My hot take is that it’s ok as a private person to copy a design from the picture/ not buy the pattern if you don’t post it anywhere or sell it or something like that. Sometimes it’s more fun to recreate it yourself than to use the pattern and also it’s cheaper:)
Well, if you copy it from the picture with your own expertise, and afterwards you compare what you did to what the designer did, you'll see you made it in a way that is very different from the designer's. So technically it's not the same pattern.
100%! It always feels weird when I can just look at something and instantly see how it's made...like should I still pay? Of course the creative idea remains theirs, I'd never sell these things or show them off as an original design. But yeah...have made several pairs of mitered square fingerless gloves, pattern was like 7 dollars...paid zero. Whoops
Doesn’t even necessarily have to be a private person imho. My favorite baby blanket pattern is the “call the midwife blanket” on ravelry and the pattern publisher ended up doing some serious research in order to reverse engineer the pattern, including a lot of pausing of the show and looking up close, and even digging through vintage patterns to see if anyone had the pattern already done (they hadn’t) So the person put in the work and then published the pattern that they ended up settling on. They don’t charge for the pattern, so maybe that makes a difference, but I don’t see how putting in effort to figure out a pattern negates the ability to use it if a paid pattern (or no pattern) exists.
Omg the classism in the yarn material debate is so real. I saw a large very popular crochet artist post about this recently and the way they talked about it grinded my gears as a low income artist. She blatantly said "Crochet is a luxury, if you can't afford sustainable yarn, it isn't a need. Do better." Which is so ridiculous to me. 90% of all my yarn is secondhand from yard/estate sales and thrift stores. Its better than throwing it away, and a cheap way for me to make clothing and art for myself and my friends. It reads to me saying if you're too poor to buy nice cotton or wool yarn, you shouldn't be in this hobby, which completely disregards so much if this community and its roots.
It wouldn't surprise me if the large, very popular crochet artist was a massive hypocrite, driving a huge gas-eater SUV and constantly throwing away plastic and Styrofoam packaging from whatever fast food places she frequents. People that make obnoxious arrogant statements like hers usually are. 🙄
@@dh.151 another hot take is crochet fabric is too bulky and holey to yield good, wearable clothing. the stitching just isnt pleasant looking or against the skin. Its not as stretchy as knitting, its so holey yet so much heavier. Maybe for blankets because its heavy and sturdy (i wont ever knit a blanket, thats what I mostly use crochet for), but for a good quality sweater it really is useless. Dont get me started on those boho bralette things 🤢 for things like amigurumi where making exaggerated shapes that can stand on their own, are sturdy, and manipulating the fabric is easier I get how its more "versatile" though.
My hot take: there's no wrong way to hold the crochet hook, project, and working yarn. I do it a way that isn't considered as efficient, but I love my hand movements. Stimulating in just the right way. Also: I wish people bought me yarn lol
Someone recently commented on my video that I was holding my tension way too tight and it was painful to watch, like it's comfortable for me to hold it tight? I was having hand troubles and the tight tension was helping 😕
@@af1633 I've got a broken hand. I don't hold it the traditional way because my hand doesn't go in that way. The way I do it works and produces a nice tension. OMG the comments "YUpr TEBSION WILL BE SO BAD IF YOU HOLD IT LIKE THAT" Dude, the finished object has got perfect tension. Chill
Yeah after a bit I realized that I hold my hook/project/working yarn in a pretty “inefficient” way and it’s easy for me to create high tension if I’m not careful and I’m sure it probably puts more stress on my wrists/fingers but for the same reason you mentioned, I just like that way and don’t really see a reason in changing it :P I’m taking care of my wrists and doing exercises and taking breaks so yeah
As I was learning to crochet, my mom is who taught me and she taught me to hold it however was most comfortable...it shouldn't matter how you hold your hook/yarn as long as you're comfortable with it
On holding, I’d say do whatever feels natural and doesn’t hurt. The only pain there should be is that from overworking which is something that can’t be avoided if you’re not pacing yourself and doing proper exercises
i feel like my hot take is that it's okay to just,, unravel old projects. i only started crocheting in may and so a lot of my older projects definitely didn't fit right or i wished i had used a different stitch but there's no point in just keeping a bad project around when i can just take it apart and use the yarn towards making something that i'm actually going to wear instead of going out and buying more yarn to make a better version. i see a lot of creators post projects that they say they're not satisfied with but they want to keep and make a better version and im like???
Yes! This is a big thing I'm trying to get into. It's okay to unravel old or unfinished projects because I know I can do something better/more useful with that yarn.
Same, I unraveled a beanie I made because I realized the yarn I used was wayyy to big for it, so I ended up using some to practice my stitches, since it's bigger than my other yarn,
i made a sweater that fit weird a few months back. so i unraveled it and used some other yarn from my stash to make matching cardigans for me and my bestie. the whole time my dad was telling me not to take it apart and just donate it. but we both get way more wear out of the cardigans then i would have the og sweater.
Yeeeesss! I do this all the time. It was hard at first to feel like I was negating all that work I did, but after a few of them it got much easier. And now I mostly just get to be excited about the next thing I'm going to use that yarn for. It honors the resources that went into making that yarn more than if I let it gather dust in a corner.
the straight size vs plus size thing is SO huge for me, as a fat woman i put a lot of effort when making bralettes for pride into making sure i had at least S-XL and the backs were in a corset style so the size was more adjustable as well and i had multiple people pull one off the rack and hold it up and go “oh my god it actually fits me!” and tell me how hard it is for them to find crochet tops that are big enough! it was so nice to see the reactions and know that my effort made people so happy :)
@@idratherbewithmycatrightnow yeah that instantly put me off. I hope it's just a typo on her part but XL is NOT an inclusive size range because most places the XL is with the standard sizes meaning it's not even considered plus size.
As an amigurumi maker and collector of plushies I have encountered my fair share of criticism because it is viewed as a "childish" hobby. I find it disappointing that fellow crocheters would think that amigurumi is "overrated" when there is already so much negativity for adults who love/collect/and make plushies. We should support fellow crocheters regardless of what we make ourselves.
tbh i think those patterns that are just a chunky ball with some addons are truly overrated but when people take some time with nice stitches and complex designs it can be magical
Oh, really?! I’m surprised at that because you can be so creative with Arigarumi and they’re so cute! 😍 I’m surprised that people criticise it for being “childish” - what if you WANT to make them for a child? I really hate gate-keeping behaviour. I don’t mind constructive criticism, but that’s not constructive!
Honestly I wish people would just do whatever makes them happy instead of making others unhappy :/ making amigurumi is one of my favorite pastimes and being able to snuggle my creations makes me so happy! It's a lot of work, too, so I wish people would just recognize it as another art form like the rest of crochet
re: the yarn bowl -- this reminds me heavily of something I see crop up from time to time: just because you or I don't see the need for something doesn't mean it's not needed. You said that if your yarn rolls away you just get up and get it. Not everyone has that ease of movement; chronic pain, arthritis, etc., etc. Anyone with difficulty getting up and moving around probably thinks they're a life saver. Most products that I can't see the use of are quite often products for people with specific disabilities ^^
These were my thoughts exactly! I have acid reflux and bending down to constantly pick something up can be painful and annoying. I also have hip problems, so that's an even bigger issue. There's always a use for something/someone, even if you don't have a use for it, yourself.
Yes. I take my knitting it with me, I don't like my yarn rolling on the floor or the ground outside. Like I can physically get up and get my yarn ball... but keeping it in a bowl keeps it so much cleaner.
On a similar positive note as the point on disability acceptance, I think this community is one of the best subsets of fashion for avoiding ageism. I’ve met fantastic fibre artists in their 80’s, I’ve met fantastic fibre artists who are still in high school. It’s a timeless art and such a great way to stimulate intergenerational understanding. ❤
completely agree with the socially acceptable stress relief/fidget take! when I was in college I knitted through most of my classes and paid so much better attention, and usually even took pretty decent notes! A bunch of professors never noticed/cared enough to say anything, and any that did ask I'd explain and they were chill with it! 10/10 reccomend
I would crochet during my biology classes in 11th grade and my teacher noticed and didn’t really mind. She said that some people find it easier to focus while doing these kinds of things,like crochet or drawing, and that’s okay
I have knitted and crocheted A LOT at school and some teachers have said nothing and some have been like "oo cool what are you making this time?" so it's nowhere near forbidden here :D
Since wfh came in I have knitted in most meetings that don’t require me to lead as have several of my colleagues and others cross-stitched. The evidence on multitasking indicates that it works fine mixing something manual with listening where being in a meeting and checking emails for example is task switching because you need the same part of your brain for both
I only ever had one professor who had a problem with me knitting in class and let's say that was not the only thing that made them hard to get along with.
I think knitted clothing garments like sweaters, tops, dresses, scarves and gloves look better than the crocheted equivalent, but crochet is more versatile for bags, animals, everyday house items like water bottle holders and book sleeves. They both have their niche!
@@KarolYuukiwell thats because again, little neat patterns and attachments and embroideries are usually easier and less complicated to do on crocheted projects because the fabric is more rigid, has more structure and theres usually not any stretch to be preserved. Knit is made for large, flat garments and is therefore better suited for bigger clothes.
I really love Tunisian crochet for clothing. I agree that crochet is better for accessories, but Idk how to knit and never plan to, so finding the middle was a life saver!
@@ArtKitty53I wanna try this style of crochet! It looks so cool! I also saw a faux knit stich for crochet that I'm going to try, I also think that a lot of people use the wrong type of yarn for clothing.
I agree so much with the plagiarism take. A few weeks ago I had the idea for a large black/white checkered shrug, and since I didn’t have the yarn at that time I just drew a sketch of it in my phone. A few days ago I was scrolling my explore page and someone had posted a knit checkered shrug that they had just made. Now granted I can only crochet, and the one I’m making had a ribbed edge and a turtle neck but at the end of they day, it’s sometimes hard to have an original idea when something is pretty basic.
I make amigurimi, same idea, there are only so many ways to make a bunny in overalls. EVERYONE makes blank animal in overalls. Now I think there are definitely more specific patterns but you know what they say Great minds think alike.
art is always derivative of something else! and considering there have been billions of people who have lived and died throughout history - current billions excluded! - there really isn't such a thing as originality anymore. even if you do come up with something that seems new and fresh, the chances are someone else has, too! you were just fortunate enough to capitalize off of it or gain popularity from the idea, you weren't the only human on the entire planet and in the entirety of human history to create said idea. that's just silly!
My hot take is that a teapot makes an amazing yarn bowl (if you do wanna use one.) put the yarn In the teapot and use the spout to feed the yarn through :)
hot take: granny squares are not beginner friendly. they tend to be used as a small part of a larger project, and while theyre great for learning basics, unless you plan on making 50 near identical ones, it can be really demotivating making swatches without a project to finish. then again, maybe thats just my adhd and the fact im half way through a granny square quilt
I saw someone who suggested making stuffed animals to start instead because it's a much smaller project that results in a fun friend! You can learn different stitches, complete a project that boosts confidence, and can give the courage to start a larger project that involves Granny squares
I've got adhd and wanted to make a granny square blanket... I got to 14 squares and made them into a bag instead because I'm too impatient to make 100 of them 😂
@@PandoraBear357I’m currently on my second granny blanket. This one is a granny stripe, just back and forth granny stitches in variegated yarn, first one was a giant square. These are great for the youngsters they are intended for! To be fair, if the ADHD is bad enough any large project is not going to be done fast enough.
@@SamRabbitxI agree! One of my very first projects was the bumble bee by Hooked By Robin. You are essentially making a single ball, increasing, decreasing, changing colors etc. then you make the wings that only have like 4 or 5 rows and you’re basically done. It’s also cute af
I'm not kidding: weave your ends. My mom made me this amazing afghan when I was little, so it's 20-25 years old. And she didn't weave all of her ends and it shows. While it was fine for the first 10 years of its life, there are places on it where the stitches are coming undone. I've patched them, but the yarn I used is a different shade because Mom didn't have the original anymore, so it's super noticeable. So if you want your projects to last, to be forever projects, weave in your ends. Because that knot won't hold
Weaving in ends makes me want to sink into the floor and never emerge, but i know that watching the project fall apart in a few years will be even worse so i fight the urge to become floorboards and do it anyway. Its worth it
Thanks for this info. I am working on a cardigan using a yarn that just knots the strands together in the cake every so often, and have been wondering if that was ok to crochet in or not. So, not!
does it count if I do both? usually, my yarn ends are a little long to I weave them in (trying to at least) and then knot it because I get scared that it'll unravel
I have one: I hate when people drag others down. Like, everybody has to start somewhere and not everybody had a Grandma or Mum or whatever to teach them and they had to learn from UA-cam/internet - and that is absolutely ok. People don’t say this enough. You can absolutely be a great Crocheter/Knitter even if you haven’t had much past experience/had a pro teach you. As long you practise and have the passion, that’s all you need. It’s a hobby. I cannot stand when people try to be elitist about everything. I mean, I get it, you worked hard and was taught by the best and now it’s becoming more accessible n so it’s not a cult hobby as much anymore- but that’s a GOOD thing, it means the skill won’t be lost. **Edit** Gatekeeping! That was the word I was looking for! I hate it when people gate-keep!
@@gwendolynrobinson3900 Gatekeeping - that’s a hot take. Some people are for it, because they believe you can only really be a “real” Crocheter/Knitter if the skills were passed down to you from a young age, and feel like those who learn from the internet are not _truly_ skilled. I disagree with that (that’s coming from me, who had it passed down to me from a young age through my Mum, who was predominantly a knitter/sewing machinist and worked in a factory) I think that it doesn’t matter how you learned it, you shouldn’t look down on other people and instead, help them, teach them and raise them up. If you drag people down, it’ll deter them from doing it and the skill will be lost like many other wonderful skills from the past and honestly, I think anything made with love is the best. 🥰 On the flipside though, I can see why it would irk some people who’ve spent a lot of years honing their skills to then be faced with the internet making it accessible, but not everybody had a family member to learn from and we should be a good and helpful community. 🫶
As someone with a mom who does a lot of knitting, crochet, and sewing related hobbies I still ended up looking up youtube tutorials! She couldn't teach and kept correcting the way I held the hook and yarn before I was even allowed to start :( didn't help at all.
