O8-Sep-2024

I bought yarn for a knitting project that proved too difficult for me so I decided to try my hand at the Fox Paw Shawl in crochet, a pattern I have long admired.

As noted by many others who have used this pattern, it is quite challenging and there are some mistakes in the pattern posted by Lion Brand. It sounds like people who have taken Lily’s class have notes and corrections but I’ve never taken the class - I would love to if it was ever offered again. I will add any notes for things I think need correction - but be aware, these are just my personal experience - YMMV (your mileage many vary).

15-Sep-2024

I finally finished Row 9 - it’s the toughest so far. I had to rip it out completely and the Burgundy colorway was VERY unforgiving to frog, kept clinging to itself, even had to cut it at one point. Funny thing is, I had frogged the Silver Grey at least 10 times for my failed knitting project with no problems at all. So I don’t know if it’s just the different twist that crochet gives to yarn or complexity of some of the stitch patterns in this project (the picot stitches which are like little towers of stitches) or the dye used in the Burgundy color. But it sure was a different experience!

Yarn issues aside, Row 9 is tricky, especially in figuring out how to count the “drop loop” stitches. But I finally figured out what makes sense & my count of 251 stitches matches Lion Brand instructions.

19-Sep-2024

I have finished working through Row 15 which means I have made it through the entire 14-row repeat. I found two errors - which was actually many errors less than I was afraid I’d find based on other project comments. Here’s how I corrected. (And remember, this is my personal findings; I am not an official LB editor- YMMV.)

Correction 1
In the Stitch Explanations section, the instructions for Triple Dec (Triple Decrease) are incomplete. You can tell they are wrong because (1) in the row instructions the triple dec stitch is always worked over 5 stitches and (2) if you use instructions as written in the pattern, you’ll only have 3 loops on your hook.

• instructions in pattern: (Pick up lp in next st, skip next st) twice, yo and pull through all 4 lps.
• Correction: (Pick up lp in next st, skip next st) twice, pick up lp in next st, yo and pull through all 4 lps.

Correction 2
For Row 13, the stitch count is incorrect. You can tell it’s incorrect because the following row (Row 14) is a standard ripple row (where the ripple increases / decreases balance each other out) with only a slight 2-stitch decrease from previous row (made by skipping one st at beginning of row & one st at end). Therefore, Row 13 should only be 2 stitches longer than Row 14.

• Row 13 count in pattern: 135 sts
• Correct Row 13 count: 103 sts

21-Sep-2024

I’m on stay-cation this week so got in a lot of crochet time for this project. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

• Stitch markers are crucial so that you can tell as you go along if you’ve missed a stitch or added an extra one. In my pic of the second repeat of Row 9, you’ll see a ton more markers than on first repeat pics. I’m now using orange markers for the increase points including the top / middle stitch of every picot stack. - and using green markers for every dbl decrease point.
• I’ve decided to add four additional ripple rows (Row 2) between the “paw” rows. It’s okay to do this as long as you add an even number of rows so you keep the RS / WS correct. However, next time I will need to work these rows in a 3rd hook size (between my small & large hook) because tension appears to be a bit tighter than “paw” rows.

16-Nov-2024

I’m hibernating this one today, as I want to concentrate on other projects. Part of my decision is also because I am disappointed: CGOA had planned an online class with Lily Chin on the Fox Paws Shawl but it got canceled because not enough people signed up. I had sent in my registration (which was, of course, refunded) and had planned what yarn to use for the class. It was supposed to be last Saturday Nov 9 and I was really looking forward to it. I hope they try again.

10-Aug-2025

I’m setting this as Frogged. This is no reflection on the pattern, I will have to frog & discontinue several projects due to personal circumstances.

This is quite a challenging & interesting pattern that I may try again in the future once my life settles down