Expert: Marla - 10/3/2007

Question
Hi- I have a pattern I found online pertaining to an animal hat and I'm stuck on the first paragraph.  I've tried contacting the author but I think her email address is disabled.  I did everything I was supposed to do but I ended up around 50 sts instead of 158.  What am I doing wrong.  I've been crocheting for a little over a year and knitting for 12 years.  I've done many intricate patterns but somehow this one got the best of me.  The website to the pattern is:

http://www.chele.net/designs/1956animalsnuggies.htm

It's this paragraph that I have trouble getting pass (the first starting paragraph)...as follows:

Row 1: With smaller hook and MC, ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn (7).
Rows 2-71: Working these rows in back loops, ch1, sc in each st across, turn. At end of last
row, do not turn.
Working around outer edge in the ends of the rows, sts and on the opposite edge of starting ch,
sc in the first row (skip next row, sc in next row) across; for buttonhole, ch 4; sc in each ch
across to last ch, 2 sc in last ch; with larger hook, 2 sc in next row, (sc in next row, 2 sc in
next row) across; working in back loops, sc in each st across, do not join or fasten off (158).  

Answer
Hi Kim!
I am back. When you get to the last sc on row 71, you continue around the side of your crocheted piece until you get to the other end. Then you crochet in the stitches at the end (your starting chain), then continue on the other side to row 71, and then that is where you sc in the back loops. My computer is down, and I have to go to the library to access, so I may not be able to respond for a few days. But let me know if this works out OK! I know the frustration. My entire knowledge of knitting does not go much further than the basic knit stitch. good luck.

Marla