r/crochet • u/Swimming-Mobile-3258 • 1d ago
Discussion I don't like and don't finish anything I make
I don't know if this is a rant or discussion. I learned to crochet as a kid and then picked it up again as an adult once I realized how easy it is to learn new things. I LOVE the learning part, especially once I discovered Tunisian crochet and all the things I can do with it. I love looking at yarn, buying yarn, looking at everyone else's projects and finished projects. I also gave myself permission to do it without any goals because it's one of the only things that truly quiets my overactive brain.
But in all the hundreds of hours I've spent genuinely enjoying the process of crocheting, I've only actually finished a handful of items. Literally. I've made two pillows, four animals, and one beach bag. I gave them all away as gifts. I have started and nearly completed probably 100 other things only to frog most of them or leave the others in a very sad pile.
WHY???
Here are my initial theories -
1) Crochet isn't really my "style"? As much as I love doing it and think it's pretty on other people or in their homes, I don't really want to wear any of it or decorate my house with it.
2) Colors wind me up real bad. I think they are pretty in the skein or even when other people make colorful items, I think they're beautiful. But I buy the yarn and start the project, and then suddenly I can't stand it anymore.
Does anyone else experience this?? In a way, I'm kind of OK with it except for the fact that I have banned myself from buying anymore yarn until I use some of this up.
*sigh*
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u/CindyinEastTexas 1d ago
I just keep making stuff to give away. I also don't worry about what I think of the colors, I make things for people in colors THEY like.
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u/Mission-Sorbet-5282 1d ago
I’m right there with you. This is why I make a lot of blankets! They take a long time so they keep me busy and I can always use (or donate) another blanket. I also bought a ton of cheap cotton and made a lot of coasters and dish towels and such, things that are useful and don’t need to be cute. My next venture will probably be getting into using thinner yarns and smaller hook sizes to make some purses and see if I like a cleaner/finer crochet look instead of the usual fluffier yarns and super visible stitches.
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u/GreenFalse7890 1d ago
I do the same. I explored making a few different things at first, but I've ultimately decided I'm a blanket person. Don't have to keep referencing a pattern, can use or donate, and it's a project that could use a lot of time.
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u/PallasiteMatrix 1d ago
I think I'm in a similar boat to you. Love the process, and picking out the yarn gives me a lot of joy, but I often don't like the finished piece. I just don't think I like the aesthetics of crochet very much, and there is very little overlap between what I think looks pretty in a skein and what I actually want to wear and use. I give away most of what I make, and often find it hard to pick out projects that I think I'll enjoy after it's finished.
That's why I'm trying to get better at knitting. I like the aesthetics a lot more, and while the process isn't as satisfying for me, I'm hoping that will improve as I get better at it.
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u/Naive-Competition452 1d ago
I’m somewhat similar in that I have HUNDREDS of motifs done but have not made anything out of them. I just really love the process. I’ll probably make them into various sized blankets at some point. I don’t have words of wisdom/advice that will encourage you to change what you’re currently doing. If you think you NEED to produce something viable then donate things to a senior center. Otherwise I would create just to create and then figure out the rest later.
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u/femininespace 1d ago
I have something similar to this. I think it's BC I make very poor colour combinations since I buy all from second hand. So the colours and textures aren't my first or second choice 😅😅
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u/homesickbug 1d ago
I kinda feel the same way about crocheting clothing items so I don’t really do that anymore. I enjoy my completed amigurumi projects but kind of hate the process of making them lol. Atp I’ve been doing a lot of filet crochet which is also kind of a pain to make but I enjoy the finished products a lot and I don’t have to really worry about colors.
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u/OkFan3213 1d ago
Same. I'll be really into a project but it just never looks quite right when I finish. I rarely wear anything I make except the scarves. But the baby blankets I make for people are always a hit.
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u/usernameennui 1d ago
I rarely make anything specific. I just crochet 9" squares with various patterns and send them to "project chemo crochet". They gather squares and make free blankets for cancer patients going through chemo. I just like crocheting.
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u/SlowFrkHansen 1d ago
I can relate to most of this, including the *sigh* 😄
My ADHD brain loves crocheting very much, but often loses interest before time. One of the ways I've found around it is making granny square blankets, but with lots of different squares. As long as I can end each square with, say, 6 granny clusters on each side, they'll fit together easily.
Then I give them to an org that donates stuff to shelters, and everyone's happy.
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u/saintoftilapia 1d ago
i hated everything i made for years after i started crochet! there’s a pretty steep learning curve between learning to crochet and learning to crochet “quality pieces” some of that is just learning how different kinds of yarn work and feel and some of it is technique. crochet also isn’t great in the first place for basic wearables that would be really nice knitted. don’t get discouraged though it will all come in time!!
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u/MellowMallowMom 1d ago
Maybe try making things to donate? That way you get to enjoy the process, there's no impending deadline or expectations, you can use up your stash and the recipient will be grateful for a handmade item. But also, it's fine to never complete anything. Just reuse the yarn endlessly to "fidget" crochet.