reacting to your crochet/knit hot takes !!! | Made in the moment
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- thanks for watching !!! please let me know if you agree or disagree with these! I love having conversations about "controversial" topics in the crafting world.
shoutout to April from @goldenfleececrochet for inspiring all these hot takes
find me on social media: madeinthemomen...
#knitting #crochet #hottakes #crochethottake #fiberarts #madeinthemoment
My hot take is that it’s ok as a private person to copy a design from the picture/ not buy the pattern if you don’t post it anywhere or sell it or something like that. Sometimes it’s more fun to recreate it yourself than to use the pattern and also it’s cheaper:)
Well, if you copy it from the picture with your own expertise, and afterwards you compare what you did to what the designer did, you'll see you made it in a way that is very different from the designer's. So technically it's not the same pattern.
I think you can post it just give credit
100%! It always feels weird when I can just look at something and instantly see how it's made...like should I still pay? Of course the creative idea remains theirs, I'd never sell these things or show them off as an original design. But yeah...have made several pairs of mitered square fingerless gloves, pattern was like 7 dollars...paid zero. Whoops
Totally agree. I see it like a musician making a cover of someone else's song, and that falls under fair use as well.
Doesn’t even necessarily have to be a private person imho. My favorite baby blanket pattern is the “call the midwife blanket” on ravelry and the pattern publisher ended up doing some serious research in order to reverse engineer the pattern, including a lot of pausing of the show and looking up close, and even digging through vintage patterns to see if anyone had the pattern already done (they hadn’t)
So the person put in the work and then published the pattern that they ended up settling on.
They don’t charge for the pattern, so maybe that makes a difference, but I don’t see how putting in effort to figure out a pattern negates the ability to use it if a paid pattern (or no pattern) exists.
Omg the classism in the yarn material debate is so real. I saw a large very popular crochet artist post about this recently and the way they talked about it grinded my gears as a low income artist. She blatantly said "Crochet is a luxury, if you can't afford sustainable yarn, it isn't a need. Do better." Which is so ridiculous to me. 90% of all my yarn is secondhand from yard/estate sales and thrift stores. Its better than throwing it away, and a cheap way for me to make clothing and art for myself and my friends. It reads to me saying if you're too poor to buy nice cotton or wool yarn, you shouldn't be in this hobby, which completely disregards so much if this community and its roots.
Using 2nd hand yarn is very sustainable. Boo on people who think their paradigm is the only paradigm.
It wouldn't surprise me if the large, very popular crochet artist was a massive hypocrite, driving a huge gas-eater SUV and constantly throwing away plastic and Styrofoam packaging from whatever fast food places she frequents. People that make obnoxious arrogant statements like hers usually are. 🙄
My hot take is crochet isnt worth the more expensive yarn bc usually its just for toys and such.
t. primarily a knitter
@@baileyjanes1 nah I make clothing and sweaters and cute tops. My hot take is that crochet is a fuckton more versatile than knit any day
@@dh.151 another hot take is crochet fabric is too bulky and holey to yield good, wearable clothing. the stitching just isnt pleasant looking or against the skin. Its not as stretchy as knitting, its so holey yet so much heavier. Maybe for blankets because its heavy and sturdy (i wont ever knit a blanket, thats what I mostly use crochet for), but for a good quality sweater it really is useless. Dont get me started on those boho bralette things 🤢
for things like amigurumi where making exaggerated shapes that can stand on their own, are sturdy, and manipulating the fabric is easier I get how its more "versatile" though.
the straight size vs plus size thing is SO huge for me, as a fat woman i put a lot of effort when making bralettes for pride into making sure i had at least S-XL and the backs were in a corset style so the size was more adjustable as well and i had multiple people pull one off the rack and hold it up and go “oh my god it actually fits me!” and tell me how hard it is for them to find crochet tops that are big enough! it was so nice to see the reactions and know that my effort made people so happy :)
Bravo you!
So as a fat woman you put effort into not making plus sizes? XL is still considered a “straight size”…
@@princessofjedi right? Like wow what an inclusive size range...
@@idratherbewithmycatrightnow yeah that instantly put me off. I hope it's just a typo on her part but XL is NOT an inclusive size range because most places the XL is with the standard sizes meaning it's not even considered plus size.
On a similar positive note as the point on disability acceptance, I think this community is one of the best subsets of fashion for avoiding ageism. I’ve met fantastic fibre artists in their 80’s, I’ve met fantastic fibre artists who are still in high school. It’s a timeless art and such a great way to stimulate intergenerational understanding. ❤
Yes! It's amazing. And to add to this also very accepting and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. It's wonderful.
The age range in my crochet group is 8-73 with people in every stage in between lol
My hot take is that a teapot makes an amazing yarn bowl (if you do wanna use one.) put the yarn In the teapot and use the spout to feed the yarn through :)
This is a genius idea
This is actually incredible, thank you! I was looking for a cheaper alternative to the ones on sale where i am 😭
thats so smart holy shit
En excuse for me to get one of those neat tea pots I see at this thrift
re: the yarn bowl -- this reminds me heavily of something I see crop up from time to time: just because you or I don't see the need for something doesn't mean it's not needed. You said that if your yarn rolls away you just get up and get it. Not everyone has that ease of movement; chronic pain, arthritis, etc., etc. Anyone with difficulty getting up and moving around probably thinks they're a life saver. Most products that I can't see the use of are quite often products for people with specific disabilities ^^
These were my thoughts exactly! I have acid reflux and bending down to constantly pick something up can be painful and annoying. I also have hip problems, so that's an even bigger issue. There's always a use for something/someone, even if you don't have a use for it, yourself.
I agree, but I also think that it is okay to use a regular bowl rather than one with a slit
Yes. I take my knitting it with me, I don't like my yarn rolling on the floor or the ground outside. Like I can physically get up and get my yarn ball... but keeping it in a bowl keeps it so much cleaner.
I love my yawn bowl. My husband bought it for me and it's shaped like a sheep. It's cute and makes me happy.😊
I use plastic salad bowls!
