UNPOPULAR OPINION | 11 CROCHET Patterns I REFUSE to MAKE 

My mom used to say "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." This is what comes to mind when I see crocheted shorts.

I'm with you on never crocheting or knitting for people who don't appreciate it. I gifted a very complicated baby blanket to a close relative a few years back. She had picked it out, so I gladly spent dozens of hours on all the colorwork. A couple weeks later, I stumbled across it at a local thrift store!!! Needless to say, I bought it and have kept it for myself as a lap blanket. I'll never make anything for that ungrateful witch ever again!

I love that this isn’t like a “these things are so horrible“ video but instead you just talk about what you like and why you dont like certain things for yourself this was lovely to watch ❤

I crocheted a blanket for my grandmother that was based on her Tartan (she was of Scottish heritage) as a Xmas gift. She burst into tears when I gave it to her (happy tears). It made the many hours worth it.

Your blanket comments hit a note for me. My grandmother crocheted afghans for my 3 children when they were little. Full size afghans, not baby blankets. My mom told me to “save” them for my children to “ keep them nice” so they languished in a storage bag for many many years. I finally gave them to the kids but I felt like they could have been enjoyed all those years.

i like that your reasons are “it’s not my style” and not “that’s just the ugliest thing i’ve ever seen, i hate it” lmao. very respectful

Yeah I feel that last one. Learned that the hard way. When my brother and his wife were expecting their first baby, I made several beautiful baby items for the photos (she is a professional family photographer, I thought she’d love them) and also a toddler size cardigan and matching hat. I never saw any photos of the baby in the items and I had to practically beg for a photo in the cardigan when she grew into it. It broke my heart. I wish people understood the thought and the time that goes into handmade gifts.

I've never knitted/croched anything for other people before this experience, but I'm an artist and I painted a card for my ex (took me close to 6 hours) and then I saw it next week on the floor all scratched up from dirt on that floor, thats when I realised I'm not making anything ever again for others without them asking me first and me clarifying that its a lot of work Thankfully my now fiancé appreciates my work a lot more than anyone else ever did, every card I ever made and sent him is displayed, the little 3d printed figurine is displayed on his pc and the little croched fox I made him as a surprise he put right next to his keyboard. It's so nice to have someone appreciate your work to that extent ❤️

I really felt that last one, I have a close friend who thought it was awsome that I was learning to knit and crochet, so I took some time and made her a long and super soft scarf with a simple border. I gave it to her and it seemed like she liked it, wasnt super excited or anything, but seemed to think it was neat. But then I went over to her house and I saw it laying on the floor under other junk covered in cat hair :'( it really upset me so now Im super selective about who I gift projects to

The just sleeve shrug thing is so great for nursing moms at night! Keeps our arms and shoulders warm while letting everything else hang out for baby haha

The "Just sleeves" are actually based on arm warmers often worn by ballet dancers, and been around for generations. My kid sister had one but it wasn't netted, it was full on sweater sleeves. She wore it to keep her arms warm without having to wear a full on bulky sweater during dance class, which wasn't allowed anyway. The way it's made keeps the sleeves from sliding down, like they would if arm warmers were made the way leg warmers are.

The mesh shrugs and sweaters are actually super practical! I am someone who iver heats easily and has sensory issues when exposed to warm temps but i also often feel anxious and uncomfortable when i am not “ covered” so the mesh shrugs are a perfect middle ground

I had a friend who would turn her nose up at handmade gifts. In her opinion, they weren't real gifts. It broke my heart when I found her son's baby blanket (that I worked on for weeks) in the bottom drawer of her guest room dresser still in pristine condition when her son was 7.

