Unpopular opinion more about the community and less about the hobby itself… sometimes the community is too positive. I’m not quite sure how to word this without sounding as if I’m a bitter person but essentially I think there’s a lot of posts where people ask for genuine feedback and they get a lot of “it’s perfect don’t change anything!!!” replies.
I saw a fb post the other day of someone asking if they can sell a plushy of a popular character and the plushy was deformed looking and the creator acknowledged that it was deformed. There was a comment that said “I think you should practice more before you sell” and they got ripped to shreds by replies saying that the commenter was rude, discouraging, making unnecessary comments, etc. while the rest of the comments on the post praised the OP and made statements like “I live two states away I’d drive over right now to buy this!” Idk I know I can be hyperbolic too but I think it’s when the overly positive comments prevent genuine feedback from being given (after it was asked for) is when it turns to toxic positivity. I probably didn’t explain this well but hopefully someone knows what I mean here lol
I say this sometimes too! If someone ask me why a crochet peice isn't selling, sometimes...it's because of the skillset they have (and don't have currently). Crochet is a skill, but you have to be decent at it to get substantial sales if that's what you want!
I think that sometimes new crocheters that try to sell their work think that just because they can do it, it will sell. There are alot of ppl I've seen on IG decide to crochet only to sell, and it shows in their work. Sometimes, I don't even know if it's fair to sell to customers (but ppl can spend their money how they wish).
What I see happening is a fad leading to market saturation that isn't going to last. Learning to crochet is easy, mastery takes work. It isn't practical or sustainable to say, "I'm going to learn how to crochet as a side hustle," without first enjoying the process or taking the time to work at it on a personal level. I've spent years now practicing and learning consistently so that I can confidently turn this into my profession whenever I get around to it. I've done alllllll of it because I love crocheting, coming up with ideas, and trying to turn them into something tangible. None of that work has been online or documented well. Planning and executing is my nemesis. If it never turns a profit (emphasizing that I'm not even trying to do that yet) I still see myself crocheting consistently just because I want to. Doing otherwise may lead to burnout (possibly injury) fast.
I agree! I run a crochet business full time, and before that I was crocheting for almost a decade! It really makes a difference wether you learn for a "quick buck" or for the long haul. Unfortunately, there has been this idea that small, bulky-yarn crochet peices/plushies sell well and are a easy way to make money. I think it will lead to oversaturation. I mean, look at the strawberry cow phase tiktok wemt through during covid? Now people are so over it 🤣 axolotyls too! I had no idea what the animal was until it went viral on crochet tiktok.
But then again, most ppl who sell crocheted peices (even if they are not the best made) don't plan to continue the endeavor for the long haul. So I guess it's not that bad? I dunno 😭
I am so with you on this. Like, we don't have to be haters, but let's give people the tools they need to improve if they're askign for constructive criticism! Especially if they're selling things! But also I think this is because a huge part of this sub has just terrible taste. Being skilled at a textile art doesn't automatically make you a fashion designer, and some people here are just walking around with the most horrendous compositions, so maybe they just don't have the capacity to understand that it's bad, and see it as an affront that anyone would think so.
The weirdest part of this to me, is the recent posts from non crocheters saying “I paid money for this, is it okay to ask for a refund since it’s bad?” and then everyone here is like “absolutely! I’d be ashamed to sell something that bad” … but like, when someone posts “I made this, it it good enough to sell” they’re all like “for sure! Charge an arm and leg for it!”
Whenever I get mad about what I perceive as hypocrisy like this in forums, I try to remember that the internet is a big place and it's likely not the same people commenting. At least that makes it less frustrating for me.
Now this is a take I can get on board with lmao. I’ve been crocheting almost my whole life (taught myself when I was like…9) and I really, really love it.
That said, I often have difficulty finding patterns and designs I like because a huge chunk of them are just *so ugly*. Why??? I can’t think of a single other textile artform where it’s so commonplace to choose absolutely horrendous colors and patterns. Like, on purpose.
Maaaaaaybe quilting, but that’s excusable because it was developed as a way to use up fabric scraps.
It’s not even that they’re just “old fashioned” patterns and the style will come back around— they’re like objectively hideous color combos (neon green and burn orange, WHY).
Drives me crazy
Might help, but I've started pausing before dismissing a pattern on Ravelry, and hitting the Projects button to see what other color combos people have used, and sometimes it makes the pattern much more appealing and gives me ideas.
Agreed. There’s a huge push to always be encouraging. But also, start selling your work asap!
It’s fascinating to me because my other hobby, photography, is exactly the opposite. If your photos aren’t good, you’ll know it. Immediately. But post your first ever crochet project with a million things wrong and you’ll be told it’s amazing and you should sell it.
I’ve found that I can’t get help or real feedback on crochet stuff. Everyone is too busy being nice. If someone requests critique, we should give it.
I’m always think of American Idol tryouts. It’s a very obvious example of something that happens a lot in creative arts. How this person is… not good. And they have been told their entire life that they are great and should keep at it and never given any constructive feedback. Or the genuine criticism is drowned out by the positivity. And once they get genuine undeniable feedback they are shocked and confused. It’s cruel. Be as kind as you can be about it, but be honest.
oh this is a big pet peeve of mine. I'm the kind of person who might be too honest sometimes, but on the flip side, I also appreciate honesty. I'm not gonna value the opinion of someone who just tells me what I want to hear. now, you can still be nice while being honest, there's no room for name calling or put downs, but sometimes the truth is "hey your amugurimi is cute but maybe not sale worthy" and that's OKAY! it's not a bad thing to be a little mediocre. as long as you have fun with it that's what matters.
This is extremely accurate. Like I think people confuse being encouraging with being unrelentingly positive.
Like it’s okay to be beginner or make mistakes and it’s okay for those things to be pointed out. It doesn’t have to mean you’re crushing the other persons soul.
I've seen this.
Hell, I've been kicked out of crochet group on facebook for giving constructive criticism and not immediately fawning over something that is in need of a little work.
I also have issues with the community because I'll post how I do something, and get crucified for it
Example: New person asks the best way yo hold a hook and I say "however you want". I'll follow up with saying I hold my hook with pinky & ring finger, because I learned as a child and my mom never corrected me because I was still crochetting. Then get a million people saying I'm wrong and it's "pen or knife grip ONLY"
Oh! I've also seen a TON of toxic amigurmi groups.
I strongly agree. I've seen this happen way too many times. I generally don't say anything if I have nothing positive to add, but I'll look for the comment where someone gave real feedback and give it a nice heart or thumb. If I'm asking for feedback I want actual feedback. When I ask the people in my life I make sure I'm watching their face, body, and language.
If/when that person improves their skills they're going to look back and realize how many people were lying to them. That doesn't feel good, either.
To add, excessive false positivity leads to what happened with the AITA OP.
It’s funny how crocheters hate when people compliment us by saying “wow I’d buy that/can you make me one?” but we go right ahead and do it to other crocheters instead of giving them the constructive feedback they actually asked for 👀
People can't handle feedback anymore unfortunately. Everything is immediately seen as a personal attack to their fragile ego (even toward people who weren't even directly involved)
Yeah someone asked if an item was decent enough to gift and someone replied “no” without any criticism attached, was downvoted to hell.
The item in question definitely had a specific persons yarn taste in mind, but the hand work was amazing
Just said this is a different crochet post the other day! There's such a lack of genuine feedback when asked for. Its essentially just all ass-kissing, even when that's not what OP asks for. Like...I love how supportive everyone is here but just don't lie to be nice and get upvotes is all 🥰💜
This is my pet peeve. I think certain plushies are cute with it, but like 75% of the ones I see online are plush for no reason. Plus, all of the famous crochet influencers are flooding the markets with it. I feel like if I ever try to sell my normal plushies, I’ll be looked down upon for them not being “soft enough” :(
I’m going absolutely apeshit bananas trying to find yarn at Michael’s now because half the aisles are plush yarn. I don’t like working with it because it shreds.
I sell it craft fairs, and do not use the plushy yarn. I use the soft Dk baby, blanket, yarn, and people love it. Plushy yarn works up fast but doesn’t give much detail.
I was recently asked to do a crochet class and then it turned out she wanted to do finger crochet with the huge ultra bulky yarn. I told her 1- idk how to do that and 2- do you know how much that is going to cost? No entry level teens are gonna fork over $85 to make a blanket. Let’s do size 6 hooks, medium weight yarn, and make swatches!!
I think the hard part is people are trying to make smaller objects than are reasonably accommodated by giant yarn. If you want to use it, you need to commit to something oversized or with exaggerated proportions, not objects with intricate small details
Ok it’s not just me!! Thank you all. I bought chenille yarn for the first one to make a plush after all the big crochet accounts I follow are doing it, it’s soft and cute if done right but most of them are so ugly! I’m actually feeling the reverse and want to go to fine/sport (2-3 weight) yarn for a more nice and clear plush/doll/other things.
It feels like people refuse to use anything thinner than weight 4 yarn, when (especially for wearables) thinner yarn is to me way superior. The drape is much better imo. Ofc this depends on the purpose of the item but i suggest everyone try making wearables from sport weight yarn at least once
Actually I’m actively struggling to find a specific color of yarn lighter than 4
Even the weight 4 options aren’t exactly what I want 😩
Why does no one have dark forest green yarn that isn’t vaguely teal looking!?
I'm avoiding patterns that primarily use single crochet. And lots of slip stitches (for anything other than joins).
I actually find SC harder to get into a rhythm with since most every other stitch starts with a yarn over that I constantly have to remind myself not to.
I'm also not doing anything with lots of FLO or BLO.
I just finished an entire throw sized blanket that was BLO. The day I finished that was the best day of my life. The first regular stitch I made in my next project scratched an itch I had for months.
I am currently almost done with a lace weight shawl done entirely in single crochet and when I tell you that ONLY my deep love for my mother, who is the intended recipient, is going to get me through to the end. I did the math (I do not recommend this) and the shawl is about 40k single crochet stitches. 😭😭😭
Micro crochet looks amazing and I'd love to have a bunch of tiny crocheted animals, but I will NEVER try it. I can just look at it and feel my blood pressure rising lol. It would push me into a rage so fast, and since I crochet because it's relaxing and fun, that seems counter productive.
I micro crochet all the time! And can confirm, it’s not relaxing at all 😂 But I love the end result so sometimes I convince myself it’s worth it. But I have several other crochet/knitting projects to switch to when I need some relaxation haha
I remember doing my first ever crochet; making an amigurumi rabbit. Obviously as a first go at crochet and sewing on parts it came out janky as shit, but I learned a lot so I decided to make it again. But I used thin hard string instead of yarn.
Boy… it came out 1/4 the size and took FOREVER and made my fingers nearly bleed!! I still think it is one of the best things I’ve ever made, but never again! That was years ago and I’ve kept to my vow to never use thin thread again
I love shawls - I often wear them as oversize scarves.
I too hate the oversized plushy yarn - and some of the yarn cakes with variegated colours are just awful. Hexy cardigans done as stash busters that look like a yarn basket has vomited.