I'm not kidding: weave your ends. My mom made me this amazing afghan when I was little, so it's 20-25 years old. And she didn't weave all of her ends and it shows. While it was fine for the first 10 years of its life, there are places on it where the stitches are coming undone. I've patched them, but the yarn I used is a different shade because Mom didn't have the original anymore, so it's super noticeable. So if you want your projects to last, to be forever projects, weave in your ends. Because that knot won't hold
Weaving in ends makes me want to sink into the floor and never emerge, but i know that watching the project fall apart in a few years will be even worse so i fight the urge to become floorboards and do it anyway. Its worth it
Thanks for this info. I am working on a cardigan using a yarn that just knots the strands together in the cake every so often, and have been wondering if that was ok to crochet in or not. So, not!
I have one: I hate when people drag others down. Like, everybody has to start somewhere and not everybody had a Grandma or Mum or whatever to teach them and they had to learn from TH-cam/internet - and that is absolutely ok. People don’t say this enough.
You can absolutely be a great Crocheter/Knitter even if you haven’t had much past experience/had a pro teach you. As long you practise and have the passion, that’s all you need. It’s a hobby. I cannot stand when people try to be elitist about everything. I mean, I get it, you worked hard and was taught by the best and now it’s becoming more accessible n so it’s not a cult hobby as much anymore- but that’s a GOOD thing, it means the skill won’t be lost.
**Edit** Gatekeeping! That was the word I was looking for! I hate it when people gate-keep!
Can you explain why this is a hot take?
@@gwendolynrobinson3900 Gatekeeping - that’s a hot take.
Some people are for it, because they believe you can only really be a “real” Crocheter/Knitter if the skills were passed down to you from a young age, and feel like those who learn from the internet are not _truly_ skilled.
I disagree with that (that’s coming from me, who had it passed down to me from a young age through my Mum, who was predominantly a knitter/sewing machinist and worked in a factory) I think that it doesn’t matter how you learned it, you shouldn’t look down on other people and instead, help them, teach them and raise them up. If you drag people down, it’ll deter them from doing it and the skill will be lost like many other wonderful skills from the past and honestly, I think anything made with love is the best. 🥰
On the flipside though, I can see why it would irk some people who’ve spent a lot of years honing their skills to then be faced with the internet making it accessible, but not everybody had a family member to learn from and we should be a good and helpful community. 🫶
As someone with a mom who does a lot of knitting, crochet, and sewing related hobbies I still ended up looking up youtube tutorials! She couldn't teach and kept correcting the way I held the hook and yarn before I was even allowed to start :( didn't help at all.
Also a lot of us only learned one or two stitches from our moms & grandmas! If my gran would still be around she would be thrilled at all the stitches and techniques you can find on youtube
Definitely agree. I didn’t have people around me growing up that would teach me or let me learn a lot & it keeps me frustrated in general, but Nan tried to show me crochet basics but I never understood anything beyond a sc chain so I eventually quit. Picked it up again as an adult via TH-cam & it’s my time killer. I like crocheting throws, amigurumi, cotton coasters, dish cloths, etc. scraps either become scrapghans or small animal beds for the animal shelter to use.
this video made me realize a lot of people care a lot more about what random strangers think than i do 💀💀💀 i could care less if someone thinks i copied their pattern, i dont sell my stuff so it doesnt matter to me at all
i get ideas off other ppls patterns + i dont pay and i sell my stuff, if u are able to look at stuff and know how to make it without having to pay for a pattern then u dont have to pay for the pattern thats my hot take
My hot take: there's no wrong way to hold the crochet hook, project, and working yarn. I do it a way that isn't considered as efficient, but I love my hand movements. Stimulating in just the right way.
Also: I wish people bought me yarn lol
Someone recently commented on my video that I was holding my tension way too tight and it was painful to watch, like it's comfortable for me to hold it tight? I was having hand troubles and the tight tension was helping 😕
@@af1633 I've got a broken hand. I don't hold it the traditional way because my hand doesn't go in that way. The way I do it works and produces a nice tension. OMG the comments "YUpr TEBSION WILL BE SO BAD IF YOU HOLD IT LIKE THAT" Dude, the finished object has got perfect tension. Chill
Yeah after a bit I realized that I hold my hook/project/working yarn in a pretty “inefficient” way and it’s easy for me to create high tension if I’m not careful and I’m sure it probably puts more stress on my wrists/fingers but for the same reason you mentioned, I just like that way and don’t really see a reason in changing it :P
I’m taking care of my wrists and doing exercises and taking breaks so yeah
As I was learning to crochet, my mom is who taught me and she taught me to hold it however was most comfortable...it shouldn't matter how you hold your hook/yarn as long as you're comfortable with it
On holding, I’d say do whatever feels natural and doesn’t hurt. The only pain there should be is that from overworking which is something that can’t be avoided if you’re not pacing yourself and doing proper exercises
The fairisle comment honestly hurt a little. Those sweaters are a big part of Nordic culture. They are usually made especially for you by a maternal figure and are thus highly treasured and sentimental everyday pieces of clothing for us. Not only can each garment last for generations, but it’s also a generational craft and the skill required for complex colorwork is highly respected. Sure, it’s just a silly internet comment, but that whole part didn’t sit right with me.
Totally fair! For me, it depends so much on the colors chosen and the amount of contrast that the yarns have. I love a lot of Fairisle designs personally, I just dont know if I'd have the patience to make one myself
I'd be interested in a in-depth video about fiber types! Especially concerning sustainability I feel like there's a lot of stereotypical thinking (acrylic = bad, wool = great), but it's a lot more nuanced. For example there's the Higg Index where wool production scores worse than acrylic, but it's also widely criticized. Would love to hear your opinion on this!
can you please link the article? I can’t seem to find it
Yes! There’s so much to talk about, I’d love to dive into it more
Although wool is a natural, biodegradable material, like cows, sheep also release methane gas and need land to be cleared so that they can graze leading to soil salinity and less biodiversity. So not only is wool bad for the environment, it is also inherently exploitative and often cruel to nonconsenting animals who were bred to have way too much wool than their natural counterparts that their lives are dependent on humans. We shouldn't be forcing these beings into existence anymore just because we want to use them for their wool. :(
The issue about that is they aren't looking at the impact of the fiber post production. They're only looking at the production process but everything has a life post production. Environmental studies on the impact of shedding plastics on our food supply is a REAL eye opener. And of course, you should know where your wool/bamboo/silk/cotton/hemp/linen/flax etc is coming from. I think people forget that wool and acrylic aren't the only options.
