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

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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

Colorful pom-pom Christmas tree on a wall with presents underneath; festive design with bright colors and playful textures.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a pom pom for a hat or project?

There are a few methods! The classic way is to wrap yarn around two cardboard circles (or your fingers for a small one), then cut around the edge and tie tightly in the middle. A pom pom maker tool makes this even easier and more consistent. For a super fast method, wrap yarn around a fork and tie off the middle. The more yarn you wrap, the fuller your pom pom. After you cut and tie, trim the pom pom into a round shape with scissors for a neat, fluffy finish.

What can I use pom poms for besides hat toppers?

Oh so many things! Pom poms make gorgeous garland for parties and holidays. You can use them as tassel-style embellishments on bags and scarves. Pom pom rugs are a fun home decor project. Wreath decorations, gift toppers, keychain charms, bunting… the list goes on. This collection has 20 creative project ideas specifically designed to showcase pom poms in ways beyond the classic hat topper. Super fun for kids' craft projects too!

What's the best yarn for making pom poms?

Worsted weight acrylic is the most popular because it's fluffy, inexpensive, and comes in every color imaginable. Smooth yarns give you a tighter, rounder pom pom while slightly textured yarns can give a fluffier, more casual look. Bulky yarn makes big, dramatic pom poms quickly. For faux fur pom poms (those gorgeous fluffy ones on hats), you'll want a specialty faux fur yarn… it creates that amazing plush look without using actual fur.

How do I attach a pom pom securely so it doesn't fall off?

Leave long yarn tails when you tie off your pom pom instead of trimming them close. Then use those tails to thread through your project with a tapestry needle and tie off securely on the inside. For hats, run the tails through to the inside of the hat and knot them together, then weave the ends in. If it's for something a child will use… double knot and weave in extra firmly. A pom pom that falls off is sad for everyone involved.

Can I make pom poms without any special tools?

Yes! Your fingers, a fork, or two pieces of cardboard cut into circles are all you need. The cardboard circle method is the old-school way… trace around a cup or jar lid to get two matching circles, cut a hole in the center of each, stack them together, and wrap your yarn through the hole and around the outside. It's a bit more time-consuming than a pom pom maker but it works great and costs nothing.

Reversible Unisex Ribbed Knit Scarf Free Pattern -…

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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:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this scarf for just anyone?

Honestly… yes! This ribbed knit scarf free pattern is super versatile. It's thick and reversible, and you can pick any color you like, making it perfect for literally everyone on your list, or even for charity donations!

What yarn and needles do I need for this scarf?

So here's the thing… you'll need one skein of Red Heart With Love yarn, and Susan Bates knitting needles, size 5.5 mm, US 9. The pattern itself is also available for free on the Yarnspirations website!

How do I actually knit this scarf? Is it hard?

You totally got this! It's pretty simple… you just knit 7 stitches and then purl 7 stitches across each row. Then, on the next row, you switch it up, purling your knits and knitting your purls. There are a few more details, but the video tutorial makes it super clear!

Is this scarf pattern really only one skein?

Yes! Isn't that great?! It's designed to be a one-skein knit scarf pattern, so you don't need a lot of yarn to make a lovely finished project.

Who designed this pattern, anyway?

Well, the original designer for this lovely ribbed knit scarf free pattern is Michele Maks! Marly is a Yarnspirations ambassador and often creates video tutorials for patterns, including this one.

How to Crochet Hearts: Little Hearts Stitch Pattern…

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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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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Little Hearts crochet stitch pattern?

The Little Hearts stitch is a beautiful surface pattern that creates a fabric covered in tiny embossed heart shapes. It's worked using a combination of standard stitches placed in a specific arrangement that creates the heart silhouette when viewed from the right side. It's one of those delightful stitches that looks complex but is very achievable once you understand the repeat… and the result is absolutely charming. Perfect for Valentine's Day projects, baby items, or anything you want to feel extra loving.

Is the Little Hearts stitch beginner-friendly?

It's intermediate beginner territory… you need to be comfortable with basic stitches and following a specific pattern sequence. The hearts are created through a combination of stitches placed in a staggered arrangement, so you need to track your position in the repeat carefully. Stitch markers are your best friend here. The video tutorial Marly provides is especially helpful because seeing the heart shapes emerge as she demonstrates makes the placement logic much clearer than written instructions alone.

What projects look best with the Little Hearts stitch?

Baby blankets are the top choice… the hearts are sweet and appropriate for any baby regardless of gender, and the soft texture suits baby items perfectly. Valentine's Day gifts like dishcloths, pot holders, or small bags. Gift bags or pouches for special occasions. A child's hat or accessories. Pillow covers for a bedroom with a romantic or sweet aesthetic. The hearts are subtle enough that they work for everyday use and visible enough to add genuine charm. Any project that benefits from a hint of sweetness is a candidate.

What yarn and colors work best for the Little Hearts stitch?

The heart shapes read most clearly in a solid or semi-solid color that allows the shadow of the stitch texture to create the pattern. Single colors are best… variegated yarn can obscure the heart shapes by camouflaging the textural definition with color variation. For Valentine's projects: red, pink, or coral. For baby items: soft pastels or natural tones. For everyday use: any color you love. Smooth yarn with good stitch definition helps the hearts appear crisply. Avoid very fuzzy yarns that blur the texture.

How do I make a flat crocheted heart applique?

Flat crocheted heart appliques are different from the surface stitch pattern… they're individual heart-shaped pieces you make and attach to other projects! A basic flat heart starts with a chain foundation, works into both sides to build the lower curves of the heart, and then joins at the top to form the characteristic two-humped top. They're very quick to make (5-10 minutes each) and can be used as appliques, ornaments, gift tags, or scattered across a project. The video tutorial in this post covers both the stitch pattern and how to make individual heart appliques.