I spent months as a teenager crocheting a special wedding ring blanket for my elder sister when she got married. I have been crocheting since I was 5. I used my own money from my part job to buy the quality cashmere yarn, bought the pattern, and worked on it after school every evening when she was not around. I was so pleased with the end result and was confident she would be so pleased with it. Wow was I wrong. She gave it to our Mother the following week and told me next time don’t bother giving her a gift if I could not afford to buy something from the shop. I was so hurt and absolutely outraged, it is 38 years on and I am still hurt and angry over it. Mom kept it tucked away while I calmed down. My English teacher, who was my home room teacher and my study hall teacher had seen me working on it when I had free time close to the wedding as I was desperate to finish, wash and block it before the actual wedding day. She had fallen in love with it and was working up the courage to ask if she could hire me to make one for her Grandson and his fiancé. She asked how much my Sister loved the blanket, all excited to hear about such a special gift. I was embarrassed because I burst into tears, thank goodness it was just her and I in the room at that moment! I told her what happened, she gave me a hug and said well, if she doesn’t want it would you like to sell it? I told her she could have it, I never wanted to see that thing again. She asked how much I wanted and I insisted nothing.so I brought it to school the next day and gave it to her, still insisting I wanted nothing for it. She took it and about a week later I received a beautiful thank you card from her and a check for $250!!! 😮 (that is a lot of money even now, but this was in the 80’s it was a HUGE amount). I ended up keeping the money after a lot more arguing lol and I went on to make baby blankets for her great grand babies a few years later, as well as a lap blanket for her when she retired. I never made my sister ANYTHING after that and never will despite her asking me to make things once her friends were so shocked I crocheted and knitted. She started taking orders from them and expecting me to make them for these people for free, nope didn’t happen. I told her I would be happy to teach her so she could make them for her friends but unless they paid for the, I was not doing it. I made things for free for friends and family only. She ended up paying me to make the things she had promised lol 😈🤣 My mother insisted I should just charge her for the yarn but I refused. I probably would have done just that had she not hurt me so much, but I am a petty person when someone hurts me. So petty in fact that I charged her $3 an hour plus costs to make the items 🤣 mom understood my pettiness but tried to teach me to rise above it rather than teaching my sister to actually have consideration for others, etc. so all this time later I still do not feel guilty in the least. 🤣😉 As for making blankets for beds, I have no issue doing it for theirs f that is what they want but I made one for my husband about ten years ago. It was for a queen sized bed. Holy **** that thing was so doggone heavy that the only way I would make another for us to use would be f I did it was sport weight yarn or crochet thread. It weighs you down and you can hardly move and certainly not without a lot of effort. So I am with you n blankets for beds. And the one I made for hubby? Ot comes with us when we go on a vacation in Scotland where we live now, when our dog comes with us. Her bed is too chunky to bring, so the blanket gets folded into a bed for her and she just loves it. It is easy to wash (well relatively). I had made it in acrylic yarn as yarn is soooo expensive in Scotland. So I can put it in the dryer to get all the dog hair off it when we return home. She is a lab so sheds all year round. Some family came over from the US to surprise me for my 50th and I kept complaining as I was vacuuming that Nutmeg’s hair got everywhere, one said it is not hair, it is glitter, so we now refer to all the shedded hair as Nutmeg glitter 🤣 I agreed with most of your other never’s also. The reusable bag was the only me I disagreed. We live 2 hours from the nearest proper grocery store and so we go shopping once a month or two. We have a small shop, like the size of a gas station convenience store back home in the US, about 12 miles away and they carry the absolute basics. So we do big shops as well. And you have to pay for your bags (works out to about 25 cents a bag). So most folks, including us, just. Ring our own bags. I have a variety of bag types depending on the weight and things. But I use these bags for produce, bakery items, Chips (or crisps as they are called over here as chips are fries), eggs, etc. all the fragile or lightweight things that you want to keep from putting heavier stuff on or that bp real easily, or get squished. It makes life so much easier as it is easy to identify them and put them in the car where they won’t get damaged. I make small ones instead of using plastic for putting loose produce in also. It is light weight and works great at farmers markets as they can zero out the weight of the bags. I have made a couple other more enclosed shopping bags, similar to crocheted shoulder bags, for using when we go to farmer markets, garden shows, etc. I have recycled fibre boards , glued some left over fabric all over it to use as an insert and with double thick cotton yarn or double thick twine (macrame cord works well too), I made a bag just a wee bit bigger than the fabric covered plywood/fibre board. This way if the bag gets cruddy, I take the misery out and throw the bag in the washer while hosing down the insert to put in the sun to dry quickly. I usually make a thick, double strand cotton I-cord for the handle so it does not stretch and stitch the i-cord around the edges top and bottom as well as along the sides to reinforce the bag. Recently I have, however, begun buying fake leather handles as I am not all that keen on making I-cords lol.

my little sister started crocheting during quarantine and for my birthday/christmas that year she made me a pink teddy bear with a music box inside, she recorded a lyric of a song i absolutely adore and when i opened my gift i literally burst into tears. it now sits on my shelf with all of my favourite lil trinkets and the only reason i don’t sleep with it is because i’m so scared of ruining it 😅 so yeah, i understand the ‘not giving it to someone who wouldn’t appreciate it’ because one of her friends started asking her to make her some tops and then got mad when they didnt fit perfectly or if the yarn wasnt of the best quality. i absolutely despise people like that

I love that everything was basically "this is really cute, just not for me" and you even gave links for how to make them! Very respectful and sweet video❤

The last one hit home hard. I'm crochet beautiful, durable items and I'm also an excellent seamstress. When my brother and his wife were expecting their first baby, I made a gorgeous set for the baby bed. I used a white background with little sailor bears all over it. The back was bright royal blue with white stars and I used red piping. I even made a diaper holder. I mailed it and my sister-in-law mailed it back saying it was too dark but she kept the diaper holder because she needed one and could be hidden away. The time and money I put into it was unbelievable. I was so heartbroken that when I ran into a young pregnant girl at the apartment complex that was expecting a boy, I gave it to her. At least she was thrilled. After that, I never made anything for my nephews and didn't even send the one of a kind baby quilts I made them. I even stopped crocheting blankets for our grandchildren because our daughter would let them get dirty or peed on by their cats. She would throw them away instead of cleaning them because I could always make them more. It doesn't make sense in causing yourself heartache when the person you make the gifts for cannot appreciate them or take care of them.

