MJ's off the Hook Designs

Crochet Patterns

Hi, I am Michelle Moore, the designer and teacher behind MJ’s Off The Hook Designs, based in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.

My crochet story began in January 2013 when my daughter brought home knitting needles and a crochet hook from school. I learned the basics from a CD, then dove into YouTube tutorials and fell completely in love with the craft. By spring, I was selling handmade hats and accessories to a local boutique and through Facebook.

Woman with long brown hair, wearing a white Caribbean Sea Sweater and light blue jeans, stands smiling in a bright, neatly decorated bedroom.

In May 2015, I published my first crochet pattern. My second pattern, the Shark Cocoon Blanket, went viral during Shark Week, and the Mermaid Tail Blanket took off soon after. Those two designs launched my career and connected me with a global community of makers.

In early 2017, my Hooded Owl Blanket went viral on Facebook, garnering more than 39 million views. That same year I was featured on Tyra Banks FABLife in the segment about turning your hobby into an income. From that moment, my little studio in Lakefield grew into an international brand for modern, approachable crochet patterns.

A person with long hair wears a purple, crocheted owl hooded blanket with large eyes, a beak, and tassel details.
Crocheted owl face with yarn bundles in white, teal, yellow, black, and grey, plus a crochet hook and partially completed grey crochet piece.
Crocheted blanket shaped like an owl, featuring purple, teal, and white yarn, with large eyes, a yellow beak, and fringe detail.

Today, our patterns focus on creating achievable, fashion-forward garments and cozy, modern home décor. Every pattern is built for success, featuring detailed written instructions, step-by-step video tutorials, clear charts, and minimal or seamless construction, along with helpful modification notes.

Woman with long brown hair wearing a beige crochet cardigan by MJ's Off The Hook Designs and light blue jeans, standing in a bright bedroom and smiling at the camera.
A woman in a cream knit sweater holds a basket with three stacked, knitted Herringbone Pumpkins in autumn colors, placed on a bed of moss.
A woman wearing a black knit cardigan from MJ's Off The Hook Designs and jeans stands indoors, holding her pregnant belly and smiling at the camera.
Woman standing indoors, smiling, wearing a textured brown cardigan from MJ's Off The Hook Designs over a white top and light blue jeans, with a bed and potted plant visible in the background.
A woman in a white sweater holds a wooden tray with two crocheted snowmen from MJ's Off The Hook Designs in a cozy, decorated living room.

Our Mission

We help makers of every level create something beautiful. Crochet should feel clear, stylish and fun from the very first stitch to the final weave in.

We are strong supporters of mindful creativity. We encourage mindful garment creation over fast fashion, opting for quality and lasting style so that projects can be worn, loved, and passed down.

Our Reach and Community

Let’s Crochet Together on YouTube!

Join me on YouTube for hundreds of step-by-step crochet tutorials designed for every skill level. From quick and cozy accessories to advanced garments and blankets, you’ll find detailed guidance to bring each pattern to life. Subscribe to stay inspired and crochet along with me each week!

Crochet with Me
A hand holds a crocheted mitten with ombre shades from cream to burgundy, next to another mitten, fingerless gloves, yarn, pinecones, orange foliage, and a plaid scarf on a white surface.

Craftsmanship and Team

Every pattern is professionally tech edited by Emily Reiter of Fiat Fiber Arts to ensure clarity and quality. My daughter Emma handles admin, helps manage our community group, contributes to blog writing and newsletters, and is learning to design her own crochet patterns. Laurie helps keep our Facebook community friendly and supportive, while my dad assists customers with downloads and pattern access. My husband and our bookkeeper manage operations behind the scenes, keeping everything organized so I can focus on what I love most, designing patterns and filming tutorials.

Our business is truly a family affair. My husband, kids, and granddaughter often model my designs, from baby to child, teen, and adult, allowing us to showcase our pieces on real people of all ages. Each photo tells a story of warmth, connection, and creativity. We truly are a family run studio here in Lakefield, Ontario, where every member plays a part in keeping our handmade dream thriving.

A girl with long curly hair wearing a striped sweater from MJ's Off The Hook Designs and black ripped jeans poses on a stone ledge by a river, with trees in the background.
A man in a gray knit sweater from MJ's Off The Hook Designs, jeans, and a beanie stands on a snowy wooden walkway with snow-covered trees and mountains in the background.
A woman with long brown hair holds a young child with light brown pigtails. Both are wearing cozy crocheted sweaters made from MJ's Off The Hook Designs, standing indoors near a window.
Two young women stand outdoors in front of trees and water, wearing stylish knit cardigans from MJ's Off The Hook Designs paired with ripped jeans.
A woman and a baby wearing matching knit hats from MJ's Off The Hook Designs, complete with faux fur poms and coordinated plaid and knit outfits, smiling indoors near a window and a plant.

Press and Media Features

Television and Radio

  • FABLife with Tyra Banks feature on turning a hobby into income coverage recap.
  • CHEX TV News Peterborough interview on the Shark Blanket trend.
  • 92.5 Kickin Country North Carolina Facebook post of the Shark Blanket reached about thirty-three million views and led to an on-air interview view post

Online and Print

  • Country Living Magazine feature on the Hooded Owl Blanket 
  • My Modern Met feature on the Hooded Owl Blanket 
  • Diply Trending feature on the Spacefighter Blanket 
  • Bored Panda features on the X Wing and Shark Blankets 
  • PTBO Canada series on viral success read the story
  • Farmers Forum business profile 
  • Design You Trust X Wing feature crediting Michelle Moore

Designer and Brand Spotlights

  • WeCrochet Designer Spotlight read the features
  • Marly Bird interview read the interview
  • Mary Maxim designer kit collection view the collection
  • Hobbii with Bella Coco Yarn influencer collaboration 
  • Sugar Bush Yarns collaboration in print (2016)
  • Interweave Crochet and Crochet Magazine publications

Facebook Virals

Highlights and Recognition

  • Business Award Douro Dummer Township 2018
  • Member Crochet Guild of America CGOA
  • Author of multiple eBooks and crochet-along collections. View all eBooks
  • Etsy’s top 0.01 percent seller with 375 K pattern sales
  • Mediavine Pro Publisher

Values and Sustainability

We believe crochet is slow fashion at its best. We choose quality materials, thoughtful construction, and timeless design, so every piece feels intentional and made to last.

