Turkey Trot Mystery Make Along || 2021
The Turkey Trot Mystery Make Along 2021 was Marly Bird's third annual Thanksgiving weekend knit and crochet event — a free four-day mystery where the project was revealed one clue at a time. The 2021 project turned out to be slippers: the Lugano Knit Slippers (knit) and the Hvita Crochet Slippers (crochet), both co-designed with Robyn Chachula. All four original clue pages are still live below — and both complete patterns are now free in one place.
⚡ Quick Answer:
Turkey Trot 2021 made free slipper patterns — the Lugano Knit Slippers and the Hvita Crochet Slippers. Both are now available as complete standalone free posts with the full pattern in one place. The original day-by-day clue pages are still live if you want the event-paced experience.
Hey, bestie 💛
Thanksgiving 2021 holds a special place in my heart. We spent four days — Turkey Day through Sunday — making slippers together, one clue at a time, while nobody knew what they were making until the very end. Watching the reveals come in… “SLIPPERS! It's slippers!” …over and over again in the Marly's Minions group was absolutely magical. That's what Turkey Trot is all about.
The original four-day event is long over, but the patterns live on — and now they're easier than ever to find. Both the knit and crochet versions are available as complete standalone free posts, plus all four original clue pages are still right here if you want the day-by-day experience.
🆕 The Patterns Are Now Available as Complete Free Posts
Both Turkey Trot 2021 patterns have been released as full standalone free posts — all four days combined in one place, no hunting across clue pages required. Click your craft below:
🧶 Knit Version — Now Available!
The Lugano Knit Slippers are now a complete standalone free pattern — Star Stitch toe accent, 3 sizes (S/M/L), 2-color bulky weight yarn, optional button flap. All four days in one post. Get the complete free knit pattern →
🧵 Crochet Version — Now Available!
The Hvita Crochet Slippers (with Robyn Chachula) are now a complete standalone free pattern — plaid slip-stitch surface crochet, 4 sizes (S/M/L/XL), worsted weight, optional toggle buttons. All four days in one post. Get the complete free crochet pattern →
What Was the Turkey Trot 2021?
Turkey Trot Mystery Make Along 2021 was a free online event held over the US Thanksgiving weekend — for both knitters AND crocheters. Four days of pattern clues, one released each day, and nobody knew what they were making until it all came together.
This was the 3rd annual Turkey Trot event and the first year Robyn Chachula joined as co-designer for the crochet pattern. The knit and crochet versions are the same type of object — slippers — but completely different constructions. Classic BiCrafty magic.
Materials for Turkey Trot 2021
Both patterns work in a range of yarn weights and colors. The samples were made with self-striping and tweedy yarns that create beautiful color shifts with minimal effort — but any worsted or bulky in your stash works great.
🧵 Turkey Trot 2021 — Crochet (Hvita Slippers)
- Hook: Size H (5 mm) crochet hook, or any size to obtain gauge
- Yarn: Worsted weight, 3 colors. Sample made with WeCrochet Provincial Tweed — Color A: 2 hanks (500 yds); Color B: 1 hank (250 yds); Color C: 1 hank (250 yds)
- Notions: Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, 4 large buttons (optional), faux leather (optional)
🧶 Turkey Trot 2021 — Knitting (Lugano Slippers)
- Needles: US 10 (6 mm) — one 24″ or longer circular + set of double pointed needles
- Yarn: Bulky weight (#5), 2 colors. Sample made with KnitPicks Chroma Twist Bulky — Color A: 2 hanks (254 yds); Color B: 2 hanks (254 yds) — enough yarn to make two pairs!
- Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, 4 buttons (optional), faux leather (optional)
How to Choose Colors
Self-striping + solid: Let the striping yarn create shifting color patterns while the solid anchors it.
Neutral + bright: The neutral showcases a vivid accent color beautifully.
Dark + light: Creates high-contrast striping — graphic and bold.
Warm + cool: Warm colors advance visually while cool colors recede — an interesting optical effect in slipper ribbing.
Yarn Alternatives — Crochet
Any worsted weight in your stash works for the Hvita Crochet Slippers. Some favorites:
- Red Heart Roll With It Melange
- Red Heart With Love
- Red Heart Soft
- Caron Simply Soft
- Caron One Pound
- Caron Cakes
- Patons Classic Wool
- Sugar Bush Bold
Yarn Alternatives — Knitting
Any bulky weight (#5) works for the Lugano Knit Slippers. Some favorites:
- WeCrochet Brava Bulky
- WeCrochet Mighty Stitch Bulky
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
- Caron O'Go Colorama
- Caron Cakes
- Red Heart Gemstones
Ball Winder & Swift
Both sample yarns come in hank form — you'll want to wind them into cakes before knitting or crocheting. My favorite tools: ball winder and swift bundle from WeCrochet. Makes winding a hank take about 90 seconds instead of 15 minutes of arm-holding from a reluctant family member. 😄
Get the Turkey Trot 2021 Clues
All four clues from both the knit and crochet versions are still live and free. Click any link to open the original day page — or grab the complete standalone pattern post above for a cleaner read-through.
