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22 FREE Unusual Knit and Crochet Patterns

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Squares and rectangles don’t have to be the norm in knit and crochet projects. You can actually create some really out-of-the-box shapes! This week, we decided to offer you something a little more unusual! As you know, each week, we gather some of our favorite patterns from the Yarnspirations website. This week, I have a collection of 22 FREE unusual knit and crochet patterns. Browse them for your next project to get your crochet hooks or knitting needles into action.

22 FREE Unusual Knit and Crochet Patterns - Marly Bird

Knit and crochet projects are rarely rectangles, squares, or blocks anymore. Of course, circles are pretty common too. But you’d be amazed at the shapes you can actually make with knitting needles and crochet hooks. That’s why we think you’d love to try one or more of these 22 FREE unusual knit and crochet patterns for your next make.

Let us know what you think!

Pillows, Throws, And Afghans

More Unusual Patterns

Yes, it’s easy to work unusual shapes into squares or rectangles for blankets and throws. But we wanted to show you other fun projects where unusual shapes in knit and crochet create even more unusual shapes. Check out these patterns for more out-of-the-box ideas.

Knit Star Light Garland pattern

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Bulky Crochet Cables Blanket SNEAK PEEK

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Did you see my post last week about the Classic Cable Collection CAL? Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of the eBook pre-sale, which gives you a bunch of perks. So, I wanted to share a sneak peek of my project in this four-pattern CAL to inspire you to sign up to join us right now! It’s a bulky crochet cables blanket called The Inishmore Crochet Cable Blanket.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Your price doesn’t change when you make purchases from those links. However, I receive a percentage of the sale. Thank you for your support.

bulky crochet cables blanket - Inishmore - Marly Bird

What Is The Classic Cable Collection CAL?

You can get all of the details at the very first link above. However, here’s the gist:

  • 4-weeks, 4-patterns, 4-designers crochet-along
  • Each week features a different crochet cable technique with a video tutorial and community support
  • A big celebration of all the things you can do with crochet cables!
Classic cable collection Set

Sign Up Today, Don’t Delay

If you get the eBook today, you’ll get a whole bunch of extras compared to just joining the CAL on May 2nd. Extras include additional crochet cable patterns at a hugely discounted price, discounts to each of the designers’ pattern stores, and extra tips and yarn/color suggestions for the CAL. Plus, you’ll get all the crochet patterns in advance, allowing you to prepare for the crochet-along.

Sneak Peek of My Bulky Crochet Cables Blanket

We’ve each made something completely different for this crochet-along. My pattern will be up during the last week of the CAL, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek today. I’ve called it the Inishmore Crochet Cable Blanket. You can queue it up on Ravelry right now. UPDATED: PATTERN IS NOW AVAILABLE HERE ON THE MARLY BIRD SITE.

beautiful cable blanket by Marly Bird
My pattern comes out 5/23/22 on the blog but the CAL starts 5/2/22. Sign Up Now.

It’s a bulky crochet cables blanket worked in rows using Billow Yarn. In fact, all of us are using the beautiful bulky weight cotton yarn for our projects because it works up quickly and has great stitch definition for cables. The baby blanket measures 32 inches by 34 inches, including the border.

Unique Cable Technique

I really wanted to help you learn how to make beautiful crochet cables and also work out some of the kinks of classic techniques. Oftentimes, when you work wide crochet cabling like this, you end up with a sort of openwork design. In other words, you can see the spaces in the cables. That’s not terrible, but you might not want that. For example, if you want a cozy blanket, you don’t want those holes and spaces. Well, we solve that problem with this blanket.

front and back of cables blanket - Marly Bird

In this bulky crochet cables blanket, you’ll only work the cables on the right side of the fabric. When you’re working the wrong-side rows, you’ll use double crochet stitches. It sounds so simple, yet it’s magical. It solves the problems of those see-through spots in the cables. Therefore, you get a truly beautiful design that I’m thrilled to share with you.

Materials for Bulky Crochet Cables Blanket

You should get the CAL eBook right now so you can see all of the cable crochet patterns and gather your materials. Since you’re here, the materials you’ll need specifically for this crochet blanket in the CAL are:

Yarn

Billow by WeCrochet, 100% Cotton, 120yds/100g, 9 hanks

Are you looking to save money? If you want a more affordable alternative to Billow Yarn, I recommend Brava Bulky for this bulky crochet cables blanket.

Crochet Hook

Notions:

One More Look At the Bulky Crochet Cables Blanket!

Bulky crochet cables blanket - Inishmore by Marly Bird

I can’t wait to share this with you! Here’s what you should do next:

Get All Four Crochet Cable Patterns

Get the ebook linked above for all four ad-free PDF patterns. Or, find them all online:

Knitting in Art History

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People have been knitting for centuries and knitting history is deep and rich. Did you also know that you can see snippets of knit history by exploring art history? The following images from the 19th century show a snapshot of knitting in art history.

knitting in 19th century paintings

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links, I receive a small amount. Your price doesn’t change. THANK YOU.

