Marly Bird, Author at Marly Bird

Brighten Up Your Day With This Colorful Granny Square Blanket Free Pattern and Video Tutorial

August 26, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Granny Square Day may be over for the year. However, granny square projects never go out of style. If you’re in need of a bright, colorful, joyful project then look no further. The Revisiting Weekend in Stockholm Throw is a perfect choice. It’s a colorful granny square blanket that is easy to make. Moreover, it’s a delight to see those colors come together.

free crochet blanket pattern with video tutorial

The Origin Of This Colorful Granny Square Blanket Free Pattern

This is a free crochet blanket pattern from Yarnspirations. Debbie Stoller originally designed it. She called it the Revisiting Weekend in Stockholm Throw. Later on, I did a full crochet video tutorial to show you exactly how to follow the pattern. You can find that video below. Therefore, you have both the written instructions and the video tutorial to guide you along.

More About This Free Crochet Blanket Pattern

This colorful granny square blanket pattern uses eight different colors of yarn. You’ll combine them in different ways, meaning with different colors in each round, ending up with twelve different color combinations. You’ll make six squares each in four color variations. Then you’ll make four squares each in the remaining eight color combinations. All together, you’ll crochet 56 granny squares. The different colors will reverberate across the blanket to create a colorful garden of floral granny squares. The whole thing is a bright delight.

Digging Into the Pattern Details

Here are some of the things you’ll want to know as you begin to work on this colorful granny square blanket pattern:

It uses Red Heart Super Saver Yarn. Don’t forget that you can now get this yarn in the new O’Go Yarn format!
You’ll use a size 5.5mm [US I-9] crochet hook. In other words, this is a basic worsted weight crochet blanket pattern.
This is a beginner crochet project. It uses basic crochet stitches: single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. If you can work those in the round to create floral granny squares, then you can crochet this blanket.
The free colorful granny square blanket pattern includes an assembly diagram. This shows you the best way to layout the squares. Of course, if you want, you can switch it up to create your own variation on the design.

Watch the Instructional Video

You’ll find a link to the pattern below. And here is my instructional video for how to crochet this blanket. I take you step-by-step through the process. Therefore, you should find it easy to figure it out if you’ve gotten stuck in any part of the pattern. It’s truly an easy pattern, though, so you should be able to tackle it. Once you’ve gotten the first square or two down, it’s just a matter of switching up the colors.

Free Colorful Granny Square Blanket Crochet Pattern

This is a free crochet pattern from Yarnspirations. You can find it here or click the image below:

How to Calculate Crochet Gauge

August 25, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

In another post, I shared 20 reasons why being a crocheter makes it easier to learn knitting. One of those reasons is that you already know what gauge is from learning to crochet. Therefore, you can apply the same gauge knowledge to your knitting. However, I know that some people do avoid dealing with gauge altogether. It may be the excitement of starting a new project, thinking you may not have enough yarn, or being on a time crunch. Even as an experienced crocheter, you might not know how to calculate crochet gauge. So I decided to share an older video with you here so you can learn or brush up on your gauge skills.

What Is Gauge in Crochet?

Often crafters think of gauge as something complicated. But, when you think about it:

Crochet gauge is simply a measure of the size of your stitches in width and height.

That’s all it is. You calculate crochet gauge to determine how wide and how tall your crochet stitches are. This small step ensures your work will match the sizes given in the pattern for the project you want to make. When you ‘get gauge’ your project will fit as the pattern states.

Let’s discuss this a little more.

Everyone Crochets Differently

In theory, if you follow a pattern correctly, you should crochet a piece exactly like the designer intended, right? Wrong! Because everyone crochets a little bit differently. Even though you’re using the same crochet hook and yarn as the pattern suggests, your gauge could be quite different from the designer’s. In other words, the width and/or height of your stitches could be different.

Why is that? Well, there are several reasons for differing stitch sizes. Here are a few of the main ones.