Crochet Clues — Hvita Crochet Slippers
- Crochet Clue #1 — Ankle Section
- Crochet Clue #2 — Top of Foot
- Crochet Clue #3 — Sole Shaping
- Crochet Clue #4 — Finishing & Cuff
Knitting Clues — Lugano Knit Slippers
- Knitting Clue #1 — Cuff & Ankle
- Knitting Clue #2 — Toe with Star Stitch
- Knitting Clue #3 — Body & Sole
- Knitting Clue #4 — Finishing & Button Band
Queue Up on Ravelry
Both patterns are on Ravelry — favorite, queue, or purchase the ad-free PDF:
🧵 Hvita Crochet Slippers on Ravelry
🧶 Lugano Knit Slippers on Ravelry
More Mystery Make-Alongs with Marly Bird 🎉
Love the mystery make-along format? Here are all of Marly's past events — the patterns are complete and free to stitch anytime:
- Game Day Make-Along 2026 — the Cozy Sideline Knit Balaclava + crochet cowl
- Tournament of Stitches 2021
- Game Day Make-Along 2021
- Turkey Trot 2020
- Tournament of Stitches 2020
- Turkey Trot 2019
- Tournament of Stitches 2018
- Leap Day Mystery Make-Along 2020
- Toe-Up Sock Along 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Turkey Trot Mystery Make-Along?
It's Marly's annual free Thanksgiving weekend event for both knitters and crocheters. Each day over 4 days, a new pattern clue is released — so you're making something without knowing what it is until the final clue. The reveal at the end is half the fun. Events run on the honor system — everyone waits to post their finished reveal until after the final clue drops.
What did Turkey Trot 2021 make?
Slippers! The 2021 mystery project turned out to be a slipper pattern for both crafts — the Lugano Knit Slippers (with a Star Stitch toe accent) and the Hvita Crochet Slippers (with a plaid slip-stitch embroidery effect). Both are free and both are now available as complete standalone posts.
Can I still make the Turkey Trot 2021 pattern?
Absolutely — anytime! All four original clue pages are still live (linked above), and both complete patterns are now available as single-post standalone versions so you can read everything without jumping between pages. The event is over but the patterns are free forever.
Which version should I make — knit or crochet?
Whichever craft you love… or both! The knit version (Lugano) is Intermediate level with a beautiful Star Stitch focal point in 2-color bulky weight yarn. The crochet version (Hvita) is Advanced Beginner with a unique plaid slip-stitch embroidery surface detail in worsted weight. They're completely different constructions but equally cozy.
Where can I buy the ad-free PDF?
Both patterns are available as ad-free PDFs on Ravelry (knit) and Ravelry (crochet). Etsy and Shopify listings for the Lugano are coming soon.
When is the next Turkey Trot event?
Turkey Trot happens every Thanksgiving weekend. Keep an eye on the Marly Bird free patterns page and sign up for the newsletter to get first notice when the next event is announced — newsletter subscribers always get the supply list before the event goes public.
Final Thoughts 💬
Turkey Trot 2021 was one of my favorites — partly because slippers are just such a perfect Thanksgiving project (cozy! practical! finishable in a long weekend!), and partly because Robyn joined as co-designer and brought that gorgeous Hvita plaid embroidery effect that nobody saw coming. The “SLIPPERS!” reveal in Marly's Minions was everything.
If you make a pair, please share! Tag me @marlybird and use #MMMDI (Marly Made Me Do It) or #MarlyBirdTurkeyTrot2021 so I can see your finished slippers. 💛
❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird
Categories: Uncategorized
You realize it is still hunting season here in Northern Alberta. Maybe we will have a blizzard that weekend. I still have to get my elk.
I can’t wait, but can you tell me were to go and sigh on to do this? Sorry but I can’t find Thank you
There is no sign up. Just come back to this page and check the bottom for the clues each day at the time indicated. The videos can be found on Marly’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrjpfCw1L9nqmV2tM95WWaQ
As of 11/25 she did the Day 1 for Knitting and Crochet.
Marly, I hope you can take a break soon! It seems this year you are busier than ever, and we can’t keep up! I want to participate in everything you do, but I’m not that far.
I hope you take time off until the Supremo. Love ya.