I like making Historical Temperature blankets, not current year ones. I made blankets using the data for the years my niece and nephew were born and let them pick the yarn, which made it fun & even more personal. I used the data that corresponded with the first year of their lives and they both love their blankets. The next one I am making is going to be using the data for the first year of my marriage. :)

The fact that you still provides links to those that want to make these project is so good i really like this content

The last one. I was once making something for my sister as a surprise. I thought she'd think it was really cute. She found it before I was done and, not knowing it was meant to be her Christmas present proceeded to belittle my lack of talent. Ooof.😊

I made both of my daughters a queen size blanket for their beds. They were HUGE! I don’t have ac and started working on them in the summer. They were Christmas gifts. NEVER AGAIN!

So happy to hear that I'm not the only one to NOT make bed sized blankets. I gave up on crochet several times when I was younger because I compared myself to my grandmother who only made blankets... everything from baby blankets to bed sized blankets and in between. I just can't make myself do large projects like that. Came back to crochet and just made my daughter a beanie, now making myself a tote bag, and have a list of small projects I want to make and I'm finding it so refreshing and relaxing!

Every cat is different, naturally. I also have a grey fur baby, and she's SO aggressive. Unless she's wearing a sweater! I bought a shirt for my sister's dog, and the dog didn't like it/was too small, so as a joke and to see what would happen, I put it on No.3113. All of a sudden, this demon nightmare of a cat was gentle, tender, kind, and happy. My hypothesis is that she has anxiety and the sweaters/shirts help her feel more secure in her body.

ive crocheted since i was 7, but my sister started learning when she was 15. she didn't want to make any dolls or clothes at first, so she insisted on making an 8 ft by 6 ft temperature blanket for her very first project. 8 months later, she made it.

I know Toni from TL Yarn Crafts chose a significant year in her life for her temperature blanket and is using the temperatures from that year. Selecting an already completed year can allow you to work on a temperature blanket whenever you like with no guilt. Also, I will likely never crochet a chunky sweater/ cardigan or mesh/ incredibly see-through wearables, as they are not my style, and I like to have coverage.

That last one hits home! I knit my 8 year old a beautiful hat only for her to decide she "doesn't wear hats" any more when I gave it to her. I vowed Id never make her anything again, but shes my kid so Im working on a dress for her. She said she likes it so far this time 😂

I’ve been crocheting for 60 years. If I can image it I can make it. I so agree with every single one of the “never projects” on your list,! I’ve hand many people break my heart over gifted projects. My on exception is a couple of years ago I did make a crochet short at the request of some older women at my church to gift to our pastor as a gag gift. It became the most popular and most liked photo on my Facebook. 😂

When I was 11 (I'm 64 now), I crocheted my mother a lovely shawl in ecru for Mother's Day. It took a long time. I never saw her wear it and when I asked why about a year later, she said she had given it to Goodwill.

Speaking of very large projects, one day maybe 20 years ago while browsing through Joannes yarn department, I picked up a leisure arts booklet for a sampler Afghan. I think it has 63 squares, and each square is a different stitch and pattern, and each square is about 8 in.². The color is suggested for ecru, sage green, and rose, at the time I love the colors, but by the time I finished, I wasn’t so crazy about it. I would put it away for years at a time, but then about two years ago, I dragged it out and counted out my squares and was dismayed to find I wasn’t even halfway through! But I started on it again and within a couple of months I finished all the squares! But then came the joining! But first I discovered blocking because every square was misshapen and some were larger than others but when I steam blocked them, they all turned out perfect! After I joined them all, then I had to do the edging, so it was quite a project but now that it’s finished my husband looked at it and asked who it was for and I said well, do you want it and he said yes I love it so I gifted it to him! It sits on our couch, so it can be grabbed on a chilly TV night. So don’t give up on your projects, just put them away for a while and you never know when you get the interest to pick them up again and end up with a beautiful heirloom project. I’m 69 now and I started this probably 20 years ago.

I agree with all of your choices. One I personally don't like doing is the Chevron blanket. To me, it's a tedious pattern. Not complicated, but very tedius. My grandmother made dozens of these blankets for the grandchildren back in the 1970s. I still have mine. I hate it when people ask me, "Can you make me a twin size blanket?" I am like, uh, NO.

I think discussions like this in craft circles is so useful. We can be ambitious people but there's only so much time in a lifetime, so having some discernment about what projects we choose to take on is kind of like it's own skill that augments whatever arts and crafts we do. It's also great that our individual discernments are different, so everyone makes a variety. So while one person can't crochet everything in a lifetime, a bunch of humans over history can encompass a whole world of possibilities by all tackling different realms and styles.

that last one point is so relatable. I made my mom a pillow and she asked me if this was all that she was getting for Christmas. Needless to say, I was destroyed.

I recently had my first experience with gifting one of my handmade items to someone who ended up giving it to their cat as a cat toy (which it CLEARLY wasn't meant or made for) and I was a little surprised at how intensely my anger and resentment spiked. I now am writing up a disclaimer for all my future projects/gifts that explains that my handmade items are not pet toys or toys for young children. I still feel a spike of rage every time I think about the person who took my handmade item that I spent time and money on and gave it to their damn cat. Like, I want it back now please... and I also worry about anything repercussions if anything were to happen to that cat because of the toy (i.e., they swallowed the yarn, they swallowed a safety eye or ingested some of the stuffing, etc.) which results in an expensive vet visit. I in no way want to be held responsible for that nonsense.