Crochet Hook Brands And Styles

Not all crochet hooks are made equal. Yes, there are standard sizes, but different brands have different styles of hook heads and shafts. Take the two big names, for example – Boye and Susan Bates are the biggest names that spring to mind. If you compare the heads of these crochet hooks, they look slightly different.

Boye crochet hook heads appear to be more rounded. The working end of the crochet hook and the tip of the hook head are like rounded points.

Susan Bates crochet hooks have rounded points at the head tip, but the hook itself has a wider flat area inside of the hook.

Both of the above brands have a flat section on the shaft where you can rest your thumb so the hook doesn’t spin in your hand.

Handmade wooden crochet hooks are different again depending on the design and style of the craftsperson who made them. Often, these wooden crochet hooks have no thumb rest, and the whole shaft remains round.

This is not at all an exhaustive list. There are many more brands to try. Some have ergonomic handles and others alternative handles; the basic ones are simply plastic.

Tensioning Methods

There are probably as many different tensioning styles as there are crocheters! We may all be taught the same or similar ways of yarn tensioning for crochet, but we all tend to find and stick with what works best for us.

When you consider how age-friendly crochet is, you can understand why there may be so many different tension styles. A very young crocheter might struggle to have each hand do different things at the same time, but an older crocheter may have hand problems such as arthritis or a repetitive strain issue.

Finer yarns may be a little more difficult to work with and might require a wrap or two around the pinkie to help prevent slippage.

Knitters may hold the yarn differently again. There is really no wrong way to tension yarn for crocheting; it’s just what works best for you.

Stress Levels

It might seem strange, but stress levels can significantly affect your crochet gauge. If things aren’t going your way, you might get a tighter gauge than if you were more relaxed.

Crochet Speed

When you start a new project and are getting used to the stitch pattern, you might be focusing hard and feel a little stressed. Once the pattern becomes familiar, you may speed up, loosen your gauge, or tighten it depending on your tendencies.

Skill Levels

As a beginner crocheter, keeping your gauge consistent is often tough. You might struggle with wavy edges, loopy or tight stitches, and tensioning your yarn evenly.

Honestly, just keep practicing! Consistency comes with practice, so keep practicing your crocheting, and your gauge will become more consistent over time.

Yarn Substitution

I’m sure we’ve all done it…substituted yarn that’s not quite the same weight as the pattern skipped the gauge swatch and dived right into the project. What happened? We got something that was too small or too large, just didn’t fit right, or downright hated it.

That’s another reason gauge is not to be skipped or taken lightly. All these small differences can add up to huge differences when working on a large project. That’s why designers calculate crochet gauge and share it in their patterns.

When you begin a crochet project, work a swatch to check for gauge. Measure it against the designer’s recommendation. If yours is smaller, you might go up a hook size to compensate. Likewise, if your stitches are bigger than the designer’s, you might go down a hook size.

Why Is Crochet Gauge So Important

It’s important to calculate crochet gauge at the beginning of a project for several reasons. These include:

Your wearables might not fit if you’re gauge doesn’t match the designers’.
Even with non-wearables, you need to crochet to gauge if you want the item to be the same size as intended.
You might run out of yarn if you don’t calculate for gauge. The recommended yarn amount is for the designer’s gauge. Therefore, if you crochet “bigger,” you use more yarn.

Can I Calculate Crochet Gauge Once and Know What It Is Forever?

At first glance, it sounds like you can calculate crochet gauge once. Then you know how you crochet and can adjust to patterns accordingly.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Your gauge isn’t going to be the same each time. There are too many factors that go into it (as I mentioned above), such as:

Your tension changes depending on your stress level, tiredness, and whether you’re trying a new or familiar crochet technique.
The yarn you’re using. Even one worsted weight yarn can create a subtly different gauge than another in the same weight.
Your crochet hook. You might crochet differently depending on the hook you’re using.
The stitch pattern in the project. Your gauge is different if you’re working single crochet than if you’re working front post double crochet.

Therefore, you can’t just say, “oh my gauge is this.” Instead, you should crochet a gauge swatch every time you start working on a new crochet pattern. Don’t worry; it gets easier with time.

