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33 Free Polka Dot Patterns | Crochet and Knit

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Polka dots add a fun accent to any pattern! Switch up colors to make them using colorwork techniques, add them using embroidery, use a textured stitch, or sew on polka dots as appliques. No matter which way you make them, you can add polka dots to any pattern you’d like!

33 Free Polka Dot Patterns | Crochet and Knit

Polka Dots on Home Decor

Blankets are a natural fit for polka dots, but you can also add them on dishcloths, tote bags, stockings, and other items for your home.

Polka Time Pillow Crochet Pillow
Little Dots Will Do Ya Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Polka Dots to Wear

Add polka dots to your hats, cowls, and even sweaters for an added bit of fun.

Connect the Dots Knit Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern

Bonus: Circle in Square

All of these projects are circles that turn into squares — and they’re all polka dots! Click on the image to see these polka dot patterns.

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Inspiration! Start Your Free Trial for Creativebug Art and Craft Classes

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Creativebug has a free seven day trial for any of its subscription levels. Honestly, Creativebug is one of the best platforms for art and craft classes because they have a lot of great teachers but also a HUGE variety of different things that you can learn. I teach both knitting and crochet through Creativebug, and I love that I’ve been able to offer instructional techniques to people on this platform. They regularly offer varied discounts to new members. Therefore, you have the opportunity to check them out at no or low cost at any time. It’s well worth it!

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and take advantage of the deal, I make a little bit of money off of the sale. In fact, it benefits me even if you just sign up for the free trial. I honestly think you’ll like the platform. But if after 60 days you decide that you don’t, you can cancel, pay nothing, and it still helps me out a lot. So please consider checking out the free trial.

What is Creativebug?

If you aren’t familiar with Creativebug then you’re missing out. It’s a platform for artists, makers, crafters and other creative people. It’s a place where you can learn new crafts. You can also learn new techniques in a craft that you already love, such as knitting or crochet. If you sign up for a membership, then you get unlimited access to their art and craft classes. Classes are go-at-your-own pace and never expire. It’s a great season to learn something new, so why not check it out?

Creativebug Free Trial

They offer different deals all of the time. However, you can pretty much always at least get a free trial. For seven days, you can access the entire website for free. After that, you determine whether you want to get the Unlimited or Unlimited Plus membership. Even the most expensive membership is less than $10 per month. And you can get it for practically half that if you pay a full year in advance. This is a really low price for unlimited online art and craft classes across diverse disciplines.

Check Out the Daily Practice Craft Sessions

Creativebug has been around for nine years so they’ve got a lot of amazing content. Five years ago, Creativebug started launching an inspirational series called Daily Practice. Just as the name suggests, they send members a daily dose of creative inspiration almost every single day.

Why Sign Up For Daily Practice:

  • It’s a great way to get inspired to be creative. Those little inspirational reminders, tips, and ideas can really get your crafty juices flowing.
  • You’ll get the chance to explore a wide range of creative practices. Even if you love to knit and crochet, you might find that trying your hand at other crafts is fun as well.
  • This is a terrific way to jumpstart your craft energy. Daily Practice is a way to develop the habit of crafting. It’s a way to remind yourself to make space for craft every day. That is so valuable for us on so many levels.
  • WHY NOT? GET ACCESS NOW. You can try it and see if you like it.

What Else Creativebug Offers

You get an amazing amount of stuff with your Creativebug account. Creative experts across a range of different industries produce new classes for your daily. In addition to knitting, and crochet, you can find craft classes for other fiber arts including macrame, weaving, and embroidery. You can also explore other art and craft classes from painting to paper projects.

Plus Creativebug gives you access to:

  • CBTV featuring documentary-style insight into artists and their processes
  • Community galleries for inspiration
  • Community forums for connecting and sharing
  • Downloads: patterns, recipes, and templates
  • Lookbooks for inspiration and ideas

Marly Bird’s Creativebug Classes

Learn how to knit and crochet with Creativebug classes by Marly Bird

You can learn more about Creativebug by listening to the YarnThing podcast episode we did. As you’ll see when you click over to that post, I’ve got a variety of classes that you can take through Creativebug.