Boho Crochet Cape Free Pattern – Perfect for Late Summer…

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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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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Boho Crochet Cape pattern really beginner-friendly?

Honestly… yes! You don't need to know any super fancy stitches for this one. The only “special” stitch is a half double crochet two together, so if you know how to decrease in hdc, you're totally good to go!

What yarn do you recommend for this cape?

So here's the thing… the pattern suggests Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn, and the color does all the work to make your stitches look amazing. But honestly, you can totally use any color that makes your heart sing. There are no wrong choices in crafting!

Can I skip the fringe if I don't want a super boho look?

Yes! You absolutely can leave the fringe off if you want a more classic vibe. The awesome thing about crochet is you can totally make it your own. There are no strict rules here, just happy making!

What are the main steps to making this cape?

Well, you'll crochet the main body of the cape first. Then, you add a thick edging that gives it a really cool visual pop. After that, you'll add buttonholes to close it up, and finally, you can add that fun fringe!

How long does this pattern take to make?

The page mentions that thanks to a larger-than-average hook for the yarn weight, this cape works up really quickly! So, you should be able to enjoy this beautiful accessory in no time.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this cowl look like a butterfly?

So here's the thing… the design creates an effect with a center detail and two wing-like sections that wrap around your neck. It's a subtler take on a butterfly, giving you a whimsical and ethereal feel without being too literal!

I've never made a bobble stitch before, is it hard?

Honestly… no! If you know how to single crochet and double crochet, you can totally learn bobbles. It's all about paying attention to your yarn overs and where you place your hook. Plus, the bobbles look like a little caterpillar… or, in this case, the body of a butterfly!

What yarn do you recommend for this cowl?

Yes! The pattern calls for Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn, and it's gorgeous. The colorways do all the work for you, which is just lovely. The original pattern suggests ‘Springtime,' but honestly, any color that makes you happy will work beautifully!

How quickly can I crochet this cowl?

You'll be surprised how fast this works up! It uses a larger-than-average crochet hook for the yarn weight, so you get a nice, speedy project. Grab your J hook and get stitching!

Can you show me how to make it?

Absolutely! I have a step-by-step video tutorial linked in the post that will walk you through everything. Just click on the video link and we can crochet this pretty cowl together!

32 Free Knit Dress Projects

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Update your wardrobe — or your child's wardrobe — with these knit dresses! With projects for adults, children, babies and even a doll outfit, there's plenty for everyone.

For crochet dresses, check out the round-up of 30 Free Crochet Dress Projects.

32 Free Knit Dress Projects

Adults

Show off your cable skills, or just be simple with a handmade LBD (little black dress).

Slouchy Sweater Dress Free Knitting Pattern

Children

With sizes ranging from infant to tween, kids will love the opportunity to help pick out the colors and styles of the outfit you're making just for them!

Knit Ruffle Collar Dress Free Knitting Pattern

Bonus: Doll Dress

Even an 18″ doll can have fun with this princess costume!

Light blue knitted doll outfit with a ruffled dress, crown, and matching shoes; free pattern offered.

Also on the Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Is knitting a dress harder than knitting a sweater?

In some ways yes, in some ways no! Dresses require more knitting overall (longer body) and often more careful length calculations. But the basic construction is similar to a sweater… you're knitting a body with or without sleeves, just longer. Dresses also tend to need good drape, which means thinking carefully about yarn and gauge. The upside is that waist and hip measurements are less critical for fit than a sweater's bust and shoulder measurements in some styles. A flowing, unfitted dress can be more forgiving on fit than a structured sweater.

What yarn makes the best knit dresses?

Drape is everything for a dress that moves beautifully! Silk and silk blends are stunning but expensive. Bamboo and bamboo-blend yarns have incredible drape and a beautiful sheen. Fine merino or merino blends can drape well in lighter weights. Plant fibers like linen or cotton-linen blends have natural body with drape. Avoid very springy or bouncy yarns… they create dresses that puff out rather than drape down. Hold a length of yarn by one end and let it hang… if it flows, it'll make a beautiful dress. If it spirals or bounces, it'll fight the dress construction.

How do I adjust a knit dress pattern for my height?

Height adjustments happen in the body length section! Most patterns specify the length from the underarm (or waist) to the hem. To lengthen, add more rows before working any shaping or bind-off. To shorten, subtract rows. For a dramatic height difference, you may also need to adjust where the waist shaping occurs relative to your actual waist. Keep notes on how many rows you added or removed so you can make both dress pieces (front and back) the same adjustment. When in doubt, try it on as you work rather than waiting until the end.

What's the easiest knit dress style for beginners?

A simple top-down seamless dress worked in the round is the most beginner-friendly… it's essentially a very long top, and you can try it on as you go to check length. Minimally fitted A-line silhouettes are more forgiving than fitted styles. Simple stitch patterns (stockinette, garter, or a simple 2×2 rib) avoid the complexity of textured or lace stitches. If you're making your first knit dress, prioritize simple construction over dramatic design… you can always add complexity in future projects once you understand how knit dress construction works.

Can I make a knit dress for warm weather?

Yes! A lightweight cotton, linen, or bamboo yarn in a breezy stitch pattern (mesh, lace, or an open-worked texture) creates a summer dress that's actually wearable in the heat. DK or fingering weight in a plant fiber is the standard for warm-weather knit dresses. The challenge is that fine yarns take much longer to knit than chunky yarn… plan accordingly! A summer knit dress in fingering weight is a significant project… but the finished piece is truly stunning and often becomes a favorite year-round layering piece.