I've made so many projects for step mom - as gifts and one item that she asked me to make and I had to actually write a pattern for as I couldn't find one (before the Internet). I've never seen any of the items again. I actually found out that the item she asked me to make FOR HER had been given to one of her sons wives. I won't make that mistake again!

I love that you have expressed your opinions with your valid reasons without saying everyone should feel the same way. We should all do that. The thing I don’t ever want to do is amigurumi projects. I hate, hate making tiny thing with small pieces that have to be sewn together and stuffed. People are all the time wanting me to crochet small animals or Star Wars characters (ugh!) and I just can’t bring myself to do it. As you said, if it becomes a chore, it’s not a hobby.

My mum tells a story of BEGGING my grandma to make her a crochet bikini in the 70s. One wave in the surf and she was left starkers in the ocean with her brother, sister and dad laughing uproariously. I've taken this to heart!

I understand the 'not wanting to use/ruin' a large blanket, but I got over that quick once I finished one. It's so cozy under a massive blanket. Also, loved seeing Catventurous Crochet get a little shoutout here by being included as examples! She's such a sweetheart and her stuff is so cute! It always depends on the cat for those sweater projects. Some don't mind and some REALLY mind.

This is a quilting related comment, but as long as we're venting... Many years ago, a young friend BEGGED me to make a quilt for her coming baby. I spent several months lovingly stitching pieces together by hand and then quilting the top to the lining, also completely by hand. The quilt turned out very beautiful, with bright primary calico squares and careful stitching. I was so proud of myself! She accepted it happily and I thought she really liked it. Then, on a visit to meet the new baby, I saw the quilt I had worked so long and hard to make sticking out of the dog's house! I slipped out the back door and pulled the quilt out of the doghouse. It was filthy and covered with what I hope was mud. I quickly stuffed my treasure back in the doghouse and made my way into the house, my eyes filled with tears of sadness and wounded feelings. I managed to get through the visit, though I wanted to tell her what I found. I left her house and I never returned. When the harried life of a young mother doomed our friendship, I didn't try to revive it. The dog house...REALLY?!

Another suggestion for making reusable grocery bags, you can find sewing patterns make them out of the big dog food bags. Our pantry is full of the ones my mom made years ago and they're SUPER sturdy

I’ve made like 3 of those shrugs and I actually get so much use out of them! I find them really perfect for that transitional time where it’s not too cold and not too hot. It’s all about personal style 🥰

The temperature blanket doesn’t have to be the current year. Example for my spouse when they turned 50 I looked up the temperature for 50 years on his birthday in the location where they were living at the time. Added positive life events moving, graduation, Marriage, births and happier events. Because it was just their 50th it was a Lapghan. I think Toni (TL Yarn crafts) did one (maybe the one she is working on now) for the year she got married. So if there is a pattern of Toni’s you really like, choose a year of your life that you want to remember in yarn. I pretty much agree about not doing certain projects, and for many of the same reasons. Thanks for sharing.

Girl. I had a store bought crochet bikini when I was TWELVE. It was white with rainbow stripes. I adored it. And TWELVE was the last time I had a figure where I could consider wearing a crochet bikini. LOL. Agree with your whole list! :D

The last one hit hard. My sister was into those ball joint dolls and wanted a cute knitted sweater for one. She said since grandma taught me how to knit I should make one. I was in my mid twenties and the last time I knit with grandma was when I was 10 and all I did was 5 inches of a straight knit scarf, so no, I did not know how to knit. But I love my sister so I jump on to youtube and learn how to knit and make a doll sweater with a cable front pattern. I was so proud. Took it over to my sister beaming with pride. She was packing up stuff to make room for the baby and said thank you. Then proceeded to throw it into a box right there and then and stuffed it into her closet. I never got to see it on one of the dolls.

Made my daughter a queen size blanket. Perseverance is definitely a requirement. A deadline helped too as I was travelling to see her and wanted to take it with me. Meanwhile my own blanket gets put on hold all the time....

Wonderful list! I agree about not making things for people that don’t appreciate the love that goes into handmade things! ❤

A lot of the things I thought I'd never make (like doilies) I've embraced as I've gotten older! 😊. Sometimes it's very liberating to free yourself from trendy makes that everybody else is making.

Oh yes that last one! No one REALLY understands how much work goes into a item. And it’s easy to get my feelings hurt because of it no matter how much I told myself ahead of time “they won’t understand but, that’s okay” 😰

100% agree with this entire thing. I'm a beginner-ish crocheter with a short attention span, so when I start projects, I always consider functionality and practicality first and foremost, then the cost. What I'll never really understand, though, is the appeal of amigurumis, but that's just me. 😅

This is such a good video! It's not because of what you won't do, but the purposefulness of choosing what to do and why. It's all about the fun!

I had the same reasons for not crocheting a temperature blanket plus being anxious I won't get to use certain colours. Then a friend said "why don't you just do the last year" and they were so right for that. It solves basically all the problems that I had at least and I'm on my third temperature blanket now.

