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

06/01/26 •

Flat Marly: Your Free Summer Adventure Buddy (June 1 – August 31)

📝 Updated for Summer 2026: Flat Marly is BACK! This year’s adventure runs June 1 through August 31, 2026. The hub post is now evergreen so you can revisit it every summer. Updated framework, refreshed internal links, and a brand-new “Spring Fling 2026” lead-in.

Flat Marly is Marly Bird’s annual summer adventure community campaign. Every summer (June 1 through August 31), readers download the free Flat Marly cutout, take her along on their travels, vacations, and everyday summer fun, and share the photos with the community. Free, no purchase required, all summer long. Use #FlatMarly to join.

Hey, bestie! 💛

Have you ever heard of “Flat Stanley”? There’s a children’s book where a little boy named Stanley gets flattened by a bulletin board and decides to make the most of it… mailing himself to friends across the country, having adventures, and saving on airfare. Schools have adopted Flat Stanley for decades. Adults? We deserve our own version. Enter Flat Marly… your summer adventure buddy who fits in a project bag, a beach tote, or your back pocket.

Here’s how Flat Marly works:

  • 📥 Download the free Flat Marly printable below
  • ✂️ Print her, cut her out (laminate if you want her to last all summer!)
  • 🌍 Take her with you EVERYWHERE this summer… vacation, the beach, knit night, the grocery store, the dentist, the cool gas station bathroom that has a chandelier (we’ve all been)
  • 📸 Snap photos of Flat Marly’s adventures
  • 📲 Share them on social with #FlatMarly and tag @themarlybird
  • 💬 Drop them in the Marly’s Minions Facebook group too — that’s where the community magic happens

It’s free. It’s silly. It’s connecting. And it makes summer feel like an adventure even when you’re just running errands. ☀️

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you… and it helps keep these free patterns coming straight from my yarn-loving heart to yours. 💛

📥 Get Your Free Flat Marly Printable

Click the pink button below to download Flat Marly. She’s a printable PDF… print, cut, and you’re ready to roll.

Bold pink button with black text saying "Download Flat Marly." Free printable Marly Bird cutout for summer adventures.
✨ Designer Tip: Print Flat Marly on cardstock instead of regular paper, and laminate her if you can. She’ll survive a sandy beach, a rainy day at the zoo, and that one time you accidentally left her in a coffee shop and had to drive back. Trust me on this one. 😅

📅 Flat Marly Summer 2026: June 1 – August 31

This year’s Flat Marly summer adventure runs from June 1, 2026 through August 31, 2026. Three full months of community summer fun.

Throughout the summer, I’ll be:

  • 🎉 Sharing favorite Flat Marly photos in my newsletter + on social
  • 🏆 Featuring “Flat Marly’s Adventure of the Week” in Marly’s Minions
  • 🎁 Running little surprise giveaways for Flat Marly participants
  • 🥇 Awarding a special “Flat Marly Travel Trophy” at the end of summer to the person who takes Marly to the MOST places (last year’s winner went to 23 locations!)

To enter the trophy giveaway, email me at contact@marlybird.com by September 5, 2026 with a list of all the places you took Flat Marly + your photos. Winner announced in early September.

🌟 Where to Take Flat Marly (Adventure Inspiration)

Honestly? Anywhere and everywhere. Big trips, small moments, staycations, walks around the block. Here are some classic Flat Marly adventure spots to inspire you:

Knitted square in vibrant blues and greens, featuring intricate cable stitches, displayed on a wooden table.
Museum
A vibrant peacock and zebra alongside a surprised person in a jungle setting, with 'WILD!' text in bold letters.
Zoo
Cartoon of a smiling person with glasses inside a pink ice cream cone, surrounded by sparkling stars.
Ice cream
A cartoon character joyfully rides a purple spring-mounted hippopotamus against a purple background.
Fair or Carnival
A woman with glasses and a hat holds a baseball and hot dog surrounded by various snacks like popcorn and cotton candy.
Baseball Game
A cartoon character relaxing on a beach chair, wearing a floral dress and enjoying a colorful drink in a tropical setting.
Beach
Cheerful person in a theater seat, wearing a hat and glasses, enjoying popcorn with a colorful sweater.
Movies
A joyful character with glasses and a beanie, surrounded by colorful fireworks against a dark background.
Fireworks
Cartoon character in a blue shark costume, smiling and waving, with exaggerated fins and a playful expression.
Watching Shark Week
A colorful underwater scene with a person snorkeling among vibrant coral and various fish.
Pool/Swimming
Cartoon character joyfully riding a wooden log through water, celebrating a knitting and crochet project.
Amusement Park
Cartoon character lounging on a beach, writing "VACATION!" in the sand with a seaside background.
Vacation
Cartoon character walking in a forest path, wearing a denim jacket and a floral dress, holding a walking stick.
Hiking
Cartoon character sits on a picnic blanket, surrounded by a fruit basket, watermelon slices, and a vibrant green background.
Picnic
Colorful crochet project displayed outdoors with a person grilling, surrounded by condiments and fresh vegetables.
BBQ/Cookout
A cartoon character with glasses and a beret is happily celebrating among a cheering crowd at a concert.
Concert
Colorful graphic of a person water skiing over a shark, with blue waves and a sunny sky in the background.
Water sports
Cartoon figure holding a potted plant with heart-shaped pink flowers, smiling against a simple background.
Gardening
Cartoon character holding a fishing rod and a large fish, wearing a casual outfit with a denim jacket and floral dress.
Fishing
A cartoon character with glasses and a hat joyfully surrounded by animated tacos and lime wedges.
Taco Tuesday

The list is endless. Big or small, exotic or every-day, any adventure counts. Staycations are 100% in. Being a tourist in your own hometown is in. Even taking Flat Marly to the dentist for moral support… totally legit. 💕

✨ Designer Tip: Pair Flat Marly with your summer projects for maximum cuteness. A photo of Flat Marly + your travel knitting at the beach? Pinterest gold. Plus you get a built-in conversation starter when strangers spot her sticking out of your tote bag. Yes, you might end up explaining what Flat Marly is to a complete stranger at the airport. Yes, this might happen multiple times. Yes, it’s worth it.

