Fear Of Being Seen.....In Crochet 

What an excellent post, I can relate to everything you touched on. You are so psychologically minded, insightful, and brave. You voice things that many of us feel. I have certainly experienced this fear of being seen. Intermittent social anxiety I guess. Sometimes it can show up online! This feeling sometimes leads to me not leaving comments- it can happen to us on RU-vid, even as a viewer. And when it does, I try to go back another time and leave some kind of comment at least for the channels I watch regularly and are familiar with me. I know it helps their channel & I want them to know I support them & watched their post. Speaking of support, today is Mother’s Day and I know it must be reflective, probably sad for you with it being the first one without your mom. I’ve been through this. I hope that you still have good moments. You seem like a great mom and friend 💐

I was wearing a scarf I made one day while I was shopping. The scarf was crocheted with Picasso Raindow. A little girl ( probably about 6 or 7) told me she loved my scarf! I took it off and gave it to her! Her parents allowed her to take it. Made me feel pretty good. I do wear my crochet and knit items! Proud of my craft! By the way, I love your cardigan!

I had the most delightful conversation with a lady in the grocery store who was wearing a gorgeous crocheted poncho she had made. Her entire face lit up when I complimented her on it. She was kind enough to share pattern info and I was totally inspired! 💙🧶💙 ps... your hexi cardi is STUNNING!

I’ve had jobs where I had to wear an uncomfortable uniform each day so being able to wear my crochet to work feels like a luxury and brings a little joyful reminder of my self-care time away from work. I also bring projects with me to crochet at lunch, in line, and during meetings that could’ve been an email. I also take detailed notes while crocheting so no one can say I’m not paying attention. Crochet helps me focus and keeps me calm. The older I get, the less I care about what other people think of me. If it makes one person smile (myself included), it’s worth it! You look beautiful in your beautiful cardigan! Praying for you and your family. ❤

Just this week I decided to finally make myself a poncho. I've always, always wanted one, but I'm a pretty big girl, and was worried I'd just look like a big walking SOFA, lol But I figure, now, so what? I'm a big girl no matter what I'm wearing, so why not just go for it.

So many good points and how to overcome. You should feel proud to wear what you’v made but not boastful. Don’t have the expectation that someone or many people are going to comment on what you are wearing. That just leads to disappointment and like you said, most people are too busy worrying about what they’ve got going on. Wear what you’ve made because YOU want to wear it for yourself and not others.

I'm a intermittent crocheter & i love experimenting with different yarn types & colors. I love wearing my crochet pieces & getting compliments, it motives to be more creative & experimental 🙂

Hello, I can so relate to this. I am so self-conscious about everything. I am new to crocheting and made my first cardigan for my toddler niece. She loved it so much she cried because she didn't want to take it off. It made me cry with joy. But panic set in when we were in public because I was worried people would think it was not good. However, she got many compliments. 😅 Thank you for sharing this. It's nice to hear from others who relate. ❤

Hmmm 🤔 for me, I am a lazy crocheter, so when I make a sweater or cardigan I go FAST because I use double crochet(American term), and my fear isn't that someone won't like my project - I'm worried other crocheters will judge me for having a such a simple stitch! Haha 😂 They'll think I'm a new crocherer because I HATE taking forever on sweaters so I use the fastest stitch ever! Haha When in reality I am very advanced with stitchwork but I am so impatient! Also, you are VERY right - in the last several years, I've only met2 other ladies that crochet - besides my wonderful Granny. When I see a crochet project, I blab their ear off with crochet talk!

I love wearing my crochet and knitted items. It strikes a conversation all the time... and it's exciting... especially when you meet a fellow crocheter or knitter.

I always wear a crocheted scarf or hat. Something that makes me feel special. I stick to my colors for sweaters and save the pop for my accessories.

Welcome back, Shannon. Thank you for, once again, "taking one for the team" and leading the way in addressing your own fears in order to help us understand our own hearts. Love your encouraging voice! And yes - you were missed. And YES - you were definitely in my thoughts and prayers! 💞💞

When I do wear one of my crochet items I really do feel a little awkward but as soon as I get a compliment every thing changes, I start feeling a little more confident 😊

I have a hard time telling people I knitted the garment that I’m wearing, idk how to do it without sounding boastful. However, the women in my knitting class and other crafting spaces always hype me up and it’s very sweet 🥺 I’m working on my first crochet garment so we’ll see if people notice

Whenever I wear my sweaters in public, I always take it as a compliment when no one says anything-I look at it as, at least it is not so poorly made that people notice and feel like they have to say something nice to me because it is obvious that it is “homemade”. And as you say, when people do want to talk about a sweater ones wearing, I find that most of the time they are fellow crafters and just want to share experiences.

The colours in your cardi suit you so well and they're really unusual too.

Having learned to crochet in the 70s my problem is that, despite the wonderful yarns and patterns available today and the resurgence of the granny square popularity, I still associate crocheted garments as very Grandma! This is a wonderful topic to discuss and has made me think about some of my ideas about crochet and it's relevance to me and my wardrobe. Why wouldn't I be proud to wear something I've created?

Love the colors in that cardigan ❤

I love wearing my crochet and knitted garments , always get compliments. I crochet my entire career , it kept me calm and out of folks business.