Also a lot of us only learned one or two stitches from our moms & grandmas! If my gran would still be around she would be thrilled at all the stitches and techniques you can find on youtube
Definitely agree. I didn’t have people around me growing up that would teach me or let me learn a lot & it keeps me frustrated in general, but Nan tried to show me crochet basics but I never understood anything beyond a sc chain so I eventually quit. Picked it up again as an adult via UA-cam & it’s my time killer. I like crocheting throws, amigurumi, cotton coasters, dish cloths, etc. scraps either become scrapghans or small animal beds for the animal shelter to use.
this video made me realize a lot of people care a lot more about what random strangers think than i do 💀💀💀 i could care less if someone thinks i copied their pattern, i dont sell my stuff so it doesnt matter to me at all
i get ideas off other ppls patterns + i dont pay and i sell my stuff, if u are able to look at stuff and know how to make it without having to pay for a pattern then u dont have to pay for the pattern thats my hot take
As far as time goes, the vintage sewing community did a timed challenge for the same dress a few months back some people took 2 days to make the pattern, most took between 5-8 hrs, and a few people finished the pattern in under 2 hrs. We are all experienced in the same art but the variance was still significant.
The fairisle comment honestly hurt a little. Those sweaters are a big part of Nordic culture. They are usually made especially for you by a maternal figure and are thus highly treasured and sentimental everyday pieces of clothing for us. Not only can each garment last for generations, but it’s also a generational craft and the skill required for complex colorwork is highly respected. Sure, it’s just a silly internet comment, but that whole part didn’t sit right with me.
Totally fair! For me, it depends so much on the colors chosen and the amount of contrast that the yarns have. I love a lot of Fairisle designs personally, I just dont know if I'd have the patience to make one myself
Yeah, I’m definitely not big into getting yarn as a gift. I know the people in my life who do it mean well, but a lot of them don’t really realize how much yarn is needed for projects or how much of a difference yarn weight makes. My best friend bought me some really nice quality and pricey yarn from a local business near her apartment and I haven’t had the heart to tell her that the reason I haven’t used it yet is because there’s not a whole lot I can do with it.
I think it's hard to say to people you'd rather they just give you a gift card or cash to buy your own supplies. It comes off rude but it's what I'd personally prefer.
I've gotten yarn as gifts 3 times ever. 1 was one that I specifically asked for- it was the exact right amount of a really soft yarn to make a hat. The other was from another crocheter and it was a weight that I use in colors that were very versatile. The last was as a secret santa and the person knows literally nothing about crocheting- don't get me wrong, I appreciate the gift, eventually I will either use or donate it, but its in Christmas colors in a very scratchy type of yarn; I don't really have a lot of use for it :(
The only person I want to get yarn or fabric for me is my brother. He understands my hobby well, and has the same style as I do. If he’s unsure what I need, he either asks me or gets me a gift card for my local fiber arts store (not a chain store).
I'd be interested in a in-depth video about fiber types! Especially concerning sustainability I feel like there's a lot of stereotypical thinking (acrylic = bad, wool = great), but it's a lot more nuanced. For example there's the Higg Index where wool production scores worse than acrylic, but it's also widely criticized. Would love to hear your opinion on this!
Although wool is a natural, biodegradable material, like cows, sheep also release methane gas and need land to be cleared so that they can graze leading to soil salinity and less biodiversity. So not only is wool bad for the environment, it is also inherently exploitative and often cruel to nonconsenting animals who were bred to have way too much wool than their natural counterparts that their lives are dependent on humans. We shouldn't be forcing these beings into existence anymore just because we want to use them for their wool. :(
The issue about that is they aren't looking at the impact of the fiber post production. They're only looking at the production process but everything has a life post production. Environmental studies on the impact of shedding plastics on our food supply is a REAL eye opener. And of course, you should know where your wool/bamboo/silk/cotton/hemp/linen/flax etc is coming from. I think people forget that wool and acrylic aren't the only options.
Also, please include bamboo because people think it's more natural but I learned on an episode of Make Good that it's one of the worst fibers you can produce / use...😓
Regarding how long it takes to make things, I’ve started telling people based on dates started/finished. Because of this, my dad goes around wearing a sweater that took 11 years to make 🤷🏼♀️😂 never mind what else went on in those years. Doesn’t matter haha.
not really a hot take but i think picking up something just to finish is also really valid if your goal is to just finish something because sometimes it feels nice to be reminded that you're capable of it (i've done it a few times and it always helps with my self-esteem)
This is why my mom took up fibre arts, she was a SAHM with 4 kids and having a project that stayed fucking done at the end of the day really helped her mental health.
Yes I am just getting back into knitting after 8 years and learning to crochet for the first time, and I have a few ideas for projects I want to do but they are big and long and complicated and will require lots of yarn I can’t afford yet, so right now I’m using the old yarn from the last knitting project I was working on to knit up an extremely basic striped scarf. Just so I can make something quick and easy and fun and say that I made it. 😊
in defense of stashing: i mostly make blankets, which i either donate or give as gifts. for the projects i like to do it’s great to have a big variety on hand so if i need something i can just grab it… and if i buy something for just a border/small detail, i can find another blanket to use it in later. it’s also a lot more financially workable to buy one or two skeins at a time when i see one i like that i can frankenstein into a project later than trying to buy all the yarn i need for a blanket at once.
It's hard being a creative person and trying to be minimalist. You dont want to have things you never use cluttering your space but you don't want to get rid of anything in case not having it impedes your creativity. Have I ever used X thing? No, but what if I'm in the middle of a project and want to use X thing and then I don't have it and feel the need to go and get it again??
i had to be very intentional with the fiber arts creators i follow because i felt so bad about how slow i was and then remembered that i was comparing myself to people who do this as a job lol
About the yarn bowl: Instead of buying a bowl specifically for yarn, if you need or want a yarn bowl, use a bowl you already have at home. Just use a bowl for cereal, a mixing bowl, a metal bowl you use for fruits, a ceramic bowl you have candies in. Use whatever bowl you have laying around. You don't need to spend 30$ on a new bowl if all you're using it for is keeping your yarn in place.
In defense of the large yarn stash… yarn serves many purposes - art, entertainment, mindfulness, clothing, gifts. I love spending my money to support small businesses and great community. All that said, I love hot takes! Even if I disagree. Thanks for sharing ❤
I love having a big yarn stash for the convienience of NOT having to go out and buy more when one project is finnished. I do love buying yarn aswell but I make sure that I know what I would like to do with it before.
I also think it’s important to note about the yarn stash issue that just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when.
@@crazycorgiladyus7418I think it's a totally fair way of doing things. The issue I think is mostly seeing it as the norm and social media and feeling social pressure to conform to that 'ideal'. Plus people really dipping into SABLE with literally having the stash of a small LYS.
I just want to thank you for speaking about the lack of body type representation! I am plus sized and it can be really disheartening to never or rarely see cute crochet wearables on bodies like mine. It sometimes feels like I can't create clothing for myself because it takes extra time, and extra money for more materials. Sometimes even if a pattern has extended sizes that would fit the design itself is not made to look nice on bigger bodies.
totally agree with this. I see SO many super cute crochet tops that are easy, unique and fun! I want to be able to make and wear pieces like that, but my bust doesn't allow for it because those tops have no support. I spent at least 6 hours trying to make a top for myself a few summers ago - there was no single pattern I found that would work, so I ended up incorporating a ton of different techniques I found. An altered stitch for cups that don't stretch, differently shaped cups that would actually fit my shape, non-stretch thicker straps, and figuring out how to sew those element together with a band. I got about 80% done and put it down for a while. Picked it back up a year later and it's way too big since I lost weight. I gave up. People who can wear those tiny triangle bikinis, strawberry top, butterfly top, diamond top, etc have no idea how good they have it! I can't wait till I can get a breast reduction and join the itty bitty titty committee
@@marstar9410 I've made a few butterfly tops for college friends with way bigger busts than mine and what I found is that you have to add more rows in the middle to make the larger cup sizes and adding extra strap/antennae/things can help with support. You could also try sewing bra cups into them for more support. I didn't do that because I don't know how to sew, but maybe these tips can help you in some way
People tend to design things that they would want to wear, and that would fit and flatter their own body. We best kmow amd understamd our own bodies, after all. It seems that we need more designers who are plus-sized themselves, possibly, in order for the kind of patterns to be made that you are more likely to find flattering on your body type as a plus-sized person .
my hot take pre-video is: people use way thicker yarn than they should just to get things done quicker. that cropped top you did with weight 4 yarn and 5mm hook is gonna be thick as hell and not comfortable (at least i tried multiple times and that's what happened on all of them. looks beautiful on the model, feels like i'm wearing an incomplete sweater on me)
my fiber arts hot take - it doesn’t matter if you use acrylic as long as you use all of the scraps instead of just tossing them. i always have a little stash bag with me where i toss all my scraps to use as stuffing for amigurumi n other projects
Thank you for giving me the idea to also save them for stuffing! Ive been saving them because it feels weird throwing it away so I really appreciate it!
I like this. I have a ball of yarn scraps that when I have a long piece from sewing two pieces together or just what is left from a sken but not enough for a new project I just tie it to the end of the ball and save it till I have enough to make something.
On the knitting in class note, I would really encourage people to (respectfully) go for it. I did it in my final year of uni for certain things (primarily programming lectures and in the lead up to presentations). I was always in very small classes (max 12 people), so I would ask my professors beforehand, explaining that it helps me focus, and they always let me. Your profs really want you to get the most out of your classes, so if knitting/crochet helps you to do that, most will be fine with it
I crocheted a blanket during WFH training for a new job in a new state, before I was able to get ADHD meds and it was sooooo helpful for my focus. Plus, it helped start a conversation during our breaks!
As a teacher I completely agree!! People act like it's disrespectful but often my students who stim are more relaxed and enjoy class which means they get more out of it.
I just crochet in class(high school) and my teachers are fine. They even ask me about what I’m making sometimes. I think considering I’m a good student and still completely understand what they’re teaching that they just don’t really care.
i also did, everyone was fine with it! (except the school psychiatrist, but she was convinced that i couldn't possibly have adhd despite me being diagnosed so she was just anti me in general lmao)
I can't sit still for long so drawing and crotcheting is perfect to keep my hands busy for when I play DnD. It feels more respectful that being on my phone, which I've done in the past.
My hot take is it’s ok to get burnt out and leave projects. Not everything turns out the way you want and it’s ok to feel frustrated. Take breaks and then you can either come back to it or reuse the yarn
I literally had someone purchase my pattern (from the same account on Etsy that they have their shop on - like the username) and then straight up copy it, retyped it with like 1 row change, then sell it as their own design. This has happened to me at least 4-5 times since I started selling my designs (since 2014). What makes it worse is when you do reach out about it and they straight up just lie to your face. They’ve told me “I’ve never even seen your design” and I’m just like 😒.. “you literally purchased the pattern for me 2 months ago.. you do know I can see the contact information for everyone who buys from me right?” It’s so disappointing. It happened so often that I stopped releasing patterns back in 2020. If they want to steal from me, they’re gonna have to be skilled enough to figure out the pattern just by photos 😅
It always surprises me that people are so intense about what other people do or not do. Just do what makes YOU happy, what YOU enjoy doing. Crochet and knitting is an art form... like any other art form, people express themselves in different ways. ❤
Acrylics have come a long way since I started knitting/crocheting. I used to hate it because it felt awful but now some of them are beautiful and have a more luxurious feel.
I'm pretty confident about this, so. I believe many knitwear/crochet designers are self-made. As of what I know, there aren't many classes for "size inclusive pattern drafting". I know that they can "try" to "do better", but you can only do so much in your own business.
Yup! I think improvisation is an important skill for any fiber artist. If size is an issue, one should learn to recognize the shape/stitch the pattern is trying to convey, and scale it up to your size. Nobody ever nags amigurumi artists for not including multiple sizes in their patterns.
Agreed. Pattern designers who make larger sizes should absolutely be promoted more than they are; but shaming smaller designers for making designs that fit themselves is silly. Particularly free patterns. Same as larger clothing brands strait sizes and plus sizes require different fit models and everything, a single person making for themselves or even a small pattern designer isn't usually going to have the access necessary to accomplish that. Large companies should do better though.
I absolutely agree on "people make extremely ugly stuff":D I would never wear anything like those things many people and especially youtube creators make. This is actually sad cause you don't see enough projects you'd want to make. But it still can be quite inspirational.
@@judipierry549Definitely. I saw some comments like this one and am always shocked when I see someone missing the fact that THEY find something ugly, believing « IT IS » ugly. That’s weird like did we forget we all had a brain thus can only perceive things in a subjective way ?! 😅
I started knitting during work meetings to avoid checking slack/email etc while the meeting is going! As long as it’s a simple stockinette it’s easy and I don’t need to look so it’s definitely helpful for me to focus
Just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used though. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects that I will want to use those colors for, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when. There’s also an economic aspect to this too. Many, MANY people live paycheck to paycheck, so if they waited to buy yarn only when they needed it for a certain project, it might not be on sale at that time, and they might not be able to afford to buy yarn full price all the time. Stocking up on yarn during a big sale and saving it for use later is a completely valid strategy for people on a budget or anyone who doesn’t have the privilege of being able to buy it every single time they need it.