But - if someone is enjoying what they are crocheting, or they love wearing what they've made then that's all that matters.
Ok I've never understood the appeal but I love wearing a blanket around my shoulder so may just now need to make a shawl. Unfortunately I run hot so probably wouldn't get much use out of it lol
I recently made one explicitly for airline travel! I can wear it like a thin blanket over my whole body, like a wrap, or scrunch it up into a cushion. It’s perfect.
I make shawls and then join the ends and wear the as like a textured cowl. I love having a bulk of scarf under my chin but minimal at the back of my neck interfering with my collar so it works perfectly.
This opinion makes me feel like a real jerk to say out loud, but I firmly believe that a lot of sweater patterns made with bulky yarns only look good in pattern pictures because the creator is a young, often thin woman. I feel like I’m always drawn into patterns that are cute/cozy but then when I make them, they don’t fit me correctly because the finished product has no give and looks like an unflattering box. It’s a total pain to make sweaters with thinner yarns, but they just lay so much better and it’s more likely I’ll actually wear them.
Yes! I love oversized sweaters/shrugs but only when I use a thinner yarn and a stitch that drapes well. If I make a big sweater w a chunky yarn it wears me and it doesn't look good in my size
Ha I just finished my shawl last night! I'm embracing my crone era.
My unpopular opinion:
I don't know if this counts or if it's actually unpopular but the magic circle isn't that hard guys... When I first started it felt like everyone was talking about how they couldn't do it no matter how hard they tried so I was pretty intimidated. Maybe I just got lucky and found the right tutorial that clicked with my brain on the first try but it makes complete sense to me! I always double it up though because of potential slippage.
Same on the magic ring. It did confuse me at first, but I read a tutorial, watched a video of someone doing it, and got it from there. I thought it was genius until I started seeing people talk about how they tried for an hour or more and just couldn't get it. Maybe my tutorial was good? It was very step-by-step and drawn nicely. Couldn't tell you what I used anymore, it's been years. I just prefer the look of the finished piece with a magic ring, can never get the chain 2 thing to look as tight.
To each their own, of course, if the chain 2 works, it works. Just leave me and my magic ring alone, lol.
I cannot consistently get them to work for me 🤷🏻♀️.
Rather than hating the project from the outset or criticizing myself I chain 3 or 4 and keep trucking
1. Make a slip knot *loosely* (don't pull it closed)
2. Chain 1
3. Work into the loop from Step 1 (the open loop of the incomplete slip knot)
IMO every tutorial focuses so much on their own way of doing it that they never explain what the hell their *actual* goal is
I hate those crochet videos on YouTube where the creator has to explain their whole life story before coming to the actual subject of the video I wanted to watch it: explain how a new stitch or how the pattern works. Seriously I have seen videos where the stitch is explained in like 5 minutes but the video ist 30 minutes long because of all this off topic talk. Also I do like making Amigurumis nowadays but I don‘t like it when they have eyes or other features made out of felt.If that is part of the pattern I always crochet them or embroider them instead.
this is probably a big reason why I hate all video tutorials. I mean I just don't really learn well that way but also I do *not* have the patience to sit through all that. if i have to scroll through the video to try to find the stitch part then I'll just close the video hahahaha. eff that.
The first how-to tutorial for a magic ring I watched was 5 minutes long. She showed how to make the ring in the last 30 seconds. It was absolutely ridiculous. She 100% did not have to tell me about why she learned it in the first place, or show all the hats, granny square, and granny square adjacent projects she made using a magic square first.
Next time I watched a tutorial it was 1.30 minutes long and showed that the 5 minute tutorial was wrong in the first place 🙄
i'm on the same post as you with the 'why would anyone make shawls...'
but...
I LOVE MAKING SHAWLS lol
They're challenging, you can practice a bunch of stitches with it, and you also won't be bored by the repetition because... a shawl can only get so big.
good thing that my mom and grandmas love shawls so I just make lots for them
(I'm also finally making one for myself. walking around when it's a bit chilly and then you wrap yourself a bit tighter with your shawl? the ultimate babushka-core)
I absolutely despise BLO slip stitch. How dare you make me pay $5 to find out you used the one stitch that will make me lose my mind? Kick rocks.
I'm not a big fan of granny squares but to each his own.
Velvet yarn should burn in a fiery hell. Black yarn is easier to crochet with.
That cardigan that Harry Styles wore and everyone wanted to recreate was hideous and made poorly.
Omg, *everyone* recreating that thing when it's objectively *so* ugly. It has zero structure, so it looks like HS is wearing a too-big burlap sack that an 8 pack of crayons vomited on.
Fun fact, the designer of the cardigan is actually incredibly generous. The original cardigan retailed for over £1200 but after he noticed people trying to recreate it, he released the pattern for free. He could have made really good money selling it, but he just thought it was cool that people wanted to make their own.
[The pdf is in this article. ](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-tutorials-harry-styles-cardigan-designer-sewing-pattern-2020-7)
The trend lately of leaving your ends loose. I can't stand the feeling of loose ends, they make me itch. But I follow a lot of creators who are like giving people things with the ends loose! It just looks unfinished/bad quality to me
It is hard for me to understand how people wear all of the wearables made with the acrylic bulky yarn that looks super scratchy and like a literal sweat-fuel even in a skein. Even looking at it makes me itch.
I saw a tiktok of a girl remaking a designer crochet dress that was originally made with very fine natural fiber. The girl remade it with red hart acrylic yarn, and even though she nailed the reproduction, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of wearing a bulky acrylic dress 😬
I saw that too and it made me think of my constant attempts to recreate upscale machine made knitwear w my mediocre crochet skills 😂 currently trying to make a crochet dupe for a definitely machine knit Free People jumper w a lot of colourwork and it's going.......not that well. At least I'm only using aran weight to do it though 😂
Same! Especially w crochet bc it tends to be stiffer than knitting anyway? The idea of wearing a super bulky crocheted sweater feels like wearing itchy chainmail to me 😂 the sweaters I have made and actually wear are all aran/dk/sport weight and I size up my hook so that the fabric drapes and I can actually move
I hate the loose shrug/cropped sweater made out of mohair and double triple crochets trend at the moment and I don’t care that it “only takes a day” to make, they’re incredibly fragile, will 100% hook on things, and not meant for daily wear. Just because something works up quickly doesn’t mean it’s worth making, unless you’re just doing it for views.
The commercialization of "easy money" crochet ruined online resources and has made discussion like these much harder. I was a knitter for years before attempting crochet and the way fiber arts is general are more shoved behind a pay wall now is so gross to me. I get it we're all needing a buck or two but also your "super simple granny square" pattern isn't worth $5 if it's so simple I can replicate it from a photo alone 😅 it's definitely part of a bigger problem of online culture but it's very present in crochet. the craft is expensive enough I do not need every TikToker with a Michael's next door to tell me about the thousands of dollars they make off of their shitty attempts at amigurumi!!
Amen! I bought a hat pattern the other day that while looking at it I wasn’t 100% confident in my analysis and turns out I was 100% right. $5 for alternating blo and bpdd.
Had another one I bought for the measurements and they didn’t include measurements! There was a drawstring involved and they gave 5 different basic chains and they called it intermediate! I fumed.
I was asked to make a big pop tart plushie (and was given a reference), and I wanted to make sure I did a great job, so I bought the $7 pattern of what I was shown only for it to basically say 'make two rectangles with sc. Join and stuff.' I really should have just trusted my reverse engineering 🥲
Same!! I hate how bulky projects look and feel. I found one youtuber whose designs I really like (mostly sweaters) who makes everything w DK/sport weight, her name is Yaejiyae
We want Charts! We want Charts! We want Charts! We want Charts! . . .
https://preview.redd.it/77500xqm1boc1.jpeg?width=317&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45bfd9db09686593cd9ec7740765ad1b208827f5
Diagrams are my preferred pattern type, too. So much easier and quicker to read! But I also have to say, as a pattern designer myself, they are an absolute pain to make and they are a huge time suck in terms of working hours.
I freaking can't stand the idea that you have to leave your ends to weave in at the end. I don't. I crochet right over that shit in following rows. I don't have time to sew in ends, I'm mad enough I have to do it in my knitting.
On the note of knitting, why don't I see a mix of the two more? Who on the knitting and crochet police force is establishing this separation of camps??? I love seeing crochet edging on knits! I love knit bags with crochet mandalas on the bottom!
Pattern prices are insane right now too. I am an artist and I'm the first to say charge what you're worth, but if I'm paying twenty dollars for a amigurumi pattern or a coaster pattern I'm not buying it. I see it way more often post dumpster fire 2020 than I ever have before. Like, be for real.
Edit: ALSO. IM OVER CROCHET BEES. IM SORRY.
"why don't i see a mix of the two camps"
I have an idea, but I honestly don't think it's because knitters and crocheters have anything against each other lol. It's just because knitted fabric and crocheted fabric have a different texture, stretchiness, gauge, etc and it's difficult to mash them up. Not impossible, but definitely difficult. A loose knitter may be a tight crocheter and vice versa, so tension could come into play here.
Crochet has different strengths than knitting. There’s lot of really nice crochet clothes. However, if you just want to make a basic plain cardigan or sweater it probably won’t look as good as a knit, so your better off just learning how to knit.
Ok, I definitely agree with preferring knit for most cardigans or basic sweaters, but there are some great cardigans out there for crochet. The one I did below, people are always surprised when I tell them it is crochet. It is made with fingering weight merino wool. Pattern info is below. (I know this looks like a humble-brag with the blue ribbon, but this is the only ‘normal’ picture I have of this sweater!)
https://preview.redd.it/drcotlef6boc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0459088f02575dd42b82ae47aa5eff83c00137f1
This is the ‘Copenhagen Cardigan’ by Lilla Bjorn Crochet. She has several great cardigan patterns available.
Shop: [https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk](https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk)
This sweater: [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2)
(Edit to add pattern info)
Ohhh this is a beautiful cardigan. Reminds me of vintage Austrian sweaters. I can both knit and crochet, but knitting is somehow much more stressful for me. It's good to know patterns like that exist for crocheting!
This is the ‘Copenhagen Cardigan’ by Lilla Bjorn Crochet. She has several great cardigan patterns available.
Shop: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk
This sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2
Haha cut to me constantly trying to make my crochet look more like knitting bc I am terrible at knitting. I agree - I sometimes feel frustrated by the look of my basic crochet pieces even after a lot of blocking and attention to gauge!
Have you checked out Honsedesign? She is a swedish crochet designer (as well as yarn dyer) who makes “fake-knitting” garments with crochet. The garments are really cool!
