Tournament of Stitches 2026

Table of Contents

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.

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.

>> Click Here << to get VIP Knitting

>> Click Here << to get VIP Crochet

Play #3 – Netflix & Chill (Knit)

Ready to keep stitching… with just a little more texture? 😎🧶

In Play #3 of the Netflix & Chill concentration, we introduce the Studded Diamonds stitch pattern—a beautiful knit and purl texture that adds depth and visual interest to your shawl.

This section is still beginner-friendly, but it does ask you to check in with your pattern as you go. The stitches flow nicely once you get started, but it’s not quite a “set it and forget it” repeat.

Think of it as relaxed stitching… with just enough attention to keep things interesting. 😉

You’ll continue shaping your shawl while building this textured pattern, and by the end of the play, you’ll really start to see your project come to life.

Textured mustard-yellow knit fabric with a diamond pattern and a small colorful stitch marker along the top edge on a white background.

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

⭐️ Marly Bird Amazon Storefront ⭐️

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).

PATTERN STITCHES

Studded Diamonds

Worked over a multiple of 16 sts plus 2.

Row 1 (RS): * P2, k6; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 2: K2, * p6, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 3: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 5: * K4, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 6: P2, * p2, k2, p4; repeat from * to end.

Row 7: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 8: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 9: * P2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 10: K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 11: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 12: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 13: * K4, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 14: P2, * p2, k2, p4; repeat from * to end.

Row 15: * K6, p2, k2, p2, k4; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 16: P2, * p4, k2, p2, k2, p6; repeat from * to end.

Row 17: * P2, k6; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 18: K2, * p6, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 19: * K6, p2, k2, p2, k4; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 20: P2, * p4, k2, p2, k2, p6; repeat from * to end.

Row 21: * K4, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 22: P2, * p2, k2, p4; repeat from * to end.

Row 23: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 24: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 25: * P2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 26: K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 27: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 28: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 29: * K4, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 30: P2, * p2, k2, p4; repeat from * to end.

Row 31: * K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 32: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1-32 for Studded Diamonds.Studded Diamonds Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogfxo-5dpn31

CHARTS

Play 3 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogflj-a2ngfd

Condensed Play 3 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogfph-77k37i

Studded Diamonds Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogfxo-5dpn31

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 #3 Video on YouTube

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

This shawl is worked:

Top-down
Beginning with a garter tab cast-on
Increased along both wingspan edges and center
Transitioning through multiple stitch pattern sections

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.

✨ Designer’s Note: A Little Extra Focus Goes a Long Way

Even though this section is made up entirely of knits and purls (yay!), this is one of those stitch patterns where you’ll want to keep your eyes on the pattern as you work.

The pattern is not hard… but it does ask for a bit more attention. The repeat isn’t something most knitters will memorize right away, and that’s totally okay! Think of it as a “check-in-as-you-go” kind of pattern. Once you glance at the row and get started, the stitches flow nicely—but skipping ahead without looking can lead to a little “uh-oh” moment.

So go ahead and enjoy your Netflix… just maybe keep one eye on your knitting 😉

✨ Before You Begin Play Three

Alright, my friend—before you jump into this next section, let’s take a quick moment to set you up for success. 💛

Triangular yellow knit shawl with raised textured stitches, colorful markers at the top, displayed on a white background.

You should be working directly from the stitches you completed at the end of Play Two. Do not restart or rework anything—just continue right where you left off.
Take a second to confirm your stitch count. This is super important! If your stitch count is off here, it can throw off the rest of the pattern.
Highly recommended: Add a lifeline before you begin this play.
Think of it as your knitting safety net—if something feels off later, you’ll be so glad it’s there!
- Also, do not put the lifeline through the stitch markers!

✨ Designer Tip: A lifeline now can save you from ripping back later. Future you will thank you 😉 Once everything checks out, you’re ready to keep stitching—let’s go!

Banner features popcorn, TV remote, yarn balls on a starry rainbow background with “Relaxing Netflix & Chill Play 3” text.

NETFLIX AND CHILL SHAWL PATTERN || Play #3

PLAY 3: STUDDED DIAMONDS

Play 3 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogflj-a2ngfd

Condensed Play 3 Chart: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/c/sogfph-77k37i

Note: It is highly recommended to place a lifeline (see Video Tutorials) before beginning each play in order to save the work you have so far and protect it from dropped stitches.

Count at end of play 2: 221 sts.

Yellow knitted fabric in a diagonal knit and purl pattern; unfinished edge shows loose stitches on white background.

Row 107 (RS): K2, slm, k1, * p2, k6; repeat from * to last 3 sts before marker, p2, k1, slm, k1, slm, k1, p2, * k6, p2; repeat from * to last st before marker, k1, slm, k2.

Row 108 (increase row, WS): K2, slm, (k1, p1) in next st, * k2, p6; repeat from * to last 3 sts before marker, k2, p1, slm, (k1, p1, k1) in center st, slm, p1, k2, * p6, k2; repeat from * to last st before marker, (p1, k1) in next st, slm, k2.