You can use my classes to learn how to make a colorblock crochet sweater or a crochet shawl, knit or crochet cardigans, make Christmas stockings with cables, or practice Entrelac knitting. Since the time of that podcast post, I’ve added another six classes to Creativebug. You can join me to learn cabled crochet, beaded knitting, broomstick lace and so much more.

MarlyBird craft classes

And, of course, those are just my classes. There are lots of other great instructors as well teaching a wide range of art and craft classes. It’s a terrific chance to try something new, which expands your brain and makes you feel good about yourself. Sign up to try Creativebug now!

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Crochet Market Bags Book Review

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Book reviews on the Marly Bird site are written by team member Kathryn unless otherwise noted. This is her review of Salena Baca’s book “Crochet Market Bags: 10 Fresh Fun Handbags and Totes.”

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive commission off sale from those links. Your support is appreciated.

crochet market bags book

Crochet Market Bags

There are so many great reasons to make crochet market bags. The primary reason, of course, is that they’re fun to craft. It’s the kind of project that’s small enough for a little bit of instant gratification and yet large enough that you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.

Another great thing about crochet market bags is that you really can’t ever have too many of them. You can use them to carry all different types of things. Moreover, you can use them as pretty storage for different items in your home. Additionally, they make terrific gifts – or gift bags – so they’re an easy thing to give away.

Of course, handmade tote bags are far better for the environment that disposable bags – plastic, especially, but paper as well. So, there are a lot of good reasons to check out Salena Baca’s book “Crochet Market Bags: 10 Fresh Fun Handbags and Totes.”

Salena Baca’s Crochet Market Bags

This is a short and sweet crochet book published by Stackpole Books. It features ten different crochet bag patterns. Each pattern includes:

  • Photos of the finished crochet market bags
  • Written pattern for the body of the bag
  • Additional instructions for stitches that aren’t the basic crochet stitches
  • Additional notes that will help you write the pattern
  • At least one option for creating a strap for the crochet bag

In other words, each pattern is a well-written, thought-out, concise but complete crochet pattern that tells you exactly how to make and adapt the bag.

Types of Crochet Bags

Each of these bags truly is unique from the others. That’s what makes it worth it to invest in the book rather than just finding random crochet market bags patterns online. There are ten different bags with a variety of different construction techniques. Some are crocheted in the round. Others are worked in rows. Still others are motif-based bags. There are different types of straps. Some have tassel details, fringe, or drawstring closures.

Although they’re all called market bags, you can use them for a variety of different things. There’s even an adorable “Very Vintage Purse” that works for a night out. Four of them are named totes, three are bags, one is specifically a bucket bag, another a handbag.

These are primarily worked using cotton yarn, but one is a cotton-hemp blend. They are mostly worsted weight yarn projects worked with a size G crochet hook.

Get The Book

Salena Baca’s crochet book is available on Amazon. It’s available in paperback or as a Kindle book.

crochet market bags

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If you love to read about crochet, knitting, and yarn, then make sure to check out these lists:

Love market bags? Check out an additional 44 crochet tote and market bag patterns

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Crochet Slip Stitch Ribbing for Super Stretch

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There are several different ways to crochet ribbing. We’re talking about that this week in BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner Crochet Lessons for Knitters. One of the options is slip stitch ribbing. I’ve used this for quite a few things but it’s especially great as a hat brim. Let me show you how to do it.

crochet slip stitch ribbing

Crochet Hat Brim

One of the most popular ways that I’ver ever used crochet slip stitch ribbing Is as the brim for my Ribbed for Him or Her Hat. This was my take on a messy bun hat and it included a brim. When I wear a hat with a brim, I like something that has structure and doesn’t lay flat on my face. It’s actually pretty hard to find that among all of the crochet hat designs out there. So, I created my own. I found that by using a crochet stretchy slip stitch rib, I could get the perfect brim for this hat.