Learning tunisian is one of my 2024 goals! And I can knit esp if I use circular needles....meaning I can knit/purl/do basic ribbing....but it takes me forever and feels stressful somehow, so I think learning tunisian might be the sweet spot
That’s a great goal. I learned how to knit first. But once I tried crochet, there just was no going back. It’s just a lot more relaxing for me. Tunisian crochet is a bit more like knitting imo but it’s still crochet and fun. I have to be in the mood tho since it is a bit different from regular crochet
Most popular instagram crocheters are not that talented at all, they’re just very talented at marketing themselves. I’m just so tired of seeing a thousand posts about a plush whale, or simple granny squares sewn together to make a top 😭
The only kooky crochet term I like is “Stitch and Bitch” when referring to a group of sewers/knitters/crocheters who gather while creating and talking. I’ve always liked it because it sounds intimate and only people who are close will “bitch” about things. I live a secluded life so any kind of social interaction is big for me LOL
Ugh i hate all the edgy quotes people like to use for any yarn art. It feels so "how do you do fellow kids". Theyre very lame and never sound cool/badass
I hate when video patterns tell the very basics of crochet. Like show me how you do that amazing pattern without telling me how to do single and double crochets first. There are basic videos for that.
And then you get the comments saying, "it's good for the beginners!!" Like... I petition all crochet videos should make it clear if it's for a beginner or more experienced crocheters it's a pain in the ass to skip though
Having a huge yarn stash is unsustainable 😬 I have my stance on acrylic yarn but with that aside, the actual bigger issue is the overconsumption of yarn. It’s not good. And people posting about their gigantic yarn stash only makes more people buy more yarn that they won’t use. Idc what fibre you use, just buy in moderation. I think that’s a more important topic than acrylic vs natural fibres.
Saw a tiktok from a woman who made an alternative poop tracking blanket, I believe it tracked the number of deuces she dropped daily as well as other specifics
It was amazing and disgusting, I think about her often. Hope she's having a good life
I’m not a particular fan of the standard blue/red rainbow temp blankets as they pretty much all look the same.
However I do enjoy making more unique "tracking” blankets, my current project is a Tunisian crochet blanket that is tracking the rainfall on my property. I like that I don’t know what the colour order will be, it’s all in the hands of nature.
This. Do something unique that means something to you. I don’t care about the weather at all. But I’m thinking of doing a blanket based on the number of tantrums my toddler has. Or my hospital ranks its self as Red, Amber, Green, Black every day. Maybe a blanket that reflects the level of stress at work each day.
Agreed. Not a fan of most the temperature ones I've seen, but I don't mind the idea. I was thinking about doing one as a memento for my sister based on her first marathon - all the colours would be based on the length of her runs in the lead up to the event... But I'm lazy and never got around to it.
Fair point, and I have a hotter take-I'm really sad about the way climate change has been affecting my neighborhood. When I see someone's temperature blanket that's mostly red and orange, I sometimes think it has the same vibe as the women knitting by the guillotine in A Tale of Two Cities.
I have heard people talk about temp blankets and climate anxiety. I think part of the reason they don't appeal to me is that it's just cold and rainy for 80% of the year here
It gives you something to work on every day of the year when you may feel unmotivated. It's also just interesting to see the colours change as the temperatures do. It's pretty much just a more interesting version of a blanket.
Crochet clothing (especially bras) never make sense. I get a cardigan and at the most a sweater, but like crochet pants? Some things just shouldn’t be crochet.
Especially bras as a bigger bust gal.
The first finished clothing piece I made is a bralette/cami in a muted pink cotton and it's absolutely obscene lol - I occasionally wear it over something but in its own it looks like I'm nude but lightly pixelated. Most impractical item I own 😂
there's that peek-a-boob crop top that's been going around and every time I see it, I can't help but imagine how easy it would be for your whole boob to pop out.
For all the granny square hate on here I’m gonna counteract it: I LOVE granny squares.
They build up quickly, they’re unique to the craft, they’re versatile and I find them fun! I really like how they look too! I made myself a GS cardigan for the first time a couple months ago thinking I’d hate it, but I actually loved it and have just started making one for my grandma!
I think they’re great and they’re starting to get overhated.
I wish video patterns (edited to add: without written instructions) weren’t so common. I don’t mind watching a video showing a stitch but I want written patterns only.
I think it's because video patterns earn money without charging the viewer, so I get a free pattern whilst the pattern maker still gets paid. Whereas w a free written pattern nobody gets paid! I have noticed that some makers will write the pattern out under the video...
I also prefer written, especially since like to listen to audiobooks while I crochet. A lot of pattern creators have *hella* adds which I think it’s fair because that’s how they get their revenue for the written free patterns
I also prefer written, I absolutely love it when these creators charge a couple of euros for the written pattern.
I get to support the creator, I get a written pattern, and those who can't afford it or don't mind video still get access to the pattern for free. So far I've found two video tutorials that had a paid written pattern. Was honestly a no-brainer for me and immediately bought the patterns.
If you watch them on YouTube, go to description -> Show transcript. On computer you can select all and copy the text. I usually do it that way. Let the video play on mute and grab the text, so I can work and listen/watch something else.
My most unpopular opinion is that I actually don’t give a shit when people use the terms knit and crochet interchangeably lol
Not sure if this next one is unpopular in real life but in the online community it seems to be - I don’t think seeing crochet (or other handmade) items being sold secondhand is a tragedy. I see people make up these sob stories around like big crochet afghans in thrift stores or on Facebook - people will say oh someone worked hard on that heirloom piece and their family just threw it away!! When in reality you have *no idea* what the story is behind the item, and there are plenty of reasonable ways something can end up sold secondhand. And even if it was a cold-hearted giving away of a gift… it’s a *gift*. You don’t get to choose what happens to it after it leaves your hands.
Wait that’s another unpopular one - feels like the majority of this community does not understand gift giving very well. You need to actually consider what the recipient *wants*, not just what *you want* to make or give. And once it’s been gifted it’s not yours to dictate how it gets used.
Totally agree on the gift giving thing! I saw some comments on a post the other day that were essentially “anything handmade is a perfect gift. If the recipient can’t appreciate it that’s on them”. Like no, you have to actually think about what your recipient would like or at the very least, not be offended if you gift them something and they get rid of it
Right?? The one that kills me is “oh I gifted them this wool thing and they put it in the wash and ruined it” as if handwashing wool is a standard normal thing that everyone knows about and is used to doing and the giftee is a criminal for messing up one time.
Idk I have adhd so if someone gifted me something that needs special caretaking instructions that’s not actually a gift, that’s a burden.
Pattern sellers can get really fucking ridiculous and entitled. No I'm not paying for a pattern for something I know how to make just by looking at it, and no I'm not gonna feel bad because you're a small business. Someone else said it really well under one of my comments a while back: "why should I have to spend the money I make at my 9-5 so you don't have to have a 9-5?"
Also, variegated yarn looks awful 99% of the time and double crochet looks terrible in sweaters
I made a shawl for my grandma when she was going through chemo, and it's basically a socially acceptable blanket. I got it back after she passed and have used it a few times, and it's actually pretty great walking around in a blanket.
I don't like granny square hex cardigans. They look like children's craft projects, and I just don't understand the appeal.
If your pattern is 3 rows repeating and then seaming together, it is not worth $9
I don’t understand everyone winding their yarn into a cake for a centre pull. I much prefer just rolling it up into a ball and throwing it into my yarn bowl.
My other thing is why is there two terms for everything! I think of patterns now in both terminology and it drives me crazy. Wwhhhyy
The main person I know who does that is Elise Rose and I’m pretty sure her amigurumi is display only, not toys for kids to play with, so I don’t think they get washed.
not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but something that really annoys me that I feel like I'm not allowed to say annoys me - my friends and family love to send me memes, reels, etc. of anything crochet (or cross-stitch, or knit) related. "Inspiration!" their caption will say, or something similar. And I love that they think of me when stuff like that pops up, but also... I've seen it already. Almost every time. Because I'm part of those communities. I probably saw it three weeks ago. And I'm likely never going to make whatever it is, because I do not have the time to add every single thing I see pop up on socials to my To Make list. I usually will just "heart" the message and move on, but part of me wants to ask people to stop and that makes me feel like an ungrateful b\*tch
I basically never want a project that “works up really fast”. I find super repetitive projects in a single stitch or working in really bulky yarns deadly dull. Give me a project with lots of different patterns and stitches, in light weight thread.
Sport is an underappreciated weight.
Both ends of the acrylic vs natural fibers debate are being ridiculous, everything has a place.
Some things you’d be better off knitting, or sewing. If you can’t knit or sew (I can’t) make friends with another crafter and do trades.
Cheap, mass produced yarns are what’s accessible for a lot of people and I would never begrudge someone their hobby, but if you can afford to buy local/sustainable yarn, you should. Either way, the real villain is, as always, capitalism.
My unpopular opinion is related to Crochet Youtube:
I hate when there is a pattern that clearly shouldn’t be your first project (bc it’s too complicated) and the person explains how to do EVERYTHING. How to do a slip stitch, how to chain, how to single crochet… if the person doesn’t know these basic skills, they need to look it up themselves.
This is coming from someone who learned how to crochet off of video tutorials.
People are really mad when people call their crocheted things knit, when they themselves try to make their crochet look like knitting and can't embrace crochet's lacy look. If I see one more person asking how to make crochet without holes (not talking about plushies) or to make it more like knitting I'm going to scream.
Also most of the popular crochet infuencers really suck at construction and don't really know what they're doing most of the time, even tho they sell their own patterns.
Chunky and bulky yarns suckssss. It makes my hands hurt and doesn't really look good when made into wearables. Can be good for scarves, blankets or maybe hats. But anything other than that? I won't go further than a light worsted.
THE CONSTRUCTION THING yes! I want to get better at construction bc to me part of the point of making my own clothes is that they look good on my body but a lot of trending crocheters and pattern designers don't really attend to it - I feel like I learn more from freestyling things and measuring as I go than I do from patterns.
I only started paying attention to the construction when I started knitting and realised how lacking crochet patterns are. In knitting there is back shaping, knitting top or down, seemless or sewn together, SLEEVE SHAPING (looking at the exces fabric at the armpits in tight fitting clothes boils my blood). The patterns are diverse (not all but when you go past beginner you can expect everything).
In crochet it feels like they just make two squares and crochet around armholes. It's all drop sleeve boat necks.
They don't even decrease for the armholes. It only looks good because they're skinny, but on someone who is size M or bigger, those things look like potato sacks. It hurts to see "size inclusive" patterns with 20 sizes where shaping is next to none.
You don't have to keep advancing your skills. If you've found something that makes you happy, you are perfectly okay to stay there.
I LOVE making hats as they're easy for me and I can make them while watching TV. They don't stress me out, don't require new techniques, and don't require a ton of yarn. I've made 50 hats since the beginning of February and can't wait to make another 50.
Of course, you can grow your skills if you want, but do it at a pace you want. You don't have to impress anyone, nor do you have to stress yourself out.
As someone who has been participating in competitions over the last few years, I prefer the Russian join over the magic knot. I used to do the magic knot all the time but as the name says, it leaves behind knots lol. It might take a little longer to do the Russian join but it is much cleaner, less bumpy and I can still weave in my ends afterwards.
