Marly Bird, Author at Marly Bird

Knit Skater Hat Free Pattern: Striped, Unisex, Sporty Hat Design

March 9, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

This striped knit skater hat is a free intermediate knitting pattern. It has some optional features that elevate it to the next level including an elastic band that makes for perfect adjustable fit. It was designed with men in mind. However, it definitely works as a unisex design. it’s an easy, sporty, casual hat to wear anytime throughout the year.

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

About This Knit Skater Hat

This hat was designed as a skater-style casual hat. It’s designed with men or teen boys in mind. However, it’s a cute unisex design that easily works for women as well. If you want to donate hats to charity or make a bunch of gifts for future presents then this hat pattern is a good one to bookmark.

This is a striped hat pattern. Worked in two different colors, you have a variety of different options for color play. For example, work with two similar colors for a subtler striped look. In contrast, choose two complementary colors for a bolder design. If you’re making this hat for a specific person, then consider using their two favorite colors or the colors of their favorite sports team.

Design note: You’ll cut the yarn each time that you end off with one color and begin again with the other. You won’t carry the unused yarn in this particular knit hat design.

This hat combines stockinette stitch and regular knit stitch with kfb (knitting front and back). It’s more advanced than a beginner knit hat but an advanced beginner or intermediate knitter could enjoy this pattern.

Optional Designs Features Elevate the Pattern

There are two optional design features on this knit skater hat. First, there’s the pom on top. It tops the design off nicely, giving it that finished sporty look. However, the hat works perfectly well without it, too. If you’re looking for a more versatile, casual design then you can leave the pom off.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, is the optional elastic band. If you add this, it makes the hat much more comfortable. Obviously you don’y have to be a skateboarder to wear a knit skater hat. It can be just about the style. But if the hat is for a skateboarder then rest assured that it will stay on the head with this adjustable elastic band. In other words, it’s a functional feature of the design as well as an aesthetic choice.

That said, beginner knitters – or people seeking to simplify the pattern – can leave off one or both of these optional features. In fact, you might want to knit the hat in a few different styles to find out what you like best.

Get the Knit Skater Hat Pattern

Are you excited to get started working on this knit skater hat? If so, then click here to get the pattern or click the image below.

Fun With Unique Yarn: Pom Pom Knit Hat Free Pattern

March 9, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Are you looking for something different and fun to knit? Something with some whimsy and character? Then look no further because you’ve found it. This Pom Pom knit hat free pattern uses two types of yarn, one of which is Pom Pom yarn. The result is a cozy hat with tons of personality that you can knit up quickly.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links in which case I receive a portion of any sales from those links. Your price doesn’t change. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Pomp-A-Doodle Yarn

This Pom Pom knit hat free pattern was designed specifically to showcase the fun Red Heart Pomp-a-Doodle yarn.

The yarn itself is made with big pom poms that are strung together. There are approximately four inches of string between each Pom Pom. You knit or more or less like normal, working on the string, not the poms themselves.. if you’re not sure about it, then check out this video if you want some tips for knitting with Pom Pom yarn.

This is considered a #7 jumbo weight yarn. However, as you work with the string part of it, you may find that it behaves like a lighter weight yarn. Knit together, it looks like a series of Pom Pom balls next to one another. It’s a bold statement for accessories and one that’s really playful!

Pom Pom Top and Brim

In this hat, you’ll use the pom pom yarn to knit together a thick, cozy, whimsical hat brim. You also have the option to make a super pom at the top of the hat to tie the whole thing together..

Of course, knitting with this yarn might all be a little much for an entire hat. Therefore, the body of the hat uses a different yarn to complement the point and brim. You’ll work the body of the hat in a complementary color of Red Heart Soft Essentials Yarn.

You’ll work the body of the hat primarily in stockinette stitch. So, this is more or less an easy beginner pattern, except for the fact that you’re working with a slightly different type of yarn than normal. You’ll use mattress stitch to seam together the very top of the hat before adding on the optional Pom Pom.

Sometimes working with a unique yarn makes you feel like you’re learning something new. It can be a terrific, easy way to shake up your crafting. And really, how can you not have fun working with a yarn made of pom poms? They’re simply joyous. Want to keep playing with this yarn? Check out some other Pom Pom yarn project ideas here.

Get the Pom Pom Knit Hat Free Pattern

Ready to have fun knitting up this hat with Pom Pom yarn? You can get the free pattern right here or click the image below.

Play around with knitting the hat in different color combinations to see what style works best for you!

