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How to Store Knitting Needles: Ultimate Guide

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Life is a lot easier for crafters when their supplies are well-organized. If you can go straight to your craft closet and reach right for the item that you need, then you can begin your next project without any stress. Therefore, it’s important to learn how to store knitting needles, crochet hooks, notions, and other craft supplies. What’s particularly unique about how to store knitting needles is that there are so many different types of knitting needles. Therefore, you need more than one type of storage solution. We asked on Instagram for how people store theirs, and you’ll see those responses interspersed throughout this article in the black and white text images below. We’ll also share our additional thoughts on how to store knitting needles.

Disclosure: This post might contain affiliate links which means I get a percentage of sales from clicks on those links. This doesn’t affect your price. Thank you for your support.

knitting needle storage and organization

There Are Many Ways for How To Store Knitting Needles

ideas for storing knitting needles

As you can already begin to see from the Instagram responses that we received, there are so many different ways to store knitting needles. You can use supplies that you already have around the home such as vases, bowls, jewelry containers, tackle boxes, craft drawers, and other containers. You can DIY your own knitting needle cases via sewing, knitting, or crochet. Or you can purchase knitting needle organizers that are specifically designed and sold for this exact purpose. The knitting needle storage that you use will depend on how many knitting needles you have, what kind and size they are, your personal organization preferences, and your budget.

Why You Need a Variety of Knitting Needle Storage Solutions

ideas for knitting needles storage

If you’re an active knitter, then you probably own a variety of different types of needles. These may include:

  • Single point or straight needles. Each size comes as a set of two. Therefore, you’ll need storage that keeps that set of two together. And of course you’ll probably have different sizes. Therefore, you need storage that contains multiple sets, with each pair together.
  • Double point needles or DPNs. Each sizes comes as a set of four or five. Similarly, you’ll want to keep each full set together by size. Plus you’ll want multiple sizes held together.
  • Fixed circular needles. Basically, you have one needle on each end connected by a cable in the center. This is a single item per needle size.
  • Interchangeable circular knitting needles. In this case, you can detach cables of different sizes and re-attach them to different size needles. Therefore, you need to figure out how to store knitting needles together with cables in a way that makes them easy to mix-and-match without losing any of them. This is often the most difficult style for finding storage solutions. However, there are a lot of great options out there.

Tip: Store Knitting Needles In The Containers They Came In

knitting needles storage

This is an especially smart option when you buy an entire set of knitting needles at once. Often, they come inside of organized containers, folders, or project bags. Since the container was designed to hold the whole set, this is a smart way to keep the whole set together. For example: check out how the Jimmy Beans Wool SmartStix Interchangeable Set with its own easy storage:

If you’re in BiCrafty Bootcamp, then you might recall that one of the many things we loved about our ChiaoGoo knitting needles was the zippable storage containers they arrived in:

ChiaoGoo knitting needles-2

Even if you don’t buy full knitting needle sets, sometimes the storage containers they come in are still the best storage solution. For example, Signature Needle Arts sells their DPN sets in these cute little tubes that open on either end. Keep each set in its own tube. Keep the tubes together in a larger box. Take a look:

signature needle arts tube dpns

Marly Bird Favorite Knitting Needle Storage Supplies: Erin Lane Bags

knitting needles storage and organization

You know that the whole Marly Bird team loves to team up with Erin Lane Bags. Truly, we can’t recommend their products enough. And they have a whole host of ready-made solutions for how to store knitting needles. If you head to the website and check out the left sidebar, you’ll see “Needle Organizers.” Then if you hit the dropdown button, you’ll see that’s further broken down into:

  • Circular solutions
  • Single Interchangeable Storage
  • Double Interchangeable Storage
  • Interchangeable Tips Pocket
  • DPN/Crochet Organizers
  • All-In-One Solutions

Plus she has a pattern keeper and organizers for your knitting notions. If you’re just beginning to try to figure out which options are out there for storing your knitting needles, this is a great resource. For example, you’ll see that this Knitpack holds interchangeable needles at the bottom and knitting notions at the top:

Erin Lane Bags Knitting Storage Solutions

Marly Bird Team Member Meg Likes The Circular Solution

how to store knitting needles of all kinds

Obviously, Erin Lane Bags isn’t the only one creating ready-made solutions for knitting needle storage. Team member Meg uses DPN storage as well as circular needle storage from The Circular Solution. Check out their smart, convenient, well-labeled hanging bag for storing your fixed circular needles:

How to store fixed circular knitting needles

Of course, you could make your own hanging bags, roll-up bags, or flat storage bags using sewing skills or other crafting skills. There are tons of great DIY options out there. Moreover, there are lots of great Etsy sellers who offer similar solutions. You just have to find what’s right for you.

More Jimmy Beans Wool Knitting Needle Storage Solutions

how to store knitting needles

We already mentioned that Jimmy Beans Wool knitting needle sets come in their own organizers that are great to just keep on using. However, we want to make sure that you know that they also have a ton of different organizers similar to those from Erin Lane Bags and The Circular Solution. Their collaboration with DellaQ includes everything from backpacks and project bags to knitting needle storage solutions. For example, here are just three options from their Cotton Print Collection:

DPN, Circular and Interchangeable knitting needle cases

Don’t Forget About Project Bags

craft storage for knitting needles

Project bags are designed to hold one or a few projects at a time. A good project bag also has some storage for your knitting needles. So, although this won’t likely be your primary form of knitting needle storage, you should always keep it in mind as one option. See some of our favorite knitting project bags here.

Can You Use Crochet Hook Storage to Store Knitting Needles?

storage for knitting needles

Marly Bird team member Kathryn is primarily a crocheter. She loves how easy it is to organize crochet hooks (which we’ll do a post on soon!) After all, unlike with knitting needles, you don’t necessarily have to keep sets together. In other words, you need to be able to find your G hook or your J hook but not necessarily at the same time. Therefore, you can easily just store crochet hooks in zippered pouches, Tupperware, beautiful vases, etc. Can you store knitting needles the same way?

Yes and no. Now that Kathryn’s become bicrafty, she has a whole lot of knitting needles. And she’s found that she needs some of these other more advanced solutions in order to keep those knitting needles organized. That said, though, she’s discovered that unlike many crafters, she prefers large straight knitting needles. Sure, there’s a place for the DPNs and the circulars, but she loves her single-points. And since that only means keeping a pair of two together, she does store those similarly to how she stores her crochet hooks. The ones she uses most often are in a ready-to-go zippered pouch. The ones she uses less frequently are stored together in a larger bag. She particularly loves the Prym straight needles because the two ends interlock with one another. Therefore, it’s easy to keep each set together even when throwing a bunch of different sizes together in one bag.

And theoretically, you can store a small selection of varied needles and hooks together in one zippered pouch, such as this one from Darn Good Yarn:

Knitting needle and crochet hook pouch

Knitting Needles You Use Often vs. Rarely vs. Just Display

how to organize knitting needles

A lot of us have a variety of different knitting needles. Mostly, we have a few go-to sets that we use all of the time. We want to keep these as organized as possible but also as accessible as possible.

Then we have the ones that we use for certain projects but don’t need all that often. For example, extra jumbo knitting needles for working with Super Bulky Yarn. We want those stored conveniently where we can easily find them when we need them. However, they don’t need to be immediately accessible. Therefore, they might go into boxes in under-the-bed storage or back-of-the-closet shelves.

And then we have some special needles that we don’t really use but we keep because they’re pretty. Maybe they’re a vintage set passed down from a family member. Maybe you bought them because they were so beautiful but then realized you didn’t like working with them as much. Those are the ones you should display. Put them in clear glass vases or something similar and store them in your craft space to inspire you!