How to Calculate Crochet Gauge

Now that you understand why it’s so important to figure out your gauge for each crochet project, it’s time to learn how to do it.

It doesn’t take much…only the crochet pattern, a crochet hook in the appropriate size for your yarn, the yarn you want to use, a tape measure or ruler, something to write on and with, a flat surface, and some time.

Work a swatch in your chosen yarn with your chosen hook then watch the video below for your calculation instructions. It’s simple math. You’ve got this!

See? It’s not so hard after all. Once you understand how and why to make these calculations, it becomes easier every time.

See below for more beginner crochet tutorials.

20 Reasons Why Being a Crocheter Makes Learning Knitting Easier

August 24, 2021 By Marly Bird 1 Comment

For several months this year, we ran weekly BiCrafty Bootcamp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. Although anyone can learn to knit from these lessons, our premise was that being a crochet makes learning knitting easier. Therefore, we included “Crocheter’s Edge” tips in each lesson. In other words, we shared exactly what you already know in crochet that can make it easier to grasp the ins and outs of knitting. We thought we’d round up all of those tips today, to give you a complete sense of how crochet skills make learning knitting easier.

How to Start

Crocheters already know the slip knot. Just like in crochet, that’s the first thing that you’ll learn in knitting. Having the self-confidence of already knowing this first part will make learning knitting easier. After all, you’re starting out on the right foot.

The Importance of Gauge

Most crocheters already understand what gauge is. Likely you already know how to figure it out. Moreover, you understand why it’s important, particularly for wearable projects.

Tension

Additionally, crocheters understand that tension affects your work. Furthermore, you know that tension affects gauge. You might not be able to easily control your tension at first. After all, getting used to knitting needles can be as awkward as when you first learned to hold a crochet hook. However, comprehending that your tension is the problem, and knowing that practice will help with this, makes learning knitting easier.

You Know About Yarn

Knowledge of yarn will help in choosing yarn for knitting projects. You already know about yarn weight and fiber.

Do note, however, that yarn behaves differently on needles than on hooks. Therefore, just because something works for you in crochet doesn’t always means it’ll be the top choice for knitting. Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out! Either way, your foundational knowledge of yarn helps. Remember in crochet when a yarn label baffled you? You don’t have to worry about that now.

Some Knowledge of the Tools

Although knitting needles are different from crochet hooks, you might have some familiarity with the feel of the tools in your hand. You also know about stitch markers, tapestry needles, etc.

Likewise, you have working knowledge of different tool sizes. You understand that a size D crochet hook and a size J crochet hook serve different purposes. Therefore, you’ll easily grasp different needle sizes as well.

Finally, you’ll have some sense of how to hold your knitting needles. Many people hold their dominant-hand needle exactly like they do their crochet hook.

Learn more about knitting needles and yarn for beginners.

Counting Stitches

You know how to count stitches. It’s really easy to count your stitches in knitting. Easier than in crochet. Nevertheless, it is very crucial to do so. You know all about this as a crocheter. Therefore, it makes learning knitting easier.

How to Read a Knitting Pattern

You have some familiarity with the language. Remember when you first looked at a crochet pattern and it was all gibberish to you? While you might not be familiar with knitting abbreviations, yet, you do have a basic working knowledge of how a pattern reads. You know that you’ll be able to get this.

Creating Fabric From a Single Stitch

As a crocheter, you already know that you’re creating fabric as you work. As you first begin to knit, you’ll use the same stitch over and over again to create your fabric. For example, you’ll use knit stitch only or purl stitch only to create a piece of garter stitch fabric.

Combining Stitches To Create Different Fabric

Likewise, as you add to your stitch knowledge, you’ll be able to combine knit stitches to create different fabric. You know the difference in feel and drape between a single crochet square and one that uses both single and double crochet stitches, right? Likewise, when you combine knit and purl stitches to create stockinette stitch, that’s a new fabric. Your basic understanding of stitch combinations in crochet makes learning knitting easier.