Also, please include bamboo because people think it's more natural but I learned on an episode of Make Good that it's one of the worst fibers you can produce / use...😓
Regarding how long it takes to make things, I’ve started telling people based on dates started/finished. Because of this, my dad goes around wearing a sweater that took 11 years to make 🤷🏼♀️😂 never mind what else went on in those years. Doesn’t matter haha.
I have a shawl that I started in 2017 that’s taken so long, you can see where I learnt different techniques along the way.
@@FoxInTheStudio its like a diary
in defense of stashing: i mostly make blankets, which i either donate or give as gifts. for the projects i like to do it’s great to have a big variety on hand so if i need something i can just grab it… and if i buy something for just a border/small detail, i can find another blanket to use it in later. it’s also a lot more financially workable to buy one or two skeins at a time when i see one i like that i can frankenstein into a project later than trying to buy all the yarn i need for a blanket at once.
I agree
with you 100%, only buying yarn for a specific project won't be the most cost effective way to get supplies. also it's fun to raid your own stash!
It's hard being a creative person and trying to be minimalist. You dont want to have things you never use cluttering your space but you don't want to get rid of anything in case not having it impedes your creativity. Have I ever used X thing? No, but what if I'm in the middle of a project and want to use X thing and then I don't have it and feel the need to go and get it again??
I like to buy a bulk of yarn, use it up, and buy the next bulk yarn. I also have an idea what my next few projects I want to make are.
Not to mention stashing is more economical. If you can't afford to buy new every project then you can use what you have
I have a huge stash but I also have 6 sheep. So I gotta make more yarn than I can possibly use up. They do not stop growing wool ❤ 🐑
my hot take pre-video is: people use way thicker yarn than they should just to get things done quicker. that cropped top you did with weight 4 yarn and 5mm hook is gonna be thick as hell and not comfortable (at least i tried multiple times and that's what happened on all of them. looks beautiful on the model, feels like i'm wearing an incomplete sweater on me)
my fiber arts hot take - it doesn’t matter if you use acrylic as long as you use all of the scraps instead of just tossing them. i always have a little stash bag with me where i toss all my scraps to use as stuffing for amigurumi n other projects
I do the same!! I agree
Oooo that's smart 😁😁
Thank you for giving me the idea to also save them for stuffing! Ive been saving them because it feels weird throwing it away so I really appreciate it!
I like this. I have a ball of yarn scraps that when I have a long piece from sewing two pieces together or just what is left from a sken but not enough for a new project I just tie it to the end of the ball and save it till I have enough to make something.
I do the same! Totally agree
In defense of the large yarn stash… yarn serves many purposes - art, entertainment, mindfulness, clothing, gifts. I love spending my money to support small businesses and great community. All that said, I love hot takes! Even if I disagree. Thanks for sharing ❤
Absolutely! And I love your attitude about it :)
Also for me - bying yarn and using yarn are two different hobbies. It's like a collection or an investment ☺️
I love having a big yarn stash for the convienience of NOT having to go out and buy more when one project is finnished. I do love buying yarn aswell but I make sure that I know what I would like to do with it before.
I also think it’s important to note about the yarn stash issue that just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when.
@@crazycorgiladyus7418I think it's a totally fair way of doing things. The issue I think is mostly seeing it as the norm and social media and feeling social pressure to conform to that 'ideal'. Plus people really dipping into SABLE with literally having the stash of a small LYS.
On the knitting in class note, I would really encourage people to (respectfully) go for it. I did it in my final year of uni for certain things (primarily programming lectures and in the lead up to presentations). I was always in very small classes (max 12 people), so I would ask my professors beforehand, explaining that it helps me focus, and they always let me. Your profs really want you to get the most out of your classes, so if knitting/crochet helps you to do that, most will be fine with it
I crocheted a blanket during WFH training for a new job in a new state, before I was able to get ADHD meds and it was sooooo helpful for my focus. Plus, it helped start a conversation during our breaks!
As a teacher I completely agree!! People act like it's disrespectful but often my students who stim are more relaxed and enjoy class which means they get more out of it.
I just crochet in class(high school) and my teachers are fine. They even ask me about what I’m making sometimes. I think considering I’m a good student and still completely understand what they’re teaching that they just don’t really care.
i also did, everyone was fine with it!
(except the school psychiatrist, but she was convinced that i couldn't possibly have adhd despite me being diagnosed so she was just anti me in general lmao)
I can't sit still for long so drawing and crotcheting is perfect to keep my hands busy for when I play DnD. It feels more respectful that being on my phone, which I've done in the past.
It always surprises me that people are so intense about what other people do or not do. Just do what makes YOU happy, what YOU enjoy doing. Crochet and knitting is an art form... like any other art form, people express themselves in different ways. ❤
I love when people get me yarn as a gift IF they bought it thinking "Oh my gosh, these colours remind me so much of Ems! I am going to get it for them and maybe they will enjoy making a hat!" - What I don't like is when it;s like "IDK what Ems wants, let's just grab any ball of yarn" and then I get a skein of red heart super savour in like... the camo colourway. Like literally I have gotten a ball of super savour in a gorgeous bright purple variegated and I LOVED the gift because the person told me how much the colour reminded them of me.
I think it is literally the thought that counts, not that they felt obligated to get you something, but that they thought about me and that colour!
For example I have a friend at my knit night who was destashing and she gave me 6 skeins of bulky weight alpaca blend because the colour reminded them of me and they knew that 6 skeins could make something pretty decent. I am now using that yarn to make my partner a sweater because it HAPPENS to be a sweater quantity for him - and one of his favourite colours! Win-win :D
Acrylics have come a long way since I started knitting/crocheting. I used to hate it because it felt awful but now some of them are beautiful and have a more luxurious feel.
I'm pretty confident about this, so.
I believe many knitwear/crochet designers are self-made. As of what I know, there aren't many classes for "size inclusive pattern drafting". I know that they can "try" to "do better", but you can only do so much in your own business.
Yup! I think improvisation is an important skill for any fiber artist. If size is an issue, one should learn to recognize the shape/stitch the pattern is trying to convey, and scale it up to your size. Nobody ever nags amigurumi artists for not including multiple sizes in their patterns.