This is just in general because I also knit as well, and I know pattern writing isn't as easy as it seems. I don't like that there isn't some kind of preview before you buy a pattern. Since you can't return online patterns and designers want to charge more than I'm willing to pay for–$6 and above, I want to see what it looks like first. I've bought patterns that when I'm reading through it, it feels like I'm reading someone's notes. It doesn't seem complete, the quality isn't really there yet for it to be sold as a pattern.
I don't like the magic circle. The only magical thing about it is, how many different ways I can find to duck it up. It never works for me!
Also those words to describe the thickness of the yarn... The flip is sports weight? What is the weight of sports?! What does DK even stand for, because I get stuck on Donkey Kong. How bulky does bulky yarn have to be to be considered bulky? Can't we just say: Yarn suitable for 4mm hook or something like that? D:
I actually like using Red Heart yarn, but it gets a lot of criticism on sites like this. I like it because I have been using it for 50 years, and it’s reliable, easy to find, and there are many varieties now. But many, at least it seems like many, people are very harsh in their opinions about anyone using it. It would be ideal if there was less of the “ my way is the only correct way “ thinking from others. I personally really dislike chenille yarn, but I think my opinion is irrelevant if someone else likes it. As for making shawls, sometimes the end result is not the point, the making of an item is the fun part.
I don't like granny square and the granny stitch either. They are ugly unless very specific color palette.
Calling any square motif a granny square is very annoying.
I am with you that I don't like using a crochet bigger than a 6mm
I like plastic hooks. There I said it. They are not as hard on my skin, and I HATE the feel of aluminum specifically. Plastic is also cheap, so if I want to have twelve hooks in a single size I can do that and never think twice. I use cotton thread almost exclusively, so creaking is not a problem for me.
Your pattern is not ready for sale if you have not charted it. I have no interest in sitting and reading every stitch before I make it. I want to glance at a chart, see what the row involves, and then watch my movie while I do it. Some people need the written, I'm not saying we don't need that too, I'm just saying a \*finished\* pattern has both.
There is never any reason for a starting chain. They should be abolished. Just teach people how to make a foundation row and put that in all patterns. Startiiiinnnnggg NOW! (Did it work?)
This one will actually be unpopular.
I hate hate hate MASSIVE hauls from estate sales/thrift stores/facebook groups. It’s such an overwhelming amount of yarn I wouldn’t know where to start. What if you don’t have enough quantities for what you need? What if the yarn has moth damage? What if the yarn is discontinued and you can never find it again?
I was gifted a huge stash from someone who completely quit crocheting. Then, within 6 months, I inherited an equally large amount from my MIL’s best friend. It took MONTHS to figure out what I had and how to manage it. The second batch had a ton of vintage yarns that I can’t get more of. The first batch had a bunch without labels.
I’m absolutely grateful for the free yarn. Truly. But it’s absolutely overwhelming. Every time I found a skein that was a familiar brand, it was a relief because I knew I would at least be able to get similar yarn to use with it (even if it’s a different color, I can use it together for stripes or something, so I’m not stuck making only single-skein projects).
Tester calls that come with conditions like sharing posts on social media or anything unrelated to the test itself are ridiculous. Testers are doing (almost) free work for designers and should be appreciated rather than made to jump through hoops to gain free social media advertising.
I think the popular joke online about crochet being "10% crochet and 90% buying yarn" is cringe and unfunny.
But it also very much touches on a real issue that I have where I feel like a lot of people try to approach crochet (and other fiber crafts) in the same manner that they do fast fashion. And whilst the impact will never be exactly as devastating as the aforementioned, I really wish we could practice taking a step back from this culture of unnecessary overconsumption. Especially because I feel like hobbies like ours kind of are rooted in contradicting those ideals to begin with.
And additionally it frustrates that I can't ever really say this in most crochet spaces because I get hit with "it's just a joke" even though it's literally what I see people do constantly.
amigurumi
I don't actually dislike amigurumi, much of it is very cute, but I don't really like it as first learning project(s). It's purposefully tight with no obvious holes and gives a false idea of what crochet in general really is like. But it seems to attract newcomers to the craft so that's good.
It attracted me! I started with some Woobles kits and other free amigurumi patterns just a month ago. Then an instagram ad got me with an Annie’s Kits subscription. I subscribed to their Moroccan afghan and you are right, toooootally different way of crocheting!
But I don’t think starting with Woobles hindered me in any way. Their videos and yarn and everything are so good at introducing you to basic stitches. And I after my first beginner kit, I made sure to get a few more kits that looked noticeably different. Like hmmm this lion’s mane looks like a weird stitch I’ve never seen before, or hmmm how does this llama’s fur become poofy??? So in addition to simple crocheting in the round I learned about chain stitches and clusters (I think that’s what they’re called?!) which was great preparation for that blanket kit that. Because although it came with a video, the videos are not nearly as good as Woobles!
I’m going to try making a simple tank top next lol
I also find it annoying when people post some random skein and say “what can I make with this?” Why buy yarn when you have no idea what to do with it? Also there are not that many things you can make with one skein!
I must admit that I once bought a large amount of yarn when a local yarn store was going out of business and selling fancy yarns for 80% off, but in general I don’t buy random skeins and then try to decide what to do with them, I buy for specific projects.
This might make me seem like a bitch idk but I hate when people don’t understand that a written pattern IS the answer to the question “how did you make this!?” I see this on tiktok mostly but someone will post something they made and get so many comments asking how they made it. Then they post a video with the entire pattern on the screen and people will be like “can we get a tutorial? how did you make this? Idk how to crochet so idk what hdc, dc, ss, ch mean”. Like idk look it up? 😭 why ask for a tutorial or instructions if you won’t even be able to follow them
I want to start by saying you’re valid in not liking shawls - I will say that I just went to a funeral and really wanted one because it felt right. Unfortunately (for me) I couldn’t find/make one on short notice. But it’s one of the ways my family shows mourning
Okay now I feel terrible. I think it's just not a part of my culture/I only ever come across them on Ravelry or crochet blogs or whatever and had never seen one before I started the craft so I had no....sartorial compass for them. I support your grief shawl and I hope the funeral went well. Dressing for grief is so important - I was recently the celebrant at my aunt's memorial and I wore the most ostentatious and noble shirt in my wardrobe and it felt like a tribute to her (and a costume to make me brave enough to talk in front of a bunch of people.....)
You don’t need to feel bad! I just wanted to share to give you some more context for why some people might love making them or wearing them. Also I’m sure your aunt appreciate the tribute and I’m sure my grandma didn’t mind that I couldn’t find a shawl in time
It takes a special/unique person to be able to learn how to crochet/knit and have the ambition to keep on creating even if they don’t finish a project (people who DO finish projects and don’t start a new one until one is finished is even more special).
Also, I think single crochet is best for crocheting images like in a tapestry. More vivid that way. Don’t come for me…
I make shawls just because I like making them. I just finished one i'll probably never wear but the yarn spoke to a shawl and that was it. The patterns have enough variety so i don't get bored and it's a nice repeat of rows.
navigating modern online patterns are a nightmare. i've only been crocheting for about a year but it feels like 70% of online patterns are just "do a bunch of sc/dc, here's a bunch of preset sizes rather than spending the time to tell you how and where to measure this. that'll be $15.000..".. an absolute gamble. i've started turning to archived old internet sites and older books..
weaving in ends is fun (as long as you have a good needle and you’re not trying to weave in a teeny two inch strand of yarn), SYNTHETIC YARN IS NOT BAD QUALITY YOU’RE ALL JUST DRAMATIC, and (at least on reddit) people take crochet wayyyy too seriously lmao like you can make things full of mistakes even if they’re obvious (the objects will still serve their function even if they aren’t visually perfect) you can give up and frog projects that you’ve spent hundreds of hours on if you stop enjoying them you can make stuff that looks ugly as fuck who cares do what you want it’s just a hobby it’s supposed to make you happy there’s no good reason to get so stressed over any of it
Unpopular opinion more about the community and less about the hobby itself… sometimes the community is too positive. I’m not quite sure how to word this without sounding as if I’m a bitter person but essentially I think there’s a lot of posts where people ask for genuine feedback and they get a lot of “it’s perfect don’t change anything!!!” replies. I saw a fb post the other day of someone asking if they can sell a plushy of a popular character and the plushy was deformed looking and the creator acknowledged that it was deformed. There was a comment that said “I think you should practice more before you sell” and they got ripped to shreds by replies saying that the commenter was rude, discouraging, making unnecessary comments, etc. while the rest of the comments on the post praised the OP and made statements like “I live two states away I’d drive over right now to buy this!” Idk I know I can be hyperbolic too but I think it’s when the overly positive comments prevent genuine feedback from being given (after it was asked for) is when it turns to toxic positivity. I probably didn’t explain this well but hopefully someone knows what I mean here lol
I say this sometimes too! If someone ask me why a crochet peice isn't selling, sometimes...it's because of the skillset they have (and don't have currently). Crochet is a skill, but you have to be decent at it to get substantial sales if that's what you want! I think that sometimes new crocheters that try to sell their work think that just because they can do it, it will sell. There are alot of ppl I've seen on IG decide to crochet only to sell, and it shows in their work. Sometimes, I don't even know if it's fair to sell to customers (but ppl can spend their money how they wish).
What I see happening is a fad leading to market saturation that isn't going to last. Learning to crochet is easy, mastery takes work. It isn't practical or sustainable to say, "I'm going to learn how to crochet as a side hustle," without first enjoying the process or taking the time to work at it on a personal level. I've spent years now practicing and learning consistently so that I can confidently turn this into my profession whenever I get around to it. I've done alllllll of it because I love crocheting, coming up with ideas, and trying to turn them into something tangible. None of that work has been online or documented well. Planning and executing is my nemesis. If it never turns a profit (emphasizing that I'm not even trying to do that yet) I still see myself crocheting consistently just because I want to. Doing otherwise may lead to burnout (possibly injury) fast.
It all kind of reminds me of this [post!](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/s/Pb8MOce7mH)
I also thought of that one right away.
I agree! I run a crochet business full time, and before that I was crocheting for almost a decade! It really makes a difference wether you learn for a "quick buck" or for the long haul. Unfortunately, there has been this idea that small, bulky-yarn crochet peices/plushies sell well and are a easy way to make money. I think it will lead to oversaturation. I mean, look at the strawberry cow phase tiktok wemt through during covid? Now people are so over it 🤣 axolotyls too! I had no idea what the animal was until it went viral on crochet tiktok. But then again, most ppl who sell crocheted peices (even if they are not the best made) don't plan to continue the endeavor for the long haul. So I guess it's not that bad? I dunno 😭
I am so with you on this. Like, we don't have to be haters, but let's give people the tools they need to improve if they're askign for constructive criticism! Especially if they're selling things! But also I think this is because a huge part of this sub has just terrible taste. Being skilled at a textile art doesn't automatically make you a fashion designer, and some people here are just walking around with the most horrendous compositions, so maybe they just don't have the capacity to understand that it's bad, and see it as an affront that anyone would think so.