Working Similar Stitches in Different Ways

As a crocheter, you’ve got an edge up on the knit and purl stitch (which are the main two stitches in knitting) because you’re already used to working a similar stitch in slightly different ways. For example, if you know how to front post crochet and back post crochet then you know how to work the exact same hand movement in a slightly different manner. This is the same idea. Knowing how to manipulate your crochet hook to create the same stitch in an opposite ways makes learning knitting easier.

You Know How to Change Colors in Yarn

You know how to add a new yarn in crochet, including for striping. Therefore, you also know how to change colors in knitting. There’s a slight difference about when you do it. (That’s because in crochet you do it the loop before you want the color change and in knitting you do it the loop of.) But the gist of it is the same, making learning knitting easier as a crocheter than as a brand new newbie.

Weaving in Ends

There are different ways to weave in ends in both knitting and crochet. Therefore, you might find that the method you crochet is or isn’t conducive to knitting. Either way, your knowledge of the concept makes figuring out in knitting easier than if you’d never woven in ends before.

Learning Ribbing in Knitting is Easier if You Know it in Crochet

When we got to the first lesson on knitting ribbing, we had these crocheter’s edge thoughts for you:

You probably already understand how ribbing affects the fabric that you’re creating. You get more stretch than if you simply work in the same stitch across a whole row over and over again.
In crochet, you’ve probably alternated stitches within a row. Therefore, you can easily comprehend how to make different knit stitches within the same row.
Have you ever alternated a front loop and back loop stitch across a row? Or front post / back post stitches (for example, to make basketweave crochet patterns)? Then you get the concept of working one stitch, then working what’s essentially its opposite stitch, and alternating across the row. Since knits and purls are basically opposites of each other, it’s a similar concept.

This reiterates some of the above. For example, you understand how to work the same stitch in opposite directions, more or less. Truly, what you know in crochet will continue to make learning knitting easier at every stage of the process.

Moving from Rows to Rounds

As a crocheter, you already know how to join your work to work in the round. Moreover, you understand what working in the round entails. While there are slight differences, that knowledge will help as you learn to knit in the round. For example, you already know how to watch carefully when you join to make sure that you’re not twisting your work.

Increasing and Decreasing

As we began to make our first knit hat, it was time to start talking about shaping. Therefore, we learned decreasing. As a crocheter, you comprehend that increasing means adding stitches in a round or row. Likewise, decreasing means reducing stitches in a round or row. Moreover, you have a sense of how to do that and why we do it. This makes learning knitting easier.

When we learned to knit triangle lace, we also covered how and why you might increase and decrease in the same row/round. As a crocheter, you already know it’s to create a pattern without changing your stitch count.

Some Stitches Will Seem Really Familiar

There are some stitches in crochet that aren’t all that different in knitting. For example, seed stitch shows up in both crafts. Moss stitch, granite stitch, and checkerboard stitch are similar. While they aren’t identical, it’s helpful to have a sense of what the fabric should look like as you knit.

Pattern Repeats

As you advance in knitting, you’ll obviously work with more complicated patterns. Therefore, you’ll come across pattern repeats. In other words, you’ll work maybe five rows of a pattern then repeat those same five rows again. Likely, this concept is familiar to you from crochet.

Both Crafts Have Benefits

Both knitting and crochet have benefits. They can provide occupational therapy, mindfulness practice, build self-esteem, reduce depression and so much more. If you find those experiences in crochet, then chances are that you’ll find them in knitting as well.

Things To Remember As You Keep Knitting

By the end of BiCrafty Bootcamp, we were all knitters. Therefore, we didn’t need the crocheter’s edge tips anymore. But the Marly Bird team wanted to leave you with these thoughts:

There’s always more to learn in either craft.
However, you can choose very simple projects with basic stitches any time that you want.
Crochet and knitting both have healing properties. Work them into your daily self-care routine.
When you lose your crojo, try a knitting project. And vice versa.
Crochet and knitting are both tough on the hands and the posture. Therefore, make sure to take breaks and do exercises.

Learn how to knit with Marly Bird on YouTube.

