New Patterns NOW Available in Ad-Free PDF! Check out The Pattern Shop

12 Free Pencil Patterns for National Pencil Day

By Leave a Comment

March 30 is National Pencil Day! Celebrate this classic school and office supply with these pencil-related patterns from Yarnspirations.

Kids of all ages can DIY can holders for their pencils, markers, colored pencils, and crayons, and everyone who needs to leave their desk can use a pouch or a case. Or bring the school day to all day with pencil-themed patterns!

10 Free Pencil Patterns for National Pencil Day

You May Also Like

Tweed Yarns and 30 Tweed Projects to Knit and Crochet

By Leave a Comment

Tweed fabric is normally made from wool yarn. It’s a warm wool cloth, usually with a main color and flecks of other colors. Tweed yarns mimic the colors of the cloth.

How is it made? The fibers are dyed after the washing process and before spinning. The spinners blend several colors together, then card them to mix all the shades together before spinning.

Donegal tweed is the name of the yarn that has rainbow flecks and a slightly nobby surface. It was first produced in Donegal, Ireland.

Traditionally, tweed was produced in muted and natural shades and only in wool. But more recently, these wonderful tweed yarns have become much brighter and more colorful and include a greater variety of fibers.

A collage featuring a smiling woman in glasses wearing a blue knitted hat and gloves, alongside images of various tweed yarn knit and crochet products, including a poncho and socks, with text "tweed yarns 30 free knit & crochet patterns". Marly Bird

Tweed Yarns from Yarnspirations, KnitPicks, Rowan, and More…

You could easily use a tweed yarn of the same weight instead of a regular yarn for a unique look for your project. Click on the links below to check out more options.

Sweater Patterns

A collage showcasing various styles of sweaters and cardigans made from tweed yarns, featuring different patterns and textures in subdued colors. the text "tweed yarns sweaters & cardigans" overlays the image. - Marly Bird

Woven tweed fabric is traditionally used for outerwear like jackets, so sweaters are a natural fit for projects with this gorgeous yarn. These patterns mix the old and the new, with the colored flecks adding interest. You’ll find the odd cardigan in this mix, too! And even a vest.

Accessories To Knit And Crochet

A collage of tweed yarn accessories including scarves, socks, and a cowl in various patterns and colors, with a middle section labelled "tweed yarns accessories" and glimpses of women modeling the items. Marly Bird

Scarves and socks continue this rugged outerwear trend. You won’t miss any fun with these cozy items on your feet and around your neck. There’s a beautiful knit cabled wrap for your shoulders. I guess you could call it a long, straight shawl…

Tweed Home Decor

A collage of various tweed fabric and yarn patterns used in home decor, showcasing different colors and designs, with the words "tweed yarns home decor" in the center. Marly Bird

Let’s finish this extravaganza by adding these cozy home decor items, such as throws and baskets. The muted shades fit in with any style and are instant classics. We have blankets and pillows galore to keep you cozy as you craft.

You May Also Like

BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner Knitting Lessons for Crocheters || Start Here

By 4 Comments

Step-By-Step Instructions for Learning to Knit

with Bonus Tips for Crocheters Who Want to Become BiCrafty

SIGN UP TODAY. IT’S FREE

BiCrafty Boot Camp learn how to knit for crocheters

Welcome to a brand new knitting school for crocheters. This is a series of lessons in learning how to knit from the ground up. Of course, anyone can use these lessons to learn knitting. However, it’s particularly geared towards crocheters who are ready to pick up some needles and become bicrafty. These knitting lessons for crocheters build on what you already know about yarn to give you a jumpstart on learning how to knit.

Week-by-week we’ll work together to develop and build on foundational knitting skills, creating a sampler scarf as we go. You’ll get knitting lessons for crocheters, including video tutorials. Additionally, you’ll get tips, suggestions, and thoughts from the two Marly Bird team members who will learn to knit alongside you. All of the lessons will be free online – released here weekly with supplemental YouTube videos and biweekly live shares on social media. Therefore, you can work along with us or you can use this set of knitting lessons whenever you are ready. That said, we hope you’ll join us as we learn! It all starts here 3/31/21. SIGN UP FREE RIGHT NOW.

