While I consider myself to be a fairly proficient crocheter, I could also be described as terminally lazy. I think you’ll understand what I mean when I confess my 7 deadliest crochet sins.
One more thing though – none of these crochet “sins” have ever stopped me from crocheting up a storm! I crochet my way – and you should crochet yours!
Crochet sin #1
I never bother with a gauge swatch.
I know, I know, this is crucial to making sure things will work up how the pattern designer envisaged them, and makes sure your fabric is the right thickness and texture and size…
But I can’t ever be bothered. I have re-worked entire patterns on the fly before just because I couldn’t be bothered to make a gauge swatch and I felt like I was too far into a project to frog it.
Crochet sin #2
I am the worst at working my ends away while I go.
It doesn’t matter how big the project, until I’m finished with my hook, those ends aren’t going anywhere!
I think this is why I used to make so much amigurumi – the ends are useful for sewing the bits together so it saves me a job!
Crochet sin #3
I almost never use the yarn specified in the pattern.
I just look at the weight, and I pick something I’d rather use. And you know what? It’s never worked out badly for me so far!
I think the Lydia Blanket and the Scheepjes CAL 2016 are the first yarn packs I’ve used for their allotted projects – it’s quite a relief in a lot of ways.
Crochet sin #4
I’m bored of borders!
I seem to mostly make blankets, and with a blanket project, you’re in for a slog. When I get to the end of a giant project, and I’ve put the hook away to sew in all the ends I’ve left hanging out, the last thing I want to do is to crochet a border.
The thing is, I love how borders look – they really finish off a blanket, so I do need to sort this sin out.
Crochet sin #5
I don’t keep a record of what hook I’ve been using on abandoned projects.
I seem to think I’ll just remember what hook size I used when I finally pick the project up a year down the line. I haven’t remembered yet. Note to self: label your abandoned WIPs!
Crochet sin #6
Blocking is not my thing.
In a house full of curious animals, blocking can prove difficult. As I’ve mentioned on the blog recently, I’m usually to be found working large one-piece projects which are a nightmare to block – you’re talking a king size bed, a zillion pins and a full day to dry out. I’d rather have curly edges.
Having said that, now I’m working on a few projects using motifs, I’m finally blocking some stuff – but only because I’m in love with my new blocking board. I’m sure the novelty will wear off!
As a Tunisian crochet fan, though, I seriously need to block more – that curl is a killer!
Crochet sin #7
I’m a feeder…
…of the stash! My yarn stash is truly out of control. I can’t help myself when faced with a beautiful yarn – I just have to have it. It doesn’t matter if I have no idea what to make with it, I will happily buy it anyway.
It’s not just yarn either – I’ll feed the crafting stash at any opportunity. If my amazon order is slightly under the amount to qualify for free delivery, I’ll find the difference by adding a hook to my basket, or a pom-pom maker, or some sewing accessories… I’m out of control!
What are your crafting sins?
Until next time,
Elsie Pop
xx
Cecily says
4th June 2016 at 4:43 pmI agree with no #1 I never make a swatch I just wing it if I have the right thickness of wool. Can also relate to a few of the others!!
Elsie Pop says
4th June 2016 at 4:50 pmThanks Cec – it’s nice to know I’m not alone in all my crochet sins! xx
Christine says
4th June 2016 at 5:48 pm#2! My little girl got her brand new poncho today. Never mind that I finished it nearly 3 months ago. I just couldn’t talk myself into dealing with the ends…
Elsie Pop says
4th June 2016 at 5:53 pmHaha I have a blanket all ready to give to a friend sitting in my house… all ready apart from those blasted ends! xx
Carol says
4th June 2016 at 7:17 pmHa! I don’t weave in my ends until the end, either. I think it is because, if I have to rip back my work, those already-worked-in ends are a pain, and they were a waste of time, too. Plus, I just like to sit down and work them in all at once.
Elsie Pop says
4th June 2016 at 7:26 pmExactly! I’d rather spend a couple of hours with a needle than swap between hook and needle every 5 minutes during a project! Thanks for visiting! xx
Lucy Blossom says
5th June 2016 at 7:48 pmMy sins are quite similar, although relate to knitting. I never use the ‘correct’ yarn, I don’t weave ends in, blocking? what’s blocking? 😛 and gauge patches – nah never!
Elsie Pop says
5th June 2016 at 8:47 pmIt’s reassuring to know I’m not alone – gauge patches are just a waste of yarn, right? xx
creativejewishmom/sara says
5th June 2016 at 8:42 pmI’m guilty of most of these as well, and I’d say one of the ones you’ll most enjoy tackling is weaving the ends in as you go, such a joy not to have to do it all at the end! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Elsie Pop says
5th June 2016 at 8:46 pmYeah ends as I go would save a lot of dread at the end of a project! xx
AUNTIE SHAN says
6th June 2016 at 6:43 am;-}
oh, pul-leeze! ONLY “7”? ha! MOSES keeps tossing large flat rocks at me!!