How to Crochet Socks + 5 FREE Crocheted Sock Patterns

March 4, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

how to crochet socks with five free patterns

Typically when we think of handmade socks we think of knit socks. However, thanks to excellent options for yarn, crochet hooks, and patterns, you can now make crocheted socks with just as much ease as knit socks. That’s right; you can make handmade socks that are warm, comfortable, and stylish using the craft of crochet. Today I’ll share some helpful tips about how to crochet socks with you. Plus I’ll share links to five free crochet sock patterns.

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking one of these links and making a purchase a portion of the purchase will go to the blog, the price you pay does not change. By using one of these links the small commission I make helps me to bring you more free content like this. Thank you for your continued support.*

Crochet Socks vs. Knit Socks

There are some people who will tell you that they will NEVER make a pair of socks using crochet. I understand that these can be bulkier than knit socks. However, they do serve their own purpose.

Many, although certainly not all, crocheted socks are made to be worn as what is known as slipper socks. These are house socks that you wouldn’t necessarily wear to go out shopping but something that you put on when you are around the house to keep your feet warm. That said, there are some terrific crocheted sock patterns for wearing outside with your shoes on, too.

Personally, I love handmade socks of any kind: knit or crochet. Crocheted socks, for me, work up faster than knit socks. They are a great handmade gift at the holiday time. So, that’s why I want to make sure that you know how to crochet socks if you want to.

How to Crochet Socks

You can make very simple crocheted socks. Alternatively, you can make very elaborate, stylish crocheted socks. Here are some of the most common things that people want to know about when it comes to how to crochet socks. This video tutorial will show you more about crocheting socks.

Toe Up or Top Down Crocheted Sock Designs

Another of the great sock debates is toe up or top down construction. Again, this is really a personal preference. People tend to like the toe up versions of socks because you can try them on easier as you go to make sure that they will fit. However, designers have created terrific crocheted sock patterns in both styles.

Crochet and the One Sock Blues

When knitting socks, you can work them two at a time. People tend to do this because once they finish one sock they get sockitis and never finish the second one! They get the one sock blues. If you’re worried that you might encounter this issue as a crocheter, then plan ahead. You can crochet two socks at one time, alternating between the two, by getting two balls of the same yarn and working from each of them in turn.

Yarn Weight for Crocheting Socks

Typically, when we think of handmade socks, we think of crafting with sock weight/fingering weight yarn. This is very fine yarn requiring small hooks and needles. Although this is what is typically used, it is not the only thing that can be used to crochet or knit socks. You will find in our round up that some of the socks use a bulky weight yarn. The thicker the yarn, the more of a slipper sock it becomes.

5 FREE Crochet Sock Patterns

Ready to get started learning how to crochet your own socks? Here are five free crocheted sock patterns to get you off on the right foot.

1. Patons Family Crochet Socks

This pair of crochet socks using sock yarn for a terrific fit and feel. There are instructions for making one for every size person in your family. This is a great pair of beginner crochet socks.

2. My First Toe-Up Crochet Sock

This pattern was originally a part of a stitch-along in collaboration with Rohn Strong. Therefore, you’ll find the free crochet sock pattern written in three parts (all linked to in the pattern description.) Alternatively, you can purchase an ad-free PDF of the entire pattern through Ravelry. If you’re bicrafty then you might also want to check out the accompanying toe-up knit sock pattern.

3. Cozy Crochet Slipper Socks

B.Hooked crochet designed these super warm crocheted socks using super bulky yarn. They are cozy and perfect for wearing around the house. If you want to learn the basic construction of how to crochet socks, this is a great place to start. This is a toe-up crochet sock pattern that uses post stitches.

4. Crochet Mustache Slipper Socks

Repeat Crafter Me designed these adorable socks for men. Women with larger feet might enjoy them also. They’re designed as thick slipper socks to wear around the house. The little mustache design adds fun whimsy. This is an easy toe-up single crocheted sock pattern.

5. Valerie’s Knee High Socks

The Lavender Chair’s pattern offers great information on how to crochet socks that go up to the knee. If you’re looking for a really stylish pair of socks to wear peeking out of boots or to put on display with a short skirt, this is the pattern for you. This is a toe-up pattern worked in simple lace crochet.

Chevron Knit Hat: One Ball Beginner Knit Hat Free Pattern

March 3, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Chevrons are a popular graphic across many different accessories, garments, and home decor. They always come back in style. This chevron knit pattern has a timeless subtle design thanks to the all-over single color. You might think that a chevron knit hat requires advanced skills but you’ll discover that beginners can complete this design.