More Great Ways for How to Store Knitting Needles

ways to store knitting needles
smart ways to store knitting needles

We really loved all of these answers that you gave us over on Instagram. And we hope that as you read through them here, you’re getting tons of great ideas for the best ways to organize your own knitting supplies. We’ve also curated a few other lists of ideas to share with you, although you’ll discover that a lot of those suggestions are already given here by you smart readers!

knitting needle storage solutions

Other Articles About Knitting Needle Storage:

  • All Free Knitting offers 61 reader solutions to knitting needle storage
  • WEBS has a breakdown of 30+ crochet hook and knitting needle storage ideas
  • This Pinterest page offers a great visual look at how to store knitting needles

And we want to see how you store yours! So take a photo of your knitting needle storage (super organized or super messy, there’s no right way!) Share it in the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group or over on Instagram with @themarlybird #marlybird and we’ll take a look!

So Much Fun! 20 FREE Pom Pom Projects to Delight You and Decorate With

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Pom pom projects are such a fun thing to add to your craft repertoire. You can make them yourself in several different ways. Plus there are even yarns that are made up of strings of pom poms. You can add one big pom to the top of a hat, which always makes it a bit more interesting. Alternatively, you can stick a bunch of little pom poms onto a wreath for fun decor. There are more fun pom pom projects than you might realize. So here we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorites. From daily decor to Christmas decorations, there’s got to be something great here for you.

pom pom project ideas for decorating and design

How To Make A Pom Pom

There are several different ways to make a pom pom. You can use supplies that you have around the house to get started. However, if you’re going to make lots of pom pom projects then you’ll probably want to invest in a good pom making tool. Don’t worry; they’re not expensive. Each one is a little bit different. Here are some tutorials for using popular ones:

Making pom poms with Clover Pom Pom Maker

As you’ll see in the video tutorial above, it’s really easy to make pom poms thanks to Clover’s tool for the job.

Making a pom pom with Red Heart Pom Pom & Tassel Maker

Making pom pom with Susan Bates Pom Pom Maker

While I don’t have a video tutorial for this particular tool, I do have a photo tutorial. This shows you exactly how to use the Susan Bates pom pom maker.

20 FREE Pom Pom Projects

Try out these 20 different FREE pom pom projects to make some great home items and holiday items as well. Which will be your favorite?

1. Yarn Pom Pom Wall Tree designed by Red Heart

Use yarn and pom poms to create an on-the-wall Christmas tree. This is perfect for small spaces like studio apartments. Kids also like to have their own wall tree in their rooms. Plus it’s just delightful decor. And it’s much easier to set up and take down than a live Christmas tree!

2. Pom Pom Frog With Handprints designed by Yarnspirations

pom pom frog project idea

This is a great kids’ craft party activity. Make handprints for the bottom. Use a pom for the frog. Then add the eyes which are what make it so much fun.

3. Pom Pom Garland designed by Red Heart

crochet pom pom garland free pattern

Garlands are a fun way to change out the decor of your home. You can obviously use them during the holiday season. However, don’t limit yourself. The right colors can make a garland give you the feel of any season that you’re in. They’re also perfect to wrap around table edges for party decor. This one is a basic crochet foundation from which you hang your pom poms.

4. Everyday Pom Pom Ornament designed by Red Heart

everyday pom pom project ornament

You can also use pom poms in combination with other designs, such as tassels, to create simple ornaments. You don’t have to hang these on Christmas trees, although of course you could. Use them as doorknob decor, wall hangings, and more.

5. Pom Pom Wall Hanging designed by Red Heart

pom pom wall hanging free pattern

Have fun making a bunch of easy pom poms. Then combine them together to create a textural wall hanging. Easy peasy.

6. Pom Pom Cupcake Garland designed by Yarnspirations

pom pom cupcake garland free pattern

Returning to the idea of party garlands for a minute, we couldn’t fail to include this idea. Turn your pom poms into little cupcakes. Then string them into a garland. Perfect! We also think that you could take the basic idea of the pom pom cupcake and run with it – make trays of them and use them for display for example.

