Reacting to your CROCHET / KNIT opinions and spicy hot takes 

Acrylics differ so much between each other! I have my favorite acrylics I bought locally and it's so soft I can cuddle it all day. But then, I asked my mom to borrow me some acrylics and it was so terrible to work with. Literally a barbed wire 😂

Regarding to crochet clothing - I think it's often a skill issue - most of the clothes made from simple shapes, stitches and quite thick yarn (as in most of the items you see on the internet) doesn't look so good, as well as the opposite might be sometimes true, with a pattern that is too lacy and delicate you might end up looking like you are wearing doilies you found in an abadoned attic (which might me cool but not necessarily everyones style). But as soon as you find the middle ground, it looks great

I do a blended yarn under technique. I go under for the first grab, but then yarn over. This happened unintentionally because I find it so much easier.

I'm a teenager and I get paid minimum wage so I don't make enough to spend money on expensive yarn and save up on gas money. I love to use acrylic and polyester to practice new stitches. I like to use it to make wallets, coin pouches, purses, and cute little charms. I do also use cotton yarn when it's on sale but yeah! Enjoy your day/night and fiber art❣️

I love that you asked for hot takes and then say "everyone just be nice!" You're too kind for this video Zac 😂😂😂 loved the video (and I will die on my low/no-sew hill! Mostly because my nieces cannot rip the arms off as easily when they're crocheted in 😂)

I think the pattern testing that calls for repost/tag/share etc are annoying because none of those tasks are really related to your ability to crochet ya know? Like I get when it's like "comment what type of yarn/color you would use" is reasonable interaction but I just think otherwise it seems like you are just fishing for the largest creators who want to test for you if that makes sense?

Some people have trouble sewing because of physical disabilities, which is why I don't think no-sew is lazy.

I thought acrylic yarn shaming was a thing of the past. It used to be prevalent in the 80's and 90's, and there was a hangover into the 2000's. Personally, I use it for things that will give high use, require lots of washing. Kids toys, blankets etc. But for me acrylic is usually much cheaper and to some people it is the only yarn in their price range. I would rather they use acrylic and take part in a hobby they enjoy, than be priced out. So yeah... if you still yarn shame... keep your opinions to yourself!

Caron simply soft is my favorite acrylic.

Patons Canadiana (acrylic) is SO soft. It's smooth af!

I thought that would be a 15-minute video, not a 40-minute one. Love it❤

I’ve just found your channel and this is my first vid I’ve watched of yours. I’m excited to sub and see more! I’ve been crocheting since I was a small child holding great grandma’s hands while she crocheted and explained what was happening. ❤ Since you’re an Aussie, this likely won’t be helpful for you, personally, but maybe helps someone here in the states. The basic acrylic store brand yarn at Michael’s, Loops and Threads, is my absolute favorite to work with! I won’t buy anything else for acrylics. It doesn’t split or fray, it’s soft right off the skein for working with, it washes up so so so soft and cuddly that you can make baby snugglers and blankies that look and feel incredible! I also use it for amigurumi. PS-anyone rushing out to Michael’s, beware of other types of Loops and Threads yarn as they are NOT all equal! Only the basic acrylic skeins are good, imo. The fluffy yarn sheds til there’s nothing but a string left if the item needs washing. The jewel tones thinner stuff splits and grays and breaks off easily and if you gotta 🐸, you’re outta luck! Sorry for the wall o’text😅

I’ve heard that melting the safety eyes is a huge safety risk especially in children’s toys, I’m with you on not doing that lol. I have super tight tension and haven’t had any issues with my safety eyes coming out so far, thankfully!

Hi Zac. It has actually happened to me several times that the lock on the safety eyes has come loose, even though I have pressed it down extra hard. Since then I have also melted the safety eyes and it has never happened again. I know what you mean, but I've been careful ever since. Greetings from Germany Martin

My hot take is that the chunky yarn plushie community is RIFE with IP theft because original pattern design is just something that not many people are capable of. Since most of the designs are simple, they're much easier to copy by less skilled crocheters. I feel like I see the same handful of designs circulating in the community that are all rip-offs of god knows whose original design. It's also why I would never release a free pattern, makes it easier for the thieves! Everyone wants to be able to say they're a pattern designer, but designing original pieces is a completely different beast than just following patterns. I know people hate gatekeeping but pattern design just is not for everyone. Your designs are actually some of the most unique chunky yarn plushie designs I've seen in this niche! Your originality has made me feel less jaded about this entire niche of amigurumi.

Especially in the US, there is this natural wool users are better than acrylic yarn users mentality within the fiber communites :/ I don't get involved but I've seen a lot of it within social media groups.

