Marly Bird, Author at Marly Bird

Craft Subscription Box Options from Mary Maxim

December 3, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Recently, I shared some of the most fun things for Christmas from the Mary Maxim Catalog. Within that, I mentioned that there are craft subscription box options for both knitters and crocheters. However, I thought they were worth elaborating on. So, I’m here to tell you about their monthly and quarterly knit and crochet clubs. Additionally, there are a few other cool Mary Maxim clubs you might want to know about.

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Knitters’ Craft Subscription Box Options

There are two core craft subscription box options for each knitters and crocheters. One is monthly, the other is quarterly.

Monthly Knitter Club

The Knit Club of the Month is great for knitters who like to work on a variety of different quick projects. When you sign up, you pay $9.99 plus shipping and handling for the first month. Then you receive your craft subscription box in the mail. It includes that month’s knitting pattern and the yarn to complete the project. Each month afterwards, Mary Maxim automatically bills you $16.99 plus shipping and handling, sending you the next box. If you decide that this monthly knitters club isn’t right for you, just call and cancel future boxes.

Quarterly Craft Subscription Box for Knitters

The other option is the Quarterly Knit Afghan Club. You pay $29.99 plus shipping and handling for an entire year’s worth of this subscription. Every three months, you’ll receive a new knit afghan kit in the mail. Your subscription renews annually. Of course, you can cancel it if you decide it isn’t quite your thing. However, having yarn and a new knit afghan pattern show up in the mail every few months can be a really inspiring way to craft through the year. When you join this club, you’ll also get a free copy of Best of Mary Maxim Afghan Book, which includes eight knit blanket patterns.

Mary Maxim Crochet Clubs

Crocheters have the same options as knitters do when it comes to their craft subscription boxes, although of course these are crochet patterns instead of knit designs. Sign up for either (or both) the monthly crochet club or the quarterly crochet afghan club.

Craft Subscription Box Tip for BiCrafty Folks

Do you enjoy both knitting and crochet? Here’s an idea, sign up for a monthly box in one craft and a quarterly subscription to the other craft. Many people find that they crochet faster than they knit. Therefore, you might want to sign up for the quarterly crochet afghan club. After all, you might find it more feasible to crochet an afghan ever three months than to knit one.

At the same time, you can sign up for a monthly knitters subscription. You’ll get knit projects in the mail monthly that will take a shorter amount of time to complete. You’ll always have something to work on in either craft.

Preferred Crafters Club Membership

In addition to the craft subscription box options above, you should definitely know about Mary Maxim’s Preferred Crafters Club Membership. If you shop frequently with Mary Maxim, then you can pay a small annual fee to save money in the long run. You pay $19.99 for this VIP membership. Then, for a full year, you get 10% off every single item that you purchase including sale items.

If you spent $200 or more per year at Mary Maxim, then you get your money back. Plus, you also get some extra things if you’re part of the Preferred Crafters Club Membership. You receive:

One 50% off coupon that you can use on any single item throughout the year
Free shipping coupon on one order of your choosing during the year
Annual letter from the Mary Maxim president that includes an additinonal savings offer for members only

Your subscription renews annually unless you cancel it.

Other Craft Subscription Box Options from Mary Maxim

If you enjoy other crafts besides knitting and crochet, then you should check out the other Mary Maxim Clubs, too. If you love puzzles, choose from three different puzzle clubs based on the number of jigsaw puzzle pieces that you like to work with. Other options are the Ornament of the Month craft club and the Plastic Canvas Club of the Month.

How to Knit a Blanket With Jumbo Yarn

December 1, 2021 By Marly Bird 3 Comments

Thick yarn making quick knit projects is always popular at this time of year. Who doesn’t enjoy a quick project now and then? Additionally, with the holidays quickly approaching, it is time to start thinking about how we will accomplish all that we want to do.Thick yarn is a great answer. You can even learn how to knit a blanket really quickly if you use extra thick yarn. And I know the perfect free pattern for how to make a blanket with the thickest yarn.

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Marly Bird Knit and Crochet Books for Download at Leisure Arts! (Print Versions Also Available)

November 30, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Did you know that there are quite a few Marly Bird knit and crochet books for sale at Leisure Arts? Check them out below or find them all here. They’re available as print copies or as digital downloads. They come along with video tutorials and other online help. And they give you the opportunity to learn a whole range of different techniques in knitting and crochet, from beginner projects to advanced techniques like Entrelac Knitting and Planned Yarn Pooling.