The crochet stretchy slip stitch rib is great to use for a hat brim like this one. However, you can also use it anytime that you want stretchy ribbing. For example, use it on sweater sleeve cuffs or the cuffs of crochet mittens. The crochet slip stitch ribbing has so much memory which makes for such a stretchy band on your project. Another great thing about this rib is that it looks like knitted rib but is really crochet. In order to get the stretchy properties you will only be working in the back loop of the stitch. Take a look at the video and see where you can apply this crochet ribbing.

What Is Crochet Slip Stitch Ribbing?

As I said, you’ll crochet in the back loop only of the stitch. You’ll use slip stitch in those back loops. It’s really a super easy technique!

How to Crochet Slip Stitch Ribbing

You’ll find a photo tutorial and two video tutorials below. This should make it simple for you to learn how to work this technique. The basic written instructions are as follows:

  • Chain the width you desire.
  • Insert the hook into the back loop only.
  • Yarn over and pull up a loop.
  • Confirm that the loop is parallel in height to the loop on the hook. This helps you get the right tension.
  • Then continue pulling that loop through the loop on the hook. In other words, complete the slip stitch.
  • Chain one and turn to start the next row. When starting the next row, do not count the chain one as the first stitch.

Stretchy Slip Stitch Ribbing Photo Tutorial

Here’s a simple photo tutorial that shows you the seven steps you’ll use to create this ribbing:

YouTube Tutorial of Crochet Stretchy Slip Stitch Rib:

Obviously, many people learn better from video tutorials than from photo tutorials. Therefore, I’ve also created that for you. In fact, I’ve created two. The first one is generally how to crochet this type of ribbing:

And the second one is more specifically how to crochet this ribbing as the hat brim for the aforementioned popular messy bun hat pattern:

Yarn Recommendations:

You can use this technique when working with any kind of yarn. In the videos and the pattern shown above, I’ve used:

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Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022

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Get ready for Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022. Other people know it as Super Bowl Sunday. We don’t care which team you root for … or whether you root for a team at all. We don’t care if you knit or you crochet. Regardless of any of those preferences, we want you to join us for a fun day-long make-along. There will be community-building, crafty surprises, prizes and so much fun. You’ll dedicate much of the day to knit or crochet. Then, about the time that the Super Bowl ends, you’ll have a great new make to enjoy.

Here are the Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022 details.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking one of these links and making a purchase a small portion of that purchase will go to support the blog. The price that you pay does not change. Thank you for your continued support.

History of the Game Day Mystery Make-Along

We started this annual event in 2018. Therefore, 2022 is the fifth annual event. We’re excited to keep growing this each year. More and more people participate each year. We get better at streamlining the whole process, design new creative projects, and keeping it all running smoothly. If you aren’t quite sure what this event is, read our Game Day Mystery Make-Along page. That has all of the details and links you to the patterns from past events.

AFTER EVENT ADDITION! Ad Free PDF is now available!

Now that the event is over and the mystery has been revealed, many of you are asking for the ad-free pdf’s.

Well, it is your lucky day because, all three patterns are now available as an ad-free pdf available.

That’s not all! To add to the fun, each of the Game Day patterns includes a second pattern for complimentary hand warmers! Yep, you get two patterns!

✅ Click here to get the Crochet pattern

✅ Click here to get the Tunisian Crochet pattern

✅ Click here to get the Knitting Pattern

When Is Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022

Game Day happens on Super Bowl Sunday. Therefore, this year the event is on February 13, 2022.

It starts in the morning. We release one clue EVERY TWO HOURS until the evening. All of those clues will be on their own individual pages here on the Marly Bird website. However, you’ll also find them all added as links at the bottom of this post as they become available.

