100% agree about acrylic, and also breaking patterns. I always crochet loose, so I tend to go by inch/centimeter measurements for things like garments rather than the number of stitches specified by a pattern. I've also never blocked anything and haven't regretted it yet! I do crochet pretty quickly and honestly it helps me to *not* burn out on a project because I can get it done faster, or else I'll probably get bored with it. That's just my two cents though. Great video!
🍂Good job on expressing your opinions! I agree with them all. I’ve been crocheting for a few decades (I learned in my 20s & still improving in my 50’s😉), & have never blocked anything. I do wish there was a more substantial substitute for acrylic, but it fits into the budget. Speed not only turns crocheting into a task, but can cause many more errors. I would add #6 - there is always something new to learn about crochet!🍁🍁
I watched while crocheting an acrylic sweater because yarn is expensive as it is, deffinitely not going to spend even more money on fancy yarn that will shrink or disintegrate in the washing machine. Never blocked anything yet because I mostly do amigurumi. Hate crocheting for people who have asked me to because the pressure ruins the fun. Prefer to crochet for myself or as enexpected gifts.
🍁🍂🍂 i agree with all of these "unpopular opinions!" i think acrylic is a great affordable option and is easy to come by. i try not to let my yarn scraps go to waste by using them inside amigurumi projects. i also never block simply because I just don't need to i love your channel! it always inspires me to make something new!
I really agree with you, especially on #5. I find crochet projects are healing for me. When I crochet and watch each stitch define and grow my project, I am comforted and my physical and emotional pains for that hour blissfully fade into the background. If I felt pressured to hurry up and finish my project I would definitely lose that opportunity for healing. Thank you for bringing this point up. Wishing you a peaceful 2024!
I like you video. I agree with a lot of what have said. Acrylic is affordable, and will last wash after wash. I have blankets that are over 20 years old. As for hooks if you going to try a new hook just get one. You might not like it and this way you didn't spend money on an entire set.
🍁 🧡 I have to look into but I think acrylic might be using a byproduct of the oil & gas industry that would otherwise go to waste. I could be completely wrong. Either way, it's more affordable and has its place. There are times my hands are in the zone and I can zip along. Tonight I'm just poking along at a project and enjoying it. Sometimes I wish I could work fast all the time to be able to make all the things I want in my ridiculously long Ravelry queue but I'd rather enjoy it than feel like I HAVE to crank stuff out. It's not a race or a contest... especially if you just end up making more mistakes.
Hi… love your vlog and your style ! 😀 Wondered if you could do a video on how to get picked to be a pattern tester. I’ve applied to about a dozen calls for testers this month but to no avail. I believe I’m meeting all the requirements, but are there any tips for being picked. Thanks. Lynne
❤i loved your unpopular opinions. It is nice to hear someone finally stick up for acrylic yarns. I also like what you said about hooks. It is all on a very individual basis. I also enjoy crocheting as a way to relax, and i find whenever i crochet fast, i make a lot more mistakes and need to frog a lot more projects. I loved your video. The sweater you are working on in this video looks lovely ❤
🍂 🍁 🍃 acrylic may not be “sustainable”, but it truly does have a place, and crocheting and knitting are not going to produce near as much waste as fast fashion and other general household items. I would love to hear your opinions on size inclusivity and accessibility…is it really a pattern designer’s responsibility to try to make their patterns as inclusive as possible?
I agree with all of them - and I love my Amour hook YES, but also often go back to my Boye hooks, they just glide so nicely. The only thing I more than disagree with on a larger scale is that acrylic is not sustainable. It absolutely is - far more than people often believe. And it has been made the boogeyman of the fiber world for all the wrong reasons. A study conducted in Denmark showed that you need to use your cotton shopping bag over 7 thousand times and 20 thousand times if it's organic to have less environmental co2 impact than a plastic bag. Even a paper bag has to be reused over 50 times to have less. Sometimes people forget where all the microplastic in the sea comes from and where majority of fibres are produced. Large scale productions in third world countries, where even massive "hand dyed" animal fibres come from. -And the process to make bamboo and the chemicals needed is horrible. They are all an individual's choice and we all need to turn our blaming eyes other places to "put blame", the leaders of massive companies and corporations rather than side-eyes our fellow fibre artists who use it as a safe place to have an outlet and unwind ♥
love your opinions, i agree 100% with #5. i am not a fast crocheter and yes if rushed it does take the love and fun out of the project. thank you for this video, please keep em coming
🍁I’m new to crocheting and just been watching so many videos and realized these kind of talks are my favorite to listen to while I crochet! Love all the little opinions and thoughts people have, and love this community
🍁 I do my own kinda blocking just with cotton and acrylic yarns. I run them thru a normal wash cycle and then delicate dry for about 7-10 minutes then pin on to the pads. Once completely dry I'll put in an air cycle on the dryer and to me that seems to balance out the stitches and make the item(s) feel so soft and ready to use.