The Tricoteuse

Tricoteuse is the word for “knitting girl” or “little knitter.” Artist William Adolphe Bouguereau seemed to really enjoy working with this subject since he painted many different knitting girls. One of the most popular is this one from 1879:

knitting in art history Tricoteuse

The girl looks right out at the viewer, and it seems her hands are still knitting. It appears to be very fine work on small needles, most likely stockings. Any of us who have been interrupted knitting mid-row know this look.

Here are some of the artist’s other paintings of knitting in art history:

Tricoteuse Bretonne
woman knitting in art history
knitting girl art history

These are all oil paintings, and all the subjects seem to be knitting socks or stockings. This would have been the most common project during this time period.

Jean-Francois Millet’s Knitting in Art History

Millet is another nineteenth-century oil painter who created several works featuring knitters. Two of the best are both called “The Knitting Lesson.” They each depict that age-old tradition of passing down the skill of knitting from one generation to the next.

knitting lesson in art history
jean francois millet knitting lesson

Millet wasn’t the only one to paint this subject matter. Many examples show women teaching children to knit.

Millet also painted “The Knitting Shepherdess” in different versions.

Jean-François Millet knitting woman art history
Jean-François Millet

These are delightful because they show the pleasure of simply sitting alone and knitting. Even better, these women are getting sunshine and nature’s benefits while knitting outdoors.

Knitting in Art History: Women Knitting Outside

Here are some of the other artists who depicted women knitting outside in 19th-century art history.

knitting in art history lidderdale

This is an 1888 oil painting by Charles Sillem Lidderdale.

This painting by Charles Sprague Pearce is called "Knitting in the Fields."

This painting by Charles Sprague Pearce is called “Knitting in the Fields.” Also, can we talk about that amazing coat the knitter is wearing? Beautiful!!!

catinou knitting

Most of the nineteenth-century paintings of knitters were painted by men, or at least, that’s what art history has recorded. However, there were some recognized women painters during this time. For example, this painting, called “Catinou Knitting” is by Anna Elizabeth Klumpke.

Women and Girls Knitting Together In Art History

As we know, knitting doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit, even though it’s enjoyable. Alternatively, it can be a lot of fun to knit with others. After all, that’s why we all enjoy knitalongs and gatherings in yarn stores. And even though the Internet wasn’t around back in the 19th century, women and girls did knit together socially in pairs and groups.

fishergirls on shore homer painting

This is Winslow Homer’s 1884 painting, “Fishergirls on Shore.” Can’t you imagine the types of things they’re discussing as they walk and knit together?

In the book “The History of Knitting in Art,” by Tulasi Zimmer, you can see other paintings of women knitting together. For example, you’ll find Jozef Israels’ “Three Women Knitting By The Sea,” which looks like a delightful way to pass an afternoon. There are also three people in the Claude Bail 1972 oil painting called, “An Interior with Marken Girls Knitting.”

Men Knitting in Art History

The aforementioned book shows that most paintings of knitters at this time feature women. However, men have always been knitters, and two particular images reflect this.

rudolf jordan a mean seated in a doorway knitting

This is “A Man Seated in a Doorway Knitting With His Dog” by Rudolf Jordan. The other painting shown in that book is Cal Spitzweg’s “The Knitting Look-Out,” which depicts a soldier seated by a cannon, looking out across the landscape, holding the green fabric he’s knitting on his lap.

Get The Knitting in Art Book

knitting in art history book

This book is available on Amazon.

What do you think each of these people was knitting in these images?!

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Tunisian Crochet Home Patterns

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Recently, we’ve enjoyed sharing a bunch of great Tunisian crochet patterns with you. If you love the technique as much as we do, you don’t want to miss out on today’s roundup. We’ve got a great selection of Tunisian crochet home patterns. Think dishcloths, scrubbies, pillows, and more. Most of these are quick crochet patterns. Some you don’t even need a Tunisian crochet hook for!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a percentage of sales from those links, but your price doesn’t change. THANK YOU.

Tunisian crochet home patterns roundup - Marly Bird

Tunisian Crochet Dishcloths and Scrubby Patterns

You can use Tunisian crochet to make dishcloths and scrubbies. It has the perfect knit-like texture for those projects. Moreover, these small projects provide instant gratification as you practice the technique.

TSS Dishcloth Pattern

tunisian simple stitch dishcloth pattern

This is a great beginner Tunisian crochet home pattern. Use Tunisian simple stitch to crochet square cotton dishcloths. The floral design, which is added using cross-stitch, is optional.

Striped Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

Sherbet dishcloth pattern

Use simple Tunisian crochet stitches but make them more interesting with stripes. This is a cute crochet dishcloth for any home.

Tunisian Purl Stitch Dishcloth

Tunisian purl stitch dishcloth pattern

There are several different basic crochet stitches. Tunisian knit and purl stitches are among them. This one uses Tunisian purl stitches.

Tunisian Seed Stitch Crochet Dishcloth

Tunisian seed stitch dishcloth pattern

Play with interesting textures using Tunisian seed stitch. It’s a great technique, and the result works really well in Tunisian crochet home patterns like this dishcloth.