So, you’ll want to bookmark this page. Need help with that? Watch how to get a Marly Folder:

How To Participate In Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022?

  • Join the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group where we chat about the event all day long.
  • Get your materials. See the list below.
  • Mark you calendar! 
  • Return to this blog first thing in the morning on February 13, 2022 to get started!
  • Return EVERY TWO HOURS throughout the day for the clues, which you’ll find linked below.
  • As you work on the project, post progress pictures on Facebook and Instagram with the tag #GameDayMakeAlong. When you do, you’ll have the chance to win various surprise mystery prizes!
  • Grand Prize details are below so keep reading.

What Are We Making In The Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022?

Well, we aren’t going to tell you. That’s what makes it a mystery! It’s really fun to just follow the clues and see if you can figure it out as you go. Some people have trouble letting go of control at first but then eventually find that they really enjoy this part of the process.

Materials for Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022

We chose a yarn weight that is easily accessible to most. This year, we are featuring the WeCrochet and KnitPicks Yarn for the samples, but you can use any yarn you choose that is worsted weight, as long as you get gauge!

As for color choice, these items can be made with any combination of solid colors. We suggest that you choose colors that look good together, but that are not so close in hue that if two were side-by-side you could not distinguish between them.

Also, because I know you all are going to ask, like many of the Game Day Mystery Make-along events, we do not suggest using any variegated yarns. We think it is best to choose solid or semi solid colors of yarn.

The yarn amounts for all the projects are the same (you should be able to make more than one of the items with just 50g of yarn in each color) but you will notice that this year we are including another craft option for those of you who are triple threat bicrafters…TUNISIAN CROCHET!

Here’s what you’ll need to gather before the event begins:

Crochet

Materials needed for Game Day 2022

  • Hook: I/9 (5.5mm) *or size to obtain gauge
  • Yarn: WeCrochet Brava, 100g balls. 1 ball each color (5 total colors)-
    • Color A: Neutral
    • Colors B & C: Darker and lighter shade of one color
    • Colors D & E: Darker and lighter shade of second color
  • Notions: Stitch Markers, Tapestry Needles
Gauge: 13 sc sts = 4″ (10 cm)

Tunisian Crochet

Materials needed for Game Day 2022

Gauge: 13 TSS = 4″ (10 cm)

Knitting

Materials needed for Game Day 2022

Gauge: 20 sts = 4″ (10 cm) in St st with larger needles

Pre-Game Video with Marly and Robyn

Game Day Mystery Make-Along 2022 Prizes

We have some amazing giveaways lined up for you on Game Day and our sponsors for this year are pretty amazing, and HOLY COW are they prepared to spoil you! This year we’re trying something a little different and have our “referees” (the Marly’s Minion Modmins) nominating “players” (you all) for six specific categories: 

1. Sportsmanlike Conduct – answering other’s questions and generally being helpful, 

2. The Cheerleader – someone who is going above and beyond to encourage other “players” and boost morale, 

3. The Flash – someone who finishes so quickly they make MULTIPLES,

4. The Underdog – this person faces setbacks but continues to persevere,

5. The Rookie – someone who is new to the craft they chose and shows up and works hard to finish, and

6. MVP – this is the player who essentially embodies it all – helpfulness, efficiency, kindness, and morale boosting!

GRAND PRIZE – all players are eligible and this winner is chosen entirely at random from the finished item threads in the MARLY’S MINIONS FACEBOOK GROUP!!!

Winners will be chosen and announced on February 14th in the Marly’s Minions Facebook group!

***This giveaway is VOID where prohibited and limited to the continental US***

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” 

― Grantland Rice

Game Day Mystery Make-Along

????Get the Game Day Make-Along “Plays” Here ????

Be sure to come back EVERY TWO HOURS from 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday, February 13, 2022 to see the new play for that hour.