I agree with most of them for sure. While I love the idea of using only natural fibre yarns my daughter and I are wool sensitive so that means the only natural options available are cotton (which I love), bamboo or hemp. But it also somewhat limits my yarn choices, especially when it comes to yarns that are thicker than DK or worsted and that's where things like acrylic or polyester come in. With regards to blocking, I think it depends on what kind of project you're doing. I never block my blankets or other accessory related makes but I will for sure be steam blocking when I get into making garments.
My aunt taught me to crochet when I was young and she never taught me to block. I didn’t even know blocking exsisted until I started watching crochet RU-vid patterns. Even still, I’ve never had an issue with projects not being blocked and the only project I blocked was a project that curled too much and blocked only the affected area to help flatten it out
I agree about crochet faster! I am learning to take time and enjoy the process and I notice when I spend time on my work it’s comes out soo much better.
I used to be very anti-blocking, until I discovered steam blocking - now it’s one of my favorite parts of the process! Quick and easy, you don’t have to wait days for it to dry, and seeing the difference blocking makes is so satisfying. 😁
Actually Sounds like a really good idea! :) Thanks, I’m gonna look for a steamer. I’ve never used one or bought one before so I don’t know if it’s pricey. I’m more on a budget to be honest.
I'm mainly a knitter and I have only blocked maybe one project. I don't have a problem with acrylic yarn. Like you said "it has it's place". My unpopular crochet opinion is that I have no desire whatsoever to do Granny squares. AT ALL. I'll admit that some GS projects are cute and all but they are just not my vibe.
I love hearing your unpopular opinions, thanks for sharing! I know lots of people love granny squares but they definitely have a "look" to them, so I totally understand that. Thanks for watching!! (:
I use all types of yarn except marino wool. Allergic to it lol literally. I find alot of my yarns at thrift shops yard sales and sometimes estate sales. I renew recycle and reuse often as my preference. Acrylic yarn def has its place. I seldom block my projects which do include sweaters coats etc. I block doilies sometimes d/t starching shapes. 51 years of crocheting so yes rules are made to be broken and i often do with fantastic results. Hooks are often not just preference but can be due to health issues. I watched another video and tried beauty blenders on my hooks. Loved it for my growing arthritic hands. You made some wonderful points. Tyfs in this video. 😊😊
🍁 This type of video is so interesting! I always love hearing crafty opinions. I always wet block my wool projects, but with knitting it’s necessary so the stitch patterns show well. I also think acrylic yarn has its place! I use it for kids garments bc they grow so quickly and I want them to enjoy wearing it without me crying at the playground bc someone ruined a $100 sweater 😆😅
1)Acrylic yarn is fine if that is what the person wants to use. 2) Apply your own creativity, absolutely. Adjust the pattern to suit you, absolutely. To bash the pattern publicly on YT because "it should have been done this way" or "I couldn't understand it" is unacceptable! To change a few stitches and rewrite the pattern as a free pattern or to sell it as your own is vile behavior to get likes and sales while having no basic moral structure! 3) Every person should have there own "this is the best crochet hook" I love prym, furl and Bates base hooks in polymer clay handles. But you may not, this shpuld not be an issue, but sadly it is? 4) Blocking. Well like you I never blocked a thing until 3 years ago when I made a merino wool shawl as a bridal gift. I think Granny Squares blocked are more umiform and therefore the over all project is more aesthetic. I now block all garments as well even acrylics, it gives shawls and wraps more flow while wearing and sweaters a sharper/crisper edge. This is just my opinion and to each there own. 5) Speed. I wholeheartedly agree. Also unless you are above the level of intermediate, you will make unnecessary mistakes, your tension will be uneven, and it's just a job then not an art. I can't tell you how much I hate YY pattern reviews that downgrade or all out call a pattern and in some cases a free pattern "bad" based iff their speed and knowledge. Infuriating to me. I actually had to call out one creator because of this, she does seem to have stopped being so nasty about patterns that have some sewing, but still is just horrible about patterns not written for a beginner. She seriously thinks all patterns need to be written for beginners to be fair! Maybe I am too old and cranky to deal with the whole "it's not fair" mentality. If a pattern doesn't say beginner then it probably isn't for a beginner. Just like if a pattern doesn't say no sew it isn't mo sew😂