Beautifully discussed and very thoughtful of a wide range of human feelings! Well done Shannon💗😘

Great topic! I'm still wary about wearing any crochet sweater or cardigan I've made, but big shawls, cowls or tote bag is fair game. I did wear a vest to a yarn crawl and got many compliments. I use my little handmade crochet wallet all the time and get compliments. It helps that I have grey hair, a super power in its own right.

I can definitely relate to this. I feel self conscious when I wear crochet and don’t want to stand out. One year, I wore an infinity scarf to a Thanksgiving gathering and had some wonderful compliments so I didn’t feel so awkward after that 🙂. That’s a great idea to start with small things out in public! I’ve been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ♥️

Really enjoying your videos. I don’t have a problem wearing my knitted stuff, but all the points you covered are great. Will be binge watching as I knit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Love your top. ❤

You seem very kind! I pray you have a blessed day!

This video was spot on. I can't wait to wear my cardi that I just made a few months ago. It is so hot here in southern California that I have to wait until around October or November.. But I am going .. But I am going to wear it As it took me so long to make it I frogged it several times And finally it's done! Great Video I think we all think these things at 1 point in time

Fabulous cardigan-fabulous color combination!

Great suggestions, Shannon! Thank you. Love, from Oklahoma🤍

This was a very lovely video to stumble upon. I made a little sunflower bag just a few days ago. Ive also made a sunflower cloak and a little poncho based on one of my favorite characters, recently. Im honestly a bit terrified to wear any of them outside. However, i am a very anxious and awkward autistic guy. the fear of being seen doubles up with the autism and also being a (trans) dude who crochets in a small town. i cant tell you why having a little sunflower bag is so nervewracking, when people can see you. but I've shown a few coworkers it, and they loved it (one asked me to make them one and was very excited!). I know this veers a little off topic of the video, just a smidge, but I think it still fits. This was just a very lovely video. Im glad im not the only one hesitant to wear the stuff I make. so...thank you :) hope you all have a wonderful day!!

I have made lots of cowls n scarfs n people have asked me to make them one ..yes it was bitter cold outside..i make my scarfs very thick.. wide n long..i am so proud of my work ..just a average knitter n crocheter.❤

This is one of those things that majorly depends on my mood. Some days im willing to wear something crazy ive made - like a dress i sewed thats covered in chairs. Other days, I just want to blend in and look more "normal", but I still generally look like a librarian and I always wear skirts. This is something that just takes practice of not caring what other people think. Dress to please yourself, however that may be :) I'm much happier when I just do what I like and say heck with everyone else.

Wow, I’ve been wearing black for so long thinking that it’s hiding me. I have so many blouses with color but I cannot wear because someone will see my fat, it’s the worse feeling and I don’t know when and why it happened. Thank you for sharing. I know now that it’s not just me.🙏

I’m fortunate to work with others who either crochet or knit, or married to someone does. Also, they’re very observant people, which is essential to our jobs.

I love wearing my crochet items. Often people want me to make the item for them. I also notice that people think if you crochet hat you know how to knit. I don't know knitting. Also they think you can sew on a sewing machine. I can quilt, but not make clothing. I do know how to hem, since I am short.

This is such an interesting conversation. I can almost always relate to issues people have in at least some small way, but "fear of being perceived" is not something I remember experiencing. And I'm a true introvert, so you'd think that might be related. In terms of crochet, I like what Bethany of speechlesscrochet said on Threads the other day, that wearing her crochet was like giving herself a warm hug 😊. I enjoy wearing the pieces I've made except for the first sweater I made that just didn't turn out to be very flattering 😀.

Thank you, Shannon for your insight on this issue! I appreciate the ideas of starting with using small accessories when going out 👍😊

Thanks for the helpful advice 👍 I love your cardigan❤it is really beautiful the colour choices. I know when i see someone in something hand made, my curiosity is triggered and i will often ask them about their item but when i do ask questions i like to let the person know that i really like what they are wearing and that's why i am asking. I find it helps by making them feel comfortable 😊. I have worn crochet items as well. I use to wear a head covering to Church and other ladies would ask me for the pattern. It was delightful 😊 ❤ Thanks again for your lovely video 📹 Happy stitching, my friend 🧡 🧶

You are a delight ❤️

I just recently started wearing my crochet out, mostly because I wanted to have a water bottle holder while I go on my walks. Of course the only cotton yarn I have are some rejected pumpkin colors and I got really self conscious about it. Luckily no one cares and now it’s just part of my walk attire.

You are soooooo smart and helpful!! The word vulnerability still scares me at times...lol You have been an inspiration to me ❤

Very nicely thought out comments. Love this. ❤

Hi Shannon great advice the only place in have to talk about my crochet is our local craft store.thanks for the chat.💖💖

I can see the purple irises of spring in you sweater colors

Nice talk. Thanks

I'm in my final year of a fashion design degree and I feel like anything I wear to class isn't good enough. My classmates are very stylish and seem to know how to dress for their body and where to find cool clothes. Meanwhile I'm wearing my colourful knitted sweater vests over clothes that I bought 5+ years ago and never fit how I wanted them to. I feel lumpy and floppy and it makes it hard to be my best self during class

We live n a world where commenting on someone's attire can be considered sexual harassment. People are afraid.

Oooh and violets

I want to be invisible all the time!

I've had surprising amt of men who notice

I think 4 weight is just too chunky looking