Agreed. Pattern designers who make larger sizes should absolutely be promoted more than they are; but shaming smaller designers for making designs that fit themselves is silly. Particularly free patterns. Same as larger clothing brands strait sizes and plus sizes require different fit models and everything, a single person making for themselves or even a small pattern designer isn't usually going to have the access necessary to accomplish that.
Large companies should do better though.
one of my hot takes are that acrylic and wool are both fine. it’s not like one is better than the other. just use what works for you and what you like.
I basically am surviving grad school by knitting in my lectures! I got weird looks at the beginning, but now it's my norm and I love it
I almost exclusively hand-wind my yarn balls and yarn bowls are a lifesaver 😆
I don't use a bowl because I mainly use cakes or skeins! I love how there's so many ways to create, and that different tools work for different people. It's kind of over dramatic, but it's genuinely so beautiful to me haha :)
I have cats I can barely cross stitch without help a yarn bowl is too much temptation for 3 cats
I also hand-wind and I do it around a pencil, so it's center-pull, the ball stays in place! Highly recommend
I absolutely agree on "people make extremely ugly stuff":D I would never wear anything like those things many people and especially youtube creators make. This is actually sad cause you don't see enough projects you'd want to make. But it still can be quite inspirational.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
@@judipierry549Definitely. I saw some comments like this one and am always shocked when I see someone missing the fact that THEY find something ugly, believing « IT IS » ugly.
That’s weird like did we forget we all had a brain thus can only perceive things in a subjective way ?! 😅
I started knitting during work meetings to avoid checking slack/email etc while the meeting is going! As long as it’s a simple stockinette it’s easy and I don’t need to look so it’s definitely helpful for me to focus
Just because someone buys yarn and doesn’t use it right away doesn’t mean it won’t EVER get used though. Lots of people I know, myself included, will keep an ongoing stash of colors that they use frequently, such as neutrals. For me personally, I also keep certain colors on hand for those times of the year when I know I’m going to be doing a lot of festive projects that I will want to use those colors for, such as pastel colors for spring and Easter, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples for Halloween, and red, green, and white for Christmas. I also have ADHD, so I might buy yarn for a specific pattern and then get sidetracked by other projects. But eventually I WILL come back to the project I bought the yarn for, it’s just a matter of when. There’s also an economic aspect to this too. Many, MANY people live paycheck to paycheck, so if they waited to buy yarn only when they needed it for a certain project, it might not be on sale at that time, and they might not be able to afford to buy yarn full price all the time. Stocking up on yarn during a big sale and saving it for use later is a completely valid strategy for people on a budget or anyone who doesn’t have the privilege of being able to buy it every single time they need it.
I am v low income and I started crocheting a year ago. I quickly went off most acrylics and found an online shop I particularly like. They have plenty of sale yarn, and every few months do a Drops sale, which I love because they do such great alpaca yarns. So yes, have ended up with a stash that is going to last years!
Yeah, and also, yarns get discontinued. Snap your faves up while you can!
Yeah I think there’s definitely an issue with consumerism in hobby spaces, but I have a problem when we try to attack specific creators (or even just people in our lives) because it’s really hard to judge someone’s specific circumstances and whether they’re hoarding or just have a different buying pattern
one time I thought it would be so cute to bake tiny breads in tiny le creuset dutch ovens and then it turned out they did that on their ig page already and I had seen it 😂
hahaha classic
Just to share my perspective, as a beginner, I like to see how long a project takes for others more seasoned because I find that it gives me something to work towards. For instance, I saw a tutorial and the creator was able to do a beanie in 40 minutes, but in roughly 6 hours I was only halfway through. It gives me something to work towards and motivates me. Just wanted to share!!☺️
For me with the yarn collection, I find myself buying different types of yarn because I found a project that I am in love with but i dont have the type of yarn or the color that I need for it. I didnt think having a big yarn collection was a flex, it makes me feel like a slob. So I'll periodically go through my yarn and get rid of the ones I no longer use, or yarn I havent thought about for a while, by donating them.
Wool production actually doesn’t harm the animals at all!! Sheep actually need to be sheared or they’ll overheat
Yeah we deliberately bred them that way... they did not start out like that before we got hold of them. The larger argument is that it's good for the individual animal to be shorn, but the wool industry is not good for the species. I say this as a meat eater and animal product user.
@@schoo9256 This is the part that everyone ignores. Sheep should’ve never been sheared in the first place and the only reason they need to be is because of people. So wool production DOES harm them
@@Aj-sn1dp right but we can't unbreed that trait lmao. should we just let them overheat?
@@slimecorn vegans aren't suggesting to leave sheep to overheat and die (obviously). the wool industry is constantly breeding more sheep, vegans would like them to stop and phase out wool for cotton.
im not vegan btw
the sizing thing is so important to me. i’m not plus sized but have awkward proportions and trying to find patterns that i can adapt easily is practically impossible as a beginner. it makes me sad when i finish a project and I don’t look like the model
Same!! I’m very short and very pear shaped, so certain types of crochet projects always tend to look a little off on me! Like all those cute tank tops always are both too low cut and too long on me, and it can be really hard to figure out how to change some of them and still end up with the right borders
Also same! It’s gotten to the point where I just don’t make wearables using a pattern. I take it as inspiration, and I’ll try to compensate the person that did make the pattern I was inspired by, but at the end of the day anyone that pretends that a 40B and a 34DD can use the exact same 2XL bralette pattern is kidding themselves at best. If I want anything to actually fit me, I have to adapt things. It sucks, but it gets easier with time
My hot take: you don’t necessarily have to follow patterns if you know how to make the general shapes and stuff, I’ve been crocheting for 4-5 years and I havent ever followed a pattern, my stuff still turns out okay cause I know how to make the shapes and stuff, but people can use patterns too, it’s all fine to me, I just personally don’t and if people don’t want to, they don’t have to
About size representation, most of the creators post 95% photos of themselves. So testers won't change things, the solution is to just allow people to grow. Follow diverse people, go through their hashtags to find more, make a d promote their patterns, mention them first when someone asks for recommendation. Make people famous.
