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

Event logo with yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and hearts in blue and yellow; banner features popcorn and remote icons.

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.

Graphic showing Tournament of Stitches 2026 VIP Upgrade with knitting and crochet elements and Marly Bird House logo.
The Tournament of Stitches 2026 is completely free to join! Grab your yarn and get ready for a fun knit and crochet make-along starting March 17, 2026.

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.


Yellow knitted triangle in progress with matching yarn ball and stitch markers, displayed on a white surface.

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

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

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.

Illustration of popcorn, remote, and yarn with “Netflix and Chill Knitting” text on a starry background with “Play 1”.

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

A logo with a blue yarn ball, crochet and knit motifs, two pink hearts, green zigzags, and a yellow 2026 banner.
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

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!)