100+ O’Go Yarn Patterns: Free, Knit and Crochet Patterns Using New Tangle-Free Yarn

August 23, 2021 By Marly Bird 1 Comment

Earlier this week I was thrilled to share my review of the new yarn O’Go with you. This is a totally new format of yarn delivery, available for four different popular yarn types. Each of the yarns comes in lots of different colorways. And now Yarnspirations has rounded up more than 100 O’Go Yarn patterns for you to use. There are both knit and crochet patterns for each yarn in different skill levels. There’s a project for everyone. We’ve broken down these categories below with easy links to each section that might interest you. Plus, we’ve shared some of our favorite patterns from the collection.

Quick Recap On O’Go Yarn

O’Go isn’t a brand new yarn. Instead, it’s a new format of delivery for some of your favorite yarns. Some yarn comes in balls, others in skeins … now you also have the option of O’Go. It’s a super smooth approach to easily getting the yarn from where it’s start onto your hooks or needles. Plus it offers convenience when playing with the different colors within the same O’Go. Again, check out my full review here; scroll down on that post to see the YouTube video showcasing what I’m loving about it.

Four Yarn Options for O’Go Yarn Patterns

There are currently four different O’Go yarns:

Bernat Blanket – #6 super bulky weight yarn
Caron Big Donut – #4 worsted weight yar
Caron Colorama – #5 bulky weight yarn
Red Heart Super Saver – #4 worsted weight yarn

There are different patterns associated with each one. If you have a preferred option among these yarns, then you can use the filtering tool on the website to choose the yarn you want to work with. Or, of course, if you’ve already purchased one or two of these yarns, then that’s another reason to filter the patterns in this way.

Here’s one example of O’Go Yarn patterns we like from each of the four options:

1. Bernat Blanket

2. Caron Big Donut

3. Caron Colorama

Caron Colorama O'Go Yarn knit scarf pattern

4. Red Heart Super Saver

Red Heart crochet pillow pattern with poms

Different Types of O’Go Yarn Patterns

In addition to sorting by the yarn itself, you can use the filter options on the O’Go Yarn Patterns page (HERE) to find specific types of project. For example, here you’ll find one Marly Bird team favorite from each of the three options in “pattern category”.

1. O’Go Yarn Patterns for Accessories

These further break down into “project type” which includes cowls, gloves and mittens, hats, scarves, shawls and wraps, toys, and general accessories. One of our favorites:

2. O’Go Yarn Patterns for Clothing

This is currently just broken down into patterns for sweaters and cardigans. One of our favorites:

3. O’Go Yarn Patterns: Home Decor

Finally, there’s the home decor section. These knit and crochet patterns break further down into the following project types: afghans and blankets, baskets, pets, and pillows and poufs. One of our favorites:

O’Go Yarn Patterns by Craft and Skill Type

Alternatively, you can focus your search by craft (knit or crochet) as well as by skill type (beginner, easy, intermediate, and experienced.) At this time there’s only one experienced level yarn pattern using O’Go Yarn but of course designers will be adding more soon. That one is:

O'Go Yarn Patterns for experienced crocheters.

And here’s one knit and one crochet pattern from each of the other skill levels that we think you might want to check out:

1. Intermediate

O'Go Yarn Patterns for Crochet Fair Isle Cowl

2. Easy

modern geometry blanket free crochet pattern

3. Beginner

I’m excited about O’Go Yarn so I hope that you are too. If you start making any of these patterns, be sure to share them with us on social media so we can check them out!

Learn Knit Dip Stitch with this Easy, Ribbed Knit Hat Free Pattern

August 23, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

If you earn how to knit dip stitches, then you can easily add a lot of texture to your knitting. In this ribbed knit hat free pattern, I show you exactly how to work a specific type of dip stitch. The result is texture that looks like fishtail braids. It’s fun and interesting to the eye. In fact, this is one of my most popular free knit hat patterns. Therefore, I wanted to showcase it for you again in case you missed it the first time around. It’s a great project to learn something new. Moreover, it’s perfect to make for lots of people as we head into the season for gifting crochet to others!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one then make a purchase, I get a percentage of the sale. Your price doesn’t change. Thank you for your support.