The only times I will buy a lot of yarn in one go is when my local yarn shop has their annual clearance, and I only get what I already have plans for. I went last week and they had this gorgeous yarn that was originally $10 a ball now marked down to $2! I bought enough for two shawls and some fingerless mitts. You can't pass up a sale like that! Especially when you know you probably won't ever be able to get that particular yarn again. :) As far as amigurumi, I LOVE making those! It's a nice switch from the other stuff I make. They can be really intricate and beautiful.
i will usually buy yarn once every two months, since it’s cheaper to get yarn in bulk and i know i’ll use it all, also the new yarn i buy depends on the remainder! also yeah amigurumi is so cute and fun!
I agree with the stashing problem, I overbuy because it's fun. It's definitely something that I have to confront.
My hot take is that a lot of patterns are priced too high. Basic sweater shapes, socks, mittens, hats have existed for eons. Not every spin on these is worth $28.
I have a big stash not because I’m a shopaholic, but because there are yarns I love using and I buy them when sales happen. 🥰 especially because people request commissions all the time and it’s better to buy in advance rather than place an order for every commission I get.
Not everyone has a budget to buy full price yarn all the time.
That being said, I do crochet a lot. So all of the yarn I bought will be used 😇
I haven’t purchased any since Black Friday. Because I have enough right now.
Agree! I shop on sale exclusively, and knit for children who are growing, so I knit pretty regularly! I have a big stash to account for that - I might not use 10 balls of that yarn today, but my nephew is getting a new sweater in winter bc he grows like a weed!
This! When there’s a crazy sale I want to take advantage! Every skein I buy I buy with the intention to use, even if it takes a while. Plus when shopping online, if shipping is going to cost $10 regardless of if I get 1 skein or 20, I might as well make it worth my money (and worth the emissions from shipping)
the hot take i've been bringing to my classroom as a teacher is that crafts are supposed to be fun. I've actually made it a class rule. If the kids aren't having fun expressing themselves and creating things, it's not a craft.
I personally loved the idea of getting yarn as a gift... until I realised that my mum is very much a quantity over quality kinda person. And not the good kind of quality where I'd get like six skeins of the same colour, but rather six skeins of like three or even four different colours that are usually next to impossible to mix and match. Not enough for a blanket, too much for a sweater... thank God I make amigurumi the most. You can get away with a lot of weird colour combos in amigurumi, I feel.
On the topic of amigurumi, I hate that chenille (chennile?) yarn is slowly but surely becoming a standard for amigurumi. I hate it, personally. I don't like how it feels on my skin, I don't really like the way it works up, it's hard to get my hands on where I live, it's expensive, and personally I mostly use leftovers from larger projects because I make mostly around hand or forearm sized amigurumi. The only plus I can give it is that it really works up quickly.
I don't know if this is a hot take or not and again this refers specifically to amigurumi, but I have seen people say (quite a couple times) that you shouldn't be making amigurumi for the sake of it and I just... can't agree with that. The thing is, I don't really have anyone I could give my amigurumi to, but I don't think that should stop me from making it. Maybe I'll once collect everything I have made that is of at least passable quality and donate it, but I don't think I should be frowned at even if I keep it for myself.
I wonder how many people with large stashes are sort of... Buying them in the good times in preparation for the bad. When I have more money, I tend to be more open to buying yarn that I like but have no specific use for with the intent that I have a stockpile and can continue my hobby / major way to destress even if I run into financial hardships. It also brings me joy to have yarn on hand so that I can show friends how to crochet and easily give them a bag of starter yarn even if neither of us has a ton of spare money
I think it’s different for me as a) a new-ish knitter, and b) someone who doesn’t write patterns, but I absolutely love consuming all kinds of knitting content. I want to see everyone’s designs. I want to see what everybody is feeling in the moment and watch them progress. I want to see what patterns speak to them and how they innovate along the way. I don’t feel burned out or inadequate, if anything I feel motivated!
but also. color me “hyperfixated” lmfao
On the note of acrylics, I personally love them! I'd say they make up about 90% of my collection. There are some crazy soft and luxurious ones out there too! The Uptown collection from Universal Yarn is one of my favourites :)
I agree with the massive yarn collection not making you a better fiber artist, but I'd like to argue that a large collection doesn't make you a consumerist. My yarn collection is massive and that's only because my mom's coworker works at a thrift store and she gifts me the yarn that doesn't sell, so now I have more yarn than I know what to do with (especially since I don't want to tell her no cuz apparently she gifts everyone else like this and she's a nice old lady-I don't want to hurt nice old lady). I haven't bought yarn in a long time because of it, but even if the yarn wasn't given to me I still don't buy much yarn. I'm not participating in consumerism if I haven't bought an overwhelming majority of the yarn I own. It's a bit of an unfair take.
I just wanted to vent/share that crafting as a plus-size person is much more time-consuming and expensive, which can partially explain why there aren't as many plus-size creators/designers/pattern testers. Someone who's an XS can literally make two or more sweaters with the time/money it takes me to make one, since I have to buy significantly larger quantities of yarn and spend significantly more time making a significantly bigger garment which, on top of everything else, can be SO boring to actually make when there's so much more knitting/crochet involved in a single piece. Plus there's an added gamble of whether the finished object will actually fit in the end. It's just not worth the time and money investment, and the stress of "will this just completely go to waste?" looming over my head totally takes away the fun, meditative aspect of the creative process as well as any desire to experiment or take risks. It's such a bummer. So I'll just stick to making accessories for now 🥲
Yes, and this is also why there are often less plus sized pattern testers, as often they are to be finished in 4-6 weeks, and it is so much harder to get a larger sized garment knit in the same time it takes others to knit the small sizes. If they want more plus size testers they need to allow longer for them to be knit.
When I started picking up crocheting my aunt was telling me some of her tips and tricks in my personal favorite one is that she uses one of those reusable grocery bags with a wine bottle insert in it to hold her yarn for projects with multiple colors keeps them all from scattering around or rolling away. Brilliant
7:52 "I hate chunky yarn, specifically for sweaters"
Me, joining the sleeves on a chunky sweater: 🧶👄🧶
The knitting/crochet while in class thing was very popular when I still went to university in the 2010s in Germany. The lecturers were all okay with it. So sometimes in winter, you had half of the class just sitting there with their hat and scarf projects, listening. I loved it because it personally helped me a lot with focusing on the class.
