Tournament of Stitches 2026 || Knitting || Netflix and Chill Play 1 of 6

The free event includes access to the Netflix & Chill concentration level, which features relaxing stitch patterns that are easy to memorize and enjoyable to work.
These stitches are designed to be:
• rhythmic
• beginner-friendly
• relaxing to stitch
They’re perfect for crafting while watching your favorite show, chatting with friends, or simply enjoying a peaceful stitching session.
You can fully participate in the event using this concentration and still learn new stitches while stitching alongside the community.
But if you want to explore even more stitch techniques, there is also an optional upgrade available.
The VIP Advantage: Stitching With Your Mood
The VIP upgrade inside Marly Bird House unlocks all concentration levels.

This allows you to choose your stitching experience each week.
Feeling relaxed?
Work a Netflix & Chill stitch.
Feeling creative?
Try a Smooth Jazz pattern.
Feeling focused?
Dive into Shhh, Be Quiet!
This flexibility is what makes Tournament of Stitches so unique… and it’s why the finished projects are always so beautiful.
Play #1 – Netflix & Chill (Knit)
Let’s Cast On and Get Started! 🧶
It’s time to kick off your Tournament of Stitches 2026 with your very first play—and we’re starting off nice and easy with the Netflix & Chill level.
This play is designed to help you ease into the project with stitches that are approachable, rhythmic, and perfect for settling into your knitting flow.
In this lesson, you’ll follow along with the video as I walk you step-by-step through the beginning of your shawl.

Designed by Marly Bird
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
GAUGE
18 sts = 4” [10 cm] in Stockinette st before blocking.
MATERIALS
Yarn
Malabrigo Yarn, Rios (100% Superwash Merino Wool, 210 yds / 192 m, 3½ oz/ 100 g, CYCA# 4 worsted)
7 balls: Frank Ochre (035)
Needles
U.S. 9 [5.5mm] 24” [60 cm] and 32″ [80 cm] circular or longer, or size to obtain gauge. Note: Shawl is worked back and forth in rows. Circular needles are used to accommodate the large number of sts as the shawl gets larger.
Notions
- Removable Stitch Markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Stitch Saver Cord
- Notions Bag for Supplies
- Blocking Squares
- Blocking Pins
- Soaking Basin
- Eucalan Wool Wash
- Blocking Wires (ideal for lace work)
- Ball Winder and Swift
ABBREVIATIONS
K – Knit
P – Purl
RS – Right Side
Slm – Slip Marker
St(s) – Stitch(es)
WS – Wrong Side
SPECIAL INCREASES
⭐ (K1, p1) in next st:
Note: This is not the same as a knit-front-back increase.
Knit front leg of next st but do not drop it off the left needle, bring yarn to front between the needles, purl front leg of same st, then drop off (1 st increased).
⭐ (K1, p1, k1) in next st:
Knit front leg of next st but do not drop it off the left needle, bring yarn to front between the needles, purl front leg of same st but do not drop it off, bring yarn to back between the needles, knit front leg of same st again, then drop off (2 sts increased).
⭐ (P1, k1) in next st:
Purl in front leg of next st but do not drop it off the left needle, bring yarn to back between the needles, knit front leg of same st, then drop off (1 st increased).
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Backwards Loop Cast-on Method
* Wrap yarn around left thumb from front to back and secure in palm with other fingers. Insert needle upward through strand on thumb. Slip loop from thumb onto needle, pulling yarn to tighten. Repeat from * for desired number of stitches.
PATTERN STITCHES
Garter Ridges
Worked over any number of sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Rows 5-8: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1-8 for Garter Ridges.
Garter Ridges Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sorp62-55augv
CHARTS
Play 1 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sorp8t-84wdtf
ROW BY ROW CHECKLIST
VIP Upgrade Exclusive
VIDEO TUTORIALS
- How to Knit the Traditional Garter Tab and Edging for a Shawl: https://youtu.be/jRsR5-W6GxU
- How to Knit: https://youtu.be/M3brKFKg5Yc
- How to Purl: https://youtu.be/LuDt-8jqh4g
- How to Tink >> https://youtu.be/c7Gud7k4Y8k <<
- How to Add a Lifeline: https://youtu.be/FiqYUE_aHAw
- How to Bury Ends: https://youtu.be/8_NBGUKjO-E
- Wet Blocking Tips >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-0FRRfzC-c <<
Click Here to watch Play 1 Video on YouTube
CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW
This shawl is worked:
- Top-down
- Beginning with a garter tab cast-on
- Increased along both edges and center
- Transitioning through multiple stitch pattern sections
- Finished with a lengthwise joined garter border
NOTES
- Always slip sts purlwise unless otherwise indicated.
- Place markers as instructed, as they are critical for maintaining stitch counts.
- Stitch count increases occur on designated rows.
- Lifelines are highly recommended at section transitions (see Video Tutorials).
- As stitch count grows, switch to longer circular needles for comfort.
- Border is worked lengthwise and joined as you go.

NETFLIX AND CHILL SHAWL PATTERN || Play #1
BEGINNING TAB
Cast on 3 sts, and knit 7 rows.
Rotate work 90 degrees, pick up 3 and knit sts along side edge, rotate work 90 degrees, pick up and knit 3 sts across cast on edge.
Count: 9 sts
Place a marker after 2 sts from each edge, and on either side of center st.
Count: 4 markers placed.
SHAWL BODY – PLAY 1: GARTER RIDGES
Play 1 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sorp8t-84wdtf
Row 1 (RS): K2, slm, k to marker, slm, k1, slm, k to marker, slm, k2.
Row 2 (increase row, WS): K2, slm, (k1, p1) in next st, p to marker, slm, (k1, p1, k1) in center st, slm, p to 1 st before marker, (p1, k1) in next st, slm, k2.
Move center markers 1 st inward each, so they are on either side of center st again.
Count: 13 sts (+4 sts)
Row 3 (RS): K2, slm, k to marker, slm, k1, slm, k to marker, slm, k2.
Row 4 (increase row, WS): K2, slm, (k1, p1) in next st, p to marker, slm, (k1, p1, k1) in center st, slm, p to 1 st before marker, (p1, k1) in next st, slm, k2.
Move center markers 1 st inward each.
Count: 17 sts (+4 sts)
Row 5 (RS): K2, slm, k to marker, slm, k1, slm, k to marker, slm, k2.
Row 6 (increase row, WS): K2, slm, (k1, p1) in next st, k to marker, slm, (k1, p1, k1) in center st, slm, k to 1 st before marker, (p1, k1) in next st, slm, k2.
Move center markers 1 st inward each.
Count: 21 sts (+4 sts)
Row 7 (RS): K2, slm, k to marker, slm, k1, slm, k to marker, slm, k2.
Row 8 (increase row, WS): K2, slm, (k1, p1) in next st, k to marker, slm, (k1, p1, k1) in center st, slm, k to 1 st before marker, (p1, k1) in next st, slm, k2.
Move center markers 1 st inward each.
Count: 25 sts (+4 sts)
Rows 9-64: Repeat Rows 1-8 7 more times.
Count: 137 sts (+112 sts)
Return to the main blog post for the Tournament of Stitches 2026