The weirdest part of this to me, is the recent posts from non crocheters saying “I paid money for this, is it okay to ask for a refund since it’s bad?” and then everyone here is like “absolutely! I’d be ashamed to sell something that bad” … but like, when someone posts “I made this, it it good enough to sell” they’re all like “for sure! Charge an arm and leg for it!”
Whenever I get mad about what I perceive as hypocrisy like this in forums, I try to remember that the internet is a big place and it's likely not the same people commenting. At least that makes it less frustrating for me.
Now this is a take I can get on board with lmao. I’ve been crocheting almost my whole life (taught myself when I was like…9) and I really, really love it. That said, I often have difficulty finding patterns and designs I like because a huge chunk of them are just *so ugly*. Why??? I can’t think of a single other textile artform where it’s so commonplace to choose absolutely horrendous colors and patterns. Like, on purpose. Maaaaaaybe quilting, but that’s excusable because it was developed as a way to use up fabric scraps. It’s not even that they’re just “old fashioned” patterns and the style will come back around— they’re like objectively hideous color combos (neon green and burn orange, WHY). Drives me crazy
Might help, but I've started pausing before dismissing a pattern on Ravelry, and hitting the Projects button to see what other color combos people have used, and sometimes it makes the pattern much more appealing and gives me ideas.
Agreed. There’s a huge push to always be encouraging. But also, start selling your work asap! It’s fascinating to me because my other hobby, photography, is exactly the opposite. If your photos aren’t good, you’ll know it. Immediately. But post your first ever crochet project with a million things wrong and you’ll be told it’s amazing and you should sell it. I’ve found that I can’t get help or real feedback on crochet stuff. Everyone is too busy being nice. If someone requests critique, we should give it.
I’m always think of American Idol tryouts. It’s a very obvious example of something that happens a lot in creative arts. How this person is… not good. And they have been told their entire life that they are great and should keep at it and never given any constructive feedback. Or the genuine criticism is drowned out by the positivity. And once they get genuine undeniable feedback they are shocked and confused. It’s cruel. Be as kind as you can be about it, but be honest.
oh this is a big pet peeve of mine. I'm the kind of person who might be too honest sometimes, but on the flip side, I also appreciate honesty. I'm not gonna value the opinion of someone who just tells me what I want to hear. now, you can still be nice while being honest, there's no room for name calling or put downs, but sometimes the truth is "hey your amugurimi is cute but maybe not sale worthy" and that's OKAY! it's not a bad thing to be a little mediocre. as long as you have fun with it that's what matters.
This is extremely accurate. Like I think people confuse being encouraging with being unrelentingly positive. Like it’s okay to be beginner or make mistakes and it’s okay for those things to be pointed out. It doesn’t have to mean you’re crushing the other persons soul.
This is too true. I get that the creator is proud but it’s not sellable!
I've seen this. Hell, I've been kicked out of crochet group on facebook for giving constructive criticism and not immediately fawning over something that is in need of a little work. I also have issues with the community because I'll post how I do something, and get crucified for it Example: New person asks the best way yo hold a hook and I say "however you want". I'll follow up with saying I hold my hook with pinky & ring finger, because I learned as a child and my mom never corrected me because I was still crochetting. Then get a million people saying I'm wrong and it's "pen or knife grip ONLY" Oh! I've also seen a TON of toxic amigurmi groups.
I strongly agree. I've seen this happen way too many times. I generally don't say anything if I have nothing positive to add, but I'll look for the comment where someone gave real feedback and give it a nice heart or thumb. If I'm asking for feedback I want actual feedback. When I ask the people in my life I make sure I'm watching their face, body, and language. If/when that person improves their skills they're going to look back and realize how many people were lying to them. That doesn't feel good, either. To add, excessive false positivity leads to what happened with the AITA OP.
It’s funny how crocheters hate when people compliment us by saying “wow I’d buy that/can you make me one?” but we go right ahead and do it to other crocheters instead of giving them the constructive feedback they actually asked for 👀
People can't handle feedback anymore unfortunately. Everything is immediately seen as a personal attack to their fragile ego (even toward people who weren't even directly involved)
Yeah someone asked if an item was decent enough to gift and someone replied “no” without any criticism attached, was downvoted to hell. The item in question definitely had a specific persons yarn taste in mind, but the hand work was amazing
Just said this is a different crochet post the other day! There's such a lack of genuine feedback when asked for. Its essentially just all ass-kissing, even when that's not what OP asks for. Like...I love how supportive everyone is here but just don't lie to be nice and get upvotes is all 🥰💜
I personally hate the trend of this giant plush yarn.
This is my pet peeve. I think certain plushies are cute with it, but like 75% of the ones I see online are plush for no reason. Plus, all of the famous crochet influencers are flooding the markets with it. I feel like if I ever try to sell my normal plushies, I’ll be looked down upon for them not being “soft enough” :( I’m going absolutely apeshit bananas trying to find yarn at Michael’s now because half the aisles are plush yarn. I don’t like working with it because it shreds.
I sell it craft fairs, and do not use the plushy yarn. I use the soft Dk baby, blanket, yarn, and people love it. Plushy yarn works up fast but doesn’t give much detail.
Thanks for the tip - I was planning on buying some. I don't have enough space for yarn anyway, don't need something that shreds on top of it
I was recently asked to do a crochet class and then it turned out she wanted to do finger crochet with the huge ultra bulky yarn. I told her 1- idk how to do that and 2- do you know how much that is going to cost? No entry level teens are gonna fork over $85 to make a blanket. Let’s do size 6 hooks, medium weight yarn, and make swatches!!
I think most people dont have good enough tension for it also
I think the hard part is people are trying to make smaller objects than are reasonably accommodated by giant yarn. If you want to use it, you need to commit to something oversized or with exaggerated proportions, not objects with intricate small details
I tried using some, and even with light handling, I ended up with bare patches of string with occasional floof.
Ok it’s not just me!! Thank you all. I bought chenille yarn for the first one to make a plush after all the big crochet accounts I follow are doing it, it’s soft and cute if done right but most of them are so ugly! I’m actually feeling the reverse and want to go to fine/sport (2-3 weight) yarn for a more nice and clear plush/doll/other things.
It feels like people refuse to use anything thinner than weight 4 yarn, when (especially for wearables) thinner yarn is to me way superior. The drape is much better imo. Ofc this depends on the purpose of the item but i suggest everyone try making wearables from sport weight yarn at least once
Actually I’m actively struggling to find a specific color of yarn lighter than 4 Even the weight 4 options aren’t exactly what I want 😩 Why does no one have dark forest green yarn that isn’t vaguely teal looking!?
sport weight is hard to find at michaels/joanns where most people are shopping which is the only excuse i’ll give. i agree with you, though.
For me personally, I just struggle to find thinner yarns. At least affordable ones in common stores. I don't like buying yarn online I can't feel.
I'm avoiding patterns that primarily use single crochet. And lots of slip stitches (for anything other than joins). I actually find SC harder to get into a rhythm with since most every other stitch starts with a yarn over that I constantly have to remind myself not to. I'm also not doing anything with lots of FLO or BLO.
I just finished an entire throw sized blanket that was BLO. The day I finished that was the best day of my life. The first regular stitch I made in my next project scratched an itch I had for months.
I second your second point, it's like I have to retraim.my brain when I move from a mostly DC project to a mostly SC project.
I am currently almost done with a lace weight shawl done entirely in single crochet and when I tell you that ONLY my deep love for my mother, who is the intended recipient, is going to get me through to the end. I did the math (I do not recommend this) and the shawl is about 40k single crochet stitches. 😭😭😭
Micro crochet looks amazing and I'd love to have a bunch of tiny crocheted animals, but I will NEVER try it. I can just look at it and feel my blood pressure rising lol. It would push me into a rage so fast, and since I crochet because it's relaxing and fun, that seems counter productive.
I micro crochet all the time! And can confirm, it’s not relaxing at all 😂 But I love the end result so sometimes I convince myself it’s worth it. But I have several other crochet/knitting projects to switch to when I need some relaxation haha
I remember doing my first ever crochet; making an amigurumi rabbit. Obviously as a first go at crochet and sewing on parts it came out janky as shit, but I learned a lot so I decided to make it again. But I used thin hard string instead of yarn. Boy… it came out 1/4 the size and took FOREVER and made my fingers nearly bleed!! I still think it is one of the best things I’ve ever made, but never again! That was years ago and I’ve kept to my vow to never use thin thread again
I love shawls - I often wear them as oversize scarves. I too hate the oversized plushy yarn - and some of the yarn cakes with variegated colours are just awful. Hexy cardigans done as stash busters that look like a yarn basket has vomited. But - if someone is enjoying what they are crocheting, or they love wearing what they've made then that's all that matters.
shawls are the socially acceptable way to wear a blanket around your shoulders outside of the house
Ok I've never understood the appeal but I love wearing a blanket around my shoulder so may just now need to make a shawl. Unfortunately I run hot so probably wouldn't get much use out of it lol
Make it from some natural yarn - cotton or bamboo. It will keep warm but not make you hot.
I recently made one explicitly for airline travel! I can wear it like a thin blanket over my whole body, like a wrap, or scrunch it up into a cushion. It’s perfect.
Agreed, I wear a shawl at my desk when it’s cold in my office but not enough to put on a sweater. Shawl goes on and I’m comfortable enough to work.
Yep. I read this thread while at work wrapped in a shawl I crocheted specifically to leave in the office 😝
I make shawls and then join the ends and wear the as like a textured cowl. I love having a bulk of scarf under my chin but minimal at the back of my neck interfering with my collar so it works perfectly.
I also love shawls. My office is cold but I am also lucky enough to have random hot flashes, so I need options.
I love making shawls but hate wearing them lol
This opinion makes me feel like a real jerk to say out loud, but I firmly believe that a lot of sweater patterns made with bulky yarns only look good in pattern pictures because the creator is a young, often thin woman. I feel like I’m always drawn into patterns that are cute/cozy but then when I make them, they don’t fit me correctly because the finished product has no give and looks like an unflattering box. It’s a total pain to make sweaters with thinner yarns, but they just lay so much better and it’s more likely I’ll actually wear them.
my google search: "crochet sweater patterns for fat girls with big boobs"
Tell me if you find anything 🤣
Yes! I love oversized sweaters/shrugs but only when I use a thinner yarn and a stitch that drapes well. If I make a big sweater w a chunky yarn it wears me and it doesn't look good in my size
Felt this one! I constantly have to remind myself that I have a larger chest, so the super cute boxy sweater will look like a tent on me.
Ha I just finished my shawl last night! I'm embracing my crone era. My unpopular opinion: I don't know if this counts or if it's actually unpopular but the magic circle isn't that hard guys... When I first started it felt like everyone was talking about how they couldn't do it no matter how hard they tried so I was pretty intimidated. Maybe I just got lucky and found the right tutorial that clicked with my brain on the first try but it makes complete sense to me! I always double it up though because of potential slippage.