Contact

For media requests, collaborations or partnerships, please email [email protected]

Shop MJ’s Designs

Find creations by MJ and shop some of our favourite finds through our affiliate partners below!

MARY MAXIM KITS US SITE
MARY MAXIM KITS CDN SITE
Etsy
Ravelry
Fourthwall
Furls Crochet
Amazon Storefront- Canada
Amazon Storefront – US
Mary Maxim US
Mary Maxim Canada
Lovecrafts
WeCrochet
Like To Know It
Join the Facebook Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Crochet Questions & Answers by MJ’s Off The Hook Designs

Free crochet patterns from MJ’s Off The Hook Designs — based in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada — are published on our blog for personal viewing and are not available for direct download or printing. These ad-supported posts allow us to share high-quality crochet patterns, tutorials, and inspiration with makers around the world at no cost.
For an ad-free, printable version, purchase the premium PDF available through Etsy, Ravelry, or our Fourthwall Shop.

Free crochet patterns on our blog are available only to subscribers through the Grow App by Mediavine.
If a pattern appears blocked:

  • Scroll to the blocked section and click the teal “Sign up for free” button.

  • Enter your email and password in the pop-up box to unlock the content.

  • Forgot your password? Click “Forgot Password” to reset it.

  • You can access your account or bookmark posts by clicking the teal heart icon on the right-hand side of the page.

If you’re still having trouble viewing the pattern:

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Watch our short video tutorial for help:

Navigate the blog and unlock exclusive content Timestamp 2:57

At MJ’s Off The Hook Designs in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, we proudly feature premium yarns from leading brands such as Mary Maxim, Mary Maxim Canada, Herrschners, and WeCrochet. These yarns are carefully chosen for their texture, durability, and colour range to ensure every crochet project turns out beautifully.
Each pattern specifies the exact yarn, weight, and fibre content, with purchase links and suggested yarn substitutes for international makers. We prioritise yarns that are soft, wearable, and easy to work with, making them ideal for garments, blankets, and accessories featured in our collections.

Having trouble accessing your crochet pattern download from MJ’s Off The Hook Designs in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada?
All patterns are delivered digitally, we don’t mail printed copies. For Etsy purchases, access your files through a browser (not the app). For Ravelry, files are sent automatically to the email linked with your PayPal or Ravelry account; if not received, contact [email protected].
Be sure to check junk or spam folders, and allow up to 5–7 business days for eCheck payments to clear.
Please note that free crochet patterns on our blog are view-only and supported by ads to keep them accessible to everyone. For an ad-free, printable version, purchase the premium PDF available through Etsy, Ravelry, or our Fourthwall Shop.

If you need crochet pattern help, join our MJ’s Off The Hook Designs Facebook Community Group, moderated by our dedicated support team inOntario, Canada. Our admin team and experienced crocheters are always available to assist with pattern-related questions and share helpful tips.
Due to the high number of messages MJ’s receives, we’re unable to provide one-on-one support or private pattern reading lessons. However, our patterns are tested and professionally tech edited by Emily Reiter Of Fiat Fiber Arts to ensure clarity and accuracy. You’ll find step-by-step video tutorials, helpful visuals, and a welcoming community of makers ready to help you succeed.

Join MJ’s Facebook Community here

You can substitute yarns in any MJ’s Off The Hook Designs pattern, but it’s important to match the original yarn’s weight, fibre content, and gauge to maintain the correct fit, sizing and drape. We don’t suggest changing the yarn weight unless you’re comfortable modifying crochet patterns, as this can affect sizing and yardage requirements. Each pattern includes gauge information to help you achieve accurate results with any brand. For convenient alternatives, try using YarnSub.com it’s a great resource for finding yarns with similar fibre composition and texture.

MJ’s Off The Hook Designs does not accept custom crochet commissions or individual pattern requests. Our design calendar is dedicated to creating original patterns, step-by-step YouTube tutorials, and Crochet-Along events for makers worldwide.

Our YouTube channel features hundreds of step-by-step crochet tutorials filmed in Canada, including garments, accessories, and home décor projects — perfect for visual learners.

Find older pattern tutorials on Vimeo

MJ’s Off The Hook Designs operates from Lakefield, Ontario, in the heart of Canada’s Kawartha Lakes region, serving crocheters worldwide through our digital patterns and tutorials.

Makers are welcome to sell finished handmade items created using our patterns. We simply ask that you credit “MJ’s Off The Hook Designs” in your listings, markets, or product tags.

MJ’s Off The Hook Designs stands apart through expert pattern design, professional editing, and heartfelt family involvement. From baby to adult, our patterns are designed to fit real people beautifully.

MJ’s Off The Hook Designs runs themed Crochet-Alongs several times per year, uniting crocheters worldwide through video tutorials and group support.

Get In Touch

Please use our contact form below to contact MJ’s Off the Hook Designs.  Select the appropriate subject from the dropdown so we can easily direct your email. We do our best to respond promptly. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions, so check there first. For Pattern Support, join our Facebook group and post your question. Pattern support questions are only answered in the Facebook group. Pattern support emails will not be answered.

Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we cannot guarantee a response to every message.




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