I agree crochet is easier than knitting but knit looks better--the exception being toys/amigurumi which look better than knitted
I think you should really start doing video essays on important things like the different types of fiber, the different government and NGO groups that set standards and what those standards are. The history of fiber. The impact of fiber production AND the impact of fiber post production (shedding plastics/chemicals used to make bamboo and other cellulose yarn, etc). Different sheep breeds and how different wools are better for different needs. How not sheering sheep is tantamount to abuse & we need to sheer them anyway. Also, tools and how different tools impact your knitting or crochet. wood vs metal inline vs tapered (changing your tool can make a type of yarn so much more pleasurable)
Compare the impact of slow fashion production and consumer waste vs impact of yarn production and consumer waste. (There are yarn companies that will recycle your snipped tails for you to make their tweed yarns!)
I second all of this!!💞
20:12 also, i think people tent to think that an item you spelt more time on is more valuable that an item u spent less time crocheting/knitting. u can finish a fingering weight sweater in about a week if you keep working on it every second of ur day. but if another person needs month to finish the same sweater, is urs more valuable than that other one?
and i don’t want to time myself either, i feel more stressed when i’m trying to finish an item in a set timeframe. most of the time i don’t even feel joy knitting that item and it lands on another pile of unfinished projects. and i think it’s also important to say that it is completely valid if u don’t feel like crocheting/knitting that day, and that don’t HAVE TO work on something everyday.
I have what most would consider a large, but very sentimental stash. Ive been knitting for 13 years and I’ve been to many fiber festivals through the years and have bought indie yarns and notions at them… oh, and I’ve also visited many local yarn shops when I was traveling across the US. I feel when you support local yarn shops you do you part to further the fiber world. I can pick up a skein and remember that day and where I was, and sometimes even what I’d hoped the yarn would be. For me it’s not just about buying the stash. It was a careful thoughtful build and as I pull yarn to knit from it, it gives me immeasurable joy.
My hot take is that it's gross how most of the clothing (specifically tops) I see patterns or tutorials for on Etsy or YT (etc) are skimpy crop tops (sweaters, tank tops, vests) meant for super skinny women........it's fucking annoying.
Agreed. There's nothing wrong with people wanting to make skimpier tops/crop tops but there should be more cute options!!! I think this goes back to the need for more representation in terms of body type, race, gender presentation, etc. in popular designers.
Thought on the wool/acrylic convo: acrylic can be easier to clean
Also, plant fibers exist as well!
Hi! I just discovered your Channel. What a gem you are! After I watched this video I watched you first tutorial on Making a Scrappy Sweater. So much information provided in 40 minutes. I loved your tip for making increases under the armpit to accommodate for a larger bust. As for more inclusivity in patterns, I think it would be difficult if not impossible to provide a pattern to fit all body types. Each pattern would be book length and end up costing $50. I don't mind doing a little math, especially if a diagram is provided like you did on your sweater tutorial. I love your intelligent well thought commentary. Keep up the good work.
to be honest i really like seeing when someone thought of a design i wanted to make. i am not a pattern designer so i am only looking for patterns to make for myself, so when i have an ideea and someone made a pattern for it it makes me happy to have a pattern for what i wanted to make. i am sure pattern designers have their own opinios and everyone is entitled to their own
I have a bad spending habit when it comes to yarn and I’ve come up with a solution for me, I only allow myself to have one large tote of yarn and a normal size plastic bag of yarn. The tote is for yarn I’m currently using or going to use in the nearby future whereas the plastic bag is for scraps and impulsive yarn buys, that way i can actively see the amount of scrap i have in comparison to impulsive unneeded yarn if that makes sense.
Hi, student here!! I crochet in class regularly, where I go has a phone ban including earbuds so we can’t have any device out that isn’t school issued. And for me I started bringing my projects to school with me! I tend to bring tops I’m making, small arigarumi, or there was a time I was making 5*5 inch squares for a bit. I’ve only had one person say something negative and they got shut down rq, and my teachers ask what the newest project is 😅
13:05 i programmed/coded for quite a bit before picking up crochet.
and i think crochet patterns would be really cool if they had licenses. like CC0 if you want the pattern to be done whatever with (CC stands for Creative Commons which u should look up its great), CC-BY if you want people do whatever with it as long as they credit, CC-BY-NC if you want people to do whatever with it as long as they credit AND dont sell it (nc standa for non-commercial), etc.
idk what other people think tho
ps: u have genuinely cool hair
As a long time crocheter, exclusively for pleasure and gifting, I am amazed by and a bit confused by this push for rapid crocheting and people crocheting while standing and walking. I’ve been with this craft for 50ish years and I use it more for meditation, reflection and relaxation. I DO love all the new tips and tricks I have learned from you youngsters tho!
I crochet and have tried and failed to knit so many times. I love knit stitches, and Tunisian Crochet fills that itch.
Mine is that we need more horror crochet. Everything i see is cute versions of things supposed to be scary , we need more actually creepy things.
I really had no idea about the sustainability issues with crochet/knitting/fibers. It's good to know! I've donated yarn when I've been in between yarn hobbies (I tend to go through phases with what I'm in to). However I think being mindful from the start with all my crafting stuff is a great goal! Thank you for the vid!
not wanting to use wool because it's an animal product is such a braindead take to me as someone who grew up on a farm. a sheep NEEDS to be sheared or it will overheat and die. what do you want to do, throw all that wool in the trash? bruh
Oof I'm real late on this video BUT in my final semester of uni I crocheted in my courses! My Literature professors were so cool and understanding about it. They trusted that I knew it would help me focus and stay involved, and I think it came down to the fact that I was open and communicative about my intention and developed report with them. I also had accommodations for anxiety and adhd, and while this wasn't an official accommodation, I could easily see it being considered one! That being said, I thoroughly believe that most accommodations would benefit far more people than just an individual who /needs/ it in the classroom. They should be available for all.
My hot take is that mystery yarn bags are not worth it. Yes, you usually get yarns that cost more than the bag itself when totalled up and the surprise of what you get is fun. But mystery bags normally include random skeins of yarn with only one or two of the same type/colour and there isn't much you can do with them unless you buy more. I think it's better to buy yarn with the intention of using it for a specific project.