Loved this video. On the subject of pattern writing, I have a huge problem with selling a pattern when you can barely crochet. I have had to deep dive research creators before buying patterns recently. I was scammed in my opinion when I purchased a pattern and was having a lot.if difficulty with it, it literally was written out even the #s. "single crochet six in the magic ring you made.in the first sentence of this paragraph" like wtf! It's not a storybook. I found the creator on sm sites only to find out they had been crocheting for 3 months! In my opinion if you are going to sell a pattern you should hire a proof reader it's like 40 bucks for an animuguri pattern. Then do a tester call if you want. My second issue is lately on YT the algorithm is showing me a lot of crochet content and there are pattern review videos. And in everyone I have watched they literally rip the creator to shreds with comments like "this could be a no sew pattern, they SHOULD have made it no sew! And then ranknit lower because it isn't! This creator has a largish following but because they do markets and want it fast and easy, they bash patterns that are not no sew. One channel bashes patterns by saying all patterns should be written for beginners, like what???? In a convo I had with her she said the pattern writer should be responsible for teaching any stitch that isn't a sc,hdc,dc, slst, with linked videos. I said but patterns are labeled under degree of knowledge, if a pattern says intermediate or expert then if.you have 4 months of knowledge that is on you if you can't make it. She came back with then the pattern writer is gatekeeping and not inclusive. I was.just.blown away. And finally there is one channel where she just started to crochet within the year and if the plushie doesn't look perfect it's the patterns fault. She is obviously making items from patterns above her level. Her tension is so so loose and items are super wonky. But because she is passively aggressive bashing the pattern with this holier than thou I am super smart attitude she has started acquiring mean girl followers. I have been crocheting 50 years, I started at 5. I just think the new mentality is "I want to make it, I don't need experience the pattern should be written how I want it or it is wrong!" I mean at this point my gen x bad attitude is starting to show lol. I would love to pop up a tent next to them at a market and see who sells more or less @ a higher profit. Ok that was a mean thought but damn its hard to be nice sometimes!😂

King opinion on the tester question 👑 Love these types of videos from you!!

GREAT video, Zac! Love seeing you over here on YT. So many “hot takes” that surprise me, truly. I agree with you - on most of the topics - in this video! Hugs from the Oh! ☺️🫶🏻🧶

Melting plastic eyes, man... I only melt a bit of the tip of the plastic eyes and flatten it on to the backing after I attach them to the toy just to be sure that the plastic backing of each eye doesn't pop out when the toy gets thrown around. But to melt the eyes ON TO the stitches? I've never heard that done before 😳

Alsooo I love seeing Gizmo along your collection 🥹 so special

Totally agree with the pattern tester call thing and I feel like it definitely shows that the people applying now how to follow directions!😊 This video had me cackling like an idiot btw 😂

I just finished my first Amigarumi Dino to give to a 3 year old. I needle felted the eyes- I used yarn I had lying around instead of wool roving and brushed it (carded) it using an old dog brush - it worked great .

Nice video. You're fun to watch! I look forward to you growing your channel and posting more videos

I do joined rounds, yes there is a seam, but it speeds up the process for me buy HOURS depending on the size of the piece. Counting, recounting and frogging take long enough

Awwww thanks for the shoutout!! Also…did you just completely about face your opinion on acrylic mid sentence 🤣🤣

❤️‍🔥 new camera looks good

Okay. So I agree with most of what you said. Except joining rounds and no-sew patterns. For many amigurumi, crocheting in the round is fine. But I absolutely HATE the look of jogging when utilizing color changes (like if something has stripes). I think it looks lazy, like the person couldn’t be bothered to make a clean strip. As for no-sew, I agree that sewing pieces together can definitely add to the look and shouldn’t be a deciding factor on whether you purchase/make a pattern or not. However, I do think there is a place for no-sew and there are some no-sew patterns that are super detailed and its impressive the designer was able to make it no-sew. It is also an easier entry point for beginners. Lastly, and my main reason, is I have some major sensory issues. I can’t always afford natural fibers, so I use a lot of acrylic, which is mostly fine. But the FEELING of that yarn being pulled through stitches is the absolute WORST. Sewing those pieces together is literally torture, so it ends up looking sloppy because I try to finish it as quickly as possible. So for some people, there might be more to it than just being “lazy” or not wanting to build that skill. 😊

27:47 the only time I care about my crocheting being called knitting is when it’s my family or friends who I’ve told that I crochet not knit like a million times because I’ve already corrected them a ton so they SHOULD know. But a random passerby? I don’t care at all lolll

Some of these hot takes are boiling hot! Some of them are lukewarm haha but all of them were interesting to hear about!! Especially finding out where Zaddy stands!

