Tag Archives: yarn

Last Dance on the Beach CAL – Week 10

Posted on June 22, 2016 | 1 comment

You’re going to love this week!

Sarah identifies as a knitter, rather than a crocheter, but for the last wee while she’s been moonlighting; indulging in her secondary craft: crochet.

Sarah was also very close friends with Wink; do read her post sharing her love for Wink. Her post this week will inspire you, in ways only Sarah can do.

Sarah has created a beautiful crochet that looks knitted! Isn’t that just the coolest idea?

Click here to download the pattern from the Scheepjes website. As usual, Estherhas 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 #scheepjesCAL2016or#lastdanceonthebeach all over the internet and I’ll be sure to find them on Insta or Twitter or Facebook.

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Posted in ScheepjesCAL2016

Tagged crochet, haken, last dance on the beach, ldotb, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016, yarn

Winterlight

Posted on June 3, 2016 | 1 comment

A couple of months or so ago I came across a brand new podcast on youtube by my Insta-friend Vanessa Kind and she introduced me to the wonderful indie dyer Dingo Dyeworks. I fell head over heels with all the yarns and colourways – you know how much I love a good merino yarn.

When I visited the site I was overwhelmed. How could I possibly choose between all these amazing yarns?! But then I saw Winterlight.

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Winterlight is a shawl designed by Meg Gadsbey from Atelier Yarn in Sydney, in collaboration with Petah from Dingo Dyeworks in her beautiful Fair Dinkum Dingo Tail gradients.

I love the Fair Dinkum range, it carries the NewMerino certification, which is a an Australian initiative promoting 100% traceability, sustainability and ethical treatment.

The hardest decision was then what else should I get? Because the yarn was coming all the way from Perth, I couldn’t just order one skein – it’d be a waste right?

In the end I settled on some Fair Dinkum ultrafine fingering in Blue Gum. Blue gums have the most incredible scent. In the region I grew up in, about 20 years ago graziers started cashing in on the blue gum boom, selling their land for a thousand dollars an acre (insane money) to be replanted with blue gums. All of a sudden I was living in a forest instead of farmland, it was strange how the landscape changed so rapidly.

So the blue gum is something familiar, and a lovely colourway, so it fits. I have a project in mind, another Meg Gadsbey design called Minnamurra. Aren’t all these Australian names awesome? It makes me a bit homesick to be honest. I think my obsession with merino is something that I use to keep me connected, do you know what I mean?

I absolutely loved making Winterlight. The pattern is perfect for someone like me who doesn’t class themselves as a “knitter””- although I do now! It’s also just beautiful, so that’s reason enough!

I can’t wait to make another one. But I have a to-do list and WIP list that is longer than my arm, so it’ll have to wait a bit.

And finally, do check out Vanessa’s great podcast on Youtube. Although, lock up your wallet; she’s a bad influence!

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Posted in knit

Tagged atelier yarn, dingo dyeworks, gradient, knitting, meg gadsbey, merino, my creative garage, podcast, shawl, winterlight, yarn

Last Dance on the Beach CAL – Week 7

Posted on June 1, 2016 | 4 comments

We’ve cracked the halfway point of the squares for the Scheepjes CAL 2016. I could see from all the wonderful Instagram posts from last week how much you all enjoyed Carmen’s C2C. I had never done it before and I LOVED it!

This week we meet Maria, the creative and wonderfully cheeky soul behind 50 Shades of 4ply. Maria has an incredible eye for colour, I love her palette choices every single time she makes something. Maria is a featured designer in the brand new Scheepjes bookazine, Yarn, which is just another reason for you to get a copy*.

Maria has designed the square that if I am perfectly honest, I’ve been the most excited about. It’s the heart square!

*Affiliate link

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Posted in ScheepjesCAL2016

Tagged crochet, haken, last dance on the beach, ldotb, MissNeriss, scheepjes, ScheepjesCAL2016, yarn

Project Planning – New Yarn

Posted on April 19, 2016 | 3 comments

I’m absolutely crazy about crochet lately. I have been working like crazy, there are ideas swirling around and around and I’m desperately trying to pin them all down so they don’t fly off into someone else’s conscience.

Right now I want to share with you the next project on the list, it’s using the lovely new Scheepjes Aquarel. Well, Scheepjes have launched so many new yarns in the last year, it’s hard to remember what’s new and what’s new!

You might have seen me post a pic on Instagram a while ago showing off the gorgeous colours? Here’s what they all look like together, aren’t they amazing?

The Scheepjes Softfun Aquarel is a cotton acrylic blend (40/60%) and is the same composition as the regular Softfun and the hugely popular Softfun Denim. Plus, the colours across all three ranges are designed to work together, so you can easily combine any of the colours to work together.