9 am Play:

⭐️9 am Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️9 am Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️9 am Knit Play >>click here<<

11 am Play:

⭐️11 am Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️11 am Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️11 am Knit Play >>click here<<

1 pm Play:

⭐️1 pm Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️1 pm Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️1 pm Knit Play >>click here<<

3 pm Play:

⭐️3 pm Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️3 pm Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️3 pm Knit Play >>click here<<

5 pm Play:

⭐️5 pm Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️5 pm Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️5 pm Knit Play >>click here<<

6 pm Play (OVERTIME Optional):

⭐️6 pm Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️6 pm Tunisian Crochet Play >>click here<<

⭐️6 pm Knit Play >>click here<<

WAIT, there is more! During the Game:

The fun doesn’t stop once the game starts. Be sure to join us for a game of BINGO during the game. Just grab a card at the link below! You can start marking as soon as the game starts, and there will be an entry thread in the Marly’s Minions FB page for your finished cards. All you need is one regular, old-fashioned BINGO, so horizontal, vertical, or diagonal!

Get the 2022 Bingo Card HERE! >> Click Here <<

are you excited? Share with us on social media what yarn you’re using and what colors you like 🙂 Br sure to use #gamedaymakealong #mmmdi #marlybird

Bobble Crochet Hat Free Pattern

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The Summit Chic Crochet Hat is a free crochet hat pattern with great texture and sleek lines. You will use almost one ball of yarn to make this affordable accessory. Grab your favorite color and make this great bobble crochet hat. Then, grab your bestie’s favorite color and make one for them as well!

Bobble crochet hat free pattern: coral colored crochet hat with alternating stripes of bobbles and knit-look stitches, on dark background.

Long Bobble Stitch

This crochet hat with a brim was the product of my learning a new crochet stitch and wanting to use it immediately. I love the long bobble stitch. It gives a ton of texture to a common and popular pattern. Couple the long bobble with the 3rd loop stitch, and you get a LOT of visual appeal. It’s super fun to crochet this pattern. You’ll learn something new, but I’m sure it’ll be well within your crafty repertoire since it’s built on basic stitches. Have fun playing with this stitch in other projects too!

Crochet Beanie Hat vs Crochet Slouch Hat

This bobble crochet hat is designed in the beanie style. However, you could easily make it into a slouchy hat by adding more stitches at the start of the hat. Just make sure that you keep with the stitch multiple of 6. Then, work the body of the hat longer than written. Yes, that means you will need more yarn, but if that’s the look you’re going for, then it is possible. You can adapt most beanie patterns into slouchy hat patterns in this same manner.

Inside this Beginner Crochet Hat Pattern

This hat is designed with both the beginner crocheter and the experienced crocheter in mind. You’ll be better off if you know how to crochet a hat. However, if you haven’t before, then you’ll still be able to navigate your way through the pattern.

The construction is rather easy, and the crown shaping is basic. Therefore, the crocheter doesn’t have to overthink while making the hat. You’ll make the brim of the hat flat with single crochet ribbing. Then, you’ll work along the side edge to create the body of the hat in the round.

The body of the hat is made using the long double crochet bobble. (You work these in the front post of the stitch.) In addition to those great stitches, the bobble crochet hat uses double crochet stitches worked in the 3rd loop – sometimes called the ‘camel stitch’ – to create a nice line of “v” around the hat. Combining the long bobble and the double crochet in the 3rd loop makes a hat with great texture and sleek sophistication.

Remember, this is ALMOST a one-ball hat project, so the investment is not too much. With three balls of yarn, you get two adult-size hats.

FREE Bobble Crochet Hat Pattern

Make this FREE crochet hat pattern now. Use this link to get the pattern: https://marlybird.com/free-crochet-patterns/summit-chic-crochet-hat/.

Text: Summit Chic Crochet Hat - Get the pattern: Image: coral colored crochet hat with alternating stripes of bobbles and knit-look stitches, on dark background.

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