Marly Bird, Author at Marly Bird

Add a Latvian Braid to a Fair Isle Knit Hat for Beautiful Finish (Free Knitting Pattern)

February 9, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

If you’re a knitter whose yet to discover the Latvian Braid, then you’re really missing out. This beautiful detail gives a special finished look to any item. In the case of this free pattern, the Latvian braid polishes off a Fair Isle knit hat design.

What is a Latvian Braid?

The Latvian Braid is a unique knitting technique. Usually worked in two colors, it creates the look of a braid that sits atop the knitwork. Of course, there are many ways to work braids into knitting – through iCords, cables, etc. However, the Latvian braid often gets overlooked. This is a shame, because it’s a simple three-round technique that provides great detail to almost any project.

Ashley Little over on Craftsy explains it well when she says that in this technique, you’re “strategically crossing two colors of yarn consistently either under or over one another as you alternate purling each color. It’s much easier than stranded colorwork, because you don’t have to worry about floats or twisting and untwisting the two colors.”

On a hat like this one, the Latvian Braid does a terrific job of visually separating the body of the hat from the brim. Once you’ve tried this technique, you might find yourself wanting to use it often to give your hats that extra finished touch.

Fun Fact: There’s a twist, or lean, to this technique. You can make other a right-leaning or left-leaning Latvian braid.

Learn How to Knit a Latvian Braid

As you’ll see when you visit the pattern for this fair isle knit hat, I’ve created a video tutorial for the Latvian braid. You can also watch that here. However, if you’re planning to knit the whole hat, then you might want to wait until you’re ready for that step of the project.

More About This Fair Isle Knit Hat

fair isle snowflake hat free knitting pattern

The Chill Out Winter Hat is a free knit hat pattern. It’s worked with a traditional snowflake design, which is always popular for Fair Isle knitting. It’s also a great choice for a winter hat. The hat is a warm and cozy celebration of the winter season. And if you happen to fall prey to the unfortunately-common winter blues, the bright pops of color on this two-tone hat might be able to help.

The hat is worked from the brim to the crown. Once you work the brim, you add the Latvian braid. After the third round of the braid, the yarns are no longer twisted, and you can go into the Fair Isle body of the hat.

And although I absolutely love the braid on this hat, it’s actually not my favorite part. My favorite part is the crown. I’ve designed the decreases on the crown in such a way that it doesn’t interrupt the colorwork pattern at all. It’s quite satisfying, and the end result is a very cohesive finished hat pattern.

This pattern uses aran-weight yarn. You’ll use size US 6 – 4.0 mm and US 8 – 5.0 mm knitting needles to complete this project. The hat is designed to end up with a circumference of 21.7”- sized for an adult.

Get The Free Pattern for the Fair Isle Knit Hat with Latvian Braid

Are you ready to try the Latvian Braid and think this fair isle knit hat pattern is the best way to do it? Click the image below to get the free pattern. There’s also an ad-free version available for sale on Ravelry.

Chill Out Winter Hat free knitting pattern

26 Free Super Bulky Projects to Knit and Crochet

February 8, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

Stay super cozy with these projects to crochet and knit made using super bulky and jumbo yarn!

Yarn is classified by how thick it is, with smaller numbers being thinner. The biggest classifications are #6 Super Bulky and #7 Jumbo. Projects made in these yarns work up quickly and keep you extra warm, so they’re perfect for this time of year!

DON’T MISS: The Perfect Bulky Knit Hat Pattern For Beginners – this Marly Bird pattern works up so fast because it uses a Jumbo weight yarn. It’s designed for beginners and includes step-by-step video support but it’s also perfect for anyone who wants a hat that they can knit up in an hour or so.

In addition to this great Marly Bird pattern, Yarnspirations has hundreds of patterns that you can make with super bulky and jumbo yarn. We checked them out and rounded up more than two dozen of the best options. Here they are:

26 Super Bulky and Jumbo Free Patterns to Crochet and Knit

Extra Thick Knit and Crochet Blanket Patterns

Blankets are the perfect project to make with extra-thick yarn! They’ll keep you cozy. In fact, they can even work as a type of weighted blanket. These seven blanket patterns all use super bulky yarn or jumbo yarn. You can make a blanket really fast when you use one of these options for the design.