I am v low income and I started crocheting a year ago. I quickly went off most acrylics and found an online shop I particularly like. They have plenty of sale yarn, and every few months do a Drops sale, which I love because they do such great alpaca yarns. So yes, have ended up with a stash that is going to last years!
Yeah I think there’s definitely an issue with consumerism in hobby spaces, but I have a problem when we try to attack specific creators (or even just people in our lives) because it’s really hard to judge someone’s specific circumstances and whether they’re hoarding or just have a different buying pattern
I don't use a bowl because I mainly use cakes or skeins! I love how there's so many ways to create, and that different tools work for different people. It's kind of over dramatic, but it's genuinely so beautiful to me haha :)
one of my hot takes are that acrylic and wool are both fine. it’s not like one is better than the other. just use what works for you and what you like.
People craft for different reasons. Not everyone is doing it as an ethical alternative. Having a larger stash isn't inherently bad as long as you're making use of what you have. If you no longer want yarn in your stash, you can always sell it, gift it or do a yarn exchange. You're not required to keep yarn you no longer want. Also, if there is a project you no longer feel passionate about, it's okay to frog it. You can always repurpose that yarn to use in other projects.
Just to share my perspective, as a beginner, I like to see how long a project takes for others more seasoned because I find that it gives me something to work towards. For instance, I saw a tutorial and the creator was able to do a beanie in 40 minutes, but in roughly 6 hours I was only halfway through. It gives me something to work towards and motivates me. Just wanted to share!!☺️
I love when people get me yarn as a gift IF they bought it thinking "Oh my gosh, these colours remind me so much of Ems! I am going to get it for them and maybe they will enjoy making a hat!" - What I don't like is when it;s like "IDK what Ems wants, let's just grab any ball of yarn" and then I get a skein of red heart super savour in like... the camo colourway. Like literally I have gotten a ball of super savour in a gorgeous bright purple variegated and I LOVED the gift because the person told me how much the colour reminded them of me. I think it is literally the thought that counts, not that they felt obligated to get you something, but that they thought about me and that colour! For example I have a friend at my knit night who was destashing and she gave me 6 skeins of bulky weight alpaca blend because the colour reminded them of me and they knew that 6 skeins could make something pretty decent. I am now using that yarn to make my partner a sweater because it HAPPENS to be a sweater quantity for him - and one of his favourite colours! Win-win :D
I was so shocked to hear about us chronically ill folks in this video. I started knitting and now crocheting because I can't do my old hobbies. I haven't gotten into the yarn crafting social media realm until just now but it feels good to know that we're finally seen and recognized.
For me with the yarn collection, I find myself buying different types of yarn because I found a project that I am in love with but i dont have the type of yarn or the color that I need for it. I didnt think having a big yarn collection was a flex, it makes me feel like a slob. So I'll periodically go through my yarn and get rid of the ones I no longer use, or yarn I havent thought about for a while, by donating them.
About the whole "knitting being a great form of stress relief" and fidget, I find that I am MORE focused on a lecture or lesson when I have my knitting or crochet in hand while listening to the teacher than I am without anything in my hands. I'm not ADD/ADHD, but it is extremely helpful for me to be able to have something productive to do while listening to something. It's a quiet thing, I can focus in class, and I end up with a finished project by the end of the week.
re: Large stashes. When you grow up poor and can't afford craft supplies, it's REALLY hard to not stock up when you find a good deal, because you never know when the tide will change, but that's just me. re: yarn bowl's being useless. I have mobility issues and can't just jump up and grab my yarn if it takes off on me. I adore my yarn bowls, some of them are works of art!
In reference to sustainability a great way to get yarn for cheap while reaming as ethical as possible is to go to your local thrift and unravel a sweater, it’s surprisingly easy and a good way to reuse ♻️!
As a pattern maker my biggest fear is that I create something identical to someone else without knowing it. I’ve had the same situation as you where my heart sunk when I saw a similar project in my feed and felt betrayed and I’m sure they felt the same way. As adults we messaged privately and realized it wasn’t intentional but that feeling is the worst!
I mean like it is bound to happen because crochet is kinda of like gemotry/math in general and art fused. So it is even more likely to happen if you are making like lets say common household item or a popular character into a stuff animal.
"plagiarism" is always going to happen. there are only so many ways to make a garment. knitting/crochet has been around for at least 200 years. there are thousands if not millions of knitters/crocheters around the world. the idea that every project has to be completely original when most people are making basic every day clothes is ridiculous
one time I thought it would be so cute to bake tiny breads in tiny le creuset dutch ovens and then it turned out they did that on their ig page already and I had seen it 😂
My hot take: you don’t necessarily have to follow patterns if you know how to make the general shapes and stuff, I’ve been crocheting for 4-5 years and I havent ever followed a pattern, my stuff still turns out okay cause I know how to make the shapes and stuff, but people can use patterns too, it’s all fine to me, I just personally don’t and if people don’t want to, they don’t have to
the sizing thing is so important to me. i’m not plus sized but have awkward proportions and trying to find patterns that i can adapt easily is practically impossible as a beginner. it makes me sad when i finish a project and I don’t look like the model
Same!! I’m very short and very pear shaped, so certain types of crochet projects always tend to look a little off on me! Like all those cute tank tops always are both too low cut and too long on me, and it can be really hard to figure out how to change some of them and still end up with the right borders
Also same! It’s gotten to the point where I just don’t make wearables using a pattern. I take it as inspiration, and I’ll try to compensate the person that did make the pattern I was inspired by, but at the end of the day anyone that pretends that a 40B and a 34DD can use the exact same 2XL bralette pattern is kidding themselves at best. If I want anything to actually fit me, I have to adapt things. It sucks, but it gets easier with time
Use the best fiber you can afford. Use the best tools you can afford that are appropriate for the job. WHY? Because you get what you pay for and your time is valuable. Acrylic has its place but I find most people who defend using acrylic do so because its so cheap *remember, the price you pay is a direct reflection of the price paid to the people who made it* and therefore they can hoard it. I would also argue that curating a collection of fine yarns in itself is its own hobby outside of knitting or crocheting... be it that you're buying handspun, indie dyed, or spinning it yourself. As long as you are then making or gifting from your collection, its totally sustainable. I like to buy yarn as souvenirs and receive it as gifts (those who gift to me understand what I like and don't) and I find it inspiring. Trends. Happen. Curves are in. They're popular in interior design, fabric, and graphic design. So yeah. Colorblocking too. Just know your IP law and consult your attorney if you're making $$ from your making or designing. There are reasons beyond "Slow Fashion" to be making that are as valid. Making *IS* therapy. It's physical therapy and its mental therapy. Knitting and crocheting should bring you joy, make you feel calm, and be centering. A LOT of people with mental health struggles use these creative outlets to help cope with anxiety, impulse control, fidgeting, PTSD, depression, eating disorders... the list goes on. *IF YOUR MAKING IS EMOTIONALLY BENEFICIAL, YOU DO YOU BOO!* Bork anyone who complains about it. Your mental health matters more than their misguided opinions on how much you should or shouldn't be knitting/crocheting. That said, see my first statement. So, there's an Instagram handle that all they do is advertise size inclusive tests. The problem is, they don't give two poops about the designers. If you want to advertise with them (and reach literally 100s of thousands of ppl, you have to agree that the testers can do whatever the F they want with the free pattern you give them, even if that means NOT testing it and republishing it themselves. It's absolute horsepoop. SO MANY size inclusive designers have stopped advertising there because they don't allow tester contracts or allow for testers to be charged the cost of the pattern if they fail to hold up their end of the deal. Horse Poop. Having the courage to freehand and be abstract is SOOOOO mentally difficult. I'm just always in awe of the guts. AND YES!!! Normalize accommodations that make everyone's life easier and we make it easier by speaking up! I spoke to my professors in college. My grades went up when I could crochet or knit in class AND so did my class participation because I wasn't daydreaming. Some people are product vs process makers. That's fine. And if having goals or intentions in your creative space HELPS your creativity, then why are you being so judgey, Karen? Better to have intentions and goals and feel fulfilled in your making than feel paralyzed by indecision and end up not making at all. Yarn bowls do serve a purpose. They keep the yarn clean on a potentially dirty surface and are a great tool for training cats to not touch yarn. Same with yarn spindles. Making squishies IS THE BEST! So much fun! Did someone hurt your inner child? Comparison is the thief of joy in all scenarios. I scroll for color inspiration and follow yarn companies and only friends who also make. I follow other creative hobbies for inspo.
Another thing I think factors into the fiber type discussion is, what's the purpose of the finished object? If you're making a baby blanket for new parents, acrylic is much easier to wash than wool, which needs special care, so if you'd gift them a wool blanket, you've essentially given them more work on top of everything else (if they even use it). Of course, the environment points stand, but I haven't seen this mentioned
This. If I’m gifting something and know the person isn’t going to want to deal with care requirements, I’ll use acrylic. And then there’s allergy concerns as well. I know some people are allergic to wool and acrylic is the only thing they can use.
I know it's a late reply, but I agree! I used to do intricate patterns and want to use "nice" yarn for baby blankets, but as I've seen more and more friends have kids, it's been clear that washability and safety are the two biggest concerns. That fancy blanket that'll look impressive as a gift will get lost in the attic, whereas the moss stitch striped blanket made out of acrylic will get used (and spat up on, and pooped on), will hold up to use, and can be thrown in the washing machine
I agree with the stashing problem, I overbuy because it's fun. It's definitely something that I have to confront. My hot take is that a lot of patterns are priced too high. Basic sweater shapes, socks, mittens, hats have existed for eons. Not every spin on these is worth $28.
About size representation, most of the creators post 95% photos of themselves. So testers won't change things, the solution is to just allow people to grow. Follow diverse people, go through their hashtags to find more, make a d promote their patterns, mention them first when someone asks for recommendation. Make people famous.
Yeah we deliberately bred them that way... they did not start out like that before we got hold of them. The larger argument is that it's good for the individual animal to be shorn, but the wool industry is not good for the species. I say this as a meat eater and animal product user.
@@schoo9256 This is the part that everyone ignores. Sheep should’ve never been sheared in the first place and the only reason they need to be is because of people. So wool production DOES harm them
@@slimecorn vegans aren't suggesting to leave sheep to overheat and die (obviously). the wool industry is constantly breeding more sheep, vegans would like them to stop and phase out wool for cotton. im not vegan btw
I personally loved the idea of getting yarn as a gift... until I realised that my mum is very much a quantity over quality kinda person. And not the good kind of quality where I'd get like six skeins of the same colour, but rather six skeins of like three or even four different colours that are usually next to impossible to mix and match. Not enough for a blanket, too much for a sweater... thank God I make amigurumi the most. You can get away with a lot of weird colour combos in amigurumi, I feel. On the topic of amigurumi, I hate that chenille (chennile?) yarn is slowly but surely becoming a standard for amigurumi. I hate it, personally. I don't like how it feels on my skin, I don't really like the way it works up, it's hard to get my hands on where I live, it's expensive, and personally I mostly use leftovers from larger projects because I make mostly around hand or forearm sized amigurumi. The only plus I can give it is that it really works up quickly. I don't know if this is a hot take or not and again this refers specifically to amigurumi, but I have seen people say (quite a couple times) that you shouldn't be making amigurumi for the sake of it and I just... can't agree with that. The thing is, I don't really have anyone I could give my amigurumi to, but I don't think that should stop me from making it. Maybe I'll once collect everything I have made that is of at least passable quality and donate it, but I don't think I should be frowned at even if I keep it for myself.
The knitting/crochet while in class thing was very popular when I still went to university in the 2010s in Germany. The lecturers were all okay with it. So sometimes in winter, you had half of the class just sitting there with their hat and scarf projects, listening. I loved it because it personally helped me a lot with focusing on the class.
The only times I will buy a lot of yarn in one go is when my local yarn shop has their annual clearance, and I only get what I already have plans for. I went last week and they had this gorgeous yarn that was originally $10 a ball now marked down to $2! I bought enough for two shawls and some fingerless mitts. You can't pass up a sale like that! Especially when you know you probably won't ever be able to get that particular yarn again. :) As far as amigurumi, I LOVE making those! It's a nice switch from the other stuff I make. They can be really intricate and beautiful.
i will usually buy yarn once every two months, since it’s cheaper to get yarn in bulk and i know i’ll use it all, also the new yarn i buy depends on the remainder! also yeah amigurumi is so cute and fun!
Stumbled in. Agree with much of what you said. Started knitting at 7, in teens knitted lots of sweaters,got busy with active career,home ownership,kids and only started a sweater from single ply home drop spun. 30 yrs later son wearing acrylic sweater. Fun to watch the silliness on podcasts of buying one skein expensive hand dyed,progress keepers and bespoke yarn bowls, extensive stash, multiple sets of interchangeable needle, multiple spinning implement and the frenzy to have a ranunculus just like everyone else to fit in at yarn show. I totally don't fit in. Knit what I need,use soup pot as yarn bowl/project bag,made multiple spinning spindles from wooden wheel/dowel so could ply straight from them. Got different colors of alpaca fleece. Have all I need so on to learning mosiac. Did filet crochet for windows, don't feel need to do more. Son didn't know I can paint til did a mural. I think many podcasters seek personal validation.
the hot take i've been bringing to my classroom as a teacher is that crafts are supposed to be fun. I've actually made it a class rule. If the kids aren't having fun expressing themselves and creating things, it's not a craft.
I have a big stash not because I’m a shopaholic, but because there are yarns I love using and I buy them when sales happen. 🥰 especially because people request commissions all the time and it’s better to buy in advance rather than place an order for every commission I get. Not everyone has a budget to buy full price yarn all the time. That being said, I do crochet a lot. So all of the yarn I bought will be used 😇 I haven’t purchased any since Black Friday. Because I have enough right now.