That last point about gifting is very relatable. Having only picked up crochet a few days ago, I am a true beginner and haven't had the time to make anyone anything yet, but I also do a little embroidery, and when I was about to meet a close online friend of mine for the first time near their birthday, I set to embroider a decently sized Starwars ship for them as I know they are a huge fan of Starwars. Because I am a beginner and not very fast at embroidering, the project took me tens of hours (and some sleepless night to finish it on time) and before I gifted it to them I was very nervous if they would even like it and was half expecting them to toss it in a corner. Lucky me, when I finally met them and offered it to them, they were so emotional I had spent so much time on a gift for them, they loved it and immediately hanged it on their bedroom wall ToT Now when we call, every once in a while they remind me how much they like seeing my embroidery on their wall everyday! I will definitely craft for them again

You're so respectful and light-hearted, you give your own reasons why you'll never crochet something but gives us hints in case we actually like it and want to do ❤

It would be really easy for this video to be negative or mean, so I really appreciate how positive and wholesome you try to be throughout

I have been crocheting for 47 years. I was 10 when I made my first granny square baby sized blanket. I have tried to complete a bed sized blanket a few times, but I have found, if it can’t be completed in a week, it just ain’t happen’!!! I totally agree with your whole darn list and the reasons are the same for me! Thanks for the videos. ❤

My first two crotchet projects, two and a half years ago, were actually full sized blankets. Honestly, I think they will be the two projects I will be the most proud of. They are not the best made blankets, but they are (were) loved. But im not going to make more blankets for a while because of the stories they already have. And I don't need more of these kinds of stories. The first one was for my granma from dads side of the family for when she was in a care home. It was the last gift she ever got. She couldn't enjoy it for long, but it made her incredibly happy and proud in her last couple of weeks. Dad said the day that I gave it to her.'If it is nealy done, you should give it today, I think she is not going to make it to Christmas.' So I actually reduced the border from my planed 10 cm to just 2 rows and completed it in her room. It was not big enough to tuck in, but it was big enough to lay atop of the covers for a little extra warmth and colour. She died not even a month later in November. My second blanket I actually made straight after the first for my other grandparents, for their twin bed. It's a whoping 220x240 cm, nearly 4 kilo, and even on a hook size 21 it was a pain to make. Because well, it was my second project, and I honestly didn't know what I was starting when I began. It was completed 2 days before Christmas, which was incredibly stressful. But its still at the bottom of their bed now 2 years later, and it will probably stay on the bed until granpa dies (my other grandmother passed away last September). He had an accident two months ago because of a mistake by the general practitioner. (They didn't inform my grandad that he had a urinary infection and just emailed the pharmacy for the antibiotics he should have taken.) He collapsed right next to his bed, because of the size of the stitch used in the blanket and the weight of it, he was able to use it to make it back onto his bed eventually. It took his neighbour 2 days to figure out that something was wrong and got him to the ER. My grandad is currently well onto his way of recovering. Luckily, we all got away with a fright (and a new alarm watch because he couldn't reach his cellphone). So, while it will be quite a while before I will make a blanket again, I'm really happy with the two I made.

I agree with not making blankets. However lately, I decided to make one for therapeutic reasons and its helped so much. I call it my hope and sadness blanket. Whenever I'm so depressed that all I can do is lie in bed, I get it out and work on it instead. Its really helpful to still be productive even in those times and provide the time to quietly think through whats upsetting me. I don't know when the blanket will be complete, but I'll know that every stitch was made with love, pain, and hope for a better future. Good and bad make a life fully lived, and the blanket will be a reminder to all I've experienced through the time I was making it.

I started a temperature blanket for my very first crochet project using a moss stitch. I figured only having to do a row a day didn’t seem overwhelming and, occasionally, I’ll let it get behind and do several rows in a day because crocheting is so soothing for my anxiety. So I get the “overwhelm” thing! I love your page! ❤

I'm a teenager and have been crocheting for years now (since I was around 8 or sum) but I really put in more effort and money into this hobby recently. My mum is pretty much going around now promising all her friends crochet birthday gifts made by me. I DON'T KNOW THESE PEOPLE. Also she keeps sending me Instagram reels with crochet stuff I should try too, without ANY pattern ofc😶 Furthermore, she was really excited a few days ago about a crochet cat bag she had seen on Instagram and sent it to me to recreate it. A few days later I couldn't go to school because I was feeling like shit so I decided to crochet her that bag -multicolored even. It was meant as a thank you gift and a surprise. It took me around 4 hours to make... Her reaction when I gave it to her? "Oh, yeah uhm thank you. Anyways..." That hurt. Also last time we went on vacation, we needed an extra bag for our beach trip and I had just bought some expensive and thick yarn...so I just made one. Pretty decent and simple. And then my dad spoke up: "Woah this is the first bag you crocheted that isn't ugly!" I never wore my crocheted bags with the big pretty buttons after that again😕 I don't really have money. I don't have an income and only get 10€ of pocket money per month, if even. That's why I always gift my family members something handmade every birthdays, christmases, easters etc. From selfmade candles to ultra realistic clay mushrooms to clay coraline styled dolls with their looks to self propagated plants to self made soaps to crocheted scarfs and hats to pencil portraits of them... They appreciated none of it and only had eyes for the expensive things they were given. It hurts, it really does. Especially as a kid

I just spent 2 months and around 27 skeins to make a blanket large enough to fit on our queen sized bed with 2 people under it and it's amazing. I was definitely ready to be done with the project many times throughout the process lol.