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

This Is A Great Knit Hat Pattern for Beginners

Beginners who already have a small bit of knitting knowledge will enjoy working with this chevron knit hat pattern. If you’re ready to build upon your basic skills, then you can use this pattern to advance your abilities to read knit charts. Here are some of the reasons that this is a great beginner hat pattern:

The hat itself has no shaping. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about advanced shaping skills. You do knit in rounds, instead of in rows. So, it’s slightly more advanced that your basic beginner knit square. But since it’s an easy pattern, it’s a great next step for beginners.
The chevron stitch is just knits and purls. It’s all about where you place your knits and purls. So, you’ll learn about placing them in the way that creates that subtle chevron stitching. However, you don’t have to worry about learning any new stitches or advanced knitting techniques in order to create this design. It’s way simpler than it seems when you first look at it.
Detailed instructions plus video tutorial. I love teaching and that’s one of the reasons that I like making video tutorials to accompany my patterns. It’s a great way for beginners to get the help that they need to work through a written pattern. You’ll find a video tutorial for this chevron knit hat on the pattern page or you can access it over on YouTube.

beginner knit hat free pattern by Marly Bird

Pom Poms Add Whimsy to Chic Style

The chevron knit hat pattern is a chic design. Although the hat doesn’t have advanced shaping, it sits nicely on the head for a terrific sense of style. The lush color and all-over chevron design are sophisticated. But, often, when working with chevrons, you want a little bit of whimsy in your design. They can be a bold graphic on their own but when worked subtly like this, you have the opportunity to use other tools to enhance the whimsy. In this case, I’ve chosen pom poms.

Learn how to make small pom poms using the video tutorial linked to in the pattern. Put one small Pom Pom on either side of the hat. It’s a simple way to add a sense of fun to a stylish hat. At the same time, by working the pom poms in the same color as the hat, the effect isn’t excessively dramatic. It’s still stylish. Of course, you could always use different colors to create a different look. For example, if your sports team’s colors are blue and white, you could use white pom poms to top off this look.

A One Ball Knit Hat Perfect for Gfiting

The chevron knit hat pattern is designed as a one ball knit hat. I designed it using Chic Sheep yarn which will keep you warm as you wear it. However, you could use another worsted weight yarn that you have in your stash. Oftentimes we have that one special ball that we’re saving for the right project; one ball knit hat patterns like this one are the perfect use for that kind of yarn.

Since the chevron knit hat is a one-ball project that works up quickly, it’s also a great pattern to bookmark for when you need to make gifts. The chevron print makes it special and yet the project is simple enough that you can make it as fast as you need to for your gift recipient. In fact, I created this pattern as part of a 3-2-1 gift-along set. You can find the other two projects along with this one over on Yarnspirations.

Get the Chevron Knit Hat Pattern

Are you ready to start knitting this one ball beginner chevron print hat? If so, get the pattern here or click the image below. On the pattern page, you’ll find the links to video tutorials for the pom poms and the hat itself.

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If you’re looking for more beginner knit hat patterns, then check out:

I Knit San Francisco Book Review

March 2, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

There are a series of books called Knit Like a Local that you must check out if you’re not already familiar with them. They include I Knit Paris, I Knit New York, and I Knit San Francisco. We’ll be telling you all about the latter one today. Even if you’re not a knitter, these books offer fun insight into some of the best cities in the world. And of course, as a knitter, you’ll also get to enjoy making all of the luxe patterns in each book. Get ready to knit San Francisco.

Note: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, then I get a percentage of the sale. Your price doesn’t increase. Thank you for your support.

Knit Locally, Live Globally

This is the saying that One Row Press shares in their Knit Like a Local website section. It perfectly sums up what makes these books truly special. Yes, these are knitting books that offer beautiful patterns. But they are so much more than that. They give you a chance to meet the local knitters and designers specific to an area.

Moreover, they teach you about the area, share what the designers love about the place, and provide insight into the many interesting things about these fabulous cities. You get to know the city from a local crafter’s point of view. So, whether you love San Francisco and want to dig in and celebrate everything about it or you’ve never been there and just want to mentally travel there while you knit, the I Knit San Francisco book offers something for you to enjoy.

Love knitting books? Check out our recommended list of 40+ 2021 knitting books to buy or pre-order today.