Saw your yarn wall.. like, literally not even that much yarn. 😂

I wish to know how anyone who is into crocheting or knitting is able to avoid big stash of yarn 😅 Im making amigurumi for over 15 years now and i did in rounds joining round,, yarn overs, under, mix and what i figure out is that some things are better in some ways and others in other way, there is room for every style 🤷‍♀️. I prefer toys croched basic body and knitted clothing just cos knitting looks more delicate but sometimes i want more chunky look so i crochet it.. Think best thing is to learn everything and play and see what works best for you and not judge others in their creative process. Sometimes "ugly" amigurumi toys are cute cos they are so "ugly" 😂 About patterns what annoys me is when i buy pattern and then I see I cant sell finished item, it should be mentioned in advance....

your babys look like they are enjoying watching you talk 😅

Here are my yarn opinions. Caron Simply Soft is a very nice and soft acrylic. Red Heart Super Saver is a scratchy acrylic. Maybe someone will make a good recycled acrylic or polyester. Cotton is nice because it’s natural and washable but doesn’t have any stretch so it’s limited in what you can do. Wool is scratchy and I can’t imagine using it in a clothing item.

Melting Safety eyes is a European safety standard for making childrens toys. By melting the back and flattening it creates a stopper not only for those with loose stitches but to prevent children pulling them out 🤓 I hope that helps

Just a Ami beginner, so no sew suits me. Maybe its time for me to improve, so I will have to watch your sewing tips. Interesting video thanks for sharing.

Im new to crochet and have exclusively used needlefelting for eyes and details with acrylic yarns (im doing aphid777 's from deviantart eeveelution baby patterns) I tend to be super tight- probably too tight- with my stitches so it really works nice with the inital felting layer since theres less gaps for the needle to go through and stab the stuffing. With how plush yarns seem to break im not sure if needlefelting would work at all without damaging or completely breaking the stitches below Side note i love sewing pieces probably more than the crochet itself 😅

Maybe i just don't like cotton yarn, but i feel like it would be hard to work with and would have a worse feeling for plushies? also i really like felt eyes, but only for specific projects where i want the eyes to look a specific way blanket yarn is great for blankets! its just not my favorite for amagarumi

I agree with allll of your takes on this - must be an Aussie thing 🤧

I do worry that when i was newer into fiber arts, I feel like I pretty easily could have followed a pattern not realizing that it was completely ripping off someone else's pattern? Just cause I hadn't really seen any, say, turtle patterns before?

Great video, new subscribers 😊 my only disagreement is bi-stitchual. Why gatekeep a word, are we banning "bi-lingual" also?

Crochet items, especially toys should be lined.

Regular and Dappled(not sparkles or brights) Bernat Baby Blanket yarn is super soft and I love to use for plushies. With that being said the flagship Bernat Blanket yarn is garbage to work with! The squeak KILLS me 🥴 and it’s rough to the touch.

My favourite eyes are needle felted. I don't think glued felt is any safer that plastic eyes for small children, they'll still pull them off and put them in their mouth. Either sewn on or felted on for safety.

Dayum what camera you using your skin looks so goooood

Also melting the safety eyes actually stops them being safety eyes 🤯 once heated the plastic is brittle and can snap and you're back to eye falls off and kid puts it in their mouth

I wish those within the crochet/knitting communities were more kind/understanding of those within the community who may not have the privileges they scream about. Example is buying expensive yarns (because “it’s better for the environment and you hate the environment if you don’t”), or those who may prefer no sew because of disabilities regarding sewing, etc. My hottest take is that I see an excessive amount of ableism/classism/elitism within both communities present day, and it honestly discourages me greatly as a beginner 🥲

My take away is…. People have IRL crochet friends 😢. I’m all alone amongst friends.

People getting bent over amigurumi patterns makes no sense to me. We're literally dealing with shapes : sphere, square, circle, cone ect - there are limited ways to create these shapes so someone with no pattern can freeform something that someone else perhaps "wrote" a pattern for. They didn't steal it - they just made it how it's made. Same with facial details - cats have whiskers. It's like someone taking a common stitch like a granny cluster and making a blanket then calling it "their" pattern. Granny clusters have been around forever. If anyone with crochet knowledge could make the same blanket without your pattern, was your "pattern" really necessary in the world? Should you be taking money for that?

As far as mean girls go - man. The older ladies within the crochet community have zero patience or tolerance for newer crocheters. Not all of them but when I was learning, I would post questions online and the older ladies were just mean.

I ALWAYS wash my hands before crocheting, even handwriting i cant crochet or write with sweaty hands or food stained reasy hands ewww

Crochet is really ugly if not done with extreme delicacy

Great video!! Such a fun one. New sub. - @SillySnailStitchery

Great video, new subscribers 😊 my only disagreement is bi-stitchual. Why gatekeep a word, are we banning "bi-lingual" also?