I’ve been crocheting for over half a CENTURY and still CAN’T “read” a pattern! – I design my own! That way, my “project” IS the swatch. [Besides, my tension is pretty bang on, so I only need to eyeball it] And the only “blocking” that I’ve ever done, is the “way” INTO the odd room in my house with my warehouse-worth of STASH!!
😀
Elsie Pop says
6th June 2016 at 8:49 amHahaha your comment made me laugh out loud! Limiting this list to 7 was PURELY because 1200 deadly sins isn’t the usual deal! Thanks for the comment and the visit. xx
Maria Goodwin says
6th June 2016 at 7:49 amI love all those photos of your projects and I break most of those rules too; #7 especially! When I travel, I buy yarns instead of souvenirs! The yarns I’ve saw in the UK and Alaska, just HAD to come home to Australia with me! lol
Elsie Pop says
6th June 2016 at 8:50 amOh Maria I’m so guilty of this too! I have yarn from most of my holidays – and I’ve even had friends bring me yarn back from their holidays! I’m terrible! Thanks for visiting. xx
Jenny says
7th June 2016 at 10:12 amI pretty much do all of these things as well! Weaving in ends I never do, I often don’t use recommended yarn (cost, and also a result of constantly feeding my stash when I shouldn’t) and swatching is the wooooorst I just want to start a project straight away!! Ah it’s good to know that we aren’t alone in performing these sinful crochet acts 🙂 jenny xxx
Elsie Pop says
7th June 2016 at 11:09 amIt feels good to know you’re not alone doesn’t it? I feel fab after learning these things aren’t just limited to me! xx
Teresa says
9th June 2016 at 9:52 amAh, I commit all those sins too, except maybe the borders’ one. I love to add borders, I just lack the inspiration to find original ones sometimes. And I’m totally awful at following patterns. Most of the time reading a pattern is the same as reading a foreign language for me. I work much better with videos or picture tutorials…Anyway, than you for sharing this at The Really Crafty Link Party this week! Pinned!
Elsie Pop says
9th June 2016 at 1:56 pmThanks Teresa – I think the borders one is possibly the most niche of my sins, I’ve seen some beautiful borders out there. I’m working on a blanket design at the moment which I’m promising myself WILL have a border on it! xx
Casey says
4th July 2016 at 2:27 pmI am guilty of all of these!
Jennifer says
6th September 2016 at 10:16 amHa ha, I think that I’m guilty of most of these! Especially the not sewing in the ends, I hate it, and the getting to the end of a big project and not being able to face the thought of a border. My sin is probably that if I make a mistake that is only tiny I don’t go back and correct it, I like to think it is part of the charm of the finished product! Thank you for linking up to #craftingismytherapy
Elsie Pop says
6th September 2016 at 10:25 amI like to think of the little mistakes as proof that an item is handmade! They also present a great opportunity for problem solving! 🙂 xx
Me, You and Magoo says
6th September 2016 at 6:03 pmAs I can’t crochet, I don’t really understand the full depth of your sinning…but from where I’m sitting your work looks amazing. The Sophie blanket? Wow.
I do, however, have a serious addiction to buying vintage fabric & it has got to crisis levels with my fabric stash taking over the house. I also have far too much Crafty stuff around the house too. You never know when you might need it
Thank you for linking up to #craftingismytherapy
Elsie Pop says
6th September 2016 at 6:14 pmAh thanks 🙂 I’m glad stash problems aren’t just limited to yarn! xx
Rosina says
14th September 2016 at 8:30 amYep to all! Apart from the borders; I love doing a border. I’ve started the border before sewing in ends, once or twice. The disappointment I feel when I realise what’s going on is immense!!
I loved that comment from “Autnie Shan” Brilliant!
I’ve come over from #craftingismytherapy
Elsie Pop says
15th September 2016 at 12:14 pmA border before weaving in ends! That’s advanced crochet right there! Thanks for visiting Rosina xx
relentlesslypurple says
18th September 2016 at 6:56 pmI’m guilty on most of these! I definitely need to work on labeling wips as I can’t finish a few atm.. #craftingiamytherapy
Elsie Pop says
18th September 2016 at 9:03 pmIsn’t it frustrating when you can’t finish off an abandoned WIP? I have so many in this category! xx
AmyLovestoSew says
21st September 2016 at 8:03 pmOh I am the same with fabric – just have to buy it there and then, even though it can be years later before I finally get around to making anything with it. And yes to the guage swatch too, never do those. And I SO get the Amazon thing, why pay for delivery when instead you can add a little something lovely to your shopping cart (thats why pom pom makers where invented isn’t it?) #craftingismytherapy
Elsie Pop says
22nd September 2016 at 6:37 amPom pom makers! I have so many sizes, just to make up Amazon orders! My fabric stash is starting to increase a bit too now – maybe I’m just a craft hoarder? xx