San Francisco Is Built for Layers

San Francisco is a city where the weather changes constantly. It’s filled with microclimates. In other words, you can feel nice and warm on one side of the street then cross into the shade and suddenly need to don a scarf. Likewise, turning a corner into a wind tunnel or climbing up a hill can significantly change how warm or cold you feel.

What’s better for someone who needs a lot of layers than the ability to knit yourself beautiful accessories? As the editors write in the book’s introduction: “a bit of woolly goodness, whether in accessory or garment, is always a welcome layer.”

San Francisco: Sophisticated with a Bit of Whimsy

San Francisco is a sophisticated cutting-edge city. People came here to find gold – actual gold in the nineteenth century and tech gold to this day. It reflects an indomitable adventurous spirit that has never quite left the area. It’s unique, because while it’s edge and forward-thinking, San Francisco is also whimsical and playful. In non-Covid times, it’s filled with street fairs and costumed events and many opportunities for exuberant leisurely joy.

The patterns in I Knit San Francisco capture this city spirit. There are pieces that are sophisticated enough to wear to any work event or fancy dinner. And then there are pieces that feature pops of color or unusual shapes that catch you off guard and make you giggle. That’s San Francisco in a nutshell.

Local Inspiration for I Knit San Francisco

Each of the knit patterns in I Knit San Francisco draws inspiration from the landscape (natural or built) and/or history of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lombard Street socks pattern from I Knit San Francisco book

Some of the inspiration is straight out to a tourist book. For example, Lombard Street (the world’s so-called crookedest street) is a must-see San Francisco destination as well as the inspiration for a pair of socks with winding cables adorning them.

continuous cardigan in I Knit San Francisco book

Other pieces were inspired by stuff that is more subtle, things that perhaps only locals might know. For example, do you know about Ruth Asawa who created beautiful intricate wire sculptures in the Bay Area? You can find her work around the city, including in Japantown. And you can find a large crochet wire sculpture she created at the DeYoung Museum. You can also learn about her from I Knit San Francisco. The Continuous Cardigan was inspired by Asawa’s looping continuous wire shapes.

Fog City Knit Hat pattern from I Knit San Francisco book

And some of the inspiration comes simply from the essence of the area itself. For example, Fog City celebrates San Francisco’s weather patterns. The “colors are chosen to show in slip-stitch patterns and to convey the feel of the fog when it covers half of the landscape, including the bridges of San Francisco,” If you’ve ever stood looking West towards the Golden Gate Bridge, knowing that it’s there but that you can’t see it because it’s enshrouded in fog, then you’ll have a soft spot in your heart for this knit hat pattern.

Special San Francisco Yarn

If you want to knit like a local then you’ll want to get local yarn right? That’s why I Knit San Francisco has a bunch of information on beautiful local yarn options. For example, Sincere Sheep is based in Napa Valley, the wine region near San Francisco. Hudson + West Co. is bicoastal in San Francisco and New York. And The Dye Project is based in Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco.

It’s fun to learn about these different local yarns. And if you can get your hands on them – either locally or through online ordering – then you’ll get to really experience the luscious fibers beloved in the Bay Area. But, of course, I Knit San Francisco also provides complete yarn information for each project so that you can make yarn substitutions as needed.

San Francisco Yarn Crawl

In addition to sharing information about local yarn with you, the book introduces you to local yarn stores in the Bay Area. There are so many terrific LYS here. If you ever dreamed of a guide to tell you where to go to shop locally for yarn on your travels, this is that Bay Area yarn shop guide.

The book includes a three-day suggested yarn crawl with information on four San Francisco yarn shops as well as another 8 in the surrounding Bay Area (north and east up towards Napa and south towards Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz.) Those yarn shops are:

A Verb for Keeping Warm
Atelier Yarns
Avenue Yarns
Britex
Cast Away Yarn Shop
Firebird Yarns
ImagiKnit
Monarch Knitting
The Black Squirrel
The Royal Bee Yarn Company
Yarn Shop Santa Cruz
Yarns on First

Special Things About I Knit San Francisco

There are a few more things about this book that you might want to know:

It begins with a Land Acknowledgment. This recognizes that the Ohlone Indigenous people are the ancestors of the land we now call San Francisco. It also notes the land that the history of the land the publishers live on. This is an increasingly common, important, way of recognizing Native American history. This book notes that knitting is also about uniting (knitting together). Moreover, knitting relies on traditions from the ancestral past. If we honor this properly, with respect and awareness that the work is not yet done, it can help knit us together.
Each designer shares what they love about San Francisco. First of all, this makes the book much more personal than most knitting books. You truly get to know the designers. Second, it really lets you in on interesting information about San Francisco. It lets you feel like you’re there. You get some helpful tips (wear sensible shoes in this walking city!) Or, if you already live there, it resonates with you in a way that makes knitting the patterns extra special.
Paperback plus Ravelry eBook. If you purchase the paperback from One More Row Press, then you get the ebook on Ravelry as well. Alternatively, you can purchase the ebook as a standalone Ravelry purchase.