Agree! I shop on sale exclusively, and knit for children who are growing, so I knit pretty regularly! I have a big stash to account for that - I might not use 10 balls of that yarn today, but my nephew is getting a new sweater in winter bc he grows like a weed!
This! When there’s a crazy sale I want to take advantage! Every skein I buy I buy with the intention to use, even if it takes a while. Plus when shopping online, if shipping is going to cost $10 regardless of if I get 1 skein or 20, I might as well make it worth my money (and worth the emissions from shipping)
about the accepting of using crocheting/knitting as a stress relief/keeping your hands busy thing, especially if you're in college just talk to your professors about it! This semester I quickly realized there were some lectures I couldn't take effective notes in, but just sitting there makes me fidgety and distracted. And my professors are really cool so I've been able to just crochet and listen for several of my classes, and then I take my own notes and study on my own time and it works out great!
I wonder how many people with large stashes are sort of... Buying them in the good times in preparation for the bad. When I have more money, I tend to be more open to buying yarn that I like but have no specific use for with the intent that I have a stockpile and can continue my hobby / major way to destress even if I run into financial hardships. It also brings me joy to have yarn on hand so that I can show friends how to crochet and easily give them a bag of starter yarn even if neither of us has a ton of spare money
I have had people ask me "how long did it take for you to make X". I agree with you. We all have a different amount of time that it'll take. My go to answer is usually "I've been knitting for 20 years, that skillset builds up, and hours and hours of actually knitting/crocheting/glazing, etc".
I have what most would consider a large, but very sentimental stash. Ive been knitting for 13 years and I’ve been to many fiber festivals through the years and have bought indie yarns and notions at them… oh, and I’ve also visited many local yarn shops when I was traveling across the US. I feel when you support local yarn shops you do you part to further the fiber world. I can pick up a skein and remember that day and where I was, and sometimes even what I’d hoped the yarn would be. For me it’s not just about buying the stash. It was a careful thoughtful build and as I pull yarn to knit from it, it gives me immeasurable joy.
I think it’s different for me as a) a new-ish knitter, and b) someone who doesn’t write patterns, but I absolutely love consuming all kinds of knitting content. I want to see everyone’s designs. I want to see what everybody is feeling in the moment and watch them progress. I want to see what patterns speak to them and how they innovate along the way. I don’t feel burned out or inadequate, if anything I feel motivated! but also. color me “hyperfixated” lmfao
Thanks for your comment at the beginning. I like to crochet but as I'm learning, I get too stressed and abandon many projects. A "friend" invited me to her birthday but we are not close. I was going to make her something but only out of obligation plus I'm in mid-term exams and my life is a mess. So thank you for making me realize that it's not my obligation to give her a DIY gift
As a plus size person that does crochet it can definitely be discouraging to see a lot of designs that don't have modifications for plus size bodies, that means I have to do a lot of extra work to make it usable for me and other people in my life. But I also think it's inevitable, the biggest creators will be people that have the most 'aesthetic' feeds either on Instagram or on UA-cam, straight size bodies will always be favored in fashion content.
I don’t think people should put limits on the amount of projects someone can make. Saying “it should be a hobby.” It can be a lot more than a hobby to a lot of people. It could be that thing that gives them purpose. It could be the thing that makes them a living. It could be the thing that’s keeping them living, if you get what I’m saying. I’m not the type to have five finished projects a month, because I practice so many fiber arts it’s hard to finish even one thing. Yet I don’t feel it’s my place to limit the amount of work someone puts into it or doesn’t.
I just wanted to vent/share that crafting as a plus-size person is much more time-consuming and expensive, which can partially explain why there aren't as many plus-size creators/designers/pattern testers. Someone who's an XS can literally make two or more sweaters with the time/money it takes me to make one, since I have to buy significantly larger quantities of yarn and spend significantly more time making a significantly bigger garment which, on top of everything else, can be SO boring to actually make when there's so much more knitting/crochet involved in a single piece. Plus there's an added gamble of whether the finished object will actually fit in the end. It's just not worth the time and money investment, and the stress of "will this just completely go to waste?" looming over my head totally takes away the fun, meditative aspect of the creative process as well as any desire to experiment or take risks. It's such a bummer. So I'll just stick to making accessories for now 🥲
Yes, and this is also why there are often less plus sized pattern testers, as often they are to be finished in 4-6 weeks, and it is so much harder to get a larger sized garment knit in the same time it takes others to knit the small sizes. If they want more plus size testers they need to allow longer for them to be knit.
On the note of acrylics, I personally love them! I'd say they make up about 90% of my collection. There are some crazy soft and luxurious ones out there too! The Uptown collection from Universal Yarn is one of my favourites :)
My idea on getting testers for the larger sizes in order for a design to be size-inclusive is that we simply (but not easily lol) need testers to be willing to test knit & test crochet something in the larger sizes but NOT for themselves to wear - they can find a plus size person to give it to & see how it fits! This ties in with knitters & crocheters not wanting to make things for those who might not be 'knit-worthy' and also having the American consumption attitude - collecting things/keeping all their makes along with having a huge yarn stash - let's call it what it is - a collection lol. I agree with you on basically everything.
I was so happy to hear you read the one about physical disabilities. Disabled fiber artists are amazing and I'm so thankful to have them to relate to ❤
my issue with the "stop shaming acrylic yarn" people is that the whole debate gets very black and white. Like, if you can afford to buy WAY more acrylic yarn than you will ever need, you can afford to buy wool and/or cotton yarn you need. I completely agree that everyone deserves to make fibre art if they want to, just saying "no shame in using acrylic" seems to be a free pass to just get lots of cheap wool to a lot of people. Wool is also not as sustainable as some people seem to think and it also greatly depends on what animal is the source. Alternatives like bamboo, flax and hemp barely get talked about. We are also completely ignoring the environmental impact of importing things which also adds sooo much more CO2 than people realize. All of this to say, it is much more complicated than "wool good, acrylic bad"
When I started picking up crocheting my aunt was telling me some of her tips and tricks in my personal favorite one is that she uses one of those reusable grocery bags with a wine bottle insert in it to hold her yarn for projects with multiple colors keeps them all from scattering around or rolling away. Brilliant
Hi! I just discovered your Channel. What a gem you are! After I watched this video I watched you first tutorial on Making a Scrappy Sweater. So much information provided in 40 minutes. I loved your tip for making increases under the armpit to accommodate for a larger bust. As for more inclusivity in patterns, I think it would be difficult if not impossible to provide a pattern to fit all body types. Each pattern would be book length and end up costing $50. I don't mind doing a little math, especially if a diagram is provided like you did on your sweater tutorial. I love your intelligent well thought commentary. Keep up the good work.
Omg the take with having crochet accepted in public like stress balls! In my second semester of college, my biology professor saw my crochet bag and said I can crochet during the lecture if it helps me focus. He said his mom would focus on shows with her crochet. That semester I got my first A for a science class!
Oof I'm real late on this video BUT in my final semester of uni I crocheted in my courses! My Literature professors were so cool and understanding about it. They trusted that I knew it would help me focus and stay involved, and I think it came down to the fact that I was open and communicative about my intention and developed report with them. I also had accommodations for anxiety and adhd, and while this wasn't an official accommodation, I could easily see it being considered one! That being said, I thoroughly believe that most accommodations would benefit far more people than just an individual who /needs/ it in the classroom. They should be available for all.
I'd love an in depth video about different fibers. I think it's way more complicated than people think. Yes, acrylic is plastic. But plastic is a byproduct of oil. So as long as we use gasoline, we have plastic. I'd be interested to see how plastic for acrylic yarn plays into that. And then wool is an animal product, which can lead to exploitation of animals. Especially since the only sheep that need to have their wool cut off are those that humans have bred to need that. And as for cotton, the amount of water it takes to produce cotton makes that bad for the environment. I'm not sure about bamboo or tencel, but definitely interested!
20:12 also, i think people tent to think that an item you spelt more time on is more valuable that an item u spent less time crocheting/knitting. u can finish a fingering weight sweater in about a week if you keep working on it every second of ur day. but if another person needs month to finish the same sweater, is urs more valuable than that other one? and i don’t want to time myself either, i feel more stressed when i’m trying to finish an item in a set timeframe. most of the time i don’t even feel joy knitting that item and it lands on another pile of unfinished projects. and i think it’s also important to say that it is completely valid if u don’t feel like crocheting/knitting that day, and that don’t HAVE TO work on something everyday.
I love what you said at the beginning about how not everybody deserves a handmade gift. So f-ing true. I don't think it's grinchy at all because not everybody even wants handmade gifts. I totally agree.
definitely agree with the crochet and knitting as stress relief or for concentration. I love making crochet ribbon lace and it's a small project I can take everywhere and it helps me focus a lot. Love doing it while watching yt or netflix as well
I agree with the massive yarn collection not making you a better fiber artist, but I'd like to argue that a large collection doesn't make you a consumerist. My yarn collection is massive and that's only because my mom's coworker works at a thrift store and she gifts me the yarn that doesn't sell, so now I have more yarn than I know what to do with (especially since I don't want to tell her no cuz apparently she gifts everyone else like this and she's a nice old lady-I don't want to hurt nice old lady). I haven't bought yarn in a long time because of it, but even if the yarn wasn't given to me I still don't buy much yarn. I'm not participating in consumerism if I haven't bought an overwhelming majority of the yarn I own. It's a bit of an unfair take.
Yes so much to the knitting helping me focus! I explained it to someone once that knitting (crochet/spinning/etc) while I watch TV or listen to a book (still working on reading with my eyes while knitting) makes me pay better attention. It's similar to how music in the background of all visual media helps people focus on the visual. It's engaging multiple senses and occupying various input channels and keeping you engaged.
these are insightful hot takes as someone who just got into knitting and dipped my toes into crocheting -- a cute cat beanie idea, but it could just be that I'm still struggling adding stitches each row. rant, haha but I see each hot take for what it is. I appreciate the video and conversation.
So excited to be one of those plus sized crocheter for our community still new im free handing a project rn so happy with how it's coming out but im litterally obsessed with crochet
I think you should really start doing video essays on important things like the different types of fiber, the different government and NGO groups that set standards and what those standards are. The history of fiber. The impact of fiber production AND the impact of fiber post production (shedding plastics/chemicals used to make bamboo and other cellulose yarn, etc). Different sheep breeds and how different wools are better for different needs. How not sheering sheep is tantamount to abuse & we need to sheer them anyway. Also, tools and how different tools impact your knitting or crochet. wood vs metal inline vs tapered (changing your tool can make a type of yarn so much more pleasurable) Compare the impact of slow fashion production and consumer waste vs impact of yarn production and consumer waste. (There are yarn companies that will recycle your snipped tails for you to make their tweed yarns!)
Not a fiber arts person but am totally loving the vibe of it. I am however a watercolor artist and I know from experience with my carpal tunnel that the wc community is so kind and supportive. I'm so glad that other communities have that same warm fuzzy feeling. We all need support and uplifting when we put ourselves out into the world through art. ❤
My hot take is that it’s ok as a private person to copy a design from the picture/ not buy the pattern if you don’t post it anywhere or sell it or something like that. Sometimes it’s more fun to recreate it yourself than to use the pattern and also it’s cheaper:)
Well, if you copy it from the picture with your own expertise, and afterwards you compare what you did to what the designer did, you'll see you made it in a way that is very different from the designer's. So technically it's not the same pattern.
I think you can post it just give credit
100%! It always feels weird when I can just look at something and instantly see how it's made...like should I still pay? Of course the creative idea remains theirs, I'd never sell these things or show them off as an original design. But yeah...have made several pairs of mitered square fingerless gloves, pattern was like 7 dollars...paid zero. Whoops
Totally agree. I see it like a musician making a cover of someone else's song, and that falls under fair use as well.
Doesn’t even necessarily have to be a private person imho. My favorite baby blanket pattern is the “call the midwife blanket” on ravelry and the pattern publisher ended up doing some serious research in order to reverse engineer the pattern, including a lot of pausing of the show and looking up close, and even digging through vintage patterns to see if anyone had the pattern already done (they hadn’t)
So the person put in the work and then published the pattern that they ended up settling on.
They don’t charge for the pattern, so maybe that makes a difference, but I don’t see how putting in effort to figure out a pattern negates the ability to use it if a paid pattern (or no pattern) exists.
Omg the classism in the yarn material debate is so real. I saw a large very popular crochet artist post about this recently and the way they talked about it grinded my gears as a low income artist. She blatantly said "Crochet is a luxury, if you can't afford sustainable yarn, it isn't a need. Do better." Which is so ridiculous to me. 90% of all my yarn is secondhand from yard/estate sales and thrift stores. Its better than throwing it away, and a cheap way for me to make clothing and art for myself and my friends. It reads to me saying if you're too poor to buy nice cotton or wool yarn, you shouldn't be in this hobby, which completely disregards so much if this community and its roots.
Using 2nd hand yarn is very sustainable. Boo on people who think their paradigm is the only paradigm.
It wouldn't surprise me if the large, very popular crochet artist was a massive hypocrite, driving a huge gas-eater SUV and constantly throwing away plastic and Styrofoam packaging from whatever fast food places she frequents. People that make obnoxious arrogant statements like hers usually are. 🙄
My hot take is crochet isnt worth the more expensive yarn bc usually its just for toys and such.
t. primarily a knitter
@@baileyjanes1 nah I make clothing and sweaters and cute tops. My hot take is that crochet is a fuckton more versatile than knit any day
@@dh.151 another hot take is crochet fabric is too bulky and holey to yield good, wearable clothing. the stitching just isnt pleasant looking or against the skin. Its not as stretchy as knitting, its so holey yet so much heavier. Maybe for blankets because its heavy and sturdy (i wont ever knit a blanket, thats what I mostly use crochet for), but for a good quality sweater it really is useless. Dont get me started on those boho bralette things 🤢
for things like amigurumi where making exaggerated shapes that can stand on their own, are sturdy, and manipulating the fabric is easier I get how its more "versatile" though.