Finally, we’re excited to have teamed up with some of the best knitting names in the industry – Signature Needle Arts, Jimmy Beans Wool, ChiaoGoo, Prym and Erin.Lane Bags just to get us started. We can’t wait to show you all they have to offer you as you foray into the world of knitting.

Note: 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.

BiCrafty Bootcamp--landing page

What Is The Knitting Lessons for Crocheters Series?

BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner Knitting Lessons for Crocheters is a series of lessons for learning how to knit from the ground up. However, it will also emphasize “tricks for crocheters” to help people who crochet learn to knit quickly. Here are some of the important details:

  • Each week you’ll find a new blog post sharing the next step in learning how to knit. We’ll start from the ground up and build upon that foundation with new skills each week. (As you’ll see, each new blog post will be linked in the schedule at the end of this post.)
  • The blog posts will also include video tutorials and written instructions for that week’s lessons in learning how to knit.
  • Each post will also include special “crocheter’s edge” insights that will help enhance the knitting education for crocheters. This emphasizes how what you already know can help you in your knitting lessons for crocheters.
  • The posts will also link to relevant Marly Bird patterns and tutorials for further expansion on the skills for that week’s lesson. If you want to take off on your own and expand your knitting skills, you’ll be able to do so.
  • Once a month throughout this set of lessons (which will carry through Spring and Summer), we’ll add a blog post in which we check in with the team. Learn more about the team below.
  • Moreover, two team members will share their journey of learning how to knit via social media live chats every other week on Facebook and/or Instagram. This will be time when you can stitch along with us, ask questions, and interact with the group.
  • Together, we’ll create a stitch sampler scarf designed by Marly Bird specifically for this knitting school.
Marly Bird's Knitting Lessons for Crocheters

Meet the Team

Obviously, this is a Marly Bird project. I love being a bicrafty designer, bringing together the sometimes disparate worlds of knitting and crochet. I teach a wide variety of different classes in both crafts for varied skill levels. Many crocheters express the desire to learn how to knit; this is your chance.

Of course, even if you don’t know how to crochet, you can still use these knitting lessons for crocheters to learn how to knit. However, we’ll emphasize how crocheters can take the skills they already have and apply them to simplifying the process of learning to knit. To that end, we have two crocheters on the team who will learn to knit along with this series.

Meet Kathryn

Kathryn is this blog’s content director. Her particular niche is using crochet to heal through mental and physical health challenges. To that end you’ve seen some of her related posts on this site about crochet for healing. She’s the author of Crochet Saved My Life and Hook to Heal, among other titles. These books explore ways to use yarn crafting for healing.

She’s known for years and that knitting offers many of the same benefits as crochet but wants to see for herself how that works for her. Although she’s picked up knitting needles in the past, she’s a virtual beginner to the world of knitting. If you’ve never knit before, you’re in the same boat as Kathryn. You’ll work side-by-side on this journey to pick up the knitting lessons for crocheters. And you’ll get her insights into the healing benefits of knitting and crochet as you craft with her.

Meet Cryssi

Cryssi is my admin assistant who helps me with all of the behind-the-scenes logistics of running a bicrafty designer business. Here’s what she has to share about her participation in the BiCrafty Boot Camp: Beginner Knitting Lessons for Crocheters.

Beginning to Love Yarn at a Young Age

“My love of yarn really goes back to 1994, my 9th birthday. That year, my great aunt gave me my first crocheted afghan. The colors, the texture, the comfort of snuggling under something made especially for me – it was something I instantly loved. I was always a creative child; I loved writing, drawing, painting, etc., and this seemed to be another outlet for that creativity. So, my great aunt began to teach me, and I mastered the chain stitch. I made chains upon chains and I would dangle them from the four corners of my canopy bed.  But, I was 9, and the next concepts of crochet were frustrating and I put down my hook. 