Speedy Striped C2C Crochet Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Thick and Chunky Home Decor Items

Catch the eye with these home decor items crocheted and knit in big yarn! They won’t take much time to craft, so you can change the look of your home quickly. Add storage or extra seating by quickly making a basket or a pouf! Change up the colors and work something up fast when you want to dress up the house seasonally or for a particular holiday.

Bulky Accessories with Chic Style

Hats, cowls, and shawls can all be made in super bulky and jumbo yarn! When you need an accessory quickly, either to wear yourself or to give as a gift, these are the yarns to reach for. And even though the yarns are bulky, the accessories can still look really chic.

Bonus Fun: Toys

Even toys can be made with thick yarn! In fact, the yarn is plush so why wouldn’t kids want to enjoy their tactile delight? These two cuddly friends will provide tons of fun.

Crochet Brock the Broccoli Toy Free Pattern

Other Info on Super Bulky Yarns:

10+ Things to do with Super Bulky Yarn

February 8, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

How to use Super Bulky Yarn - Bulky Yarn Tutorial - Marly Bird

Yarn pictured above: Sugar Bush Chill

Super bulky yarn is one of those things that you’re always drawn to in the store but perhaps don’t quite know how to use it. It’s thick and cozy. You know that it will work up quickly. But if you don’t work with it often, then you might feel a bit overwhelmed by how different this #6 weight yarn behaves compared to a #4 worsted weight yarn. So, what can you do with super bulky yarn? Lots actually!

This post may contain affiliate links in which case I’ll get a portion of the sale if you make a purchase. Your price doesn’t change. Thank you for your support.

Let’s Talk About Yarn Weights

What is a super bulky yarn? Well, there’s a Standard Yarn Weight system. That’s why when you look at any yarn label, it has a number on it from #0 (lace weight yarn) to #7 (jumbo yarn). Fun fact: jumbo yarn is a fairly recent addition to this system.

Although it varies, you’ll usually use specific hooks and needle sizes when crocheting or knitting with a particular yarn weight. Here’s what’s commonly recommended by the Craft Yarn Council:

Yarn Standard Weights - Types of Yarn - Recommended Needle and Hook - Marly Bird

So, as you can see, Super Bulky Yarn is a size #6. Roving also falls into this category. And for the sake of this article, you could also use #7 bulky yarn in any of the ways that we’ll describe below.

Additional Materials for Super Bulky Yarn

Type of Hook and Needle for Bulk Yarn - hooks and needles for super bulky yarn - Marly Bird

As you’ll see, two of the things we suggest for ways to work with this kind of yarn are arm knitting and finger crochet. In other words, you might not need any special tools to work with thick yarn. But if you do want hooks and needles, then you might need to raid your stash or go shopping to get:

Crochet hooks size 9 mm or larger (size M or larger)
Knitting needles size 8 mm or larger (size 11 or larger)

Along with the larger crochet hooks and knitting needles, you will need to purchase a set of finishing needles that will accommodate super bulky yarn as well. Susan Bates has a great set that I love where the eye runs the whole length of the needle. Therefore, it allows eve thick yarn to easily pass through. If you purchase that recommended set from Susan Bates, then you will get a set of 5 needles to use on a variety of yarns from thin to very thick yarn.

Tips Before You Begin Working With Super Bulky Yarn

We must also take into consideration how we will finish off the projects. Unlike when using thinner yarn, it is much easier for the ends to come out of a bulky weight yarn. In order to combat this I suggest that you split the yarn as you weave it in. This will help it stick to itself and stay in place. Choosing a super bulky yarn that is at least some percentage of wool will also help it felt to itself to reduce the problem of ends coming out of the work.

One last reminder before you start your first project: gauge is still important! Designers give the information for a gauge swatch so that you can match it before you start your project. This information will tell you if your project will match the size the designer set forth in the pattern. If you don’t check gauge first then you could end up with a project that is much larger or smaller than you planned. Just remember that one stitch in a super bulky is MUCH larger than a stitch in worsted weight. So, even if you are off byjust one stitch to the inch you could end up with many extra inches at the end. If you’re making a blanket and don’t care how large it is, no big deal. But if you want your project to be the size the designer intended, do pay extra attention to this when working with super bulky yarn.