My hot take: there's no wrong way to hold the crochet hook, project, and working yarn. I do it a way that isn't considered as efficient, but I love my hand movements. Stimulating in just the right way.
Also: I wish people bought me yarn lol
Someone recently commented on my video that I was holding my tension way too tight and it was painful to watch, like it's comfortable for me to hold it tight? I was having hand troubles and the tight tension was helping 😕
@@af1633 I've got a broken hand. I don't hold it the traditional way because my hand doesn't go in that way. The way I do it works and produces a nice tension. OMG the comments "YUpr TEBSION WILL BE SO BAD IF YOU HOLD IT LIKE THAT" Dude, the finished object has got perfect tension. Chill
Yeah after a bit I realized that I hold my hook/project/working yarn in a pretty “inefficient” way and it’s easy for me to create high tension if I’m not careful and I’m sure it probably puts more stress on my wrists/fingers but for the same reason you mentioned, I just like that way and don’t really see a reason in changing it :P
I’m taking care of my wrists and doing exercises and taking breaks so yeah
As I was learning to crochet, my mom is who taught me and she taught me to hold it however was most comfortable...it shouldn't matter how you hold your hook/yarn as long as you're comfortable with it
On holding, I’d say do whatever feels natural and doesn’t hurt. The only pain there should be is that from overworking which is something that can’t be avoided if you’re not pacing yourself and doing proper exercises
i feel like my hot take is that it's okay to just,, unravel old projects. i only started crocheting in may and so a lot of my older projects definitely didn't fit right or i wished i had used a different stitch but there's no point in just keeping a bad project around when i can just take it apart and use the yarn towards making something that i'm actually going to wear instead of going out and buying more yarn to make a better version. i see a lot of creators post projects that they say they're not satisfied with but they want to keep and make a better version and im like???
Yes! This is a big thing I'm trying to get into. It's okay to unravel old or unfinished projects because I know I can do something better/more useful with that yarn.
Same, I unraveled a beanie I made because I realized the yarn I used was wayyy to big for it, so I ended up using some to practice my stitches, since it's bigger than my other yarn,
i made a sweater that fit weird a few months back. so i unraveled it and used some other yarn from my stash to make matching cardigans for me and my bestie. the whole time my dad was telling me not to take it apart and just donate it. but we both get way more wear out of the cardigans then i would have the og sweater.
I made a tote bag out of a a vest that was too Chunky to wear comfortably! It holds all of my crochet stuff :)
Yeeeesss! I do this all the time. It was hard at first to feel like I was negating all that work I did, but after a few of them it got much easier. And now I mostly just get to be excited about the next thing I'm going to use that yarn for. It honors the resources that went into making that yarn more than if I let it gather dust in a corner.
the straight size vs plus size thing is SO huge for me, as a fat woman i put a lot of effort when making bralettes for pride into making sure i had at least S-XL and the backs were in a corset style so the size was more adjustable as well and i had multiple people pull one off the rack and hold it up and go “oh my god it actually fits me!” and tell me how hard it is for them to find crochet tops that are big enough! it was so nice to see the reactions and know that my effort made people so happy :)
Bravo you!
So as a fat woman you put effort into not making plus sizes? XL is still considered a “straight size”…
@@princessofjedi right? Like wow what an inclusive size range...
@@idratherbewithmycatrightnow yeah that instantly put me off. I hope it's just a typo on her part but XL is NOT an inclusive size range because most places the XL is with the standard sizes meaning it's not even considered plus size.
As an amigurumi maker and collector of plushies I have encountered my fair share of criticism because it is viewed as a "childish" hobby. I find it disappointing that fellow crocheters would think that amigurumi is "overrated" when there is already so much negativity for adults who love/collect/and make plushies. We should support fellow crocheters regardless of what we make ourselves.
tbh i think those patterns that are just a chunky ball with some addons are truly overrated but when people take some time with nice stitches and complex designs it can be magical
Oh, really?! I’m surprised at that because you can be so creative with Arigarumi and they’re so cute! 😍 I’m surprised that people criticise it for being “childish” - what if you WANT to make them for a child?
I really hate gate-keeping behaviour. I don’t mind constructive criticism, but that’s not constructive!
Amigurumi is hard! People clearly don't know what they're talking about
amigurumi is way harder than crocheting regular clothes
Honestly I wish people would just do whatever makes them happy instead of making others unhappy :/ making amigurumi is one of my favorite pastimes and being able to snuggle my creations makes me so happy! It's a lot of work, too, so I wish people would just recognize it as another art form like the rest of crochet
re: the yarn bowl -- this reminds me heavily of something I see crop up from time to time: just because you or I don't see the need for something doesn't mean it's not needed. You said that if your yarn rolls away you just get up and get it. Not everyone has that ease of movement; chronic pain, arthritis, etc., etc. Anyone with difficulty getting up and moving around probably thinks they're a life saver. Most products that I can't see the use of are quite often products for people with specific disabilities ^^
These were my thoughts exactly! I have acid reflux and bending down to constantly pick something up can be painful and annoying. I also have hip problems, so that's an even bigger issue. There's always a use for something/someone, even if you don't have a use for it, yourself.
I agree, but I also think that it is okay to use a regular bowl rather than one with a slit
Yes. I take my knitting it with me, I don't like my yarn rolling on the floor or the ground outside. Like I can physically get up and get my yarn ball... but keeping it in a bowl keeps it so much cleaner.
I love my yawn bowl. My husband bought it for me and it's shaped like a sheep. It's cute and makes me happy.😊
I use plastic salad bowls!
On a similar positive note as the point on disability acceptance, I think this community is one of the best subsets of fashion for avoiding ageism. I’ve met fantastic fibre artists in their 80’s, I’ve met fantastic fibre artists who are still in high school. It’s a timeless art and such a great way to stimulate intergenerational understanding. ❤
Yes! It's amazing. And to add to this also very accepting and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. It's wonderful.
The age range in my crochet group is 8-73 with people in every stage in between lol
completely agree with the socially acceptable stress relief/fidget take! when I was in college I knitted through most of my classes and paid so much better attention, and usually even took pretty decent notes! A bunch of professors never noticed/cared enough to say anything, and any that did ask I'd explain and they were chill with it! 10/10 reccomend
I knit a beanie in school once, it was so relaxing since i could listen and do smth with my hand at the same time
I would crochet during my biology classes in 11th grade and my teacher noticed and didn’t really mind. She said that some people find it easier to focus while doing these kinds of things,like crochet or drawing, and that’s okay
I have knitted and crocheted A LOT at school and some teachers have said nothing and some have been like "oo cool what are you making this time?" so it's nowhere near forbidden here :D
Since wfh came in I have knitted in most meetings that don’t require me to lead as have several of my colleagues and others cross-stitched. The evidence on multitasking indicates that it works fine mixing something manual with listening where being in a meeting and checking emails for example is task switching because you need the same part of your brain for both
I only ever had one professor who had a problem with me knitting in class and let's say that was not the only thing that made them hard to get along with.
I think knitted clothing garments like sweaters, tops, dresses, scarves and gloves look better than the crocheted equivalent, but crochet is more versatile for bags, animals, everyday house items like water bottle holders and book sleeves. They both have their niche!
So true, knitted clothes look better and are softer than crocheted ones. Which frustrates me cause most cute patterns are for crochet.
@@KarolYuukiwell thats because again, little neat patterns and attachments and embroideries are usually easier and less complicated to do on crocheted projects because the fabric is more rigid, has more structure and theres usually not any stretch to be preserved. Knit is made for large, flat garments and is therefore better suited for bigger clothes.
Yeeees crochet clothes are a little to holey😂😂
I really love Tunisian crochet for clothing. I agree that crochet is better for accessories, but Idk how to knit and never plan to, so finding the middle was a life saver!
@@ArtKitty53I wanna try this style of crochet! It looks so cool! I also saw a faux knit stich for crochet that I'm going to try, I also think that a lot of people use the wrong type of yarn for clothing.
I agree so much with the plagiarism take. A few weeks ago I had the idea for a large black/white checkered shrug, and since I didn’t have the yarn at that time I just drew a sketch of it in my phone. A few days ago I was scrolling my explore page and someone had posted a knit checkered shrug that they had just made. Now granted I can only crochet, and the one I’m making had a ribbed edge and a turtle neck but at the end of they day, it’s sometimes hard to have an original idea when something is pretty basic.
Yep totally. We all get inspiration from a lot of similar places so it makes sense that people end up having the same ideas sometimes
I make amigurimi, same idea, there are only so many ways to make a bunny in overalls. EVERYONE makes blank animal in overalls. Now I think there are definitely more specific patterns but you know what they say Great minds think alike.
art is always derivative of something else! and considering there have been billions of people who have lived and died throughout history - current billions excluded! - there really isn't such a thing as originality anymore. even if you do come up with something that seems new and fresh, the chances are someone else has, too! you were just fortunate enough to capitalize off of it or gain popularity from the idea, you weren't the only human on the entire planet and in the entirety of human history to create said idea. that's just silly!
Even Darwin was pressured to publish his works on evolution because he got word someone else came to the same conclusion
Black and white checks are on trend with the success of the Wednesday series on Netflix.
My hot take is that a teapot makes an amazing yarn bowl (if you do wanna use one.) put the yarn In the teapot and use the spout to feed the yarn through :)
This is a genius idea
This is actually incredible, thank you! I was looking for a cheaper alternative to the ones on sale where i am 😭
thats so smart holy shit
En excuse for me to get one of those neat tea pots I see at this thrift
hot take: granny squares are not beginner friendly. they tend to be used as a small part of a larger project, and while theyre great for learning basics, unless you plan on making 50 near identical ones, it can be really demotivating making swatches without a project to finish. then again, maybe thats just my adhd and the fact im half way through a granny square quilt
I saw someone who suggested making stuffed animals to start instead because it's a much smaller project that results in a fun friend! You can learn different stitches, complete a project that boosts confidence, and can give the courage to start a larger project that involves Granny squares
Just make 1 huge granny square as a blanket.
I've got adhd and wanted to make a granny square blanket... I got to 14 squares and made them into a bag instead because I'm too impatient to make 100 of them 😂
@@PandoraBear357I’m currently on my second granny blanket. This one is a granny stripe, just back and forth granny stitches in variegated yarn, first one was a giant square. These are great for the youngsters they are intended for! To be fair, if the ADHD is bad enough any large project is not going to be done fast enough.
@@SamRabbitxI agree! One of my very first projects was the bumble bee by Hooked By Robin. You are essentially making a single ball, increasing, decreasing, changing colors etc. then you make the wings that only have like 4 or 5 rows and you’re basically done. It’s also cute af
I'm not kidding: weave your ends. My mom made me this amazing afghan when I was little, so it's 20-25 years old. And she didn't weave all of her ends and it shows. While it was fine for the first 10 years of its life, there are places on it where the stitches are coming undone. I've patched them, but the yarn I used is a different shade because Mom didn't have the original anymore, so it's super noticeable. So if you want your projects to last, to be forever projects, weave in your ends. Because that knot won't hold
Weaving in ends makes me want to sink into the floor and never emerge, but i know that watching the project fall apart in a few years will be even worse so i fight the urge to become floorboards and do it anyway. Its worth it
Thanks for this info. I am working on a cardigan using a yarn that just knots the strands together in the cake every so often, and have been wondering if that was ok to crochet in or not. So, not!
does it count if I do both? usually, my yarn ends are a little long to I weave them in (trying to at least) and then knot it because I get scared that it'll unravel
I have one: I hate when people drag others down. Like, everybody has to start somewhere and not everybody had a Grandma or Mum or whatever to teach them and they had to learn from UA-cam/internet - and that is absolutely ok. People don’t say this enough.
You can absolutely be a great Crocheter/Knitter even if you haven’t had much past experience/had a pro teach you. As long you practise and have the passion, that’s all you need. It’s a hobby. I cannot stand when people try to be elitist about everything. I mean, I get it, you worked hard and was taught by the best and now it’s becoming more accessible n so it’s not a cult hobby as much anymore- but that’s a GOOD thing, it means the skill won’t be lost.
**Edit** Gatekeeping! That was the word I was looking for! I hate it when people gate-keep!
Can you explain why this is a hot take?
@@gwendolynrobinson3900 Gatekeeping - that’s a hot take.
Some people are for it, because they believe you can only really be a “real” Crocheter/Knitter if the skills were passed down to you from a young age, and feel like those who learn from the internet are not _truly_ skilled.
I disagree with that (that’s coming from me, who had it passed down to me from a young age through my Mum, who was predominantly a knitter/sewing machinist and worked in a factory) I think that it doesn’t matter how you learned it, you shouldn’t look down on other people and instead, help them, teach them and raise them up. If you drag people down, it’ll deter them from doing it and the skill will be lost like many other wonderful skills from the past and honestly, I think anything made with love is the best. 🥰
On the flipside though, I can see why it would irk some people who’ve spent a lot of years honing their skills to then be faced with the internet making it accessible, but not everybody had a family member to learn from and we should be a good and helpful community. 🫶
As someone with a mom who does a lot of knitting, crochet, and sewing related hobbies I still ended up looking up youtube tutorials! She couldn't teach and kept correcting the way I held the hook and yarn before I was even allowed to start :( didn't help at all.