🧶 Travel-Friendly Patterns to Make This Summer

Flat Marly isn’t the only thing you’ll want in your tote this summer. Pack one of these travel-friendly Marly Bird patterns… small, light, and perfect for vacation knitting/crochet:

Or browse my full library of free knit and crochet patterns.

📚 More Summer Resources

While you’re packing Flat Marly + a project, you might enjoy:

Join our Newsletter

Get Free Crochet & Knitting
Pattern Links & Coupons!

Hand-drawn bird with curling, detailed feathers and pink accents; cheerful pose showcases fine line and texture work.
>> Become An Insider <<
A woman with glasses and curly hair models a colorful crocheted scarf, showing textured stitches and vibrant yarn.

📋 Flat Marly House Rules (the friendly fine print)

  • Photos must be family-friendly… so we can share with the whole community 💛
  • Tag #FlatMarly on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, anywhere you post
  • Tag @themarlybird so I can find your photos and cheer you on
  • Drop them in Marly’s Minions FB group for community love
  • Email entries for the year-end Travel Trophy to contact@marlybird.com by September 5
  • Have FUN. That’s the whole point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flat Marly?

Flat Marly is a free printable cutout (inspired by the kids’ book “Flat Stanley”) that I created so my readers and I could “go on adventures together” all summer. You print her, take her with you, snap photos, and share them with the community. It’s free, fun, and runs every summer June 1 through August 31.

When does Flat Marly run?

Every summer from June 1 through August 31. The 2026 adventure is happening now! Trophy entries close September 5 each year.

Where do I download Flat Marly?

Right here on this post! Click the pink “Download Flat Marly” button above. She’s a free printable PDF… print her, cut her out, and you’re ready.

How do I share my Flat Marly photos?

Tag #FlatMarly and @themarlybird on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or Pinterest. Or drop them straight into the Marly’s Minions Facebook group where the community gathers. I’ll feature my favorites in the newsletter and on social all summer long!

Is there a prize?

Yes! At the end of every summer, I award a special “Flat Marly Travel Trophy” to the person who takes Flat Marly to the most places. To enter, email a list of your locations + photos to contact@marlybird.com by September 5. There are also surprise giveaways throughout the summer for participants.

Can I do Flat Marly on a staycation?

YES. Staycations are 100% in. Take Flat Marly to your favorite local coffee shop, your hometown park, the grocery store, even a fancy bath in your own tub. Big trips and small moments both count.

What if I forget to take Flat Marly with me?

Honestly? Same. Don’t sweat it. Print a couple Flat Marlys and stash them in your purse, your car, your project bag, your suitcase. Backup Flat Marly is a real thing. ✂️📄

💬 Final Thoughts

Flat Marly started years ago as a silly “wouldn’t it be fun if…” idea, and she has somehow become one of my favorite traditions. Watching all of you take her on your summer adventures… seeing her at the Eiffel Tower and at someone’s local farmer’s market and at concerts and on ferries and in random gas station bathrooms… is honestly the best part of summer for me.

Print her. Take her. Share her. Let’s make this summer one Flat Marly adventure at a time. ☀️💕

Love, Your BiCrafty Bestie, Marly Bird

Marly Bird Bitmoji with rainbow hearts

Categories:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Person displays a vibrant Tunisian crochet scarf, highlighting its colorful stitch detail; accessories on shelves behind.

The One and Only, Marly

Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.

Meet Marly

Get Two Free Bicrafty Beanie Patterns!

Two knit hats with colorful patterns and faux fur pom-poms on white wood, showing chunky stitches and soft texture.
Subscribe & Download
Knitting & Crochet Projects for Every Mood" in pink and blue fonts on a light background.
A white bird with pink accents crochets a textured blue scarf with blue needles, seated in a green armchair.

Netflix & Chill

Simple projects for when you want to relax and zone out

Amigurumi turkey with white body, pink accents, and tail feathers in blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and purple. White background.

Social Butterfly

Frustration-free projects that you can easily work on in public areas

Crocheted bird amigurumi with pink wings, curled lines, flower details, and outstretched limbs; Tunisian crochet texture.

Smooth Jazz

Projects that require a bit more intense focus (but music is nice!)

A decorative bird amigurumi with floral patterns, knitting needles, notepad, and pink flower details in Tunisian crochet style.

Shhh Be Quiet!

Advanced projects requiring deep focus (but a big payoff, too!)

You May Also Like

Beginner Garter stitch bias knit shawl stripes in blue, purple, white, gray, and brown shown on a mannequin from three angles.
•

Easy Beginner Garter Stitch Bias Knit Shawl — Free Knitting Pattern

A cheerful woman in glasses waves amid illustrated flowers, skeins of yarn, and birds; spring craft themes are featured.
•

Spring Fling 2026: 20 Days of Free Spring & Summer Patterns

A woman models a hand-knit blue sleeveless vest, showing textured stitches and drape, in a cozy room with bookshelves.
•

Free Knit Tunic Pattern: The Thistlevine Sleeveless Vest by Marly Bird