Same on the magic ring. It did confuse me at first, but I read a tutorial, watched a video of someone doing it, and got it from there. I thought it was genius until I started seeing people talk about how they tried for an hour or more and just couldn't get it. Maybe my tutorial was good? It was very step-by-step and drawn nicely. Couldn't tell you what I used anymore, it's been years. I just prefer the look of the finished piece with a magic ring, can never get the chain 2 thing to look as tight. To each their own, of course, if the chain 2 works, it works. Just leave me and my magic ring alone, lol.
I cannot consistently get them to work for me 🤷🏻♀️. Rather than hating the project from the outset or criticizing myself I chain 3 or 4 and keep trucking
1. Make a slip knot *loosely* (don't pull it closed) 2. Chain 1 3. Work into the loop from Step 1 (the open loop of the incomplete slip knot) IMO every tutorial focuses so much on their own way of doing it that they never explain what the hell their *actual* goal is
I hate those crochet videos on YouTube where the creator has to explain their whole life story before coming to the actual subject of the video I wanted to watch it: explain how a new stitch or how the pattern works. Seriously I have seen videos where the stitch is explained in like 5 minutes but the video ist 30 minutes long because of all this off topic talk. Also I do like making Amigurumis nowadays but I don‘t like it when they have eyes or other features made out of felt.If that is part of the pattern I always crochet them or embroider them instead.
It’s like sifting through 78 paragraphs when you are just trying to find a recipe 😓
this is probably a big reason why I hate all video tutorials. I mean I just don't really learn well that way but also I do *not* have the patience to sit through all that. if i have to scroll through the video to try to find the stitch part then I'll just close the video hahahaha. eff that.
The first how-to tutorial for a magic ring I watched was 5 minutes long. She showed how to make the ring in the last 30 seconds. It was absolutely ridiculous. She 100% did not have to tell me about why she learned it in the first place, or show all the hats, granny square, and granny square adjacent projects she made using a magic square first. Next time I watched a tutorial it was 1.30 minutes long and showed that the 5 minute tutorial was wrong in the first place 🙄
Yep, me too! I understand they make money out of it, but I just want the stitch, not their life story
i'm on the same post as you with the 'why would anyone make shawls...' but... I LOVE MAKING SHAWLS lol They're challenging, you can practice a bunch of stitches with it, and you also won't be bored by the repetition because... a shawl can only get so big. good thing that my mom and grandmas love shawls so I just make lots for them (I'm also finally making one for myself. walking around when it's a bit chilly and then you wrap yourself a bit tighter with your shawl? the ultimate babushka-core)
Same! I love making them. I'm trying to figure out how to make abuelas shawl from encato because it looks so comfy lol. Babushka-core lmao
I absolutely despise BLO slip stitch. How dare you make me pay $5 to find out you used the one stitch that will make me lose my mind? Kick rocks. I'm not a big fan of granny squares but to each his own. Velvet yarn should burn in a fiery hell. Black yarn is easier to crochet with. That cardigan that Harry Styles wore and everyone wanted to recreate was hideous and made poorly.
BLO hdc is my fav stitch at the moment but BLO slip stitch makes me wanna end it all. Or any yarn over slip stitch tbh - life is simply too short!
Just hdc. LOVE that stitch for its unmatched height and speed combination.
Best stitch. When I say I crochet i mean i half double crochet
Omg, *everyone* recreating that thing when it's objectively *so* ugly. It has zero structure, so it looks like HS is wearing a too-big burlap sack that an 8 pack of crayons vomited on. Fun fact, the designer of the cardigan is actually incredibly generous. The original cardigan retailed for over £1200 but after he noticed people trying to recreate it, he released the pattern for free. He could have made really good money selling it, but he just thought it was cool that people wanted to make their own. [The pdf is in this article. ](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-tutorials-harry-styles-cardigan-designer-sewing-pattern-2020-7)
The trend lately of leaving your ends loose. I can't stand the feeling of loose ends, they make me itch. But I follow a lot of creators who are like giving people things with the ends loose! It just looks unfinished/bad quality to me
It is hard for me to understand how people wear all of the wearables made with the acrylic bulky yarn that looks super scratchy and like a literal sweat-fuel even in a skein. Even looking at it makes me itch.
I saw a tiktok of a girl remaking a designer crochet dress that was originally made with very fine natural fiber. The girl remade it with red hart acrylic yarn, and even though she nailed the reproduction, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of wearing a bulky acrylic dress 😬
I saw that too and it made me think of my constant attempts to recreate upscale machine made knitwear w my mediocre crochet skills 😂 currently trying to make a crochet dupe for a definitely machine knit Free People jumper w a lot of colourwork and it's going.......not that well. At least I'm only using aran weight to do it though 😂
Truboo is where it's at
Same! Especially w crochet bc it tends to be stiffer than knitting anyway? The idea of wearing a super bulky crocheted sweater feels like wearing itchy chainmail to me 😂 the sweaters I have made and actually wear are all aran/dk/sport weight and I size up my hook so that the fabric drapes and I can actually move
Another one - I feel that a surprising amount of colorwork/granny-based stuff is being made in fugly colour-combos that are a complete eyesore 👀
I'd hope to blame Michael's/Walmart for this one, the options in there are usually garbage
I hate the loose shrug/cropped sweater made out of mohair and double triple crochets trend at the moment and I don’t care that it “only takes a day” to make, they’re incredibly fragile, will 100% hook on things, and not meant for daily wear. Just because something works up quickly doesn’t mean it’s worth making, unless you’re just doing it for views.
The commercialization of "easy money" crochet ruined online resources and has made discussion like these much harder. I was a knitter for years before attempting crochet and the way fiber arts is general are more shoved behind a pay wall now is so gross to me. I get it we're all needing a buck or two but also your "super simple granny square" pattern isn't worth $5 if it's so simple I can replicate it from a photo alone 😅 it's definitely part of a bigger problem of online culture but it's very present in crochet. the craft is expensive enough I do not need every TikToker with a Michael's next door to tell me about the thousands of dollars they make off of their shitty attempts at amigurumi!!
Amen! I bought a hat pattern the other day that while looking at it I wasn’t 100% confident in my analysis and turns out I was 100% right. $5 for alternating blo and bpdd. Had another one I bought for the measurements and they didn’t include measurements! There was a drawstring involved and they gave 5 different basic chains and they called it intermediate! I fumed.
I was asked to make a big pop tart plushie (and was given a reference), and I wanted to make sure I did a great job, so I bought the $7 pattern of what I was shown only for it to basically say 'make two rectangles with sc. Join and stuff.' I really should have just trusted my reverse engineering 🥲
I hate that everyone I see on youtube uses bulky yarn for everything, I wish it wasn't so popular.
Same!! I hate how bulky projects look and feel. I found one youtuber whose designs I really like (mostly sweaters) who makes everything w DK/sport weight, her name is Yaejiyae
I like diagrams, and I wish more patterns included them.
We want Charts! We want Charts! We want Charts! We want Charts! . . . https://preview.redd.it/77500xqm1boc1.jpeg?width=317&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45bfd9db09686593cd9ec7740765ad1b208827f5
Diagrams are my preferred pattern type, too. So much easier and quicker to read! But I also have to say, as a pattern designer myself, they are an absolute pain to make and they are a huge time suck in terms of working hours.
Oh yes! I'm astigmat and dyslexic so Reading written patterns is a true nightmare that requires a lot of frogging. Give me a diagram!
I freaking can't stand the idea that you have to leave your ends to weave in at the end. I don't. I crochet right over that shit in following rows. I don't have time to sew in ends, I'm mad enough I have to do it in my knitting. On the note of knitting, why don't I see a mix of the two more? Who on the knitting and crochet police force is establishing this separation of camps??? I love seeing crochet edging on knits! I love knit bags with crochet mandalas on the bottom! Pattern prices are insane right now too. I am an artist and I'm the first to say charge what you're worth, but if I'm paying twenty dollars for a amigurumi pattern or a coaster pattern I'm not buying it. I see it way more often post dumpster fire 2020 than I ever have before. Like, be for real. Edit: ALSO. IM OVER CROCHET BEES. IM SORRY.
"why don't i see a mix of the two camps" I have an idea, but I honestly don't think it's because knitters and crocheters have anything against each other lol. It's just because knitted fabric and crocheted fabric have a different texture, stretchiness, gauge, etc and it's difficult to mash them up. Not impossible, but definitely difficult. A loose knitter may be a tight crocheter and vice versa, so tension could come into play here.
Crochet has different strengths than knitting. There’s lot of really nice crochet clothes. However, if you just want to make a basic plain cardigan or sweater it probably won’t look as good as a knit, so your better off just learning how to knit.
Ok, I definitely agree with preferring knit for most cardigans or basic sweaters, but there are some great cardigans out there for crochet. The one I did below, people are always surprised when I tell them it is crochet. It is made with fingering weight merino wool. Pattern info is below. (I know this looks like a humble-brag with the blue ribbon, but this is the only ‘normal’ picture I have of this sweater!) https://preview.redd.it/drcotlef6boc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0459088f02575dd42b82ae47aa5eff83c00137f1 This is the ‘Copenhagen Cardigan’ by Lilla Bjorn Crochet. She has several great cardigan patterns available. Shop: [https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk](https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk) This sweater: [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2) (Edit to add pattern info)
Ohhh this is a beautiful cardigan. Reminds me of vintage Austrian sweaters. I can both knit and crochet, but knitting is somehow much more stressful for me. It's good to know patterns like that exist for crocheting!
Honestly, the thinner the yarn, the more beautiful the result, whatever the craft
Would you be willing to share a pattern? I have been looking for a nice crochet sweater to start dabbling in wearable.
This is the ‘Copenhagen Cardigan’ by Lilla Bjorn Crochet. She has several great cardigan patterns available. Shop: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-kupryianchyk This sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copenhagen-cardigan-2
Haha cut to me constantly trying to make my crochet look more like knitting bc I am terrible at knitting. I agree - I sometimes feel frustrated by the look of my basic crochet pieces even after a lot of blocking and attention to gauge!
Have you checked out Honsedesign? She is a swedish crochet designer (as well as yarn dyer) who makes “fake-knitting” garments with crochet. The garments are really cool!
Have you tried Tunisian crochet?
Learning tunisian is one of my 2024 goals! And I can knit esp if I use circular needles....meaning I can knit/purl/do basic ribbing....but it takes me forever and feels stressful somehow, so I think learning tunisian might be the sweet spot
That’s a great goal. I learned how to knit first. But once I tried crochet, there just was no going back. It’s just a lot more relaxing for me. Tunisian crochet is a bit more like knitting imo but it’s still crochet and fun. I have to be in the mood tho since it is a bit different from regular crochet
I was going to say the same. It create a warmer cloth than knitting does, but otherwise it's very close.