The yarn calls for a 4mm hook and for your 50g you get 140 metres.

It’s a lovely stretchy yarn to work with, I really enjoy it. The stitch definition is great, and the watercolour effect is beautiful when worked up.

Oh, and let’s not forget that now famous Easy Start tab. Isn’t it just the best?

Next week I’ll show you some examples of what I have in store for you! This theme is going to span a few months, as this won’t be the only project I share with you, so stay tuned!

You can buy this beautiful yarn at any Scheepjes retailer in the Benelux, or you can pick it up at Wool Warehouse or Deramores in the UK (and internationally).

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Posted in Scheepjes, Uncategorized

Tagged scheepjes, softfun, softfun aquarel, yarn

It’s Yarn Day!

Posted on September 23, 2015 | 3 comments

Look what arrived a few days ago:

It’s a lovely pile of Scheepjes Catona Denim.

Scheepjes Catona, the start of a new project

I chose a selection of some of my favourite colours with the intention of working on a tapestry crochet project.

Doesn’t it look gorgeous, just as a decoration?

The yarn itself is a 100% cotton yarn, in a very similar style to the famous cotton 8, but with a lovely denim effect and ever so slight colour variation. It’s suited to a 3mm hook and is soft and easy on the hands.

I’m making a stool cover for a little “krukje” that I picked up in Action last week, and I’m hoping that I can even write the pattern for it in Dutch!

Check back next week, I’ll have the finished project for you. I’ve been powering through it and there’ll be more photos on Instagram through the week, so please nip over there to keep up to date! It feels great to be overflowing with Crochet Mojo.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged catona denim, cotton, crochet, DIY, project, scheepjes, yarn

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

Breidag – A Yarn Paradise?

Posted on March 23, 2015 | 3 comments

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!

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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!

3 Comments

Posted in Curation, events

Tagged breidag, breien, crochet, haken, handwerkbeurs, knitting, natural fibre, rijswijk, spinning, 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!

6 Comments

Posted in Projects, Scheepjes, Stone Washed, Yarn

Tagged crochet, DIY, haken, MissNeriss, Obsessed with Crochet, scheepjes, scheepjeswol, stone washed, yarn

Christmas Bunting

Posted on December 10, 2014 | 1 comment

Today is the very last day of the Scheepjeswol Christmas Blog Hop and I’m so sad that it’s over, yet very happy to be able to send it off, hopefully in style!

How incredibly beautiful is Heike from Made with Loops bag? Fair Isle, I promise you, will be absolutely THE biggest yarn trend of 2015, so get onto it!

Here’s today’s project from me, some lovely and very simple Christmas Bunting.

I had some left over yarn once I had finished my Christmas Wreath and I wanted to use it up for something fun to decorate the house with this Christmas, and I just love bunting, so bunting it was!

I came up with a very simple half double crochet pattern that works up in a jiffy. Each flag can be made in under ten minutes! It’s a great scrap project too, so you don’t have to worry too much about how much yarn you have lying around.

What you’ll need:

Scheepjeswol Stone Washed in five colours. I used the same as in my wreath: 801, 807, 815, 813 and 814.
4mm hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Measuring tape

How To:

Choose one of your colours, then start with a slip stitch, and chain 2. Half double crochet into the second chain from the hook and there you will have the foundation of the triangle to start building your bunting.
From here on, you will need to increase at the end of each row with 2 half double crochets into the last stitch.
Row 2: Chain 2, 2 HDC (half double crochet) into the next stitch (3 stitches in total), turn.
Row 3: Chain 2, HDC into the next stitch, 2 HDC into the last stitch (4 stitches), turn.
Row 4: Chain 2, HDC into the next 2 stitches, 2 HDC into the last stitch (5 stitches), turn.
Continue this pattern until you have a stitch count of 17 (16 rows in total), then tie off and weave in the ends, making sure you keep the nice point at the bottom of the triangle.

Make 3 of each colour (or more if you’d like to make it longer)

Here’s a chart to help make it a bit easier:

To join the bunting, take your lightest colour (801) and start chaining, working the end in as you go. Chain for 60cm to create a long enough tie, then attach to the first bunting triangle by single crocheting into the first and then all 17 stitches along. Continue to chain, leaving about 8cm in between triangles. Repeat this pattern until you have attached all your triangles to the chain, then to finish off, chain a further 60cm before cutting the yarn and weaving in the end. The finished bunting will measure about 4m in length.

And you’re all done! Now all that’s left to do is find the perfect spot to hang it!

On a wall…

Or in a window…?

And that’s it. The Christmas Blog Hop is over for this year *sob*. I hope you found some wonderful inspiration – I certainly did. But before I go, here’s a recap of what we’ve seen in the last ten days:

The beautiful Knitted Star motif from Crafts from theCwtch