7. Pom Pom Critters designed by Yarnspirations

pom pom projects little critters

We think that this is one of the cutest, most creative pom pom projects that we’ve ever seen. If you love the idea of making little critters, but you’ve never really gotten into amigurumi, then this could be the project for you. Simple and easy but so fun. If you ever get bored with your crafting, shake it up with a small project such as this one.

8. Pom Pom Knit Hat Free Pattern by Marly Bird

Pom Pom Knit Hat Free Pattern

You don’t have to make your own pom poms to create this funky chic knit hat. Instead, you’ll use Pomp-a-Doodle yarn which does all of the work for you.

9. Pom Pom Package Topper Tutorial

gift wrap topper pom pom projects

This pom pom project is so simple that you’ll be surprised that you didn’t think of it yourself. Simply make a cute little pom. Then combine it with some extra yarn to create an alternative to ribbon for wrapping gifts. It’s personalized, crafty, and perfect.

10. Pennant and Pom Pom Garland

Here’s another great garland idea for pom pom fans. This one combines the poms with triangle pennants. It’s great dorm room decor, team spirit crafting, etc.

11. Team Spirit Knit Hat with Pom Poms

Striped Stockinette Knit Hat Free Pattern

Speaking of team spirit, that’s exactly what this free knit hat pattern is all about. It’s a simple stockinette knit hat. However, then you add pom poms to either side. It makes for a fun accessory in your team or school colors.

12. Knit Skater Hat with Pom

Skater's Knit Hat Free Pattern

This is a striped knit hat. Therefore, you could also make it in team colors. However it’s designed as more of a sporty, casual, slouchy unisex hat. And obviously it’s got the pom pom on top.

13. Wings of Hope Hat

Wings of Hope Hat by Marly Bird Ad Free PDF and Free Pattern On Website

Although the pom pom is optional on this one (as it is with most hat projects, actually), we think it makes a really great design feature. I created this hat to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer. It’s a beautiful hat, but the pom makes a statement. Therefore, people are more likely to ask you about it. Then you can spread that awareness.

14. Beginner One-Ball Knit Hat with Two Poms

chevron knit hat free pattern

That’s right, this is an easy beginner knit hat pattern that requires only one ball of yarn. It’s created without shaping so it’s great as a first knit hat. However, it does have a subtle single-color chevron pattern that makes it a little bit special. And the poms on either side of the top also make it special.

15. Chunky Knit and Crochet Hat Patterns With Fun Pom

chunky knit and bulky crochet hat patterns

Back when Olympian Chloe Kim wore her terrific snowboarder hat, I designed two that had a similar look. Since I love to be bicrafty, one was crochet and the other was knit. They’re both chunky and warm. And they each have a unique pom on top.

16. Pom Pom Party Wreath

pom pom projects party wreath

Make pom poms in varied sizes and colors. Attach them to a wreath form. You’ve got the perfect decoration for your door, your wall, or any event space.

17. Red Heart Luxurious Bath Rug

pom pom bath rug

Step out of the bathtub and straight onto the plush wonder of this pom pom mat. This is one of our favorite pom pom projects.

18. Pom Pom Kitten Pencil Toppers

pom pom pencil toppers craft project

Make school a lot more fun with kitten-shaped pencil toppers made from pom poms. These are also a terrific teacher’s gift or party favor.

19. Bernat Pom-Pom-Edged Pillow

pom pom pillow

Make an easy crochet pillow. Then edge it with beautiful, colorful, squishable pom poms. These are great floor pillows as well as couch pillows. They’ll brighten up any space and are particularly great for kids’ rooms.

20. Aunt Lydia’s Pom Pom Headband

headband pom pom projects

There are lots of great headband pom pom projects out there. This one has a patriotic feeling to it. Add one or more pom poms to a storebought headband. Or make a simple knit or crochet headband and decorate it with poms. Have fun with this idea!

Pom Pom Tips and Extras

There are so many different ways to work with pom poms! In addition to the free pom pom projects above, here are some helpful tips, tutorials, and ideas to take your pom crafting even further.

