Lovepod Boa

Would you believe that this design looks better if the Love Knots are irregular? In other words, it’s perfect for a Love Knot beginner!

Even if you’re experienced with Love Knots, it’s likely that these “Lovepods” are new to you. They work up quickly with a range of yarns: one row of big stitches and you’re done creating this magical crochet look.

Pattern includes the option to make a full Boa with one yarn (it is folded in half then twisted lightly), or with multiple yarns (two Boas twisted together lightly). My favorite Boa (the lavender one shown here) is made of two Boas twisted together.

It may look ethereal but thanks to the mohair, this necklace-like accessory will buffer wintry drafts and the cool Spring breezes that follow. Weightless and warm, there are many ways to drape it around the neck and shoulders. Make two different colors in different yarn weights and twist them together (pictured).

Skill Level

Easy. Although the Love Knot stitch has the power to singlehandedly turn an Easy pattern into an Intermediate one, this design is a special case. What traditionally makes the Love Knot stitch intermediate-level is the skill needed to make each Love Knot the same size. In this design, some irregularity in stitch size is a plus.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to crochet a Love Knot stitch (a.k.a. Lover’s Knot, Solomons Knot, Knot Stitch)
• How to use Love Knots for the foundation row instead of chain stitches
• How to turn Love Knots into “Lovepods”
• How to choose from a range of mohair yarns for this project

Finished Dimensions

The pictured lavender Lovepods Boa is 64 inches/162 cm, worn doubled up. However, it’s easy to customize the length.

Materials

Crochet Hook: size K/10.5/6.5mm (hook size and gauge are not important for this design. Feel free to use the hook size that gives desired results with the yarn you choose; I’ve included a list of yarns with my own swatching notes in the pattern.)

Yarn: Look for a worsted weight one. Different mohair yarns can look alike until they are crocheted, so experiment with different hook sizes, or with holding more than one strand together, if you don’t see your yarn described in the pattern.

Yarn used for Lavender Boa: Ellen’s ½ Pint Farm’s Brushed Mohair (100% Mohair, 980yds/896m per 16oz/454g skein), color hand painted purple: 1 ball. This pure mohair yarn has a chunky, almost boucle texture in places.  S. R. Kertzer’s Ovation (75% Mohair, 25% Silk; 232yds/212m per .88oz/25g ball), Color 2123 lavender. By itself, this laceweight mohair blend is too thin for a K/6.5mm hook size; for a Boa, it’s magical when held together with the metallic Filatura di Crosa Night (66% rayon, 34% polyester; 314yds/287m per .88oz/25g ball), fingering wt., color #201 Silver. I used a G/4mm hook.

Some yarns swatched and compared in the pattern:

• Lion Brand’s Moonlight Mohair (35% Mohair, 30% Acrylic, 25% Cotton, 10% Polyester Metallic; 82yds/75m per 1.75oz/50g skein), color #205 Glacier Bay: 1 ball.
• Nashua Handknit’s Creative Focus Kid Mohair (75% Kid Mohair, 20% Wool, 5% Nylon; 98yds/90m per 1.75oz/50g ball), color #0001 White, 1 ball.
• Louet’s Mohair Worsted Wt. (78% Mohair, 13% Wool, 9% Nylon; 105yds/96m per 1.75oz/50g skein), color #81 Aquamarine: 1 ball.