As a person who is getting better after having a really bad shopping problem (and I mean, spending almost a grand at craft stores a month to the point of not always making rent, kind of problem), I'm one of those people with a large yarn wall. Like around 30 cubbies overflowing with cakes of yarn. But the thing is, it's all different kinds and I use the different kinds for different projects. I also have a store that I make things for. Use simple bulk acrylic for my amigarumi keychains and scrunchies. Use chenille for stuffed animals, Use bulky blanket yarn for stress balls or cat toys or pillows, cotton for coasters etc. Have some bamboo for hats and scarves. Have tshirt ribbon yarn for purses and baskets. And pretty yarn that ive gotten but cant use for my usual things, i make into hats, scarves, etc. Mostly gifts or to sell, so i always end up using what i have eventually. But honestly I don't have any wool or other scratchy materials cause I have sensory issues with fabrics and am not able to even crochet or knit with them cause they have to brush against my hands and such too much. I can barely handle the scrub yarn I have for dish scrubbers I make...
*5:46* I kinda agree with this one, but not totally, I love the appearance of knitting, but I ended up doing more crochet because it's easier to me, not necessarily more fun.
I generally use knitting for clothing and crochet to amigurumis. And I use both to make accessories.
In the wool vs acrylic debate, I always come down on the side of acrylic because wool isn't practical for me! I'm chronically ill and don't usually have the energy to take specialized care of wool. Even the "superwash" usually says hand wash only lay flat to dry. That is SO much work because I have to clean the sink first etc. So my wearables are always acrylic or acrylic/cotton blends.
I’m in the strictly acrylic camp too, but for different reasons. I have sensory issues, and I’ve learned through experience that even the world’s softest wool that has a gazillion 5 star reviews from people saying it’s not itchy will still feel itchy to me. And that’s true for any variation of wool or animal fiber: lambs wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair, angora, etc. My skin just won’t tolerate it, and even just crocheting with it for a project for someone else gives me major allergy symptoms: I start sneezing, my nose gets congested and itchy, and my eyes water and burn.
@@crazycorgiladyus7418 I'm 100% with you there.
If it helps, I put Literally Everything I knit/crochet etc in my washing machine on the “wool” cycle, no matter what the ball band says. 95% of it comes out the other side exactly as if I’d hand washed it. I almost always do a test swatch first and wash it, though, so if the swatch gets ruined I’ve only lost a tiny amount of yarn instead of a whole project. Before I had a machine with a dedicated wool cycle I used the “gentle” one with the settings on “just above cold water” (30C here) and the slowest spin cycle.
Not saying you *have* to, of course, but thought it might give you extra options if you want them.
@@GaraksApprentice This absolutely helps, thank you so much!! I never thought to wash a test swatch.
I really like the idea of the wool vs acrylic yarn situation. I think it would be a really good video for fiber artists to watch and can also be a good video to add in other sustainable yarn. In other words I would totally watch the video :))
I'm not sure why but "you are the only person that will be with you the whole time" really stood out to me- it makes me want to be more mindful of enjoying myself when crafting and not turning it into a chore that I add to my list of things I want to complete. Needed that reminder today :)
Emma noticing the pinpoint of light on the forehead after I've been staring at it for 20 minutes is such an ADHD vibe. Yes! Thank you! Now I can focus on what you're saying. :)
Hot take: men are not represented in the community enough. I learned to knit and crochet when I still identified as a girl. Now as a boy just a few months from top surgery, I'm trying to figure out what the heck I can knit myself that'll make myself look masculine and not feminine! (Granted, there ARE less men who knit compared to women, but men deserve nice things, too.)
The first thing that comes to mind are vests and sweaters and beanies!
Yarn bowls can be good for people with pets that shed a lot. You can put a top on it to avoid the fur. Or just using a regular bowl
For the past few years, I've preferred cross stitch over knitting or crochet. I like the different kind of stimulation and I like to listen to audiobooks while I do it. If I were to knit or crochet, I'd have to watch something to keep my eyes busy.
Yarn bowls for me are useful - I have a very hairy cat and literally everything in my house is COVERED in ginger fluff that she sheds ALL THE TIME. A yarn bowl stops my ball of yarn rolling around in that as I'm knitting, so I don't get cat hair pilling and pulling on all my stitches
I'm learning knitting and using acrylic. I'm not spending lots of money on wool, esp when I'm unravelling and reknitting it all over a few times!!!! I'm gonna use the bigger, cheaper skeins.
Regarding the crocheting during lectures: over 2 decades ago, I was able to go to my professors and ask to crochet in their class and record their lectures. This allowed me to listen through once live, and then again when I already had an understanding for an in-depth understanding, then a 3rd time for notes. When I explained that process, more of them were OK allowing it. There was a notable correlation - when they allowed it, my grades shot up. I think it will rarely hurt to ask.
When someone asks what I'm knitting, I tell them I'm crocheting and say what it is, just in case someone doesn't know what crochet is. It's happened more times than you would think
It's funny to me when people say "straight size designers" because my brain fills in the blank with "as opposed to queer size designers" 😂 and that's me! 🏳️🌈
hahaha I love that
The whole acrylic vs wool discussion and I'm just here vibing with cotton. Is that the missing common ground, or am I missing sth?
yo your hot take is everything i need right now. I just started crocheting and i feel bad on a regular basis that i didn't make my boyfriend or my niece anything yet. crocheting takes time and most days i have time to make maybe 1 granny square.
My hot take is that crochet elitist who constantly look down on knitting because it can be machine replicated while crochet can't are the worst kinds of fiber artists and people like that cause knitters to not want to try crochet. Crochet is not some super special, better than everything else fiber art just because it can't be made like a machine and knitting is not pointless because it can. Lets just let people like what they like 🤷🏻♀️
My “yarn bowl” is my large kitchen mixing bowl and when I am done with a project it gets washed and put in the cabinet for kitchen purposes! 😂
I agree with the yarn hoarding i feel so sad when i see it, i have seen people who just keep posting new hauls and new hauls.. they will never get through all that yarn. i have two boxes and it is filled with yarn for current projects. i only get yarn when i have a project in mind and i bought some new yarn the start of the year.. won't buy anymore till the yarn is gone.