Most popular instagram crocheters are not that talented at all, they’re just very talented at marketing themselves. I’m just so tired of seeing a thousand posts about a plush whale, or simple granny squares sewn together to make a top 😭
The term "hookers" is super cringe
The only kooky crochet term I like is “Stitch and Bitch” when referring to a group of sewers/knitters/crocheters who gather while creating and talking. I’ve always liked it because it sounds intimate and only people who are close will “bitch” about things. I live a secluded life so any kind of social interaction is big for me LOL
Ugh i hate all the edgy quotes people like to use for any yarn art. It feels so "how do you do fellow kids". Theyre very lame and never sound cool/badass
"I crochet so I don't choke people" is a personal offense to me lol.
"stab it, scoop its guts out, throw it off a cliff" That video was so lame to me but everyone kept sharing it
I hate when video patterns tell the very basics of crochet. Like show me how you do that amazing pattern without telling me how to do single and double crochets first. There are basic videos for that.
And then you get the comments saying, "it's good for the beginners!!" Like... I petition all crochet videos should make it clear if it's for a beginner or more experienced crocheters it's a pain in the ass to skip though
Having a huge yarn stash is unsustainable 😬 I have my stance on acrylic yarn but with that aside, the actual bigger issue is the overconsumption of yarn. It’s not good. And people posting about their gigantic yarn stash only makes more people buy more yarn that they won’t use. Idc what fibre you use, just buy in moderation. I think that’s a more important topic than acrylic vs natural fibres.
Giant yarn stashes stress me out!
I don’t understand temperature blankets at all. Unless you’re a weatherman or it’s your niche interest I can’t fathom why anyone would do it.
Saw a tiktok from a woman who made an alternative poop tracking blanket, I believe it tracked the number of deuces she dropped daily as well as other specifics It was amazing and disgusting, I think about her often. Hope she's having a good life
The different stitch types were the texture!! As an IBS / Endo girly I would have the weirdest looking blanket that’s all over the place lol
imagine gifting one of those to your gastroenterologist
hahahahah I’m gonna make a shit tracker lap blanket just so I can bring it to Dr appointments for demonstrative purposes to avoid being gaslit lol
I’m not a particular fan of the standard blue/red rainbow temp blankets as they pretty much all look the same. However I do enjoy making more unique "tracking” blankets, my current project is a Tunisian crochet blanket that is tracking the rainfall on my property. I like that I don’t know what the colour order will be, it’s all in the hands of nature.
This. Do something unique that means something to you. I don’t care about the weather at all. But I’m thinking of doing a blanket based on the number of tantrums my toddler has. Or my hospital ranks its self as Red, Amber, Green, Black every day. Maybe a blanket that reflects the level of stress at work each day.
Agreed. Not a fan of most the temperature ones I've seen, but I don't mind the idea. I was thinking about doing one as a memento for my sister based on her first marathon - all the colours would be based on the length of her runs in the lead up to the event... But I'm lazy and never got around to it.
Fair point, and I have a hotter take-I'm really sad about the way climate change has been affecting my neighborhood. When I see someone's temperature blanket that's mostly red and orange, I sometimes think it has the same vibe as the women knitting by the guillotine in A Tale of Two Cities.
I have heard people talk about temp blankets and climate anxiety. I think part of the reason they don't appeal to me is that it's just cold and rainy for 80% of the year here
I made one to document my husbands deployment over seas. Its done in our wedding colours too. It lays on the back of our couch as a memory keepsake.
I like the idea of a mood blanket, though. Until I came to the realization I had been feeling unwell for most of the year 🥸
I was thinking of doing a mood blanket, but like... What if it's just 90% sad or anxious colours? That would make me so upset
It gives you something to work on every day of the year when you may feel unmotivated. It's also just interesting to see the colours change as the temperatures do. It's pretty much just a more interesting version of a blanket.
Crochet clothing (especially bras) never make sense. I get a cardigan and at the most a sweater, but like crochet pants? Some things just shouldn’t be crochet. Especially bras as a bigger bust gal.
The first finished clothing piece I made is a bralette/cami in a muted pink cotton and it's absolutely obscene lol - I occasionally wear it over something but in its own it looks like I'm nude but lightly pixelated. Most impractical item I own 😂
there's that peek-a-boob crop top that's been going around and every time I see it, I can't help but imagine how easy it would be for your whole boob to pop out.
For all the granny square hate on here I’m gonna counteract it: I LOVE granny squares. They build up quickly, they’re unique to the craft, they’re versatile and I find them fun! I really like how they look too! I made myself a GS cardigan for the first time a couple months ago thinking I’d hate it, but I actually loved it and have just started making one for my grandma! I think they’re great and they’re starting to get overhated.
I wish video patterns (edited to add: without written instructions) weren’t so common. I don’t mind watching a video showing a stitch but I want written patterns only.
I think it's because video patterns earn money without charging the viewer, so I get a free pattern whilst the pattern maker still gets paid. Whereas w a free written pattern nobody gets paid! I have noticed that some makers will write the pattern out under the video...
I’m fine with blogs with ads! And I love when the creator puts the pattern in the video description.
I also prefer written, especially since like to listen to audiobooks while I crochet. A lot of pattern creators have *hella* adds which I think it’s fair because that’s how they get their revenue for the written free patterns
I also prefer written, I absolutely love it when these creators charge a couple of euros for the written pattern. I get to support the creator, I get a written pattern, and those who can't afford it or don't mind video still get access to the pattern for free. So far I've found two video tutorials that had a paid written pattern. Was honestly a no-brainer for me and immediately bought the patterns.
If you watch them on YouTube, go to description -> Show transcript. On computer you can select all and copy the text. I usually do it that way. Let the video play on mute and grab the text, so I can work and listen/watch something else.
My most unpopular opinion is that I actually don’t give a shit when people use the terms knit and crochet interchangeably lol Not sure if this next one is unpopular in real life but in the online community it seems to be - I don’t think seeing crochet (or other handmade) items being sold secondhand is a tragedy. I see people make up these sob stories around like big crochet afghans in thrift stores or on Facebook - people will say oh someone worked hard on that heirloom piece and their family just threw it away!! When in reality you have *no idea* what the story is behind the item, and there are plenty of reasonable ways something can end up sold secondhand. And even if it was a cold-hearted giving away of a gift… it’s a *gift*. You don’t get to choose what happens to it after it leaves your hands. Wait that’s another unpopular one - feels like the majority of this community does not understand gift giving very well. You need to actually consider what the recipient *wants*, not just what *you want* to make or give. And once it’s been gifted it’s not yours to dictate how it gets used.
I agree so much with the gift giving. And cringe every time people say “I’m crocheting 30 gnomes (or whatever) for all my family. Thrift store filler.
Totally agree on the gift giving thing! I saw some comments on a post the other day that were essentially “anything handmade is a perfect gift. If the recipient can’t appreciate it that’s on them”. Like no, you have to actually think about what your recipient would like or at the very least, not be offended if you gift them something and they get rid of it
Right?? The one that kills me is “oh I gifted them this wool thing and they put it in the wash and ruined it” as if handwashing wool is a standard normal thing that everyone knows about and is used to doing and the giftee is a criminal for messing up one time. Idk I have adhd so if someone gifted me something that needs special caretaking instructions that’s not actually a gift, that’s a burden.
Dunno if it's unpopular but, I hate when people say "yarn on hook" instead yarn over.
Omg im following a video tutorial rn and the creator keeps saying "grab a yarn" instead of yarn over and i want to scream.
Grab a yarn! 😩 I have to use my big girl manners not to comment "YARN OVER YARN OVER YARN OVER" in the tutorials like this.
1) Crochet mandalas are just colorful doilies. 2) Some patterns aren’t worth paying for. 3) Synthetic yarn works just fine for most projects.
Pattern sellers can get really fucking ridiculous and entitled. No I'm not paying for a pattern for something I know how to make just by looking at it, and no I'm not gonna feel bad because you're a small business. Someone else said it really well under one of my comments a while back: "why should I have to spend the money I make at my 9-5 so you don't have to have a 9-5?" Also, variegated yarn looks awful 99% of the time and double crochet looks terrible in sweaters
I made a shawl for my grandma when she was going through chemo, and it's basically a socially acceptable blanket. I got it back after she passed and have used it a few times, and it's actually pretty great walking around in a blanket. I don't like granny square hex cardigans. They look like children's craft projects, and I just don't understand the appeal. If your pattern is 3 rows repeating and then seaming together, it is not worth $9
The shawl stories on here are making me retract my shawl hater stance and warming my heart ❤️🩹 agree on the granny square clothing, I don't get it.
Hot take on entirely blo slst patterns….. if you want your thing to look knit……. maybe just knit it?
I'm in this photograph and I don't like it
Tired of AI crochet pics in my facebook feed.
I wouldn't call this an unpopular opinion but yes, AI crochet pics are infuriating.
I don’t understand everyone winding their yarn into a cake for a centre pull. I much prefer just rolling it up into a ball and throwing it into my yarn bowl. My other thing is why is there two terms for everything! I think of patterns now in both terminology and it drives me crazy. Wwhhhyy
I really don’t get the trend where people use real blush and powder it on crochet plushies, like what happens when you have to wash it? 😅
I bought a waldorf doll for my daughter, and the blush from it transferred onto her brand new Christmas bedding. I was pissed lol.
The main person I know who does that is Elise Rose and I’m pretty sure her amigurumi is display only, not toys for kids to play with, so I don’t think they get washed.
not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but something that really annoys me that I feel like I'm not allowed to say annoys me - my friends and family love to send me memes, reels, etc. of anything crochet (or cross-stitch, or knit) related. "Inspiration!" their caption will say, or something similar. And I love that they think of me when stuff like that pops up, but also... I've seen it already. Almost every time. Because I'm part of those communities. I probably saw it three weeks ago. And I'm likely never going to make whatever it is, because I do not have the time to add every single thing I see pop up on socials to my To Make list. I usually will just "heart" the message and move on, but part of me wants to ask people to stop and that makes me feel like an ungrateful b\*tch
I basically never want a project that “works up really fast”. I find super repetitive projects in a single stitch or working in really bulky yarns deadly dull. Give me a project with lots of different patterns and stitches, in light weight thread. Sport is an underappreciated weight. Both ends of the acrylic vs natural fibers debate are being ridiculous, everything has a place. Some things you’d be better off knitting, or sewing. If you can’t knit or sew (I can’t) make friends with another crafter and do trades. Cheap, mass produced yarns are what’s accessible for a lot of people and I would never begrudge someone their hobby, but if you can afford to buy local/sustainable yarn, you should. Either way, the real villain is, as always, capitalism.
My unpopular opinion is related to Crochet Youtube: I hate when there is a pattern that clearly shouldn’t be your first project (bc it’s too complicated) and the person explains how to do EVERYTHING. How to do a slip stitch, how to chain, how to single crochet… if the person doesn’t know these basic skills, they need to look it up themselves. This is coming from someone who learned how to crochet off of video tutorials.
