many. What a gap Scheepjes has managed to fill here, seriously! I hate having leftovers. I never use them and I always buy too many different types of yarn to be able to make a scrap project, so these mini skeins suit me right down to the ground.

I couldn’t wait to get started on my project, which is going to be a floppy-eared bunny. I’ve already made loads of progress, with only the final touches to be made before I can show you the end result and share the pattern with you!

I’ve really struggled with the ears though. I wanted them to be long and floppy, but not too wide and not too narrow. I think I’ve finally nailed it (on the left).

And the assembly is easy, but sewing all the bits and pieces on takes the time and I have to be extra vigilant not to prick my finger and get blood all over the lovely vintage yellow.

So, wish me luck keeping my fingers prick-free, I’m off to sew him all together and makes sure the pattern makes sense for you in time to share this time next week!

If you want to pick up the Catona mini-skeins for yourselves, you can at your local retailer in NL and BE, or via Deramores.com, who ship worldwide.

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

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.

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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!