Rediscovering Crochet

Fast forward to 2009 when my now-husband took me home to meet his family for Thanksgiving and my now-mother-in-law encouraged me to pick my hook back up. She and my husband’s aunt spent many patient hours teaching me how to crochet granny squares. It took me almost 2 years to finish that first blanket, but when I did, I was “hooked”. I instantly ran out to buy more yarn to start a new blanket and have not put my hook down since.

I rarely go a single day without crocheting. It has been a comfort during some really hard days and the most amazing creative outlet I’ve ever had. In 2013, when my great aunt was really sick, she was housebound and decided to pick up her hook again after many years. It was a tremendous blessing for me to go to her house every Saturday for weeks and “re-teach” her how to crochet. When she died a few months later, her last project was left unfinished and I was able to finish it for her. What a beautiful circle of life moment that was for me. 

Ready to Knit

I have been interested in really learning to knit for years. I did learn how to knit and purl about 5 years ago, but I never actually made anything or developed those skills into anything. I’m really excited for this series and can’t wait to share my successes and big fat failures with you all.”

Cryssi and Kathryn will be going live on social media every other week starting April 1, 2021. You can join them for knitting and chatting about anything related to the BiCrafty Boot Camp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters.

Meet Meg

Meg provides social media support and blog roundups here on the Marly Bird team. She is an experienced knitter and crocheter who has taught classes in the crafts. Her role in the Knitting Lessons for Crocheters series is as behind-the-scenes support. She’ll help Kathryn and Cryssi with their questions, show them tricks they already know as crocheters to improve their knitting, and help Marly answer their technical questions.

Each post also includes “knitters’ tips for crocheters” – hints for the times when crochet doesn’t exactly help you learn knitting. For example, in crochet, you can put down your work at any time and easily come back to it whenever you feel like it. Experienced knitters know that this is a bad idea in knitting because you are likely to drop stitches and make a big mess if you don’t finish off the row you’re on. Many of these tips throughout the series are coming directly from Meg.

BiCrafty Bootcamp Sponsors and Supplies

We’ve teamed up with some of the top names in the knitting world – Signature Needle Arts, ChiaoGoo, Jimmy Beans Wool, and Erin Lane Bags. We are so lucky to have this amazing support in developing this series of Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. And we can’t wait to show you all of the terrific tools that they have for knitters.

We’ll show you a variety of different options from each of these companies throughout the following lessons as you figure out which knitting supplies are the right ones for you. You’ll also want to check out our complete beginners guide to knitting needles. Our sponsors for the BiCrafty Boot Camp: Beginner Knitting Lessons for Crocheters include:

Signature Needle Arts

Signature Needle Arts knitting needles

We will begin the series working with a knitting needles set from Signature Needle Arts. This company started when a knitter who also happened to be “President of Bothe Associates Inc., a family-owned precision machine shop, that makes custom metal components” got frustrated with her knitting needles. She wanted sharper points. So, she created them. And the Stiletto Point needle was born, becoming the signature of a brand that grew into many other tools. Signature Needle Arts also sells some brands of luxury yarn including Malabrigo, Sincere Sheep, and Dirty Water Dyeworks.

Check out our review of Signature Needle Arts.

ChiaoGoo

ChiaoGoo Knitting Needles

We will also introduce you to knitting needles sets from ChiaoGoo. They “offer a complete line of bamboo/wood or stainless steel Single Points, Double Points, Circulars” as well as crochet hooks. In fact, crocheters might already be familiar with the brand, particularly if they’ve ever delved into Tunisian crochet. This family-owned business is run by four brothers who were born and raised in Linan, China, known as the country’s Bamboo Capital. Their grandfather was a bamboo craftsman. Their mother was a knitter. Together, they came up with the inspired knitting needles sets as well as the ChiaoGoo name, given for Mom, which translates to “highly skillful and crafty lady.”

Check out our review of ChiaoGoo knitting needles.

Jimmy Beans Wool

Jimmy Beans Wool Knitting Needles

You might already be familiar with Jimmy Beans Wool because of their yarn. In addition to the other yarn that they sell, they adopted the beautiful Madelinetosh brand in 2019. But they’re not just known for yarn; they’re known for all things knitting and many things crochet. They currently sell over 100 varieties of knitting needles and crochet hooks, with an emphasis on knitting. This family business started as a husband-and-wife project and has grown into a huge warehouse space, retail store, and online presence. Plus they offer the awesome Beans for Brains college scholarship. We will be using their SmartStix Interchangeables knitting needles set.