Also a lot of us only learned one or two stitches from our moms & grandmas! If my gran would still be around she would be thrilled at all the stitches and techniques you can find on youtube
Definitely agree. I didn’t have people around me growing up that would teach me or let me learn a lot & it keeps me frustrated in general, but Nan tried to show me crochet basics but I never understood anything beyond a sc chain so I eventually quit. Picked it up again as an adult via UA-cam & it’s my time killer. I like crocheting throws, amigurumi, cotton coasters, dish cloths, etc. scraps either become scrapghans or small animal beds for the animal shelter to use.
this video made me realize a lot of people care a lot more about what random strangers think than i do 💀💀💀 i could care less if someone thinks i copied their pattern, i dont sell my stuff so it doesnt matter to me at all
i get ideas off other ppls patterns + i dont pay and i sell my stuff, if u are able to look at stuff and know how to make it without having to pay for a pattern then u dont have to pay for the pattern thats my hot take
One thing I will say, yarn bowls are essential for me when I am dealing with chronic pain or bed-bound and physically can't chase a ball of yarn.
As far as time goes, the vintage sewing community did a timed challenge for the same dress a few months back some people took 2 days to make the pattern, most took between 5-8 hrs, and a few people finished the pattern in under 2 hrs. We are all experienced in the same art but the variance was still significant.
Yeah! I watched seamstressed take on it
The fairisle comment honestly hurt a little. Those sweaters are a big part of Nordic culture. They are usually made especially for you by a maternal figure and are thus highly treasured and sentimental everyday pieces of clothing for us. Not only can each garment last for generations, but it’s also a generational craft and the skill required for complex colorwork is highly respected. Sure, it’s just a silly internet comment, but that whole part didn’t sit right with me.
Totally fair! For me, it depends so much on the colors chosen and the amount of contrast that the yarns have. I love a lot of Fairisle designs personally, I just dont know if I'd have the patience to make one myself
Yeah, I’m definitely not big into getting yarn as a gift. I know the people in my life who do it mean well, but a lot of them don’t really realize how much yarn is needed for projects or how much of a difference yarn weight makes. My best friend bought me some really nice quality and pricey yarn from a local business near her apartment and I haven’t had the heart to tell her that the reason I haven’t used it yet is because there’s not a whole lot I can do with it.
I think it's hard to say to people you'd rather they just give you a gift card or cash to buy your own supplies. It comes off rude but it's what I'd personally prefer.
If someone wants to buy me yarn I ask for sock yarn, cos I only need one 100g ball to make a pair, so it works nicely.
I've gotten yarn as gifts 3 times ever. 1 was one that I specifically asked for- it was the exact right amount of a really soft yarn to make a hat. The other was from another crocheter and it was a weight that I use in colors that were very versatile. The last was as a secret santa and the person knows literally nothing about crocheting- don't get me wrong, I appreciate the gift, eventually I will either use or donate it, but its in Christmas colors in a very scratchy type of yarn; I don't really have a lot of use for it :(
The only person I want to get yarn or fabric for me is my brother. He understands my hobby well, and has the same style as I do. If he’s unsure what I need, he either asks me or gets me a gift card for my local fiber arts store (not a chain store).
@@hl6994 for sure. Or I just make a hat or a pair of mittens or something else small lol
I have a huge stash but I also have 6 sheep. So I gotta make more yarn than I can possibly use up. They do not stop growing wool ❤ 🐑
I'd be interested in a in-depth video about fiber types! Especially concerning sustainability I feel like there's a lot of stereotypical thinking (acrylic = bad, wool = great), but it's a lot more nuanced. For example there's the Higg Index where wool production scores worse than acrylic, but it's also widely criticized. Would love to hear your opinion on this!
can you please link the article? I can’t seem to find it
Yes! There’s so much to talk about, I’d love to dive into it more
Although wool is a natural, biodegradable material, like cows, sheep also release methane gas and need land to be cleared so that they can graze leading to soil salinity and less biodiversity. So not only is wool bad for the environment, it is also inherently exploitative and often cruel to nonconsenting animals who were bred to have way too much wool than their natural counterparts that their lives are dependent on humans. We shouldn't be forcing these beings into existence anymore just because we want to use them for their wool. :(
The issue about that is they aren't looking at the impact of the fiber post production. They're only looking at the production process but everything has a life post production. Environmental studies on the impact of shedding plastics on our food supply is a REAL eye opener. And of course, you should know where your wool/bamboo/silk/cotton/hemp/linen/flax etc is coming from. I think people forget that wool and acrylic aren't the only options.
Also, please include bamboo because people think it's more natural but I learned on an episode of Make Good that it's one of the worst fibers you can produce / use...😓
Regarding how long it takes to make things, I’ve started telling people based on dates started/finished. Because of this, my dad goes around wearing a sweater that took 11 years to make 🤷🏼♀️😂 never mind what else went on in those years. Doesn’t matter haha.
I have a shawl that I started in 2017 that’s taken so long, you can see where I learnt different techniques along the way.
@@FoxInTheStudio its like a diary
not really a hot take but i think picking up something just to finish is also really valid if your goal is to just finish something because sometimes it feels nice to be reminded that you're capable of it (i've done it a few times and it always helps with my self-esteem)
As opposed to...?
This is why my mom took up fibre arts, she was a SAHM with 4 kids and having a project that stayed fucking done at the end of the day really helped her mental health.
Yes I am just getting back into knitting after 8 years and learning to crochet for the first time, and I have a few ideas for projects I want to do but they are big and long and complicated and will require lots of yarn I can’t afford yet, so right now I’m using the old yarn from the last knitting project I was working on to knit up an extremely basic striped scarf. Just so I can make something quick and easy and fun and say that I made it. 😊
in defense of stashing: i mostly make blankets, which i either donate or give as gifts. for the projects i like to do it’s great to have a big variety on hand so if i need something i can just grab it… and if i buy something for just a border/small detail, i can find another blanket to use it in later. it’s also a lot more financially workable to buy one or two skeins at a time when i see one i like that i can frankenstein into a project later than trying to buy all the yarn i need for a blanket at once.
I agree
with you 100%, only buying yarn for a specific project won't be the most cost effective way to get supplies. also it's fun to raid your own stash!
It's hard being a creative person and trying to be minimalist. You dont want to have things you never use cluttering your space but you don't want to get rid of anything in case not having it impedes your creativity. Have I ever used X thing? No, but what if I'm in the middle of a project and want to use X thing and then I don't have it and feel the need to go and get it again??
I like to buy a bulk of yarn, use it up, and buy the next bulk yarn. I also have an idea what my next few projects I want to make are.
Not to mention stashing is more economical. If you can't afford to buy new every project then you can use what you have
i had to be very intentional with the fiber arts creators i follow because i felt so bad about how slow i was and then remembered that i was comparing myself to people who do this as a job lol
About the yarn bowl: Instead of buying a bowl specifically for yarn, if you need or want a yarn bowl, use a bowl you already have at home. Just use a bowl for cereal, a mixing bowl, a metal bowl you use for fruits, a ceramic bowl you have candies in. Use whatever bowl you have laying around. You don't need to spend 30$ on a new bowl if all you're using it for is keeping your yarn in place.
Ceramics and pottery is also an art form that deserves appreciation. Supporting someone who makes fancy yarn bowls isn’t the worst yarn sin.
Also, a paper towel holder is good for pulling from a ball.
I saw someone use a lawn chair 💀
I always put my yarn in a bowl, but the bowl comes from my kitchen cabinet 😊
I have some texasware mixing bowls for this. I love them because they have perfectly round bottoms
In defense of the large yarn stash… yarn serves many purposes - art, entertainment, mindfulness, clothing, gifts. I love spending my money to support small businesses and great community. All that said, I love hot takes! Even if I disagree. Thanks for sharing ❤
Absolutely! And I love your attitude about it :)
Also for me - bying yarn and using yarn are two different hobbies. It's like a collection or an investment ☺️
I love having a big yarn stash for the convienience of NOT having to go out and buy more when one project is finnished. I do love buying yarn aswell but I make sure that I know what I would like to do with it before.
I also think it’s important to note about the yarn stash issue that just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when.
@@crazycorgiladyus7418I think it's a totally fair way of doing things. The issue I think is mostly seeing it as the norm and social media and feeling social pressure to conform to that 'ideal'. Plus people really dipping into SABLE with literally having the stash of a small LYS.
I just want to thank you for speaking about the lack of body type representation! I am plus sized and it can be really disheartening to never or rarely see cute crochet wearables on bodies like mine. It sometimes feels like I can't create clothing for myself because it takes extra time, and extra money for more materials. Sometimes even if a pattern has extended sizes that would fit the design itself is not made to look nice on bigger bodies.
totally agree with this. I see SO many super cute crochet tops that are easy, unique and fun! I want to be able to make and wear pieces like that, but my bust doesn't allow for it because those tops have no support. I spent at least 6 hours trying to make a top for myself a few summers ago - there was no single pattern I found that would work, so I ended up incorporating a ton of different techniques I found. An altered stitch for cups that don't stretch, differently shaped cups that would actually fit my shape, non-stretch thicker straps, and figuring out how to sew those element together with a band. I got about 80% done and put it down for a while. Picked it back up a year later and it's way too big since I lost weight. I gave up. People who can wear those tiny triangle bikinis, strawberry top, butterfly top, diamond top, etc have no idea how good they have it! I can't wait till I can get a breast reduction and join the itty bitty titty committee
@@marstar9410 I've made a few butterfly tops for college friends with way bigger busts than mine and what I found is that you have to add more rows in the middle to make the larger cup sizes and adding extra strap/antennae/things can help with support. You could also try sewing bra cups into them for more support. I didn't do that because I don't know how to sew, but maybe these tips can help you in some way
THIS THIS THIS THIS RIGHT HERE
People tend to design things that they would want to wear, and that would fit and flatter their own body. We best kmow amd understamd our own bodies, after all.
It seems that we need more designers who are plus-sized themselves, possibly, in order for the kind of patterns to be made that you are more likely to find flattering on your body type as a plus-sized person .
@@heidih3048 well said 👏
my hot take pre-video is: people use way thicker yarn than they should just to get things done quicker. that cropped top you did with weight 4 yarn and 5mm hook is gonna be thick as hell and not comfortable (at least i tried multiple times and that's what happened on all of them. looks beautiful on the model, feels like i'm wearing an incomplete sweater on me)
my fiber arts hot take - it doesn’t matter if you use acrylic as long as you use all of the scraps instead of just tossing them. i always have a little stash bag with me where i toss all my scraps to use as stuffing for amigurumi n other projects
I do the same!! I agree
Oooo that's smart 😁😁
Thank you for giving me the idea to also save them for stuffing! Ive been saving them because it feels weird throwing it away so I really appreciate it!
I like this. I have a ball of yarn scraps that when I have a long piece from sewing two pieces together or just what is left from a sken but not enough for a new project I just tie it to the end of the ball and save it till I have enough to make something.
I do the same! Totally agree
On the knitting in class note, I would really encourage people to (respectfully) go for it. I did it in my final year of uni for certain things (primarily programming lectures and in the lead up to presentations). I was always in very small classes (max 12 people), so I would ask my professors beforehand, explaining that it helps me focus, and they always let me. Your profs really want you to get the most out of your classes, so if knitting/crochet helps you to do that, most will be fine with it
I crocheted a blanket during WFH training for a new job in a new state, before I was able to get ADHD meds and it was sooooo helpful for my focus. Plus, it helped start a conversation during our breaks!
As a teacher I completely agree!! People act like it's disrespectful but often my students who stim are more relaxed and enjoy class which means they get more out of it.
I just crochet in class(high school) and my teachers are fine. They even ask me about what I’m making sometimes. I think considering I’m a good student and still completely understand what they’re teaching that they just don’t really care.
i also did, everyone was fine with it!
(except the school psychiatrist, but she was convinced that i couldn't possibly have adhd despite me being diagnosed so she was just anti me in general lmao)
I can't sit still for long so drawing and crotcheting is perfect to keep my hands busy for when I play DnD. It feels more respectful that being on my phone, which I've done in the past.
My hot take is it’s ok to get burnt out and leave projects. Not everything turns out the way you want and it’s ok to feel frustrated. Take breaks and then you can either come back to it or reuse the yarn
I literally had someone purchase my pattern (from the same account on Etsy that they have their shop on - like the username) and then straight up copy it, retyped it with like 1 row change, then sell it as their own design. This has happened to me at least 4-5 times since I started selling my designs (since 2014).
What makes it worse is when you do reach out about it and they straight up just lie to your face. They’ve told me “I’ve never even seen your design” and I’m just like 😒.. “you literally purchased the pattern for me 2 months ago.. you do know I can see the contact information for everyone who buys from me right?” It’s so disappointing. It happened so often that I stopped releasing patterns back in 2020. If they want to steal from me, they’re gonna have to be skilled enough to figure out the pattern just by photos 😅
Meaning you are very talented lady, congrats !
It always surprises me that people are so intense about what other people do or not do. Just do what makes YOU happy, what YOU enjoy doing. Crochet and knitting is an art form... like any other art form, people express themselves in different ways. ❤
Acrylics have come a long way since I started knitting/crocheting. I used to hate it because it felt awful but now some of them are beautiful and have a more luxurious feel.
I'm pretty confident about this, so.
I believe many knitwear/crochet designers are self-made. As of what I know, there aren't many classes for "size inclusive pattern drafting". I know that they can "try" to "do better", but you can only do so much in your own business.
Yup! I think improvisation is an important skill for any fiber artist. If size is an issue, one should learn to recognize the shape/stitch the pattern is trying to convey, and scale it up to your size. Nobody ever nags amigurumi artists for not including multiple sizes in their patterns.
Agreed. Pattern designers who make larger sizes should absolutely be promoted more than they are; but shaming smaller designers for making designs that fit themselves is silly. Particularly free patterns. Same as larger clothing brands strait sizes and plus sizes require different fit models and everything, a single person making for themselves or even a small pattern designer isn't usually going to have the access necessary to accomplish that.
Large companies should do better though.
