I’ve been making a lot of small roses lately. In all the colors.

I’ve also been designing websites and editing pictures and creating profiles etc. I’ve been so busy I almost forgot to work on my own thing. I’m so excited for the new projects I’ve been working on with "Beverly Hood Unlimited". You all should go check it out! There are some really awesome pieces. You can look them out at www.prettymaker.org. She makes designer cards & envelopes as well as keepsake boxes and much more. 

Hey Ya'll! I know I've been a little MIA since I was defeated by my over shot attempt at the cabled mountain. If ya know ya know. Anyways, I was down online but not out. I have been working on a few things. Some of them worked out and some didn't. However as we see I'm inclined to share not only the good but the not so good as well. 

Ok the above is one of the first cropped sweaters that I actually completed. I definitely looove this piece, however I can't help but to notice all the room for improvement. I didn't use a pattern but I did watch a YouTube video to learn how to do the cables. I have to work on my fit and drape and all those things. I am proud of myself for making this with no formal training. 

​Moving Along.......

The above blue sweater is my slightly modified version of the "Felicity Sweater" by Jodi Ellen her website is www.lambentcrochet.etsy.com
I saw this sweater during a google image search but I could not find the name or pattern for weeks! When I finally did find it, I purchased it immediately.  I had to modified the stitches in order to make it work up faster because I was so excited and just couldn't wait to get it done. I only made this smaller one for my niece so far and she has sent me videos of herself in it so it's safe to say she likes it.  I will most definitely be making more of these in every size.

Thank you, Next!

Below, I made the mistake of trying to modify the pattern to work up faster but it made for a weird drape. Don't worry I learned my lesson and will not make that mistake again lol

Ok see what had happened was..... I definitely over shot my skills with this one. Not so much the coat but the cables! For me to not have ever even tried cables, to then picking a not so simple one to try as I'm making the coat. It was not a great idea. I watched a video tutorial to help me with the cables and it was going fine-ish but, the pattern was a little more complicated than I was expecting. I just couldn't see myself playing/pausing/rewinding that video over and over until this whole project was complete. It was simply too much for my biscuit. I gave up and frogged it. I have just decided that the Mountain Ridge Coat is just above me at this point.

I went ahead and found a cable pattern that was more beginner friendly. I did finish a complete sweater and I am so proud of it however, I am not 100% happy with how it turned out. I did have three people already request one before I even finished it. That was a "Croch-Ego" boost. Remember, you heard it here first! lol 

I'm not quite ready to share it yet because.....

"I'm an artist & I'm sensitive about my sh*t" -Erykah Badu

 Sometimes we can be our worst critics. I can definitely say that I learned a whole lot from making this project. I will take that experience and make it so much better I promise. 
​

Those pockets are almost invisible aren’t they?
I did not follow a pattern nor did I make one as I went. I just picked a stitch I liked and repeated it in sequence. 

Sooo it has begun. I am attempting to make the size 2x Mountain Ridge coat by Maz Kwok. This time I am using DK/Sport weight yarn.

And something new that I’ve never done! A gauge swatch!

The pattern states that 7 DC should equal about 2 inches. I had to do 9 DC to get that 2 inches. So in my mind I’m assuming I should increase each row count by 2 stitches, right?

So the first row states to make 66 DC. I’m going to make 68... Does this sound about right or nah? I’m going to go with that for now.

I am calling on the expertise of crocheters worldwide. I am asking for feedback, help me out. Maybe you even want to crochet along.

I will be posting regular progress updates on this project. Please feel free to reach out with any insight you may have.

⬆️⬆️⬆️ The above portion has had me up until 4am knowing I have to be at work at 8am. Hopefully I haven’t become too ambitious but I decided to add a little extra. Cables! I had to find a video tutorial for the cables since I’ve never done them before. So at this point I am switching back and forth between the written Mountain Ridge pattern and a YouTube video tutorial by “Sierra’s Crafty Creations”. Wish me luck. Or maybe wish me good sleep so I won’t ruin things at work in a few hours. Sleep deprivation is real. 🥴

Hey Y'all!

So as you can see above is a throw back photo of my botched attempt at making the "Mountain Ridge Coat" by Maz Kwok. You can find this design pattern at beacrafter.com/crochet-mountain-ridge-coat/
I did this project about 3.5 years ago and it was one of the very first patterns I had ever purchased. I felt all special to be supporting a fellow crafter. This is still to date the largest wearable piece I have done. It took me a while to actually start because the thought of it just seemed so intimidating. When I finally jumped in, I did so without the best preparations. I definitely did not do a gauge swatch, probably didn’t even use the recommended hook size smh 

​

Instead of using worsted weight yarn, I will be using a sport weight yarn by (pictured above)  with a 3.5 or 4 mm hook. I hope I have enough yarn on hand. It is supposed to be a soft red but it looks more like a light pink in person. I am excited again this time around as if it is the first time. I will be posting my progress as I go. It may take a while due to my having other project to work on as well.