See our review of SmartStix Interchangeables.

Prym

different styles of Prym knitting needles

Prym is a small business that offers knitting needles and crochet hooks. Their products have an ergonomic design, which is a great option for people with arthritis and other hand difficulties. The tips of their knitting needles have a unique teardrop shape that makes it easier to avoid splitting yarn, pick up your stitches comfortably, and keep those stitches on the needle. Cryssi is a big fan of this knitting needles set!

Check out our Prym knitting needles review.

Erin.Lane Bags

Erin.Lane Project Bags for Knitters

While you don’t need a lot of knitting needles to start with (check out our beginner knitters supply list), you know how these things go … the further along you get with your knitting lessons for crocheters, the more tools you’re naturally going to desire. Therefore, you’ll want to start off right away with a good organizational system. Erin.Lane offers some of our favorite knitting project bags. And this is another great family business.

Materials You’ll Need to Begin

Although chances are that you’ll want to get some of those terrific knitting needles from our sponsors, you can start small if you’re just dipping a toe in the water of learning how to knit. Here’s what you’ll definitely want to make sure you get as you start this series:

Recommended Needles

You can get really overwhelmed trying to choose the right knitting needles because there are so many out there! But don’t fret. Just because you have a lot of options doesn’t mean you need to start with everything. First of all, check out our Ultimate Guide to Knitting Needles, which we created with crocheters in mind.

For starting out with us, we recommend that you get 5 mm US 8 circular knitting needles with a 24″ cable. You might want to try a couple different brands, which is exactly what the newbies on our team doing.

Recommended Yarn

chic sheep yarn

Our team members will work with Marly’s own yarn line – Chic Sheep. They’ll each start with three balls each of three different colors. Week by week, as they add skills to their knitters toolbox, they’ll also use this yarn to add rows onto their sampler scarf.

We recommend you start with something similar. Chic Sheep is 100% merino wool in #4 worsted weight. Just like when you’re starting out with crochet, you might want to choose lighter colors where it’s easier to see (and count) your stitches.

Note, if you use a yarn that’s different than Chic Sheep, check the label for the right knitting needle size to use. The recommended 5 mm US 8 needles are for Chic Sheep. Need to learn more about yarn weights and the needles that go with them? Check out our yarn weight chart which includes recommended yarns for each weight.

Schedule of Knitting Lessons for Crocheters

This is an ongoing set of knitting lessons for crocheters, starting from the ground up. Here is the schedule for the first few months of this project: ENLIST IN BICRAFTY BOOTCAMP RIGHT NOW FOR FREE.

Schedule of Social Media Live and Team Check-Ins

Join us every Wednesday at 9 am PT/ noon ET for a lunchtime live lesson. Note: sometimes we have to change the time to accommodate our changing schedules. The Facebook page has the latest announcements. We’ll cover BiCrafty Boot Camp’s homework and lessons for the week while also chatting about where the team is at in their knitting journey. Where can you find us? Join the Marly Minion’s Facebook Group. See the Live Tutorials on YouTube.

The video from our first Facebook Live (4/1/21) is now available to watch on YouTube.

Moreover, we’ll have monthly blog posts rounding up what we’ve learned. These will include additional tips and tricks, links to videos and patterns, and more info to supplement what you’re already learning in the Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. Find those posts here on the blog the first Friday of each month beginning Friday April, 2, 2021.

The first “team thoughts” post is live here.

The Month One Team Thoughts post is here.

And you can find Month Two Team Thoughts here.

Month Three Thoughts here.

(UPDATED) BiCrafty Bootcamp Knit Patterns

Each week we will put our new skills to use. We originally thought that we would make a knit sampler scarf throughout the whole season of BiCrafty Boot Camp. However, I truly believe that in order to see that you’re making progress with knitting, you need some instant gratification projects.