I absolutely agree on "people make extremely ugly stuff":D I would never wear anything like those things many people and especially youtube creators make. This is actually sad cause you don't see enough projects you'd want to make. But it still can be quite inspirational.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
@@judipierry549Definitely. I saw some comments like this one and am always shocked when I see someone missing the fact that THEY find something ugly, believing « IT IS » ugly.
That’s weird like did we forget we all had a brain thus can only perceive things in a subjective way ?! 😅
I basically am surviving grad school by knitting in my lectures! I got weird looks at the beginning, but now it's my norm and I love it
I started knitting during work meetings to avoid checking slack/email etc while the meeting is going! As long as it’s a simple stockinette it’s easy and I don’t need to look so it’s definitely helpful for me to focus
Just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used though. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects that I will want to use those colors for, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when. There’s also an economic aspect to this too. Many, MANY people live paycheck to paycheck, so if they waited to buy yarn only when they needed it for a certain project, it might not be on sale at that time, and they might not be able to afford to buy yarn full price all the time. Stocking up on yarn during a big sale and saving it for use later is a completely valid strategy for people on a budget or anyone who doesn’t have the privilege of being able to buy it every single time they need it.
I am v low income and I started crocheting a year ago. I quickly went off most acrylics and found an online shop I particularly like. They have plenty of sale yarn, and every few months do a Drops sale, which I love because they do such great alpaca yarns. So yes, have ended up with a stash that is going to last years!
Yeah, and also, yarns get discontinued. Snap your faves up while you can!
Yeah I think there’s definitely an issue with consumerism in hobby spaces, but I have a problem when we try to attack specific creators (or even just people in our lives) because it’s really hard to judge someone’s specific circumstances and whether they’re hoarding or just have a different buying pattern
I almost exclusively hand-wind my yarn balls and yarn bowls are a lifesaver 😆
I don't use a bowl because I mainly use cakes or skeins! I love how there's so many ways to create, and that different tools work for different people. It's kind of over dramatic, but it's genuinely so beautiful to me haha :)
I have cats I can barely cross stitch without help a yarn bowl is too much temptation for 3 cats
I also hand-wind and I do it around a pencil, so it's center-pull, the ball stays in place! Highly recommend
one of my hot takes are that acrylic and wool are both fine. it’s not like one is better than the other. just use what works for you and what you like.
People craft for different reasons. Not everyone is doing it as an ethical alternative. Having a larger stash isn't inherently bad as long as you're making use of what you have. If you no longer want yarn in your stash, you can always sell it, gift it or do a yarn exchange. You're not required to keep yarn you no longer want. Also, if there is a project you no longer feel passionate about, it's okay to frog it. You can always repurpose that yarn to use in other projects.
Just to share my perspective, as a beginner, I like to see how long a project takes for others more seasoned because I find that it gives me something to work towards. For instance, I saw a tutorial and the creator was able to do a beanie in 40 minutes, but in roughly 6 hours I was only halfway through. It gives me something to work towards and motivates me. Just wanted to share!!☺️
I love when people get me yarn as a gift IF they bought it thinking "Oh my gosh, these colours remind me so much of Ems! I am going to get it for them and maybe they will enjoy making a hat!" - What I don't like is when it;s like "IDK what Ems wants, let's just grab any ball of yarn" and then I get a skein of red heart super savour in like... the camo colourway. Like literally I have gotten a ball of super savour in a gorgeous bright purple variegated and I LOVED the gift because the person told me how much the colour reminded them of me.
I think it is literally the thought that counts, not that they felt obligated to get you something, but that they thought about me and that colour!
For example I have a friend at my knit night who was destashing and she gave me 6 skeins of bulky weight alpaca blend because the colour reminded them of me and they knew that 6 skeins could make something pretty decent. I am now using that yarn to make my partner a sweater because it HAPPENS to be a sweater quantity for him - and one of his favourite colours! Win-win :D
I was so shocked to hear about us chronically ill folks in this video. I started knitting and now crocheting because I can't do my old hobbies. I haven't gotten into the yarn crafting social media realm until just now but it feels good to know that we're finally seen and recognized.
For me with the yarn collection, I find myself buying different types of yarn because I found a project that I am in love with but i dont have the type of yarn or the color that I need for it. I didnt think having a big yarn collection was a flex, it makes me feel like a slob. So I'll periodically go through my yarn and get rid of the ones I no longer use, or yarn I havent thought about for a while, by donating them.
About the whole "knitting being a great form of stress relief" and fidget, I find that I am MORE focused on a lecture or lesson when I have my knitting or crochet in hand while listening to the teacher than I am without anything in my hands. I'm not ADD/ADHD, but it is extremely helpful for me to be able to have something productive to do while listening to something. It's a quiet thing, I can focus in class, and I end up with a finished project by the end of the week.
re: Large stashes. When you grow up poor and can't afford craft supplies, it's REALLY hard to not stock up when you find a good deal, because you never know when the tide will change, but that's just me.
re: yarn bowl's being useless. I have mobility issues and can't just jump up and grab my yarn if it takes off on me. I adore my yarn bowls, some of them are works of art!
In reference to sustainability a great way to get yarn for cheap while reaming as ethical as possible is to go to your local thrift and unravel a sweater, it’s surprisingly easy and a good way to reuse ♻️!
yes! I have a video about this on my channel!!!
As a pattern maker my biggest fear is that I create something identical to someone else without knowing it. I’ve had the same situation as you where my heart sunk when I saw a similar project in my feed and felt betrayed and I’m sure they felt the same way. As adults we messaged privately and realized it wasn’t intentional but that feeling is the worst!
I mean like it is bound to happen because crochet is kinda of like gemotry/math in general and art fused. So it is even more likely to happen if you are making like lets say common household item or a popular character into a stuff animal.
"plagiarism" is always going to happen. there are only so many ways to make a garment. knitting/crochet has been around for at least 200 years. there are thousands if not millions of knitters/crocheters around the world. the idea that every project has to be completely original when most people are making basic every day clothes is ridiculous
one time I thought it would be so cute to bake tiny breads in tiny le creuset dutch ovens and then it turned out they did that on their ig page already and I had seen it 😂
hahaha classic
My hot take: you don’t necessarily have to follow patterns if you know how to make the general shapes and stuff, I’ve been crocheting for 4-5 years and I havent ever followed a pattern, my stuff still turns out okay cause I know how to make the shapes and stuff, but people can use patterns too, it’s all fine to me, I just personally don’t and if people don’t want to, they don’t have to
the sizing thing is so important to me. i’m not plus sized but have awkward proportions and trying to find patterns that i can adapt easily is practically impossible as a beginner. it makes me sad when i finish a project and I don’t look like the model
Same!! I’m very short and very pear shaped, so certain types of crochet projects always tend to look a little off on me! Like all those cute tank tops always are both too low cut and too long on me, and it can be really hard to figure out how to change some of them and still end up with the right borders
Also same! It’s gotten to the point where I just don’t make wearables using a pattern. I take it as inspiration, and I’ll try to compensate the person that did make the pattern I was inspired by, but at the end of the day anyone that pretends that a 40B and a 34DD can use the exact same 2XL bralette pattern is kidding themselves at best. If I want anything to actually fit me, I have to adapt things. It sucks, but it gets easier with time
Use the best fiber you can afford. Use the best tools you can afford that are appropriate for the job. WHY? Because you get what you pay for and your time is valuable. Acrylic has its place but I find most people who defend using acrylic do so because its so cheap *remember, the price you pay is a direct reflection of the price paid to the people who made it* and therefore they can hoard it.
I would also argue that curating a collection of fine yarns in itself is its own hobby outside of knitting or crocheting... be it that you're buying handspun, indie dyed, or spinning it yourself. As long as you are then making or gifting from your collection, its totally sustainable. I like to buy yarn as souvenirs and receive it as gifts (those who gift to me understand what I like and don't) and I find it inspiring.
Trends. Happen. Curves are in. They're popular in interior design, fabric, and graphic design. So yeah. Colorblocking too. Just know your IP law and consult your attorney if you're making $$ from your making or designing.
There are reasons beyond "Slow Fashion" to be making that are as valid. Making *IS* therapy. It's physical therapy and its mental therapy. Knitting and crocheting should bring you joy, make you feel calm, and be centering. A LOT of people with mental health struggles use these creative outlets to help cope with anxiety, impulse control, fidgeting, PTSD, depression, eating disorders... the list goes on. *IF YOUR MAKING IS EMOTIONALLY BENEFICIAL, YOU DO YOU BOO!* Bork anyone who complains about it. Your mental health matters more than their misguided opinions on how much you should or shouldn't be knitting/crocheting. That said, see my first statement.
So, there's an Instagram handle that all they do is advertise size inclusive tests. The problem is, they don't give two poops about the designers. If you want to advertise with them (and reach literally 100s of thousands of ppl, you have to agree that the testers can do whatever the F they want with the free pattern you give them, even if that means NOT testing it and republishing it themselves. It's absolute horsepoop. SO MANY size inclusive designers have stopped advertising there because they don't allow tester contracts or allow for testers to be charged the cost of the pattern if they fail to hold up their end of the deal. Horse Poop.
Having the courage to freehand and be abstract is SOOOOO mentally difficult. I'm just always in awe of the guts.
AND YES!!! Normalize accommodations that make everyone's life easier and we make it easier by speaking up! I spoke to my professors in college. My grades went up when I could crochet or knit in class AND so did my class participation because I wasn't daydreaming.
Some people are product vs process makers. That's fine. And if having goals or intentions in your creative space HELPS your creativity, then why are you being so judgey, Karen? Better to have intentions and goals and feel fulfilled in your making than feel paralyzed by indecision and end up not making at all.
Yarn bowls do serve a purpose. They keep the yarn clean on a potentially dirty surface and are a great tool for training cats to not touch yarn. Same with yarn spindles.
Making squishies IS THE BEST! So much fun! Did someone hurt your inner child?
Comparison is the thief of joy in all scenarios. I scroll for color inspiration and follow yarn companies and only friends who also make. I follow other creative hobbies for inspo.
Another thing I think factors into the fiber type discussion is, what's the purpose of the finished object? If you're making a baby blanket for new parents, acrylic is much easier to wash than wool, which needs special care, so if you'd gift them a wool blanket, you've essentially given them more work on top of everything else (if they even use it). Of course, the environment points stand, but I haven't seen this mentioned
This. If I’m gifting something and know the person isn’t going to want to deal with care requirements, I’ll use acrylic. And then there’s allergy concerns as well. I know some people are allergic to wool and acrylic is the only thing they can use.
I know it's a late reply, but I agree! I used to do intricate patterns and want to use "nice" yarn for baby blankets, but as I've seen more and more friends have kids, it's been clear that washability and safety are the two biggest concerns. That fancy blanket that'll look impressive as a gift will get lost in the attic, whereas the moss stitch striped blanket made out of acrylic will get used (and spat up on, and pooped on), will hold up to use, and can be thrown in the washing machine
I agree with the stashing problem, I overbuy because it's fun. It's definitely something that I have to confront.
My hot take is that a lot of patterns are priced too high. Basic sweater shapes, socks, mittens, hats have existed for eons. Not every spin on these is worth $28.
About size representation, most of the creators post 95% photos of themselves. So testers won't change things, the solution is to just allow people to grow. Follow diverse people, go through their hashtags to find more, make a d promote their patterns, mention them first when someone asks for recommendation. Make people famous.
Wool production actually doesn’t harm the animals at all!! Sheep actually need to be sheared or they’ll overheat
Yeah we deliberately bred them that way... they did not start out like that before we got hold of them. The larger argument is that it's good for the individual animal to be shorn, but the wool industry is not good for the species. I say this as a meat eater and animal product user.
@@schoo9256 This is the part that everyone ignores. Sheep should’ve never been sheared in the first place and the only reason they need to be is because of people. So wool production DOES harm them
@@Aj-sn1dp right but we can't unbreed that trait lmao. should we just let them overheat?
@@slimecorn vegans aren't suggesting to leave sheep to overheat and die (obviously). the wool industry is constantly breeding more sheep, vegans would like them to stop and phase out wool for cotton.
im not vegan btw
I personally loved the idea of getting yarn as a gift... until I realised that my mum is very much a quantity over quality kinda person. And not the good kind of quality where I'd get like six skeins of the same colour, but rather six skeins of like three or even four different colours that are usually next to impossible to mix and match. Not enough for a blanket, too much for a sweater... thank God I make amigurumi the most. You can get away with a lot of weird colour combos in amigurumi, I feel.
On the topic of amigurumi, I hate that chenille (chennile?) yarn is slowly but surely becoming a standard for amigurumi. I hate it, personally. I don't like how it feels on my skin, I don't really like the way it works up, it's hard to get my hands on where I live, it's expensive, and personally I mostly use leftovers from larger projects because I make mostly around hand or forearm sized amigurumi. The only plus I can give it is that it really works up quickly.
I don't know if this is a hot take or not and again this refers specifically to amigurumi, but I have seen people say (quite a couple times) that you shouldn't be making amigurumi for the sake of it and I just... can't agree with that. The thing is, I don't really have anyone I could give my amigurumi to, but I don't think that should stop me from making it. Maybe I'll once collect everything I have made that is of at least passable quality and donate it, but I don't think I should be frowned at even if I keep it for myself.
The knitting/crochet while in class thing was very popular when I still went to university in the 2010s in Germany. The lecturers were all okay with it. So sometimes in winter, you had half of the class just sitting there with their hat and scarf projects, listening. I loved it because it personally helped me a lot with focusing on the class.
The only times I will buy a lot of yarn in one go is when my local yarn shop has their annual clearance, and I only get what I already have plans for. I went last week and they had this gorgeous yarn that was originally $10 a ball now marked down to $2! I bought enough for two shawls and some fingerless mitts. You can't pass up a sale like that! Especially when you know you probably won't ever be able to get that particular yarn again. :) As far as amigurumi, I LOVE making those! It's a nice switch from the other stuff I make. They can be really intricate and beautiful.
i will usually buy yarn once every two months, since it’s cheaper to get yarn in bulk and i know i’ll use it all, also the new yarn i buy depends on the remainder! also yeah amigurumi is so cute and fun!