I wonder has anyone else tried this pattern recently? If so I would love to see photos.


I would Love to Hear from you!

FaceBook Group-https://www.facebook.com/groups/975683696153017/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hookluv317/ 

For your Photos use #hookluv317 

Feedback Welcome at loviecrochetexcl@gmail.com
​

The honey mustard cropped sweater started out as the above. I had a different idea for the fit of the sweater and I kinda made it too small however, my awesome niece squeezed herself into it. I could tell she was slightly uncomfortable but she did her best not to complain lol.  I took my own constructive critique and went ahead and posted the photo anyway. People actually like it!

I decided to take my time and some measurements so that I could work on the pattern. It took me a while and I'm still not sure that anyone other than myself can even understand or follow. This one may call for a couple video tutorials. So far it has evolved into the one posted below.

I have taken notice of the inconsistencies and some obvious changes I felt I had to make. Maybe it will morph into two separate patterns. Right now I am working on another one more like the first version but in another color. At this point I am testing my own patterns and learning to covert into more sizes. I've been researching size charts and recently started measuring anyone who would let me. I think I have come to the conclusion that all my designs may not translate well into written patterns. Reality is my pieces are slightly different, no two pieces will be identical. I also think that is the beauty of it . Each piece is truly unique.

FaceBook Group-https://www.facebook.com/groups/975683696153017/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hookluv317/ 

For your Photos use #hookluv317 

Feedback Welcome at loviecrochetexcl@gmail.com

This pattern is highly adaptable and is more about measurement than about gauge or stitches

• Chainless HDC is used for the foundation chain and also counts as the first row
• Worsted weight yarn & 5.5mm hook was used but, you may adjust to your liking
• I used just under 3 entire skeins of Bernat Super value 7oz 
• It helps to measure for hip pocket to pocket over the shoulder

Abbreviations:

• CH = chain
• HDC = Half double crochet
• BLO = Back Loop Only
• V-st = V stitch  (DC-ch 1-DC in same st)
• St(s) = stitch(es)

Row 1- Ch 2,chainless/foundation HDC to desired length (multiple of 3 + 1)
Rows 2-6- ch 2, & turn-HDC in BLO of each st across-HDC in both loops of the 1st & last st (same # of sts as first row)
Row 7- ch 2, & turn- *skip 2 sts and V-st in next st* repeat ** across-DC in last st
Rows 8-11- ch 2 & turn- V-st in ch 1 space of each V-st of previous row, all the way across-DC in last st-
Row 12-ch 2 & turn-HDC in each st across (same # of sts as row 1)
Rows 13-17- ch 2, & turn-HDC in BLO of each st across-HDC in both loops of the 1st & last st (same # of sts as first row)
Row 18-ch 2, & turn- *skip 2 sts and V-st in next st* repeat ** across-DC in last st
Rows 19-24-ch 2 & turn- V-st in ch 1 space of each V-st of previous row, all the way across-DC in last st-
Row 25- Ch 2 & turn-HDC in each st across (same # of sts as row 1)
Rows 26-30-ch 2, & turn-HDC in BLO of each st across-HDC in both loops of the 1st & last st (same # of sts as first row)
Row 31-ch 2, & turn- *skip 2 sts and V-st in next st* repeat ** across-DC in last st
Rows 32-35-ch 2 & turn- V-st in ch 1 space of each V-st of previous row, all the way across-DC in last st-
Row 36- Ch 2 & turn-HDC in each st across (same # of sts as row 1)
Rows 37-42-ch 2, & turn-HDC in BLO of each st across-HDC in both loops of the 1st & last st (same # of sts as first row)


Tie off


Pockets (Make 2)

Row 1-ch 2 & 30 Chainless HDC across
Row 2-21-ch 2 & turn- 30 HDC in BLO
Tie off and sew in tails

Assembly

WIP stitch pocket onto each end of the shawl on the same side


Optional Fringe:  Cut three 14in pieces of yarn, With the RIGHT SIDE of your shawl facing you, and with one of its short sides positioned near you on a flat surface: Fold the 3 pieces of yarn in half and align their ends. Use your hook to pull their center down into a space at the very bottom of your shawl’s short side.