Moreover, we want to show you all of the different needles that our sponsors have to share with you. You don’t want to change needles in the middle of a project unless the pattern calls for it. Therefore, we decided that we’ll offer you quick projects along the way that you can begin creating with the skills you’ve learned to date. And by Lesson 2, you’ll already know enough to knit your first dishcloth!

By the end of Month One, you’re able to knit one dishcloth, four mug rugs, and a coffee sleeve.

In Month Two, you’re working on a knit sampler stitch cowl worked in the round. Here’s the Ravelry pattern for the cowl.

You’ll follow that in Month Three with a complementary hat, which will allow you to learn shaping and working with DPNs.

Then you’ll learn how to make mittens to complete that set.

Yarn Weight Chart + Recommended Yarns for Each Weight

By Leave a Comment

There are many different features to each yarn including the fiber and the color. However, one of the most important features to know is the yarn weight. There are seven different yarn weights, ranging from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo). Generally speaking, you use a certain size of crochet hook or knitting needle with each yarn weight. Here is a basic yarn weight chart to guide you in choosing the right hook and needle sizes for your projects. Below that you’ll find examples for each of them.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I get a percentage of sales made from those links. Your price doesn’t change. I appreciate your support.

Basic Yarn Weight Chart

yarn weight charts and which needles and hooks to use

Popular Yarns For Each Yarn Weight

Here are some examples of popular yarns in each yarn weight.

Popular Options for 0 – Lace

Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread

Crochet thread is labeled differently than yarn weights. A #10 crochet thread is comparable to a #0 lace weight yarn. Check out the metallic version of Aunt Lydia’s too. There’s also Red Heart Classic Crochet Thread.

Looking for something more special? Check out Darn Good Yarn’s Silk Fingering Weight Yarn. There’s an ombre version too.

Popular Options for 1 – Super Fine

Red Heart It's a Wrap super fine yarn

Red Heart It’s a Wrap is an acrylic-cotton blend that’s easy to work with. Other good super fine yarns include:

Popular Options for 2 – Fine

Caron It's a Wrap Sprinkles Yarn

Caron It’s a Wrap Sprinkles Yarn is one of our Top 7 Affordable Yarns That Give a Lot of Bang for Their Buck. Here are some other good choices for #2 yarn:

Popular Options for 3 – Light Weight Yarn

Paton's Silk Bamboo Yarn

If you are seeking luxury yarns without a luxury price then try Paton’s Silk Bamboo Yarn. Here are some other good #3 lightweight / DK weight yarns:

Popular Options for 4 – Worsted

Red Heart Chic Sheep Worsted Weight Yarn

Obviously my favorite worsted weight yarn is Chic Sheep. But of course worsted is probably the most popular yarn weight for patterns, especially crochet patterns. Therefore, there are a lot of good yarn choices in this category. Some other terrific options include:

Popular Options for 5 – Bulky

Bernat Plentiful bulky yarn

Bernat Plentiful is unique because it’s a lightweight brushed wool blend but it’s still a thick #5 bulky yarn. Some other good bulky weight yarns include:

Popular Options for 6 – Super Bulky

Red Heart Super Bulky Weight Sweet Home Yarn

Check out our previous roundup of 20 best super bulky and jumbo weight yarns for more options.

Also check out 10 things to do with super bulky yarn.

Popular Options for 7 – Jumbo

Red Heart #7 Jumbo Weight Collage Yarn

Check out our previous roundup of 20 best super bulky and jumbo weight yarns for more options.

What Are The Best Knitting Needles for Beginners?

By 3 Comments

As knitters, we have a few very important tools that we work with all of the time. Our yarn and knitting needles, and the combination of the two, can make or break a project. As a beginner, you have a lot of options to choose from. But what are the best knitting needles for beginners? Let’s explore some of your top options.

ARE YOU NEW TO KNITTING? CONSIDER JOINING MARLY BIRD’S FREE BICRAFTY BOOT CAMP: KNITTING LESSONS FOR CROCHETERS. EVEN IF YOU DON’T CROCHET, YOU’RE WELCOME TO LEARN TO KNIT WITH US!