10 Ways to use extra thick yarn - Super Bulky Yarn Tutorial - how to use super bulky yarn - Marly Bird

Yarn pictured above: Bernat Blanket Stripes

10 Things to Do With Super Bulky Yarn

Don’t be afraid to get creative when playing with this yarn. You can do whatever you want to do with it. But here are the top ten things I recommend you try to do with super bulky or jumbo weight yarn:

1. (and 2.) Practice Arm Knitting (and Finger Crochet)

Arm knitting and finger crochet are both projects that you can share with your children. You will go through the same motions to make your piece but will use your arms or fingers instead of needles or hooks. These techniques allow beginners to see how the stitches are formed on a large scale and see how things are working. In other words, they’re the perfect way to show off the fundamentals

Arm knitting and finger crochet use what you already have to create the projects. No special tools needed. There are many tutorials online if you have never tried these techniques before. There are also patterns specific to arm knitting and finger crochet.

3. Make Extra Cozy Blankets

Lately while I have been out shopping I have noticed that there are a lot of bulky weight knit options in the store. Looking closer at those blankets I noticed that they are using roving, which will end up piling with use and washing. I believe that you are much better off making your own handmade version. It’ll look just as good, if not better. Moreover, it’ll last longer.

Plus, who doesn’t love a handmade warm blanket on their couch for those chilly winter days? You can make blankets out of any thickness of yarn but using a super bulky yarn will show off the stitches in a unique way. Moreover, it will work up quickly for any deadlines that you have.

4. Don’t Forget The Pillows

You don’t want to wrap yourself up in a thick warm blanket then lay your head down on a thin wispy pillow do you? Make your own extra plush pillows using bulky yarn. You can also just take pillows that you already have and quickly make a cover to slip them inside of. That thick yarn look is chic and trendy.

5. Floor Poufs With Thick Yarn

Pull the whole room together with one more big accessory – an ottoman or floor pouf. This can be a huge, time-consuming project if you work with lightweight yarn. But use a #6 or #7 weight yarn and you’ve got it made up in a jiffy.

6. Quick and Comfy Cowls

Personally I like using arm knitting and finger crochet to make scarves and cowls. Since they are designed as rectangles, it is quite easy to get the finished project that you want. Of course, don’t forget that you can make cowls and scarves the traditional way using hooks and needs as well with this super bulky yarn.

7. Baskets

Like cowls, baskets work up quickly with super bulky yarn. You can make them using finger crochet or using your hooks and needles. What’s great is that this thick yarn is really durable. Therefore, you get the strength that you need to make a basket stand up straight. When you work with thinner yarn, even worsted weight, you often have to double-strand to get that durability. Not so with the right super bulky yarn!

8. Your New Favorite Poncho

Blanket sweaters are really popular. And that’s great. But why make a sweater when you can make a poncho? They’re more flexible and they have an ease that is just so delightful. Worked up in bulky yarn, this is a quick accessory that you might end up wanting to wear everywhere!

9. Granny Square Sweater

If you do want an oversized sweater, though, why not go with a classic granny square motif? The bulky yarn gives it an exaggerated twist that makes it contemporary and fun.

10. Holiday Decorations

For those of you that have big plans for the holidays that don’t seem to pan out super bulky yarn helps to change that. Using bulky yarn allows you to work faster and you can create things for your home or your children.

Perfect Bulky Knit Hat Pattern For Beginners

February 5, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

I love making knit and crochet hat patterns. In particular, I love making bulky hats that work up quickly and are perfect for keeping you really warm. If you need one of those hats right now, then look no further. This is truly the perfect bulky knit hat pattern for beginners and advanced crafters alike.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking a link, I get a portion of the sale. Your price doesn’t change. Thank you for your support.

