Lvad (HM3)

Welcome to my Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) crochet pattern. This design is incredibly personal to me, as I am an LVAD patient myself. I created this piece because it represents something I see, use, and live with every single day. What began as a simple idea—just making something “different” and meaningful to me—quickly turned into something much bigger. It became a way to share my experience, raise awareness, and help others better understand what life with an LVAD can look like. Being diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and needing an LVAD is something that can feel overwhelming, scary, and, at times, isolating. No matter your age, hearing that your heart is no longer functioning properly and that you need major surgery is life-changing. There are so many unknowns, so many emotions, and so much to process—not just for the patient, but for their loved ones as well. One of the things I realized through my own journey is how difficult it can be to explain what an LVAD is and how it works, especially to children or to family members who have never seen anything like it before. It can feel intimidating and confusing. That’s part of what inspired me to create this pattern—not just as a crochet project, but as a tool to help make something complex a little more understandable, approachable, and even comforting. I also noticed that there really wasn’t anything like this out there. There were no patterns or handmade representations that showed the LVAD in a tangible, creative way. I wanted to change that. I wanted to create something that could spark conversations, help educate others, and maybe even bring a small sense of comfort or connection to someone going through a similar experience. When I first made the anatomical heart with the LVAD, the response was more than I ever expected. People connected with it right away. Some thought it was unique and meaningful, while others saw it as a way to better understand what their loved one was going through. Hearing that others wanted one of their own was incredibly encouraging and honestly a little surreal. That’s when I started thinking—why stop there? Living with an LVAD isn’t just about the heart itself. It’s about all of the equipment that becomes part of your everyday life. So I decided to expand this pattern to include the full experience: the wall power unit, the mobile power unit, and the dual 14V batteries that LVAD users rely on daily. These components are what allow us to stay connected at home and maintain independence while out in the world. My hope is that this pattern is more than just something you make—it’s something you connect with. Whether you are an LVAD patient, a caregiver, a family member, or simply someone who wants to learn more, I hope this project helps bring awareness, understanding, and maybe even a sense of comfort. Thank you for being here and for taking the time to create something that carries so much meaning. Stitches & Abbreviations: MR- Magic Ring Ch- Chain SC- Single Crochet DC- Double Crochet HDC- Half Double Crochet BLO- Back loop only FLO- Front loop only INC- increase two stitches in one DEC-decrease or stitch two together SL St - Slip Stitch FO- Fasten off Materials: 3.00 mm & 4.00 mm crochet hooks i like susan bates hooks #4 medium weight yarn I used Big Twist & Loops and Threads yarns Dark Grey, Light Grey, White, Black, Red , Blue, Lime Green, Navy Blue Stitch markers - i like locking ones Yarn needles Polyfil Stuffing Hook and Loop Velcro Sewing needle Thread for sewing on the velcro (Black & White)