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on one of these links and making a purchase a portion will go to the blog. The price you pay will not change and the small commission I receive helps me to keep bringing you free content and giveaways on the blog. Thank you for your continued support.*

Best knitting needles for beginners - Signature Needle Arts colored metal knitting needles in individual bags, with wood ruler, and extra cords.

There Are So Many Knitting Needles, Where Do I Begin?

It’s really easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad options out there when it comes to knitting needles. Before we dig deeper into some of your options, we strongly recommend that you check out our Ultimate Guide to Knitting Needles: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know. This will explain the difference between straight, double-pointed, and circular knitting needles, along with many other basics that you’ll have questions about.

Factors to Consider When Buying Knitting Needles

As you’ll learn from that guide, there are a lot of decisions to be made when choosing knitting needles. Here are some of the factors that make up the best knitting needles for beginners:

Needle type

There are straight (single-point), double-pointed (dpn), and circular knitting needles. The guide explains the difference, but what you need to know right now is that many beginners prefer to start with circular knitting needles. They are versatile and starting there helps narrow down what can be an overwhelming array of choices.

Interchangeables

Circular knitting needles have two parts: the needle and the cable. With interchangeables, you can take those apart and switch them out to create different cable lengths with each size of knitting needle. There are pros and cons. Check the ultimate guide for info. If you want the quick-and-dirty option, though, hold off on interchangeables until later. Get yourself a good set of a few fixed circular needles. Rather than buying individual needles, you might want to look at needle sets.

Smartstix Interchangeable Knitting Needles - set of 5 pairs of needle tips in mesh case.

Cable Lengths

There are many different cable lengths for different projects. Basically, you hold the stitches on the cable, so if you have a lot of stitches (for an afghan, say), then you need longer cables than for smaller projects (such as a washcloth.) You can try different options over time, but if you only want to buy one size, then 24″ is a good way to go.

Needle size

Just like with crochet hooks, there are different needle sizes. Typically, you’ll use smaller sizes with lightweight yarn and bigger sizes with thicker bulky yarn. To simplify things, the best knitting needles for beginners are mid-size needles for worsted-weight yarn. So think sizes US 6 – 10 (4.0 mm – 6.0 mm). It’s best to get a few to achieve gauge for different projects, even when only working with worsted-weight yarn.

Needle material

Needles can be made of plastic, wood, or metal. Don’t worry too much about the material when choosing the best knitting needles for beginners. Over time, you can try different options and see what works best for different projects, but whatever you choose to start will be fine for learning.

Cost

You might want to factor cost in when choosing your needles. After all, as a beginner, you don’t know if you’ll love knitting. Therefore, you might not want to spend too much. That said, you do get what you pay for. Look for deals, sales, and promo codes to reduce the cost of good knitting needles that will last you for years to come.

In summary, although you have many different options, you can simplify things. The best knitting needles for beginners are often fixed (not interchangeable) circular knitting needles in sizes US 9 – 10 (4.0 mm – 6.0 mm) with a 24″ cable.

The Best Knitting Needle Brands for Beginners

Of course, there are dozens upon dozens of different brands out there to choose from. It’s best to go with established, trusted brands with a history of making good products, providing solid customer service, and consistently honing their designs to offer the best knitting needles for beginners. Here are some of our favorite needles from our favorite brands. (Full disclosure: some of these brands are sponsors of Marly Bird’s BiCrafty Boot Camp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. We chose to work with them because we think they’re among the best.)

Knitter’s Pride

Knitters Pride Single Point Straights - set of 9 pairs in various colors.

The best knitting needles for beginners who are concerned about cost might come from Knitter’s Pride. Here are some of our favorites from this brand:

ChiaoGoo

Spin and Twist types of ChiaoGoo knitting needles in black & white cases.

Beginner knitters serve themselves well by buying a good, solid set of interchangeable knitting needles. ChiaoGoo has some terrific options for sets. Here are some of our favorites from ChiaoGoo:

Jimmy’s

Color coded Interchangeable needles by Smartstix.