Adding a Removable Pom Pom to Hats

Sometimes people look at their finished pom and wonder, “okay, but how do I add it to a hat?” Learn two ways to add a removable pom pom to your next hat project with this video:

Adding a Pom Pom Border to a Crochet Blanket

Learn how to add a pom pom border to your next blanket project. This isn’t strictly a traditional pom but instead uses crochet stitches to create a pom pom project effect.

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Reversible Unisex Ribbed Knit Scarf Free Pattern – Perfect For Everyone

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As you know if you have been paying attention to the blog this week, we’re highlighting some of Marly’s best knit and crochet video tutorials. For example, we shared her video for the beautiful butterfly crochet cowl pattern. After that, we shared her video tutorial for the boho crochet cape free pattern. Basically, we’re on a mission to make sure that don’t miss some of those old patterns that might be hidden in the archives but are way too terrific not to craft! So today we’ve got another one for you, and this one’s for the knitters. It’s a ribbed knit scarf free pattern. This thick, reversible, unisex design is truly perfect for everyone.

how to knit ribbed scarf with Marly Bird

A Note on the Pattern Designers

We wanted to point out that Marly Bird was a Red Heart ambassador and now, since Yarnspirations took over Red Heart, she’s a Yarnspirations ambassador. She has a lot of her own original patterns free on the Yarnspirations site. Plus she has lots of YouTube tutorials showing you details for those patterns. But that’s not all she does. She also works with them to create video tutorials for other people’s patterns. She’s such a wonderful teacher that it’s a great way to bring some of those other patterns to life. So, for example, the aforementioned butterfly cowl was originally designed by Michele Maks. So is this ribbed knit scarf free pattern we’re sharing with you today.

Who to Knit This Scarf For

This ribbed knit scarf free pattern really is the perfect item for pretty much everyone in your life. It’s reversible so it’s nice and thick. However, it’s not like it’s an overwhelming blanket scarf or anything. It’s designed in a solid color. Therefore, you can pick the color that best suits the recipient. Or you can choose something neutral for gifts and donations. It’s sized and shaped and suited perfectly to any gender. So, who should you use this ribbed knit scarf free pattern to make something for? Everyone including:

  • Yourself
  • Your partner
  • Mom and dad
  • Teens and adult children
  • Teacher’s gifts
  • Friends
  • Charity donations
  • Extras to keep around in case someone gets chilly!

Ribbed Knit Scarf Free Pattern Materials

Here’s what you’ll need to make this scarf:

How to Knit This Scarf

You’ll see exactly what you need to do when you watch the video below. However, we have to tell you just how easy this knit scarf is.

Basically, you’re going to knit 7 and then purl 7 across a row. Then in the next row you’ll purl your knits and knit your purls. That’s more or less it. Of course, there is a little more detail to it than that. So don’t just do that without reading the pattern and watching the video. However, if you can handle that, you can handle knitting this scarf.

Ribbed Knit Scarf Free Pattern Video Tutorial

Ready to make this scarf for yourself and everyone else you know? Here’s the video tutorial:

How to Crochet Hearts: Little Hearts Stitch Pattern Video Tutorial

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Earlier today on the blog we shared the Boho Crochet Cape free pattern. Hopefully you were as excited about it as we are. After all, we think it’s the perfect late summer / early fall accessory. However, you might not like to make capes and that’s okay. Nevertheless, we wanted to point out something in the pattern that might be right for you: the little hearts stitch pattern. This is a unique way for how to crochet hearts in a subtle repeating pattern. You might use this for Valentine’s designs or other heart-themed occasions. Or you might just enjoy incorporating it as a fun new stitch pattern in designs ranging from washcloths to blankets. So, we thought we’d pull that out and show it to you today in case you missed it in the full cape tutorial video.

how to crochet hearts stitch with Marly Bird

What Makes It Look Like Little Hearts?

This really isn’t a complicated stitch pattern at all. You’ll use single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitches to create the pattern. It’s just that you’ll use them in a strategic way, with specific placement of hook and stitches, to create what looks like little hearts all joined together in a row.