NOTE: This post includes affiliate links. I’ll get a percentage of sales if you follow these links and make a purchase. Your price never changes; it’s just a way of supporting my work. Thank you! **

Marly’s Newest Leisure Arts Book

Vintage Baby Crochet

As of December 2021, Marly’s newest crochet book is Vintage Baby Crochet. Co-authored with Robyn Chachula, this is a collection nine crochet baby clothes patterns. Each design is inspired by the style and beauty of vintage children’s clothing. However, these items are updated for modern day wearability. The result is a collection of cute clothes that are great for gifting and sharing. Get the print book or ebook.

Marly’s Knitting Books at Leisure Arts

I Can’t Believe I’m Entrelac Knitting

Entrelac knitting looks complicated, almost as though you have to know how to weave as well as how to knit. However, it’s a lot easier than you might expect. Learn exactly how to do it with this book. Find entrelac knitting patterns for a device cozy, a hat, a scarf, an afghan, a baby blanket, and a pillow. Get the paperback book for $12.99 or get the digital download for just $9.99.

Make Your First Knit Baby Afghans – 10 Afghan Projects for True Beginners

Marly Bird Knoit and Crochet Books: Beginner Baby Afghans

Learn how to knit while also making cute blankets for babies. You’ll learn everything you need to know from start to finish as a beginner knitter. Of course, if you already know how to knit, you can still enjoy the easy projects available in this book. The paperback is $12.99. The digital download ebook is $9.99.

Boomerang Shawls – Progressive Learning Techniques for a “Make Your First” Experience

Here’s another of the Marly Bird knit and crochet books that takes you step-by-step through learning how to knit. These are such great books for beginners who want to learn the craft while making fun, interesting projects. The paperback is $14.99. The digital download ebook is $9.99.

Complete Knit Collection for Beginners – 20 stylish projects specifically designed for First-timers

And here’s one more of the Marly Bird knit and crochet books perfect for beginners to knitting. It’s great for mindful stitching if you already know how to knit. And it’s great for learning how to knit through creating useful, easy projects. The paperback is $17.99. The digital download ebook is only $9.99! That’s a deal if you’re learning how to knit.

Two-Hour Neckwear

There is so much variety among the patterns in this knitting book. Somme use single yarn strands while others use multiple. Yarn weights range from medium to super bulky. The cowls range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate. If you enjoy making knit cowls and want some instant gratification projects then look no further. The paperback book is $5.99; the digital download is actually the same price on this one. Get whichever you work best with.

If you enjoy knitting neckwear, then you might also want to check out Quick Knit Neckwear. In addition to two Marly Bird cowls, you’ll find knit patterns from other great designers. The paperback is $7.99; the digital download is $5.99.

Marly’s Crochet Books at Leisure Arts

Yarn Pooling Made Easy

This is probably the most popular of all Marly Bird knit and crochet books. People really love the look of yarn pooling. It looks like a challenging thing to do but really you just need to know the steps to take to make the colors behave the way that you want them to. This book tells you exactly how to do that. Designs include Full Scarf; Cowl, Wristers, and Hat Set; Zig-Zag Scarf; Car Seat Cover; Baby Cocoon; Hooded Scarf; Child’s Sweater; and Poncho with Raglan Yoke. The paperback is $9.99. The digital download ebook is $7.99.

Simple Baby Blankets: 10 Designs to Decorate Baby’s Room

It’s so fun to make crochet baby blankets. They’re also great to decorate the nursery when the baby isn’t actively using them. I chose lots of fun colors and a variety of stitch patterns for the ten crochet baby blankets in this collection. Have fun with feather stitch, striped basketweave, and more. This 2021 crochet ebook is available for download at $7.99.

Do you like crocheting items for babies? Check out Baby Collection, which includes one Marly Bird baby pattern along with patterns from other great designers. The paperback is $5.99. The digital download is $4.99.

Make Your First Series Crochet Cowls – 10 Easy-to-Stitch Projects for True Beginners

The Marly Bird knit and crochet books that teach you the craft aren’t limited to knitting – here’s one for people who want to learn how to crochet. You’ll get all of the basics that you need and have the skills by the end to make the ten crochet cowl patterns in this book. If you already know how to crochet, these are great patterns for mindful crochet. The paperback is $14.99. The digital download ebook is $9.99.

Ultimate Crochet Collection for Beginners – 20 Simple Afghans, Scarves, Shawls, and Hats First-Timers Can Actually Make

Here’s another terrific option for beginner crocheters. Learn how to crochet. Make twenty fun accessories. And do it at a low cost. The paperback is $19.99. The digital download ebook is $9.99. That’s only $1 per pattern for the print version and have that if you get the ebook.