I love that she doesn’t just bash these crochet projects, but says what she likes about them, and has her reasons why she doesn’t like them or they won’t work for her.

I agree! Make only patterns you love and yarn you love and colors you love! It's a hobby, it's for your own enjoyment. Thank you for another fun video.

I ẁas laughing all the ẅay through this video! I agree with you on all of them. I was feeling guilty about not making a temperature blanket, but I know myself, and a year-long project is not for me. Thank you for letting me give myself a break and for being like-minded! 💜

The last one 😢. I made my boyfriends mom a starburst granny square blanket to match her new living room set for Christmas and not a thank you or so much as acknowledgement of it. A week later, on new year’s, we were bringing stuff to her car and it was thrown in the backseat like she was sneaking it out of the house. NEVER AGAIN 😂. on the other hand my boyfriends sister had a baby and I made him a baby blanket that they use all the time. It’s hard to know who will appreciate it until you try.

A note about Tony's temperature blanket patterns: they're really good for people who get behind! I understand if it's still not your thing, but unlike the traditional big stripe temperature blankets, getting behind on the linen square blanket is no big deal. I re-did three whole squares in a weekend. All that to say: If you *want* to do a temperature blanket, but are worried about getting behind, there are patterns that are super friendly to that!

About blankets- I made myself a granny square blanket this year that was almost bed sized. It's the biggest thing I've ever made- my own pattern- and I was so proud of myself. Then I put it on my bed and realized it was so warm I was never going to use it because I run so hot. I'm not going to say never again because my mother runs very cold and I have other older family members, and I actually like a long-term project, but boy did I learn my lesson!

I was still new to crocheting when i decided to make my sister two 12 inch amigurumi bunnies. They were customized with a pink dress and green overalls. Im usually a slow crocheter and i had never made clothes for my amigurumis but i was able to do this in two days. I was so proud of them. But they sit in my box of projects now. They werent loved like i thought theyd be. I dont make gifts for people since then. I look at them today and think they were still pretty good for being some of my first amigurumis.

I love that, even though these things agent your preference, you still show patterns and creators that people who do like them can make them.

As a note of trivia: the ideas of the arm "shrugs" is incredibly ancient. They've been found with bronze age bog bodies and archeology sites. It's suggested that they were worn in cool/cold/damp weather over a basic bod dress. I find that they provide just enough substance to cut a chilly draft down your neck or across your shoulders without letting you get hot enough to sweat outright.

This was a fun video. I've actually made one of those poofs for my daughter to use as a footrest by the nursery rocking chair. I stuffed it with old quilts and blankets that were never used anymore. It stored a lot of these. But, I won't every make one again. The shape was wonky. A REQUEST FOR A FUTURE VIDEO: I've been making things to donate to a hospice center. They like some of the fidgety things like the magic fidget. I made a tiny octopus with curly legs and a rainbow with curlies hanging down. Great stash busters for dementia patients. HOW ABOUT 10 CROCHET FIDGET ITEMS???

I made a king size blanket for my in-laws for Christmas one year. I kept it simple by only using basic single crochet (or maybe it was double, it's been a few years) and adding interest by making chunky grey and white stripes. It was still a lot of work, but enjoyable as I could mindlessly crochet while watching tv.

I started crocheting literally last night so was recommended this video since RU-vid knows I was looking at tutorials. It's cool to get an idea of all the things that I could do (even if you aren't a fan of them) once I develop skills. I really love the shrugs (my wardrobe is often the antithesis of practical) and hope I can make one one day. Gonna watch your other videos so I can keep learning about crochet. Edit to add: Since you mentioned bed sized blankets, my mum's best friend made me one for Christmas last year. I think it took her around 7 months or maybe longer. It's incredibly beautiful and warm and one of my favourite things that I own since so much love and time went into it, but I couldn't fathom ever making something like it myself.

I love how u don’t diss any of them at all u just explain ur reasoning it’s like a breath of fresh air tbh hahah

I felt that way about those giant temperature blankets. But finally I made one, a C2C blanket and I only did 8 squares a day which only took about 5 minutes. If I went on vacation or something I could catch up a couple weeks in a half hour. I used two strands of yarn, one color for low and one for the high temp. My blanket came out just afghan sized and was super fun!

Being aware of ourselves as makers is how we keep our joy in this craft. I agree with a majority of the projects on this list - bikini top, shrugs, shorts, socks, cat sweaters (have made a hat for one with hydrocephalus), but I have to add amigurumi to my personal list. The finished objects are so cute and really special; however, I have such a mental hurdle when it comes to assembly.

I really appreciate how you confidently put out your opinions. There is not anything for anyone to disagree on in this list because these are your limits and choices. No one can or should try to make you do anything. Take care! ❤

I think you're 100% correct about all of these! Although it's true that I have wasted hours of my life making under-appreciated crochet/knit gifts as well as never-ending blankets that barely get used because they're too heavy anyway.

I was leaning towards never making the sleeves too, but I potentially found a way to make them functional for certain people. I was thinking of making my mom one for mothers day out of cotton yarn as she tans REALLY easily and she hates the tan lines she can get from driving. So she'll cut up old sweat shirts and try to hold up the arms so she doesn't get a tan but I think with a tight stitch it might be easier to drive in than one handed a lot lol.