Why This is The Perfect Bulky Knit Hat Pattern for Beginners

I designed this knit hat specifically for beginners. If this is your very first knit hat, don’t worry – you’ve got this. The pattern comes with full written instructions. It differs from my other patterns in that I’ve used a formula here that, over the years, I’ve found works really well for beginners. It has the detail and extra notes necessary to answer any questions that might arise as you work with it.

Moreover, I’ve created a 45+ minute video tutorial that shows you step-by-step exactly what you need to do to knit this hat. I’m a knitting instructor, and I love sharing tips to help you craft using my patterns. This video is exactly for people seeking the perfect bulky knit hat pattern for beginners.

Advanced Crafters Will Love How Easy This Hat Pattern Is

You definitely don’t need to be a beginner knitter to enjoy this hat pattern. Anyone looking for a quick project will love this one. Worked up with #7 weight yarn, this project will be done before you can say Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – or at least shortly thereafter. And it will feel just like magic when you start with only needles and a ball of yarn and end up with a warm, comfortable winter hat just hours later.

10 Reasons to Bookmark This Knit Hat Pattern:

It’s a great project to do whenever you need a last-minute gift or accessory.
You can easily work up a whole lot of these to gift to charity or groups of people.
People often wonder what to do with extra bulky yarn; this pattern answers that question.
Anytime that you want a project that’s easy enough for mindful knitting, this one fits the bill.
It’s a great pattern to share with others who are just learning how to knit hats.
Without much concentration or attention, you still have a beautiful ready-to-wear accessory.
It gives you an excuse to make a cute Pom Pom for the top. That’s always fun.
The yarn it uses is really fun to work with.
It fits almost everyone. This knit hat pattern is sized for toddlers, children, and two adult sizes. Plus, it’s a great unisex design.
This truly is the perfect bulky knit hat pattern for beginners and advanced crafters alike. What’s not to love about it?

Get the Bulky Knit Hat Pattern for Beginners:

For this pattern, you can get the FREE version right here on my blog. Just click the image below to go to that page. On that page, you’ll also find the full video tutorial to help you along the way.

Bulky Knit Hat Free Pattern for Beginners

Alternatively, you can purchase an ad-free PDF version on Ravelry by clicking below:

Queue it up and Like the Pattern on Ravelry

Marly’s Best Knitting Books for Beginners

As a beginner knitter, you’ll find useful information and fun patterns in many of my Leisure Arts knitting books. You’ll find “Make Your First” books for knit shawls and knit baby afghans. These use a progressive technique format perfect for beginners. And you’ll also find the Complete Knit Collection for Beginners, which has 20 beginner knitter patterns.

Eco-Friendly Crafting: 10 FREE Crochet Market Bag Patterns

February 4, 2021 By Marly Bird Leave a Comment

If you’re like me, then you’re always on the lookout for practical crochet items. You want to make things that you can use daily. It makes your crochet functional. And often also lends itself to a more eco-friendly life. We all have a responsibility to take care of the earth that we live on. So use these free crochet market bag patterns to end your use of plastic bags for good.

Save the earth with these ten free crochet market bag patterns

*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.*

Why Crochet Market Bags Matter

The average reusable bag has a lifespan equal to that of more than 700 disposable plastic bags. In other words, you stop 700 plastic bags from going to the landfill just by using one reusable market bag instead.

When I heard this fact, I started to wonder what I could do in my small part of the world that could make a difference. The first thing I could do was to round up some terrific free crochet market bag patterns. After all, these patterns are already available; they don’t cost you anything, and you can start making them today.

Work up a bunch for yourself in your favorite colors, and don’t forget to gift them as well. They each would make a great gift sack that could be used over and over by whomever you give it to.

Top ten free crochet market bag patterns

5 Reasons Why to Use Reusable Market Bags:

A plastic bag can take from 15 to 1,000 years to break down, depending on the environment. You use it for such a short time then it just sits in a landfill for decades, if not centuries. Using crochet market bags and other reusable totes prevents this problem.
Many plastic bags end up in the ocean. Animals confuse floating bags and plastic particles for edible sea life, such as jellyfish and plankton. They eat those bags. Once ingested, the plastic blocks the digestive tract, and the animals starve to death. Save lives simply by using these free crochet market bag patterns to reduce your use of plastic bags.
The United States uses about 100 billion plastic bags per year. The average person uses between 350 and 500 plastic bags. You can make a difference in the environment around you starting today.
Plastic bags are rarely recycled because of the costs associated with recycling them. It takes around $5,000 to recycle just one ton of these bags, while that amount only sells for around $30. While it’s technically possible to recycle them, it’s just not realistic at this time.
The petroleum used to produce 14 plastic bags can drive a car one mile. Instead, use eco-friendly cotton yarn to crochet market bags that are kinder to the earth in every way.