Crochet Baskets

Make your home neat and organized with crochet baskets to corral everything. From soaps to towels, yarn to paperwork, your home can look creative and uncluttered when you use handmade crochet baskets for everything. These are fun to make. Moreover, they’re designed to be sturdy and durable. The paperback book is $5.99; the digital download is the same price on this one.

One Skein or Less Projects

Crochet Books: One Skein or Less by Marly Bird

It’s always good to have crochet books that allow you to easily find projects that don’t require a lot of yarn. When you have to make a last-minute gift, use this book. When you just want an instant gratification project, use this book. And when you want to declutter your yarn stash, use this book. The paperback book is $5.99; the digital download is the same price on this one.

Curvy Crochet

This is one of the most popular of all Marly Bird knit and crochet books. It’s so important to be inclusive with designs, and this book tries to meet that aim by offering lightweight, well-draped, flattering crochet patterns for fuller figures. This book is only available as an ebook. It costs $9.99 and includes eight complete patterns for garments – many of which are tunics.

Individual Digital Downloads by Marly Bird at Leisure Arts

There are also four individual crochet patterns by Marly Bird available through Leisure Arts. Those patterns are:

You get a better deal per pattern if you purchase the books, of course, but if you only want one pattern then this is one place to get some.

Adorable Knit and Crochet Dress Patterns

November 30, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Today we’ve got a roundup of knit and crochet dress patterns for you. You might be thinking to yourself that many places are cold this time of year, so why would you want to make a dress right now? However, if you know about Dressember, then you would be eager to get these patterns. Dressember is a month-long movement to raise awareness about and fight human trafficking.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click over and purchase something then a portion of the sale comes back to me. Your price never changes. Thank you for your support!

Knit and Crochet Dresses Fight Human Trafficking This Dressember

For Dressember, participants wear a dress or tie every day of the month. Using that as the basis for posts, they share information to prevent human trafficking. And they raise money to help solve the situation. Namaste and Crochet has introduced a handmade element to this cause. Her team will also be wearing knit / crochet garments and raising awareness about the value of slow fashion, the importance of sustainability, and how handmade helps heal individuals and communities.

We have a post all about Namaste and Crochet’s Dressember right here. It’s the best place to learn all about the relationship between knit and crochet and the Dressember movement.
And there’s an interview with Namaste and Crochet about how crochet heals people right here.

There are many ways that you can participate. You can donate. You can join a team and participate yourself to raise money and awareness. If nothing else, you can share posts about it on your social media.

It’s Giving Tuesday. It’s a Great Day to Donate!

Giving Tuesday, launched 2012, is a day encouraging people to give to others in any way that they can. It’s about recognizing that the holiday season isn’t just about getting but about generosity and connection.

Buy the Blythe Dress Crochet Pattern

Blythe Dress crochet pattern for dressember

Another way that you can support the cause is to purchase the Blythe Dress crochet pattern from Namaste and Crochet. She created it just for this event. She’ll donate one third of every purchase to Dressember. So, you get an affordable crochet dress pattern, plus your money goes towards fighting human trafficking.

Other Crochet Dress Patterns

Whether or not you opt to participate in Dressember, you might enjoy using knit and crochet dress patterns to craft yourself new garments. Or to make a dress to give to charity. Here are some additional crochet dress patterns you might enjoy:

Southwest Crochet Sweater Dress Pattern by Briana K Designs

Coconut Macaroon Crochet Winter Dress Free Pattern

Willa Ribbed Sweater Dress Free Crochet Pattern

ribbed crochet sweater dress free pattern

Chic Convertible Dress Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Beach Cover Up Shore-Thing Dress Pattern (Free)

Shore Thing, crochet dress pattern for beach cover-up

Sure, this is designed as a beach cover up for the summer. If you’re an Australian crafter then it’s the perfect time of year to make this. But it’s also great to layer over long-sleeve shirts and leggings. As you follow Dressember, you’ll see that people put together all kinds of creative outfits using dresses.

Oakley Jumper Dress Free Crochet Pattern From Joy of Motion

crochet jumper dress pattern by joy of motion

Wedding Planner Lace Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Natasha Robarge

Idlewild Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Make & Do Crew

crochet dress free pattern for dressember

Aunt Lydia’s Dress with Flare Free Crochet Pattern

Winter Solstice Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Dora Does

Fall Colors Dress Free Crochet Pattern from ByKaterina

Knit Dress Patterns

If you’re a knitter, or you’re bicrafty, then you might want knit dress patterns. We rounded up some of those for you as well:

Hooded Knit Sweater Dress Pattern

Chanteuse Knit Dress Pattern

WeCrochet and KnitPicks have a lot of great free and paid crochet and knit dress patterns. The two and a few of the ones below are some of our favorite examples.