I can understand the pain of not having the attention span for a bed blanket. I tend to pick patterns/stitches that I don't actually have to pay attention to. I finally decided one day that instead of always making stuff for other people that I would make something that I would keep. After looking around I landed on an infinity granny square blanket, and I didn't even really have to look at my work while watching TV, as the holes where the next cluster would go was easy to feel. Even now working on a full sized spiral circle blanket in DC, I barely have to look on where I place my next stitch before I looking back at youtube. And I've also had 2-3 blankets going at the same time with different patterns and or stitches so if I get bored of one, I can then just switch projects

2:30 I literally just finished my shrug today and it is totally for a functional purpose. Where I live it's hot as heck outside but cold inside. So I made it so I can walk between university classes without overheating or carrying a bulky jacket, but cozy enough to keep my arms warm when I do go inside and sit for a couple of hours.

I always tell people when I give them a handmade gift that I prefer it gets destroyed from being loved rather than being shoved in the back of the closet. I don't crochet stuff for my family too often because the stuff I enjoy making (blankets, hats, sweaters) are not things they need. But I love making stuff for my friends! Everytime they wear a garment I made it makes me so happy!! Made a pillow with a ghost crossstitch for a friend and they were so excited! Gifting a handmade gift to the right person makes you feel like you have super powers!!

Probably like most crocheters, I started out doing the easy stuff, like hats, shawls, and afghans. One Christmas, I declared an "Ugly Hat Christmas" and crocheted everyone a red beanie. We took a group picture and it was great fun, but beanies are not something I'll be making anymore, unless someone specifically asks for one. I made 2 afghans for my 2 daughters-in-law and their sisters, one for Summer and one for Winter. I will not be making anymore afghans unless someone specifically asks for one.😊 I started a bed-sized granny square coverlet for my guest bed, completed all the granny squares, and sewed about half of them together. The project's been sitting in a plastic bin waiting for me to finish for about two years now. I won't be making any more bed sized coverlets, even if someone asks for one. 😉 None of the things you mentioned will be on my to-do list, because I've found my passion! It's amigurumi! I've made Marvel characters, Harry Potter, Santa, elves, Pooh characters, Nativity scenes, Mario, Peanuts, Mandalorian, Safari! My to-do list will last me into the next decade and I keep seeing new patterns I want to make. My grandsons are growing out of them and I may take my overflow to a craft show in the fall. As I write, I'm finishing up a Manchester City soccer player for my soccer-playing grandson and he's seventeen, a bit old for stuffed toys, but he can set it on his desk for inspiration while he plays FIFA soccer on his X-Box. Love your channel and all your work on the shelf behind you!

I'm 100% with you on temperature blankets. Bed sized blankets don't scare me, but I start a bed sized blanket knowing that it is going to be a project that takes me years to complete. Having a deadline of 12 months on the reason for a blanket just doesn't jive with me. I am however currently working on a bed sized blanket that I started back in 2021 and I'm not even a quarter of the way through, but I give myself permission to put it away for 6 to 8 months at a time once I start getting bored with the repetitive nature of the pattern, and then once we've had a nice break from each other, I'll pick it back up and do some more on it.

I completely understand people who aren't into temperature blankets, personally I found it a really fun way to get familiar with local weather patterns, and I really enjoyed feeling like each row I did on mine was an accomplishment, unlike when you're working on a project where it seams to take forever to finish a single section and the reward comes so late

My first project ever was a bed-sized blanket so that I could learn and practice a single crochet stitch during covid with only the internet to guide me. I was well into the project when my grandma got curious and came around and asked what pattern I was using. I did the entire blanket up to that point only going through the centre of the previous row and picking up half a stitch because that's how I thought single crochet worked 😅I continued on and it looks beautifully unique for my first project ever.

I'm currently working on a temp blanket and, like you, I'm easily overwhelmed. Some people put so much thought into it using equations, spreadsheets, websites, measurements, dousing rods, moon phases, tealeaf readings and who knows what else, I was almost put off! Slight exaggeration, but you get my drift. So I simplified mine and gave myself permission to alter as I go. I picked out yarn I already had and could easily get more of, splitting them into temperature increments of about 5 degrees. If 2 consecutive days are in the same high temp slot, I go for the low temp, all using the standard weather app on my phone. I do 1 row of moss stitch before I settle to do my bigger projects, and Bob's your uncle (as we say here in England 🤭) If I put pressure on myself to stick to rules, I'll jack the whole lot in and I don't want to do that. I know some may think it defeats the purpose, but it's my first time and I want to enjoy it. If I survive this one, I may be more specific next time. Doubtful, but possible 😝

I hear you! My daughter in law! I have given her items I have made, but then I NEVER see them again! She NEVER wears them! Breaks my heart. So, like you, I have decided not to make her anything again! I am Blessed, though, because my son wears what I make him and I love him so for it! Thank you for telling me it is ok not to make for someone who doesn’t care!

It's useful to look at the patterns for some of these projects and understand how they are made, even if you don't actually make them. I've got patterns for shrugs from the 1950s. So, they might be practical sometimes. The trouble is that some items are best not crocheted, at all! Most of the re-usable net bag patterns, that I've seen, are from the 1940s (UK, wartime). These are made from coarse hard wearing materials and using techniques that are more like macrame. Socks are always best knitted.