Learn more reasons to use reusable bags here.

Where to Use Your Reusable Crochet Market Bags

The great thing about these crochet market bags is that they are big, roomy, durable totes. You can use them almost any time that you need to carry something. For example, use them at:

Farmers market
Beach
Pool
Grocery store
Mall
Daily shopping
Library
As a day bag

10 FREE Crochet Market Bag Patterns

There are so many terrific free crochet market bag patterns. Truly, take a look at what’s out there, and you’ll be amazed at the variety. But of those that I know about, here are ten of the best free crochet market bag patterns from designers I trust and appreciate.

1. Farmers Market Hexagon Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Jessie At Home designed this free crochet market bag pattern because she loves to go to the farmer’s markets. With detailed photographs accompanying the instructions, this is an easy bag for all crocheters to try making.

2. Perfect Day Market Tote

Perfect Day Market Tote Free Crochet Pattern

Moogly was also inspired to create her design because of her trips to the farmer’s market. This is designed to be an extra-large market bag. However, Moogly shows you how to easily make it smaller, down to any size you want.

3. Easy Split Crochet Tote Free Pattern with Video Tutorial

This free crochet pattern comes from Bendy Carter. However, I filmed a video tutorial to help you work through the pattern.

4. Blooming Crochet Market Bag Free Pattern

Blooming Market Bag Free Crochet Pattern

BHooked chose a beautiful motif-based design to make the bottom of this market bag nice and sturdy.

5. Crochet in Public Bag Pattern

Whistle & Ivy originally designed this crochet bag in honor of the annual Knit and Crochet in Public Day. But it also makes a great reusable market bag any time of year.

6. Market Tote Bag

This cotton market tote bag by Yarn & Chai works up quickly using large size K and N crochet hooks. It has a beautiful stitch pattern.

7. Fancy Market Bag

Speaking of great stitch patterns, this is one of the most fun, free crochet market bag patterns on the list. Cre8tion Crochet designed it specifically so it wasn’t a boring, bland bag but one that gets compliments everywhere she uses it. And that’s a great way to start conversations about why reusable bags are so important for the planet.

8. Color Pop Tote Free Crochet Pattern

Fiber Flux offers a complete video tutorial to accompany this free crochet market bag pattern. The pops of color and use of color blocking make this a fun design.

9. Crochet Market Bag

A sturdy bottom and wide strap make this a durable, functional crochet market bag. And yet, the body has a great openwork design, which allows you to see what you’re carrying. This is by BHooked Crochet.

10. Triangle Stitch Crochet Market Bag

Triangle Stitch Crochet Bag Free Pattern

This uses such a beautiful stitch pattern that creates openwork triangles through smart spacing.

5 Must-Watch Eco-Friendly Craft Podcasts

These five YarnThing episodes all touch on different aspects of eco-friendly knitting and crochet. If you’re interested in learning more about this important topic, start here:

1. Brittany Needles

Learn about how these beautiful knitting needles are made by an environmentally-minded company that tries to minimize their impact at every stage of production.

2. Buffalo Wool & Stunning String Studio

Buffalo Wool Company worked hard to develop a supply chain incorporating small mills, local designers, and large ranches. They make beautiful bison yarn.

3. Urth Yarn and Giving Back

Knitting and crochet naturally give back to the earth. That’s what these free crochet market bag patterns are all about. Additionally, you can purchase yarn to plant trees. Not sure what trees and yarn have to do with each other? Come learn about Urth yarns and how they are making a difference with each yarn purchase.