Cable Knit Dress Pattern

Bernat T-Shirt Dress with Pockets (Free Pattern)

This knit t-shirt dress pattern has kangaroo pockets. Therefore it has a cozy hoodie-style feeling to it. The pattern also comes with a design for a scarf that perfectly complements the dress.

Women’s Knitted Dress in Novita Nordic Wool (Free Pattern)

Knit Lace Dress with Bow

Entangled Knit Dress Pattern

Slouchy Sweater Dress Free Knit Pattern with Pockets

Patons Honeycomb Aran Dress Free Pattern

Paton’s Little Black Dress

Red Heart Layered Lace Dress

Coziest Cable Knit Cardigan Patterns

November 29, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

The cable knit cardigan is trending hard this winter. It’s no surprise really. Cardigans are always a cozy choice. You can layer them and add accessories, dress them up or dress them down. Both men and women look spiffy in knit cardigans. And when you specifically add cables, you get all of the texture, design, and warmth of a contemporary handmade design. Here are some of our favorite cable knit cardigan patterns.

Hidden Pocket Steeked Knit Cardigan

It was so much fun to design this cable knit cardigan pattern for the spring 2021 KAL earlier this year. You can now access the free pattern at Yarnspirations. Some of the things you’ll love besides the cables are the hidden pocket, the thumbholes, and the chance to use steeking.

Nottingham Sweater Knit Pattern

This is knit cable cardigan designed for men. It makes a terrific gift for the guys in your life. And, of course, you might also find that it’s cozy as a unisex design. Originally published in the Winter 2013 issue of Love of Knitting, you can know get the pattern through Ravelry. The cables are easy, and the cardigan is so cozy.

Trail Hoodie

cable knit cardigan with hood and pockets

What’s better than a regular cable knit cardigan? One with a hood on it. It has pockets, of course. I love my pockets on cardigans.

Cambria Cardigan

This is a tie-front cardigan with cables in the body design that also repeat on the sleeves.

Autumn Morning Cardigan

This is truly a classic cable knit cardigan pattern. It buttons up the front.

Cable and Lace Cardigan Pattern

Combining the thick texture of cables with the openwork of knit lace creates a beautiful drape for your cardigan.

Cable Knit Sweater Vest

This is a sweater vest rather than a long-sleeved cardigan. Otherwise, though, the design is similar. It has detailed cables running down the center of the back. The front is low cut with buttons, perfect for layering over long-sleeved shirts for winter.

Bus Stop Kids’ Cardigan

There are cable knit cardigan patterns for all ages. This one is great for kids.

Cable Sweater Pattern

The difference between a sweater and a cardigan is simple: a cardigan is open but closes with buttons or a zipper. A sweater, on the other hand, isn’t open in the front. This is actually a knit sweater pattern. However, it looks like a cardigan because of the unique design of the cables running up the front center of the design.

Hooded Cable Knit Vest

Here’s a cross between a few different sweater/vest shapes. It’s a cable knit vest, with the cable detail in the front center. The cable actually closes the vest partway, but then the bottom part is left open, which gives this the feeling of a cardigan. Plus it has a hood!

2020 Turkey Trot Knit Cable Cardigan

Obviously, I love knitting cardigans. And I love adding cables to them. Last year’s 2020 knit version of the Turkey Trot Mystery Make-along was this knit cable cardigan. Pocketed, of course.Honestly, it’s more of a ruana than a true cardigan, because it doesn’t have button or zipper closures like a regular cable knit cardigan does. But, it’s close enough, and I think you’ll love adding it to your wardrobe.

Biased Cable Vest

Like the ruana, this isn’t exactly a cardigan. However, I absolutely had to include this vest. It’s close enough. And I’ve always love the slanted cables that I created on this knit vest.

Honeycomb Swing Jacket

Okay, just one more that’s not-quite-but-close-enough to a cable knit cardigan. It’s a cable knit jacket. The honeycomb cables are used for dramatic detailing. This one is fun to wear layered over almost any outfit.

Bonus: Cable Knit Dog Sweater Free Pattern

Well, it’s not a cardigan, but it’s a decent match for a doggy-and-me outfit. We love patterns for pets. And this one is a sophisticated cutie.

26 FREE Knit Slipper Patterns