Stumbled in. Agree with much of what you said. Started knitting at 7, in teens knitted lots of sweaters,got busy with active career,home ownership,kids and only started a sweater from single ply home drop spun. 30 yrs later son wearing acrylic sweater. Fun to watch the silliness on podcasts of buying one skein expensive hand dyed,progress keepers and bespoke yarn bowls, extensive stash, multiple sets of interchangeable needle, multiple spinning implement and the frenzy to have a ranunculus just like everyone else to fit in at yarn show. I totally don't fit in. Knit what I need,use soup pot as yarn bowl/project bag,made multiple spinning spindles from wooden wheel/dowel so could ply straight from them. Got different colors of alpaca fleece. Have all I need so on to learning mosiac. Did filet crochet for windows, don't feel need to do more. Son didn't know I can paint til did a mural. I think many podcasters seek personal validation.
the hot take i've been bringing to my classroom as a teacher is that crafts are supposed to be fun. I've actually made it a class rule. If the kids aren't having fun expressing themselves and creating things, it's not a craft.
I have a big stash not because I’m a shopaholic, but because there are yarns I love using and I buy them when sales happen. 🥰 especially because people request commissions all the time and it’s better to buy in advance rather than place an order for every commission I get.
Not everyone has a budget to buy full price yarn all the time.
That being said, I do crochet a lot. So all of the yarn I bought will be used 😇
I haven’t purchased any since Black Friday. Because I have enough right now.
Agree! I shop on sale exclusively, and knit for children who are growing, so I knit pretty regularly! I have a big stash to account for that - I might not use 10 balls of that yarn today, but my nephew is getting a new sweater in winter bc he grows like a weed!
This! When there’s a crazy sale I want to take advantage! Every skein I buy I buy with the intention to use, even if it takes a while. Plus when shopping online, if shipping is going to cost $10 regardless of if I get 1 skein or 20, I might as well make it worth my money (and worth the emissions from shipping)
about the accepting of using crocheting/knitting as a stress relief/keeping your hands busy thing, especially if you're in college just talk to your professors about it! This semester I quickly realized there were some lectures I couldn't take effective notes in, but just sitting there makes me fidgety and distracted. And my professors are really cool so I've been able to just crochet and listen for several of my classes, and then I take my own notes and study on my own time and it works out great!
I wonder how many people with large stashes are sort of... Buying them in the good times in preparation for the bad. When I have more money, I tend to be more open to buying yarn that I like but have no specific use for with the intent that I have a stockpile and can continue my hobby / major way to destress even if I run into financial hardships. It also brings me joy to have yarn on hand so that I can show friends how to crochet and easily give them a bag of starter yarn even if neither of us has a ton of spare money
I have had people ask me "how long did it take for you to make X". I agree with you. We all have a different amount of time that it'll take. My go to answer is usually "I've been knitting for 20 years, that skillset builds up, and hours and hours of actually knitting/crocheting/glazing, etc".
I have what most would consider a large, but very sentimental stash. Ive been knitting for 13 years and I’ve been to many fiber festivals through the years and have bought indie yarns and notions at them… oh, and I’ve also visited many local yarn shops when I was traveling across the US. I feel when you support local yarn shops you do you part to further the fiber world. I can pick up a skein and remember that day and where I was, and sometimes even what I’d hoped the yarn would be. For me it’s not just about buying the stash. It was a careful thoughtful build and as I pull yarn to knit from it, it gives me immeasurable joy.
I think it’s different for me as a) a new-ish knitter, and b) someone who doesn’t write patterns, but I absolutely love consuming all kinds of knitting content. I want to see everyone’s designs. I want to see what everybody is feeling in the moment and watch them progress. I want to see what patterns speak to them and how they innovate along the way. I don’t feel burned out or inadequate, if anything I feel motivated!
but also. color me “hyperfixated” lmfao
Thanks for your comment at the beginning. I like to crochet but as I'm learning, I get too stressed and abandon many projects. A "friend" invited me to her birthday but we are not close. I was going to make her something but only out of obligation plus I'm in mid-term exams and my life is a mess. So thank you for making me realize that it's not my obligation to give her a DIY gift
As a plus size person that does crochet it can definitely be discouraging to see a lot of designs that don't have modifications for plus size bodies, that means I have to do a lot of extra work to make it usable for me and other people in my life.
But I also think it's inevitable, the biggest creators will be people that have the most 'aesthetic' feeds either on Instagram or on UA-cam, straight size bodies will always be favored in fashion content.
The solution to your problem is one that nobody likes it's not like you're disabled
I don’t think people should put limits on the amount of projects someone can make. Saying “it should be a hobby.” It can be a lot more than a hobby to a lot of people. It could be that thing that gives them purpose. It could be the thing that makes them a living. It could be the thing that’s keeping them living, if you get what I’m saying. I’m not the type to have five finished projects a month, because I practice so many fiber arts it’s hard to finish even one thing. Yet I don’t feel it’s my place to limit the amount of work someone puts into it or doesn’t.
I think you missed the point here. The point was not to fall for the capitalistic lie of productivity over enjoyment. No one is limiting anyone here.
@@amara560 I didn’t miss the point. I got it. I was referring to the specific comment telling people that their craft should only be a hobby.
I just wanted to vent/share that crafting as a plus-size person is much more time-consuming and expensive, which can partially explain why there aren't as many plus-size creators/designers/pattern testers. Someone who's an XS can literally make two or more sweaters with the time/money it takes me to make one, since I have to buy significantly larger quantities of yarn and spend significantly more time making a significantly bigger garment which, on top of everything else, can be SO boring to actually make when there's so much more knitting/crochet involved in a single piece. Plus there's an added gamble of whether the finished object will actually fit in the end. It's just not worth the time and money investment, and the stress of "will this just completely go to waste?" looming over my head totally takes away the fun, meditative aspect of the creative process as well as any desire to experiment or take risks. It's such a bummer. So I'll just stick to making accessories for now 🥲
Yes, and this is also why there are often less plus sized pattern testers, as often they are to be finished in 4-6 weeks, and it is so much harder to get a larger sized garment knit in the same time it takes others to knit the small sizes. If they want more plus size testers they need to allow longer for them to be knit.
On the note of acrylics, I personally love them! I'd say they make up about 90% of my collection. There are some crazy soft and luxurious ones out there too! The Uptown collection from Universal Yarn is one of my favourites :)
My idea on getting testers for the larger sizes in order for a design to be size-inclusive is that we simply (but not easily lol) need testers to be willing to test knit & test crochet something in the larger sizes but NOT for themselves to wear - they can find a plus size person to give it to & see how it fits! This ties in with knitters & crocheters not wanting to make things for those who might not be 'knit-worthy' and also having the American consumption attitude - collecting things/keeping all their makes along with having a huge yarn stash - let's call it what it is - a collection lol. I agree with you on basically everything.
I was so happy to hear you read the one about physical disabilities. Disabled fiber artists are amazing and I'm so thankful to have them to relate to ❤
my issue with the "stop shaming acrylic yarn" people is that the whole debate gets very black and white. Like, if you can afford to buy WAY more acrylic yarn than you will ever need, you can afford to buy wool and/or cotton yarn you need. I completely agree that everyone deserves to make fibre art if they want to, just saying "no shame in using acrylic" seems to be a free pass to just get lots of cheap wool to a lot of people. Wool is also not as sustainable as some people seem to think and it also greatly depends on what animal is the source. Alternatives like bamboo, flax and hemp barely get talked about. We are also completely ignoring the environmental impact of importing things which also adds sooo much more CO2 than people realize. All of this to say, it is much more complicated than "wool good, acrylic bad"
When I started picking up crocheting my aunt was telling me some of her tips and tricks in my personal favorite one is that she uses one of those reusable grocery bags with a wine bottle insert in it to hold her yarn for projects with multiple colors keeps them all from scattering around or rolling away. Brilliant
Hi! I just discovered your Channel. What a gem you are! After I watched this video I watched you first tutorial on Making a Scrappy Sweater. So much information provided in 40 minutes. I loved your tip for making increases under the armpit to accommodate for a larger bust. As for more inclusivity in patterns, I think it would be difficult if not impossible to provide a pattern to fit all body types. Each pattern would be book length and end up costing $50. I don't mind doing a little math, especially if a diagram is provided like you did on your sweater tutorial. I love your intelligent well thought commentary. Keep up the good work.
Omg the take with having crochet accepted in public like stress balls! In my second semester of college, my biology professor saw my crochet bag and said I can crochet during the lecture if it helps me focus. He said his mom would focus on shows with her crochet. That semester I got my first A for a science class!
I agree crochet is easier than knitting but knit looks better--the exception being toys/amigurumi which look better than knitted
Oof I'm real late on this video BUT in my final semester of uni I crocheted in my courses! My Literature professors were so cool and understanding about it. They trusted that I knew it would help me focus and stay involved, and I think it came down to the fact that I was open and communicative about my intention and developed report with them. I also had accommodations for anxiety and adhd, and while this wasn't an official accommodation, I could easily see it being considered one! That being said, I thoroughly believe that most accommodations would benefit far more people than just an individual who /needs/ it in the classroom. They should be available for all.
I'd love an in depth video about different fibers. I think it's way more complicated than people think. Yes, acrylic is plastic. But plastic is a byproduct of oil. So as long as we use gasoline, we have plastic. I'd be interested to see how plastic for acrylic yarn plays into that. And then wool is an animal product, which can lead to exploitation of animals. Especially since the only sheep that need to have their wool cut off are those that humans have bred to need that. And as for cotton, the amount of water it takes to produce cotton makes that bad for the environment. I'm not sure about bamboo or tencel, but definitely interested!
“what about cotton darling” is what my grandmother said while i was watching this vid at her place lol😂
20:12 also, i think people tent to think that an item you spelt more time on is more valuable that an item u spent less time crocheting/knitting. u can finish a fingering weight sweater in about a week if you keep working on it every second of ur day. but if another person needs month to finish the same sweater, is urs more valuable than that other one?
and i don’t want to time myself either, i feel more stressed when i’m trying to finish an item in a set timeframe. most of the time i don’t even feel joy knitting that item and it lands on another pile of unfinished projects. and i think it’s also important to say that it is completely valid if u don’t feel like crocheting/knitting that day, and that don’t HAVE TO work on something everyday.
I love what you said at the beginning about how not everybody deserves a handmade gift. So f-ing true. I don't think it's grinchy at all because not everybody even wants handmade gifts. I totally agree.
definitely agree with the crochet and knitting as stress relief or for concentration. I love making crochet ribbon lace and it's a small project I can take everywhere and it helps me focus a lot. Love doing it while watching yt or netflix as well
7:52 "I hate chunky yarn, specifically for sweaters"
Me, joining the sleeves on a chunky sweater: 🧶👄🧶
I agree with the massive yarn collection not making you a better fiber artist, but I'd like to argue that a large collection doesn't make you a consumerist. My yarn collection is massive and that's only because my mom's coworker works at a thrift store and she gifts me the yarn that doesn't sell, so now I have more yarn than I know what to do with (especially since I don't want to tell her no cuz apparently she gifts everyone else like this and she's a nice old lady-I don't want to hurt nice old lady). I haven't bought yarn in a long time because of it, but even if the yarn wasn't given to me I still don't buy much yarn. I'm not participating in consumerism if I haven't bought an overwhelming majority of the yarn I own. It's a bit of an unfair take.
Yes so much to the knitting helping me focus! I explained it to someone once that knitting (crochet/spinning/etc) while I watch TV or listen to a book (still working on reading with my eyes while knitting) makes me pay better attention. It's similar to how music in the background of all visual media helps people focus on the visual. It's engaging multiple senses and occupying various input channels and keeping you engaged.
these are insightful hot takes as someone who just got into knitting and dipped my toes into crocheting -- a cute cat beanie idea, but it could just be that I'm still struggling adding stitches each row.
rant, haha but I see each hot take for what it is. I appreciate the video and conversation.
I crochet and have tried and failed to knit so many times. I love knit stitches, and Tunisian Crochet fills that itch.
I was like agreeing with so many of the first ones and then was so taken aback by a few near the end 😂
Hahaha which ones?
Right, most crochet projects are so pretty :(
So excited to be one of those plus sized crocheter for our community still new im free handing a project rn so happy with how it's coming out but im litterally obsessed with crochet
I think you should really start doing video essays on important things like the different types of fiber, the different government and NGO groups that set standards and what those standards are. The history of fiber. The impact of fiber production AND the impact of fiber post production (shedding plastics/chemicals used to make bamboo and other cellulose yarn, etc). Different sheep breeds and how different wools are better for different needs. How not sheering sheep is tantamount to abuse & we need to sheer them anyway. Also, tools and how different tools impact your knitting or crochet. wood vs metal inline vs tapered (changing your tool can make a type of yarn so much more pleasurable)
Compare the impact of slow fashion production and consumer waste vs impact of yarn production and consumer waste. (There are yarn companies that will recycle your snipped tails for you to make their tweed yarns!)
I second all of this!!💞
Not a fiber arts person but am totally loving the vibe of it. I am however a watercolor artist and I know from experience with my carpal tunnel that the wc community is so kind and supportive. I'm so glad that other communities have that same warm fuzzy feeling. We all need support and uplifting when we put ourselves out into the world through art. ❤
Different types of wool can be scratchy. It depends on the breed of sheep. Shetland scratchy. Merino is lovely🥰
I originally knotted, but now weaving in my ends has become an art for me. I love leaving long tails, etc.