I laughed for this entire video because I’ve made, tried to make or considered making every item you talked about, except the temperature blanket! Im so with you on that! I don’t want to work on a project for a year. And I live in the desert so my blanket would be 80% red and orange, colors I’m not crazy about and don’t match my house. I’ve seen some really cool ones in videos and have respect for the people who make them, it’s just not something I’m interested in. Maybe if I ever move to a cooler climate. Like Greenland 😂

Oooh, now I want to crochet a wall mandala! Those are so pretty! I've been making a lot of flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies to decorate a doorway area. I love that it adds a pop of color, and shows off my creativity in the entry to my crafting zone. I made a bucket hat. I didn't like it for myself and gave it to a friend. I wouldn't crochet shorts or a bikini. Crochet stitches stretch under stress. You could leave home fully covered and decent, and wind up exposed later. Further, I wouldn't want to risk my dignity on the chance of two ends separating. Another reason why not to make crocheted produce bags, is they weigh the bag with the produce, and these can add cost to your groceries. I made a queen size, cotton blanket in single crochet! It took FOREVER! My husband's Chinese food leaked on it before it was finished, and it was stained before it was finished. I've used it once. Never again! I've never done a temperature blanket, for many of the reasons you listed. But if I wanted to do one, I wouldn't do it this year; I'd pick a year already past, like a kid's birth year, or our covid lockdown year, or the year my daughter got married. Then I'd look up the temps for that year, and plan accordingly. The projects I won't do involve 1&2 weight yarn, small hooks, and tiny details. I can't see well enough to mess with fiddly little stitches. I also like things that grow fast. The part about only giving to those who appreciate it really resonated. I sewed a handmade bag for a gift exchange. It took me hours, and cost about $15 in materials (the limit for the gift.) The lady who got it seemed appreciative, but I found in in a second-hand store a couple weeks later.

My first crochet project was a queen sized granny square blanket. I learned how to crochet from my college roommate's mom teaching me the granny square and I wanted to make something I could use. I have used it for about 15 years and it's still in great condition, despite the number of washes. Now I have a tradition of making twin size blankets for each niece and nephew when they are young. I love it when my projects are used.

My maternal grandmother used to crochet tablecloths, doilies, antimacassars, etc. using fine crochet thread. Not Yarn! OMG. I made a doily once and swore (a lot) that I'd never do that type work again. I still have one of the tablecloths she made. It's huge!

I like your positivity, and pointing out sources of patterns if someone wants to make any of the items on the list. I agree with most of these for a variety of reasons. My projects are on the small-ish side: pot holders, dish cloths, crossbody bags. I made a cocoon cardi, which isn't small, but was pretty uncomplicated, and I love wearing it. I'm working on potholders & scrubbing dish cloths to give as gifts Christmas 2023, and I will likely not even know if they're not used, tbh, unless I'm told outright. 3 each to each recipient, so they won't take up much space, and they're useful. A bed size blanket?!?! It will need to be washed at some point, and just the thought of the weight of such an item when wet is overwhelming. A temperature pillow cover is my idea of a doable project, even taking a year to gather the data, though the data might be sourced online for a previous year, idk. Opinions on crochet projects differ from person to person, and they're all valid.

This is the first video I've seen by you and you are so lovely to watch! You give off such fun, lively energy. All my attempts at crochet have been a disaster so far; knitting makes a lot more sense to me and I'm decent with some similar crafts, but I get completely lost with crochet. Though I'm getting into tatting at the moment and it's making me feel a little more confident that I should tackle crochet again. I'm very much going to watch more of your videos to continue to help motivate me to try crochet again. Thank you so much for making such lovely videos! It's very clear that you put lot of effort into them.

I tell people i make cowls, fingerless gloves, hats etc. to donate them if they won't use them. I'm on a cardigan kick now and make them only for myself. I appreciate them! Thanks for this video.

I did crochet a grocery bag and the one good thing is that it is the strongest bag I have and I can load up simply wild amounts of things in there. But I don’t think it’s really worth the effort and I never made anymore. Still find that single one extremely helpful. Especially as we don’t have single use bags in shops anymore where I live. Agree with you about everything single other thing.

Amen sister. I like to keep my projects unless someone asks me to make something for them. My mother loves my projects so I gift her projects just because.

I really love shrugs 😮 they’re so nice for covering a little more when I wear a top!

crochet shorts are super popular in my country. it's super hot and humid here and it's a trend that comes and goes, lots of girls like wearing them at home, around the neighborhood, at the beach... and i think they're so comfy! they don't squeeze my body in any awkward ways and so nice to lounge in ❤️

I crocheted a pair of socks a few years ago. They turned out so cute but I underestimated how uncomfortable they would be. When standing, you can feel just about every stitch on the bottom of your feet.

I had started knitting some sweaterless sleeves right before watching this video, so I audibly gasped when you mentioned them! They look so impractical, but they’re great for layering over form-fitting athletic duds and still being able to move freely. But I’ll admit: These are my go-to when I just want to make pretty sleeves and without committing to a full sweater.