Tunisian Lattice Stitch Dishcloth

Tunisian lattice stitch dishcloth

Take your basic Tunisian crochet skills to the next level when you learn how to work the lattice stitch. Look at this great texture! If you’re looking for an interesting dishcloth pattern you can use as a gift, this is definitely one to bookmark.

Tunisian Square Scrubby

Tunisian square scrubby pattern

Learning to crochet a square in rows is one of the best ways to practice a new technique. Therefore, this is a great beginner Tunisian crochet pattern.

Two-Texture Tunisian Crochet Scrubby Pattern

Two texture Tunisian scrubby pattern for the home

You’ll use Tunisian purl stitch in this scrubby crochet pattern.

Tunisian Round Scrubby Pattern

Tunisian crochet in the round scrubby pattern

You can work Tunisian crochet in the round. You’ll use a double-ended Tunisian crochet hook to do so. A small pattern like this circular scrubby pattern provides the perfect opportunity to practice that skill!

Other Tunisian Crochet Home Patterns

In addition to Tunisian crochet dishcloths and scrubbies, you might enjoy these other Tunisian crochet home patterns:

Tunisian Crochet Cup Cozy

Sariel Tunisian cup cozy

Crochet this cup cozy flat in rows and seam together. It’s an easy pattern that makes for a very dense cup cozy.

Tunisian Crochet Ribbed Pillow Pattern

Tunisian crochet ribbed pillow pattern

To create this super cozy Tunisian crochet pillow pattern, use two simple stitch repeats and super bulky yarn.

Customizable Tunisian Crochet Pillows

Let's Dish Pillow Tunisian crochet pillow patterns

Would you like to make pillows of all sizes using one easy Tunisian crochet pattern? Here’s your pattern. The instructions come with information about making this pillow in seven sizes.

Monstera Pillow

Monstera Pillow - Tunisian crochet pillow and blanket set

Use Tunisian crochet colorwork to make this graphic Monstera-inspired pillow. This pattern comes with a matching crochet blanket pattern.

Tunisian Crochet Pumpkin Pattern

Tunisian crochet pumpkin pattern

You don’t usually consider using Tunisian crochet to create amigurumi-like home decor. However, it offers the perfect texture for this adorable crochet pumpkin. You can use either side of the Tunisian knit stitch fabric to create two textures for these cute pumpkins.

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11 Free Citrus Crochet and Knit Patterns

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Doesn’t the thought of citrus fruits make your mouth water? Well, summer is coming, and we think you’ll love this juicy selection of citrus crochet and knit patterns. You might still need patterns for summer gifts…weddings, housewarming parties, and general outdoor gatherings. Find lemons, limes, and oranges galore in this citrus-themed pattern collection that’ll make you pucker up!

Crochet hooks and knitting needles at the ready? Read on!

11 Free Citrus Crochet and Knit Patterns

Citrus Patterns To Carry

Make an impression with these zesty purse patterns. Not everyone carries a citrus purse, but it’s sure to be a conversation starter.

Juicy Patterns For The Home

Add a splash of fun with these citrus goodies for your home or a friend. Brighten your kitchen with dishcloths and scrubbies, or add a dash of color to your bathroom or kid’s room with a citrus rug. A bar would look great with these fruit slice coasters. Dress up your place like a vacation spot, and then you won’t feel like leaving!

Just For Fun Patterns!

Summer parties and barbecue season are just around the corner. Dress up your backyard with citrus bunting, or talk your kids into a citrus birthday party for a healthy time. Make each kiddo a lemon squeeze ball to take home. If it’s warm outside, maybe soak them and throw them like water balloons. But if you’re going to throw them, make sure you sew the eyes with yarn and don’t use buttons. Let’s play it safe.

Citrus Slice Rug Free Crochet Pattern

If you liked these free citrus crochet and knit patterns…

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55 Free Self-Striping Patterns To Crochet and Knit

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Many Yarnspirations yarns are self-striping! So have fun stitching without worrying about color changes with these free designs. Knit and crochet them in various yarns, including Red Heart Super Saver Stripes, Caron Cakes, Bernat Pop!, and more. Dig into these self-striping patterns to crochet and knit with fewer ends to weave! That’s your first bonus, and here’s your second…

Bonus: Get another collection of only O’Go self-striping patterns with 26 Free Self-Striping Patterns Using O’Go Yarn!

55 Free Self-Striping Patterns to Crochet and Knit - Marly Bird

Knit Self-Striping Free Patterns

Knitting yourself these hats, baby blankets, sweaters, shawls, socks, and more is simple when you use yarn that works the stripes for you!

New Wave Knit Baby Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Crochet Self-Striping Free Patterns

Make crocheting easier by creating cowls, scarves, blankets, totes, and more with yarn specifically designed to create stripes as you go!

Striped Crochet Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

If you loved these self-striping patterns to crochet and knit, maybe you’d like to see how regular stripes work.

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