You can get a variety of terrific knitting needles from Jimmy Beans Wool. If you decide that you want to try interchangeables, we particularly recommend Smart Stix.

Signature Arts

If you want to get a good set of each type of knitting needle, then we recommend these three options from Signature Arts:

Other Good Knitting Needles for Beginners

There’s no harm in shopping around. We like a lot of different knitting needles, and everyone finds something unique to their liking. If you don’t think any of the options above are right for you, then here are some of our other favorites:

You Might Also Like:

Check out our complete guide for how to store knitting needles.

How to Keep a Crochet or Knitter’s Bullet Journal

By Leave a Comment

There are so many different systems of journaling and project tracking. However, only a few are right for any one individual. The bullet journal (bujo) craze took off a few years ago. Is it the right one for you? Some people find that they can use the bujo system to enhance their crafting. Here are some tips for keeping a crochet or knitter’s bullet journal.

Note: 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. I appreciate your support.

tips for keeping a crafty bullet journal

But First, What Is a Bullet Journal?

The bullet journal is a system of flexible notebook keeping designed to allow you to track pretty much everything – from annual events to your grocery list – in one simple notebook that is indexed for easily finding what you need.

Some people get seriously intense with tracking every single thing, using elaborate listing systems and decorating each page with beautiful colors and lettering. On the other hand some people keep both style and content very simple. There is so much that you can do with the bullet journal. It’s easy to personalize to your own needs. And if you want one that’s just for use as a crochet or knitter’s bullet journal, that’s an option as well.

For a good overview of the basic bullet journal, check out the Buzzfeed bujo explanation or this guide by Tiny Ray of Sunshine. Of course the original BuJo website is also a place to start.

10 Tips for Keeping a Crochet or Knitter’s Bullet Journal

The more that you use your crochet or knitter’s bullet journal, the more you’ll figure out what’s right for you. But here are ten tips and ideas to get you started.

1. Track Fiber Events In The Future Log

Your future log is your calendar of upcoming events. For example, if you planned in advance to participate in Tournament of Stitches, then you might have put that into your future log.

If you attend a lot of yarn events (or want to!) then this is a good place to calendar those out so that you can see what you have planned in the months ahead. You may discover you have several empty months in a row, which might inspire you to look for a retreat, workshop, class, or convention to attend during that time. Alternatively, you may also find that some months are very busy, which can give you pause for determining whether you want to stay that busy.

The future log is also where crochet artists will track their exhibits. Likewise, crafters who sell their work can list their sales events. Basically, anything that you want in a calendar goes here. Therefore, it’s the part of your crochet or knitter’s bullet journal that lists events and anything with a scheduled date.

2. Put Submission Deadlines In Your Monthly Log

Each month in the bullet journal has its own layout so you can see what needs to be done and when you are going to do it. Whereas the future log is a long-term (perhaps annual) calendar, the monthly log clarifies what must happen each month.

In addition to any events that you’ve added here from your future log, this is a great place in the crochet and knitter’s bullet journal to list submission deadlines. If you have a design that you want to submit to a crochet magazine, then it goes here. If you have a finished object that you want to submit to a state fair, then list it here. Craft bloggers may also find that this is a good place to list blog deadlines for the month.

How to keep a crochet or knitter's bullet journal

3. Use the Monthly Log to Set Craft Goals

In addition to things like submission deadlines that have a set date, you can use the monthly log to establish your own craft goals.

Examples of goals to add to your monthly log include:

  • Completing a WIP
  • Organizing yarn stash
  • Purchasing the yarn for an upcoming CAL / KAL
  • Finishing a specific amount of progress on a big project
  • Checking items off of your “to make for the holidays” list
  • Learning a new technique
  • Writing a blog or social media post

Oftentimes people find that setting a specific deadline for their personal craft goals is a great way to expand their crochet or knitting horizons.

4. Use the Daily Log to Celebrate Your Craft Achievements

In bullet journaling, the daily log is a simple list of short bullet points that describe your day. It includes to-do tasks, things to remember, quotes, etc. You can use the daily log to list your crafty to-do’s for the day.