As you’ll see in the video below, you’ll crochet each individual heart by working:

  • Double crochet stitch
  • Chain three
  • Single crochet
  • Chain three
  • Double crochet

You’ll work all of that into one stitch. And that’s how to crochet hearts. That’s right – you can actually use this single heart in various ways in your own projects.

Almost a Variation on a Crochet Shell Stitch

The crochet shell stitch is such a popular stitch pattern for beginners who are just learning how to move beyond the basics. Similar to this little hearts stitch pattern, you use super basic stitches worked into the same stitch from the row below to create a shape. Then you repeat that across the row using strategic spacing etc. So, in a way, this is a lot like a variation on a crochet shell stitch. You use a little more variety in terms of the stitches that you combine. Other than that, it’s comparable. Like the shell stitch, it’s a great repeating stitch pattern for all types of projects. Try making a blanket with it!

Yarn To Use to Crochet The Little Hearts Stitch Pattern

You can use any yarn that you want to create this stitch pattern, of course. However, self-striping yarn works particularly well. Since each row will naturally have a different striped color, it’s easier to see the heart shapes than if you were working with solid colored yarn. I used the stitch pattern in the aforementioned cape design. For that we used Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn. This is a great yarn that changes colors easily. It’s a good choice for this type of stitch pattern. But have fun with it! Make this stitch pattern a go-to in your personal design library.

How to Crochet Hearts: Little Hearts Stitch Pattern Video Tutorial

In this quick fifteen minute video tutorial, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to crochet hearts in this unique repeating pattern:

Of course, remember that this was originally for Red Heart which is now Yarnspirations. Therefore, the full pattern for the aforementioned Catskills Cape that uses this stitch pattern is now free on the Yarnspirations site.

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Boho Crochet Cape Free Pattern – Perfect for Late Summer and Early Fall Accessorizing

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As you know if you saw yesterday’s blog post about the beautiful butterfly crochet cowl pattern, we here on the Marly Team are on a mission. That mission is to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the best patterns from Marly’s archives. Some of these are her own patterns. She has designed so many wonderful patterns over the years for so many different publications and websites. And we know that those sometimes get lost in the mix. Therefore, we’re bringing them to you on the blog so that you can find some awesome new things to make. Today we have a Boho Crochet Cape free pattern with a Marly Bird video tutorial to accompany it. It’s called the Red Heart Catskills Cape.

how to crochet boho cape with Marly Bird

Let’s Talk About The Term Boho

Boho, bohemian, hippie, eclectic, whimsical … these are just a few of the words that we apply to a certain kind of style. Certain images might come to mind when you hear these words. Coachella, for example. Free spirits. The term goes in and out of fashion. People who care about trends are all about boho chic one season and then wouldn’t be caught wearing anything boho the next. But we in the craft world know that good sustainable slow fashion isn’t about trends at all. And we don’t think boho ever goes out of style. It doesn’t have to mean flower crowns and flowing skirts (although of course it can.)

Instead, it means clothing that feels loose, comfy, easy for any size or shape body to wear. It means being able to just throw it on and feel fabulous in that effortless sort of way. Perhaps it means certain colors that give off easy vibes for you. Whatever it means, take out the negative connotations and leave in the positive ones. Boho can be for anyone. It can make your wardrobe simpler and more beautiful. And we hope that this Boho Crochet Cape free pattern feels like the perfect effortless accessory to add to your late summer / early fall wardrobe.

Let’s Talk About This Boho Crochet Cape

This isn’t just an easy accessory to wear. It’s also an easy crochet pattern. You don’t have to know any advanced special stitches in order to crochet this design. The only “special stitch” is the half double crochet two together. Therefore, if you know how to decrease in hdc then you’re going to be able to complete this pattern.

You’ll make the body of the cape first. Then you’ll add thick edging that gives a dramatic effect to the cape. It changes the direction of the striping from the body of the cape to give you an intriguing visual effect. It’s very eye-catching. You’ll incorporate button holes so that you can close the cape up to stay warm. That’s why this is effortless and also great for varied weather.