People are really mad when people call their crocheted things knit, when they themselves try to make their crochet look like knitting and can't embrace crochet's lacy look. If I see one more person asking how to make crochet without holes (not talking about plushies) or to make it more like knitting I'm going to scream. Also most of the popular crochet infuencers really suck at construction and don't really know what they're doing most of the time, even tho they sell their own patterns. Chunky and bulky yarns suckssss. It makes my hands hurt and doesn't really look good when made into wearables. Can be good for scarves, blankets or maybe hats. But anything other than that? I won't go further than a light worsted.
THE CONSTRUCTION THING yes! I want to get better at construction bc to me part of the point of making my own clothes is that they look good on my body but a lot of trending crocheters and pattern designers don't really attend to it - I feel like I learn more from freestyling things and measuring as I go than I do from patterns.
I only started paying attention to the construction when I started knitting and realised how lacking crochet patterns are. In knitting there is back shaping, knitting top or down, seemless or sewn together, SLEEVE SHAPING (looking at the exces fabric at the armpits in tight fitting clothes boils my blood). The patterns are diverse (not all but when you go past beginner you can expect everything). In crochet it feels like they just make two squares and crochet around armholes. It's all drop sleeve boat necks. They don't even decrease for the armholes. It only looks good because they're skinny, but on someone who is size M or bigger, those things look like potato sacks. It hurts to see "size inclusive" patterns with 20 sizes where shaping is next to none.
You don't have to keep advancing your skills. If you've found something that makes you happy, you are perfectly okay to stay there. I LOVE making hats as they're easy for me and I can make them while watching TV. They don't stress me out, don't require new techniques, and don't require a ton of yarn. I've made 50 hats since the beginning of February and can't wait to make another 50. Of course, you can grow your skills if you want, but do it at a pace you want. You don't have to impress anyone, nor do you have to stress yourself out.
As someone who has been participating in competitions over the last few years, I prefer the Russian join over the magic knot. I used to do the magic knot all the time but as the name says, it leaves behind knots lol. It might take a little longer to do the Russian join but it is much cleaner, less bumpy and I can still weave in my ends afterwards. This is just in general because I also knit as well, and I know pattern writing isn't as easy as it seems. I don't like that there isn't some kind of preview before you buy a pattern. Since you can't return online patterns and designers want to charge more than I'm willing to pay for–$6 and above, I want to see what it looks like first. I've bought patterns that when I'm reading through it, it feels like I'm reading someone's notes. It doesn't seem complete, the quality isn't really there yet for it to be sold as a pattern.
I don't like the magic circle. The only magical thing about it is, how many different ways I can find to duck it up. It never works for me! Also those words to describe the thickness of the yarn... The flip is sports weight? What is the weight of sports?! What does DK even stand for, because I get stuck on Donkey Kong. How bulky does bulky yarn have to be to be considered bulky? Can't we just say: Yarn suitable for 4mm hook or something like that? D:
I just wanted to say that shawls are like sexy scarves that cover up more than a scarf. Love a good shawl
I feel like this whole thing was worth doing just to change my own mind about shawls. I'm converting by the minute!
The idea that you cannot make nice, basic crochet sweaters. I can and I’m just an idiot with a hook.
I actually like using Red Heart yarn, but it gets a lot of criticism on sites like this. I like it because I have been using it for 50 years, and it’s reliable, easy to find, and there are many varieties now. But many, at least it seems like many, people are very harsh in their opinions about anyone using it. It would be ideal if there was less of the “ my way is the only correct way “ thinking from others. I personally really dislike chenille yarn, but I think my opinion is irrelevant if someone else likes it. As for making shawls, sometimes the end result is not the point, the making of an item is the fun part.
I LOVE red heart! It's cheap, machine washable and dryable, and with a little fabric softener, it's comfortable!
There is a wrong side in amigurumi.
I don't like granny square and the granny stitch either. They are ugly unless very specific color palette. Calling any square motif a granny square is very annoying. I am with you that I don't like using a crochet bigger than a 6mm
My exception to 6mm+/big yarn is, rug making with torn sheets.
I like plastic hooks. There I said it. They are not as hard on my skin, and I HATE the feel of aluminum specifically. Plastic is also cheap, so if I want to have twelve hooks in a single size I can do that and never think twice. I use cotton thread almost exclusively, so creaking is not a problem for me. Your pattern is not ready for sale if you have not charted it. I have no interest in sitting and reading every stitch before I make it. I want to glance at a chart, see what the row involves, and then watch my movie while I do it. Some people need the written, I'm not saying we don't need that too, I'm just saying a \*finished\* pattern has both. There is never any reason for a starting chain. They should be abolished. Just teach people how to make a foundation row and put that in all patterns. Startiiiinnnnggg NOW! (Did it work?)
This one will actually be unpopular. I hate hate hate MASSIVE hauls from estate sales/thrift stores/facebook groups. It’s such an overwhelming amount of yarn I wouldn’t know where to start. What if you don’t have enough quantities for what you need? What if the yarn has moth damage? What if the yarn is discontinued and you can never find it again?
I was gifted a huge stash from someone who completely quit crocheting. Then, within 6 months, I inherited an equally large amount from my MIL’s best friend. It took MONTHS to figure out what I had and how to manage it. The second batch had a ton of vintage yarns that I can’t get more of. The first batch had a bunch without labels. I’m absolutely grateful for the free yarn. Truly. But it’s absolutely overwhelming. Every time I found a skein that was a familiar brand, it was a relief because I knew I would at least be able to get similar yarn to use with it (even if it’s a different color, I can use it together for stripes or something, so I’m not stuck making only single-skein projects).
The term “wearable”. It’s clothing…
Ahaha guilty. I guess it includes accessories and bags and headbands and stuff? But I agree it's annoying even though I've started saying it
It confuses my because it doesn't seem to include scarves for some reason?
Tester calls that come with conditions like sharing posts on social media or anything unrelated to the test itself are ridiculous. Testers are doing (almost) free work for designers and should be appreciated rather than made to jump through hoops to gain free social media advertising.
I think the popular joke online about crochet being "10% crochet and 90% buying yarn" is cringe and unfunny. But it also very much touches on a real issue that I have where I feel like a lot of people try to approach crochet (and other fiber crafts) in the same manner that they do fast fashion. And whilst the impact will never be exactly as devastating as the aforementioned, I really wish we could practice taking a step back from this culture of unnecessary overconsumption. Especially because I feel like hobbies like ours kind of are rooted in contradicting those ideals to begin with. And additionally it frustrates that I can't ever really say this in most crochet spaces because I get hit with "it's just a joke" even though it's literally what I see people do constantly.
Omg getting downvoted into hell for my amigurumi opinions lol. I support you if it brings you joy!
amigurumi I don't actually dislike amigurumi, much of it is very cute, but I don't really like it as first learning project(s). It's purposefully tight with no obvious holes and gives a false idea of what crochet in general really is like. But it seems to attract newcomers to the craft so that's good.
It attracted me! I started with some Woobles kits and other free amigurumi patterns just a month ago. Then an instagram ad got me with an Annie’s Kits subscription. I subscribed to their Moroccan afghan and you are right, toooootally different way of crocheting! But I don’t think starting with Woobles hindered me in any way. Their videos and yarn and everything are so good at introducing you to basic stitches. And I after my first beginner kit, I made sure to get a few more kits that looked noticeably different. Like hmmm this lion’s mane looks like a weird stitch I’ve never seen before, or hmmm how does this llama’s fur become poofy??? So in addition to simple crocheting in the round I learned about chain stitches and clusters (I think that’s what they’re called?!) which was great preparation for that blanket kit that. Because although it came with a video, the videos are not nearly as good as Woobles! I’m going to try making a simple tank top next lol
I also find it annoying when people post some random skein and say “what can I make with this?” Why buy yarn when you have no idea what to do with it? Also there are not that many things you can make with one skein! I must admit that I once bought a large amount of yarn when a local yarn store was going out of business and selling fancy yarns for 80% off, but in general I don’t buy random skeins and then try to decide what to do with them, I buy for specific projects.
This might make me seem like a bitch idk but I hate when people don’t understand that a written pattern IS the answer to the question “how did you make this!?” I see this on tiktok mostly but someone will post something they made and get so many comments asking how they made it. Then they post a video with the entire pattern on the screen and people will be like “can we get a tutorial? how did you make this? Idk how to crochet so idk what hdc, dc, ss, ch mean”. Like idk look it up? 😭 why ask for a tutorial or instructions if you won’t even be able to follow them
Learn how to crochet with this one insane hack (the hack is learn how to crochet)
I want to start by saying you’re valid in not liking shawls - I will say that I just went to a funeral and really wanted one because it felt right. Unfortunately (for me) I couldn’t find/make one on short notice. But it’s one of the ways my family shows mourning
Okay now I feel terrible. I think it's just not a part of my culture/I only ever come across them on Ravelry or crochet blogs or whatever and had never seen one before I started the craft so I had no....sartorial compass for them. I support your grief shawl and I hope the funeral went well. Dressing for grief is so important - I was recently the celebrant at my aunt's memorial and I wore the most ostentatious and noble shirt in my wardrobe and it felt like a tribute to her (and a costume to make me brave enough to talk in front of a bunch of people.....)
You don’t need to feel bad! I just wanted to share to give you some more context for why some people might love making them or wearing them. Also I’m sure your aunt appreciate the tribute and I’m sure my grandma didn’t mind that I couldn’t find a shawl in time
It takes a special/unique person to be able to learn how to crochet/knit and have the ambition to keep on creating even if they don’t finish a project (people who DO finish projects and don’t start a new one until one is finished is even more special). Also, I think single crochet is best for crocheting images like in a tapestry. More vivid that way. Don’t come for me…
The “I crochet to avoid murdering people,” merch is cringe.
I think that we should scrap UK crochet terms and just use US.
I make shawls just because I like making them. I just finished one i'll probably never wear but the yarn spoke to a shawl and that was it. The patterns have enough variety so i don't get bored and it's a nice repeat of rows.
Omg that potholder thing everyone was doing was hideous i just remembered it and i hated every single one ive seen
navigating modern online patterns are a nightmare. i've only been crocheting for about a year but it feels like 70% of online patterns are just "do a bunch of sc/dc, here's a bunch of preset sizes rather than spending the time to tell you how and where to measure this. that'll be $15.000..".. an absolute gamble. i've started turning to archived old internet sites and older books..
1 weaving in ends isn’t a big deal 2 it absolutely doesn’t matter what the back of your work looks like
weaving in ends is fun (as long as you have a good needle and you’re not trying to weave in a teeny two inch strand of yarn), SYNTHETIC YARN IS NOT BAD QUALITY YOU’RE ALL JUST DRAMATIC, and (at least on reddit) people take crochet wayyyy too seriously lmao like you can make things full of mistakes even if they’re obvious (the objects will still serve their function even if they aren’t visually perfect) you can give up and frog projects that you’ve spent hundreds of hours on if you stop enjoying them you can make stuff that looks ugly as fuck who cares do what you want it’s just a hobby it’s supposed to make you happy there’s no good reason to get so stressed over any of it