You are inspiring. My grandmother was the same way, she never had a stash of yarn. I on the other hand have been gifted so much yarn I'm drowning in it. I just assume those ppl want me to make them something. Yet they don't understand what it takes. So, I'm stuck with multiple skeins of varying sizes and colors. 😏
literally. I saw someone buy 500$ of yarn and captioning it with 'oops'...like how do you accidentally spend so much money on yarn????
Ok but the point about crocheting in an academic settings, I've started doing this in my classes (as long as professors are fine with it) and it had been a game changer! It honestly has made it easier to focus 18:23
A video about acrylic yarn would be very interesting. I feel like some people don't realize how bad it can be for the environment :(
If you are interested in making a deeper research on the topic, we could work on a Life Cycle Assessment of it, my major is environmental engineering and yet every time I make one the results always surprise me.
Oo that sounds fascinating and a really important way to look at the long term effects of different yarns
please mention that sometimes it's the more affordable option and only allowing natural fibres takes away the ability to participate from many people (not to mention alergies)
@@paadoxal there are many options for people allergic to wool, I don't use it for example.
And agree that acrylic is cheaper but there are always other options. I often buy (very good) yarn from thrift shops or just sweaters and unravel them at home. So if one really wants to have a more sustainable behavior, it's possible :)
@@Juju3254 true:) but honestly some places dont have a yarn section in second hand shops:( (like where i am) also excuse my misspelling of allergies pls hah
i only use acrylic yarn, it's the only thing i can actually afford 🤷♂ most of your clothes you buy are made from acrylic, nylon, polyester etc.. i think sometimes people (including myself) are selective about what they deem bad for the environment. i use everything i buy in yarn, i don't throw away any of it, i have a box with thrifted stuffing cotton that i put scraps in, in case i make something that requires filling.
I once heard someone online (can’t remember who) say that if the person won’t be able to appreciate the work that a crocheted gift (or any handmade gift for that matter) takes, then they will never make one. It really resonated with me bc at the time, I was stressing myself out soooo bad feeling like I had to make everyone a crocheted Christmas gift that year. I ended up making half-assed gifts since I was fairly new to the craft and didn’t know how much time it would really take. I wound up not enjoying the process at all and then not picking up a hook for a year. So yeah, if the potential recipient doesn’t know how much time and effort a craft takes, they can’t fully appreciate the gift. That’s my new rule. Sorry for the long post
"yarn bowls are overrated"
me, sitting here knitting, adoring the exact yarn bowl shown in the vid: 👁👄👁
I totally understand this hot take. When I was getting into crochet I bought someone huuuuuge stash of scrap yarn (it was 11 kg) and like 95% of them were balls and not cakes. If they were cakes or regular skeins (where you can pull from the middle) I don't see the point of having a bowl. At first I used a variety of other bowls which worked just fine, and for my birthday I received a bowl made for and dedicated to fiber crafts and it felt like a nice gift.🧶
Conclusion/my hot take: A regular bowl serve pretty much the same purchase. They do make a wonderful gift tho 🥰🥰
Yarn bowls are actually incredibly useful for me, I don't have the physical ability to be able to walk across the room to get a ball of yarn that has rolled away. I also have an all-white long-haired cat and so the bowl also protects my yarn from her hair!
i am...utterly captivated by your hair. not an active fiber artist, so i kind of just stumbled onto this video, but holy shit
how long things take to make drives me up the wall! I'm normally watching/listening to something at the same time as working on projects. Sometimes I get caught up in the story and stop working all together. It's a hobby not a job, why would I want to "clock in" while I'm working on a project? From a business perspective, I understand the usefulness of timing tasks and increasing efficiency, but for the most part I'm just having fun with a craft I enjoy, there's no need to record how long I took. I could tell you it took a month, but that's not a 9-5, 5 days a week sort of deal so I don't see how saying that is useful. But at the same time, sometimes if feels like I'm making things so slowly I get curious how long other people take to do the same thing. I can see how the question would come up in conversation, it's just not an easy thing to answer if you're not making things as a business.
Omg that beginning thank you so much! I love that idea bc I want to crochet things for everyone, but I know some of the people I want to make things for would never appreciate it. It's okay to tell myself no instead of making myself nervous and feeling bad when someone doesn't care as much as I would.
18:38 i literally did this in my tutorial yesterday 😂 it was a 4-6pm tutorial and my tutor knows i crochet, and i was literally trying not to fall asleep, so as a last ditch effort to stay awake i pulled out my current project (currently a panel of hdcs) and went at it.
stayed awake + nobody even looked at me weird ❤❤ bonus: i have attention deficit so crocheting while listening to class actually helped me focus more.
fabulous take, 1000% agree
This was the first video I'd seen from you, and it was really enjoyable. I'm primarily an amigurumi crafter so it was interesting hearing about topics and issues in the textiles sphere that I'm completely oblivious to.
holy shit I'm a knitter who's had very little interest in crochet generally but that sweater, godDAMN! Makes me want to learn!
I also cannot watch TV without doing something with my hands: knitting or winding a ball or doing a Rubik's cube.
I'm INCREDIBLY lucky that my research group is totally chill with me knitting (mostly stockinette, a little easy lace) during meetings! I was doing it when the meetings were virtual, and it turns out I can do it irl too :)
I don't really understand why wool is not appropriate if you're vegan. Animals are not harmed for it & domesticated sheep need to be sheared because they have lost the ability to shed their coats. So why not use the material ? I guess you need to check that they are living in good conditions & they are treated well, but I also think they have to be for their coats to be healthy & good quality wool.
Re: accepted form of stress relief. Many (many!) years ago I was an organist/pianist at a church and I got the idea of crocheting a blanket during the sermons to keep my hands warmed up. It was a mindless half-double crochet, so I didn't have to concentrate on what my hands were doing. A member of the congregation complained to the music director that it was "disrespectful" to be doing something while the pastor was speaking, so I had to just sit there for the 15 minutes or so and rub my hands to keep them warm.
HARD agree on the receiving yarn as a gift. My dad got me a bunch of yarn for my birthday last year and it took a full year of working with it to finally admit that I hated it and I knew he would also (it was the type where the bulk of the yarn was fluff around a small strand that kept coming off). Now I’m making him a very colorful one to bust my stash!