Finally, you’ll add some easy fringe. We love fringe. However, if you want a less “boho” style and something a little bit more classic, you can always leave the fringe off. The great thing about crochet is that you can easily adapt it to suit what’s right for you. There are no hard and fast rules.

Red Heart Catskills Cape Materials

In order to create this boho crochet cape, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Red Heart Catskills Cape free pattern from Yarnspirations.
  • Four balls of Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn. The color does all the work to showcase your beautiful stitches and make the finished product sing. While the original pattern suggests the Winery colorway, we encourage you to use whichever suits you best. There are no right or wrong choices when it comes to making this boho crochet caoe.
  • Susan Bates Size J crochet hook. Thanks to a larger-than-average hook for worsted weight yarn, this butterfly crochet cowl pattern works up really quickly.
  • You’ll also need a yarn needle and stitch markers.
  • Plus this is a buttoned boho crochet cope. Therefore you’ll need three 1″ buttons. Plus you’ll need a sewing needle and thread for attaching the buttons.
  • And you’ll probably want the video tutorial (see below). Some of Marly’s Yarnspirations pattern videos are for other people’s designs. However, she designed this cape pattern herself so she’s truly the perfect person to teach you how to make it!

Boho Crochet Cape Video Tutorial

Are you ready to make this terrific summer / fall accessory? Here’s the video tutorial to take you along the way.

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Butterfly Crochet Cowl Free Pattern with Video Tutorial

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We here at the Marly Bird team have been looking through all of the many amazing things Marly has done in the past to make sure that you’re not missing out on great content. We’ve discovered some terrific knit and crochet video tutorials that don’t have blog posts here on the site. So we’re digging into those archives and bringing you the best of them. We’re starting today with a beautiful butterfly crochet cowl free pattern. It’s appropriately named Le Papillon, which, of course, is French for butterfly.

how to crochet butterfly cowl with Marly Bird

What Makes This a Butterfly Crochet Cowl?

What does “butterfly crochet cowl” even mean really? Well, the idea is that you create an effect in which you have a center detail out from which come two different wing-like sections. Of course, since it’s a cowl, it’s wrapped all the way around your neck. In other words, it’s subtler than the big wings of a butterfly shawl. However, this design adds an ethereal, whimsical feeling to your crochet cowl. You get the essence of a beautiful butterfly without being too literal about it. It’s really a special design.

How We Achieve The Butterfly Crochet Cowl Effect In This Pattern

This free crochet cowl pattern uses two bold, but easy, crochet stitches. First, there are bobbles. They have such wonderful texture. If you’ve never made crochet bobbles before, don’t fret. If you know how to single crochet and double crochet then you can learn this textured stitch. It’s all about paying close attention to the yarn overs and the placement of the hook. And, if you look closely, a row of bobbles looks a little bit like a caterpillar. Or, in this case, the center body of a butterfly. So that’s why it’s the perfect starting point for this crochet cowl.

Crochet shell stitch is the other main stitch used in this free pattern. You’ll work one direction of shell stitch rows coming out of the bobble foundation. Then, you’ll turn the work around and, working from the bottom of that foundation, create shell stitches facing the other way. That’s how you get the symmetrical design that makes it look like a butterfly crochet cowl.

Le Papillon Crochet Pattern and Materials

In order to create this crochet cowl, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Le Papillon free crochet cowl pattern from Yarnspirations. Note that the original pattern is by Michele Maks.
  • One ball of Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn. This is such a beautiful yarn with intriguing colorways. The color does the work for you. While the original pattern suggests the Springtime colorway, we encourage you to yse whichever suits you best. Butterflies come in all kinds of colors, after all!
  • Susan Bates Size J crochet hook. Thanks to a larger-than-average hook for worsted weight yarn, this butterfly crochet cowl pattern works up really quickly.
  • You might also want a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
  • And you’ll probably want my video tutorial …

Le Papillon Crochet Cowl Video Tutorial

Are you ready to crochet this all-season cowl? Here’s my step-by-step video to help you along:

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