Double Dip Knit Hat Free Pattern By Marly Bird

What Are Knit Dip Stitches?

Knit dip stitches refer to stitches that you knit into the fabric lower than the row where your needles are located. In other words you “dip down” to knit into the fabric.Note that you don’t drop or unravel any stitches in the process of making dip stitches.

There are many different types of knit stitches, depending on how far down you dip. In this pattern, you’ll Identify the 2nd stitch from tip of the left hand needle and 4 rows down below it. Then you’ll use your right needle to knit into that stitch. That’s your dip stitch, worked four rows below the working row. You could work one three rows down instead, as an example of a variation on knit dip stitch.

Working the dip stitches closer together (meaning not having many rows between the dip point of one stitch pattern repeat to the next one up) makes this version look like a fishtail braid! I love the effect and hope that you will, too!

This ribbed knit hat free pattern includes a photo tutorial for how to work this variation of knit stitch. Additionally, I’ve completed a video tutorial for this ribbed knit hat free pattern to show you exactly how to work it, including how to to knit the dip stitches. This is a great new way to improve your knitting skills.

More About This Ribbed Knit Hat Free Pattern

The Double Dip Knit Hat free pattern is all about showcasing that textured dip stitch. However, you’ll have the opportunity to work some other special stitches as well. Of course, I’ve described these in detail in the pattern itself. But in brief, the three other special stitches you’ll use are all methods of decreasing as you build the hat:

Center Double Decrease (CDD)
Knit Two Together-through the back leg (k2tog-tbl)
Slip, Knit Two Together-through the back leg (sk2tog-tbl)

This is a relatively easy knitting pattern. A brand-new beginner would want to start with something a bit simpler. But an ambitious or advanced beginner could figure out this hat. If you can knit 3, purl 2 to make knit ribbing, and you’re comfortable learning how to knit dip stitches, then you can complete this ribbed knit hat free pattern.

Get the Ribbed Knit Hat Free Pattern

Are you ready to knit this hat? If so, then click here or on the image below. That will take you to the free pattern here on my site. There you’ll find the instructions for how to knit the dip stitches. Additionally, you’ll find the video tutorial for the entire hat, including the pom that tops it off. Moreover, you’ll find a link to the Ravelry PDF if you’re looking to purchase an ad-free version of this ribbed knit hat pattern.

Watch the Video

The free hat pattern above also comes with a video tutorial. Therefore, you should find it easy to craft this super-wearable hat pattern:

26 Free Knit and Crochet Tailgate Projects

August 22, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Kids of all ages are returning to school. Fall sports are about to begin. Make enjoying all of these games and tailgates more comfortable with these free knit and crochet tailgate projects from Yarnspirations! Craft homemade pompoms in your team colors, wrap yourself in a blanket, keep a bottle cold in a cozy, and otherwise improve your day. Bonus: you can show your team spirit at the same time!

What Are Knit and Crochet Tailgate Projects?

When we talk about knit and crochet tailgate projects, we’re really talking about anything that helps you celebrate fall sports. Obviously, football is the first sport that comes to mind for most people. However, you can tailgate for other sports as well. The point is not just the sport itself, but the celebration around the event. It’s the fun of sitting around with other people, gathering up your team spirit, enjoying the season together.

Therefore, knit and crochet tailgate patterns are anything that supports this time together. At the beginning of the season, it might still be warm out during games. Therefore you’ll want to look at knit and crochet tailgate projects that keep your cans of beer or soda cool. Later in the season, it gets chilly. Therefore, you’ll want blankets so that you can stay warm while you watch the game.

Furthermore, you might want to show your love of the game in your own home. For example, themed pillows and dishcloths help remind you of the season. In other words, you don’t have to make something specifically for a tailgate party to enjoy tailgate patterns.

How to Calculate Crochet Gauge

What Is Gauge in Crochet?