4. Green Mountain Spinnery

The Spinnery was founded as an environmentally friendly mill that supports sustainable, regional sheep farming and produces high-quality yarns, all of which they still do today.

5. Imperial Stock Ranch

Learn the history of this wool and yarn maker, including their sustainability practices.

This or That: Fair Isle and Nordic Knit Sweater Patterns with Complete Video Tutorials

February 3, 2021 By Marly Bird 1 Comment

About one year ago I hosted the THIS OR THAT Sweater Knit-Along with Marly Bird! You all had asked for a sweater knit along that would allow you to work on color work as well as top-down construction. I couldn’t decide between two terrific Fair Isle and Nordic sweater patterns.

fair isle and nordic knit sweater patterns

Both provide the opportunity to practice those two key knitting techniques. I asked the The Marly Bird Knit-Along FB Group which of the two Fair Isle and Nordic knit sweater patterns we should do for the KAL. But they were divided right down the middle. So, I decided to do both of them.

The This or That Sweater Knit-along is now complete. But the patterns are still here, and you can watch every single video that we used to work on the KAL together. This is a great way to learn all about how to do knit color work and top down sweater construction, ending up with a beautiful sweater at the end.

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

The Fair Isle and Nordic Knit Sweater Patterns

As I mentioned, I did complete video tutorials for TWO SWEATERS for this knit-along. You can choose either sweater to make. Alternatively, you can make both. They have their similarities and their differences. However, either offers a good chance to create Fair Isle and Nordic knit sweaters with graphic design using top-down construction.

Below you’ll find each of the two knitting patterns along with the materials you’ll need for either way. You’ll see where to get the free patterns. And you’ll also find the links to each of the videos for either sweater. The videos are in installment parts because that’s how they were created for the KAL. If you’re working on them steadily, you’ll just go from one video to the next on your own time. Of course, you can also use the free written patterns to work from if you don’t need the video support.

This — The Nomad Fair Isle Knit Pullover

Get Pattern Here: Nomad Fair Isle Knit Pullover pattern

Yarn: Patons® Alpaca Blend™ (3.5 oz/100 g; 155 yds/142 m) [see pattern for yarn amounts for desired size]

Sweater Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL 3XL/5XL

Needle Sizes: Sizes U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) and U.S. 10 (6 mm) circular knitting needles 36″ [91.5 cm] long. Set of four sizes U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) and U.S. 10 (6 mm) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holder, tapestry needle.

Video Tutorials for the Fair Isle Nomad Sweater Pattern:

Part 1 “This”: The Nomad Sweater <—Click the Link
Part 2 <—Click the Link
Nomad Sweater Video Part 3 <—Click the Link
Part 4 <—Click the Link
Nomad Sweater Pattern Part 5

That — The Nordic Knit Pullover

Get Pattern Here: Nordic Knit Pullover

Yarn: Patons ® Norse ™ (3.5 oz/100 g; 211 yds/193 m) [see pattern for yarn amounts for desired size]

Sweater Sizes: XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3XL, 4/5XL

Needle Sizes: U.S. 11 (8 mm) and U.S. 13 (9 mm) circular knitting needles 29″ [73.5 cm] long. Set of 4 sizes U.S. 11 (8 mm) and U.S. 13 (9 mm) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holder, tapestry needle.

Video Tutorials for the Fair Isle Nomad Sweater Pattern:

Marly’s Facebook Groups for CALs and KALs

During the Fair Isle and Nordic Sweater KAL, everyone posted progress pictures each week in the Marly Bird KAL Facebook group. It’s a great way to share with the community. And even though the KAL is done, you can go back and look at those photos for inspiration, ideas, and tips.

You’ll also find other knit-alongs happening in this group. And you’ll definitely want to join the Marly’s Minions Facebook group if you aren’t there, because that’s where lots more make-alongs happen. And when they do, you’ll usually be able to get prizes through participation in the group.

For example, join the Game Day Mystery Day Make-along on 2/7/2021.

10+ Things to do with Super Bulky Yarn

Let’s Talk About Yarn Weights

Additional Materials for Super Bulky Yarn

Tips Before You Begin Working With Super Bulky Yarn

10 Things to Do With Super Bulky Yarn