However, you might also use this as a roundup of your daily achievements. Your crochet and knitter’s bullet journal is a smart place to celebrate what you’re accomplishing on a day-to-day basis.

Crochet and knitting help many of us feel productive even when we don’t appear on the surface to be getting much done. Therefore, this can be another great way to boost our self-esteem as we see what we get done in crochet.

Think of it as a daily gratitude list specific to crafting.

5. Remember All of a Project’s Details

In bullet journaling, any page can be used in any way you like. Therefore, you could dedicate a page to each knit or crochet project.

Things you might include:

  • Pattern name
  • Where you found the pattern (and where you can find it again)
  • Details of the yarn you’re using
  • Project color ideas
  • What hook/needles you’ve used

At the start of each bujo your create an index. Therefore, you can easily glance at the front of the journal to see which project details are contained within. Then you can easily flip to that page.

6. Use the Bujo as a Knit / Crochet Project Tracker

Lots of people who do bullet journaling use habit trackers. These are short calendars – sometimes color coded – that let you easily see if you’re achieving your goals. You might make a page for a one-week tracker or for a one-month tracker. Each day you mark off whether or not you met that goal for that day.

Common trackers include those for exercise, staying in a budget, daily meditation, drinking enough water, etc. Basically, anything that you want to do daily (or often) can go onto a habit tracker.

Your habit tracker may be as simple as “crochet” or “knit.” In other words, marking off each day that you craft to keep it up as a habit.

Daily Habits to Track in Your Crochet or Knitter’s Bullet Journal

However, a knit or crochet habit tracker might also be more complex and specific to the craft. Ask yourself what things in crochet you’d love to accomplish each month and then include each of those as a habit tracker item. Ideas include:

  • Practice mindfulness crochet / knitting
  • Work on WIPs
  • Work from yarn already in stash
  • Try a new stitch / technique
  • Do hand exercises for crafters
  • Photograph crochet and share on social media

Of course, you may find that these things work better for you as general goals in your monthly log than in habit tracker format. But if there’s something that you want to try to do each day, then the habit tracker is the place for it. Use the bullet journal in whatever way works best for your own crochet goals.

crafty bujo

7. Create Knit and Crochet Collections

In the world of bullet journaling, collections are just big lists of things. It’s kind of a place to brainstorm. For example, you might have a single list of all of the things you want to try in crochet or knitting.

Or you may have multiple collections (several big lists) for different things such as:

  • Every crochet / knit stitch you want to try
  • Every crochet or knitting technique you want to learn
  • All of the knit and crochet classes you want to take
  • Every crochet book (or knitting book) that you want to buy
  • All of the fiber artists you want to study
  • Every crochet pattern or knitting pattern you want to make

These collections are to inspire you. Of course, you can also mark off what you’ve accomplished on each one so that you can see how far you’re getting with your crochet.

You can also combine parts of your crochet or knitter’s bullet journal. For example, you might create a habit tracker for your collections, marking off each day that you do something on your collections lists.

8. Track Yarn and Supplies Shipping Info

This is basically a list of things that you’ve ordered and are waiting to arrive.

If you frequently order knit and crochet supplies then you might want to track all of the yarn, pattern books, etc. that are in the mail on their way to you. Add the tracking info if you have that available.

If you are someone who ships items related to your craft, then you may also have a page for tracking that shipping info. For example, if you have an Etsy store, then you might track sales and shipments in your crochet or knitter’s bullet journal.

9. Generalized Craft Journaling

Take the time to write about your craft experience. How do you feel about your knitting and crochet? What happened when you tried to work on something and it didn’t turn out the way that you expected? Do you have big dreams and ideas for knitting and crochet? Use blank pages in your bujo to get those thoughts down on paper.

10. Knit or Crochet a Handmade Book Cover for Your Bujo

Your bullet journal can be any notebook that you like. Many people like to use grid notebooks but that’s not necessary. There are ready-made bullet journals set up with different page styles to make it easy for you. Whatever you choose, personalize it by making your own knit or crochet book cover to wrap around it.

You Might Also Like:

Crafty bullet journal images via Unsplash