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These posts and podcasts here on Marly Bird also celebrate San Francisco designers and crafters:

6 Free Crochet Pig Patterns

March 1, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

It’s Pig Day! Pigs are a popular food and feature in many children’s stories. Here are some pig patterns from Yarnspirations for you to make for today.

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.

Make these pig patterns then cuddle up with a class books featuring pigs, such as Charlotte’s Web or Babe, or watch one of the movie adaptations.

Celebrate the classic story of the Three Little Pigs with this storybook pillow! Four panels show the three pigs in their houses — of straw, wood, and brick — plus a smiling wolf.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet hook: size US E/4 (3.5mm) and size US H/8 (5mm)
Stitch markers

Download the free Three Little Pigs Pillow pattern

The saying “when pigs fly” comes true with Cu-pig! This little amigurumi pig has wings and a bow and arrow.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet hook: size US H/8 (5mm)
Yarn needles
Stitch markers

Download the free Cu-Pig pattern

Bernat Crochet Pig Stuffie Free Crochet Pattern

Plush Bernat Baby Velvet is the perfect yarn for this very huggable pig stuffie.

Yarn: Bernat Baby Velvet
Crochet hook: size US D/3 (3.25mm)
Yarn needles
Stitch markers

Download the free Crochet Pig Stuffie pattern

Red Heart Playful Pig Scrubby Free Crochet Pattern

Keep your dishes clean with these pig faces, one made in Scrubby Cotton and one in Scrubby Sparkle.

Yarn: Red Heart Scrubby Cotton
Crochet hook: size US G/6 (4mm)
Yarn needles
Stitch markers

Download the free Playful Pig Scrubby pattern

Red Heart Sparkle Pig Scrubby Free Crochet Pattern

Yarn: Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle
Crochet hook: size US G/6 (4mm)
Yarn needles
Stitch markers

Download the free Sparkle Pig Scrubby pattern

Red Heart Pig and Mouse Slippers Free Crochet Pattern

Wear slippers to match your favorite stories with this adorable pattern set: pig slippers and mouse slippers!

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet hook: size US G/6 (4mm)
Yarn needles
Stitch markers

Download the free Pig and Mouse Slippers pattern

Use crochet thread to make this amigurumi pig with wings!

Crochet Thread: Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread Size 10 and Aunt Lydia’s Metallic Crochet Thread Size 10
Crochet hook: steel hook size U.S. 7-8 (1.5-1.6 mm)
Beads or black floss for eyes
Stuffing
Yarn needle

Download the free When Pigs Fly pattern

About This Knit Skater Hat

Optional Designs Features Elevate the Pattern

Get the Knit Skater Hat Pattern

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Pomp-A-Doodle Yarn

Pom Pom Top and Brim

Get the Pom Pom Knit Hat Free Pattern

You Might Also Like:

Crochet Socks vs. Knit Socks

How to Crochet Socks

Toe Up or Top Down Crocheted Sock Designs

Crochet and the One Sock Blues

Yarn Weight for Crocheting Socks

5 FREE Crochet Sock Patterns

1. Patons Family Crochet Socks

2. My First Toe-Up Crochet Sock

3. Cozy Crochet Slipper Socks

4. Crochet Mustache Slipper Socks

5. Valerie’s Knee High Socks

You Might Also Like:

This Is A Great Knit Hat Pattern for Beginners

Pom Poms Add Whimsy to Chic Style

A One Ball Knit Hat Perfect for Gfiting

Get the Chevron Knit Hat Pattern

You Might Also Like:

Knit Locally, Live Globally

Love knitting books? Check out our recommended list of 40+ 2021 knitting books to buy or pre-order today.

San Francisco Is Built for Layers

San Francisco: Sophisticated with a Bit of Whimsy

Local Inspiration for I Knit San Francisco

Special San Francisco Yarn

San Francisco Yarn Crawl

Special Things About I Knit San Francisco

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More Animal Patterns

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