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This post is the second in the blog series, Combating the crocheting slump.
Before diving into this post, I’d recommend reading the first article in the series to get you started – just click here to check it out.
Without further ado, I am going to deep dive into tip number one, and provide you with some tips, tricks, and resources along the way to help you get your crocheting mojo back. Not all tips in the original post, 11 ways to combat the crocheting slump, will apply to you. However, tip number one, reflection, applies to everyone and will help you find the right solutions to get your crocheting motivation back.
Before I continue, I want to tell you a little bit about my personal crocheting journey.
When I first started crocheting, I hit a wall. Twice.
The first time, when I was trying to teach myself to crochet, I tried using single string cotton – it’s a long story. It’s funny looking back at it now, but at the time, I was so extremely frustrated! I didn’t realise I wasn’t meant to crochet with this amazon bought single string cotton crochet starter-set. I now realise it was actually meant for embroidery, my bad!
The second time I gave up with crocheting was when the first pattern I chose was too monotonous and it was going to take what felt like years to finish. I also didn’t love the yarn I’d picked, which never helps.
Eventually, I picked up the hook again for a third time this January, and I haven’t wanted a break from crocheting since. I’m obsessed.
Me in my first ever crocheted garment, The Mimosa Pullover.
The reason I wanted to tell you my story first was to explain that even though I am absolutely obsessed with crocheting now, I wasn’t always. Anyone and everyone can experience a crocheting slump. No matter how passionate, addicted, or talented you are with the craft, everyone can get a bit tired of it every now and then.
I’ve definitely experienced this more than the two times I’ve mentioned above, but now when I see it coming, I have some handy tools that I turn to whenever I feel like I’m at risk of heading down that crocheting slump path again. How? Well, it’s all thanks to reflection.
Reflection is such a powerful tool. It allows us to figure out what went wrong, so we can improve, or so we can mitigate something from happening again.
“Action without reflection leads to burn out. Reflection without action leads to cynicism.”
– Albert Einstein
By being able to pinpoint the reason we’ve lost our crocheting mojo, we can start to find the right solution to get our crocheting motivation back. We can also be more aware of what kills our creativity and passion for crochet, so we are able to learn from past situations, and not go down that same negative rabbit hole again.
It’s all about asking yourself ‘what went wrong?’ and not ‘why did it go wrong?’. There’s a great TED Talk by Tasha Eurich called, Increase your self-awareness with one simple fix, that explains why it’s important to drop the word ‘why’ and start using the word ‘what’ when we reflect. I’ve embedded the video below so you can watch for yourself if it’s of interest.
For me, I lost my crocheting mojo when the pattern and yarn I chose just wasn’t the right fit. The project was too big for me to tackle at the start of my crocheting journey, and it was also far too monotonous – the same stitch over and over and over again. Plus, I just didn’t like the yarn I’d chosen. The colours were wrong. The texture was wrong. None of it excited me.
My fellow crochet lovers on Instagram all had similar experiences when they lost their motivation to crochet. Some common reasons for losing their crocheting mojo included:
- The yarn – The colour of the yarn wasn’t quite right, it was the wrong type of yarn for the project, or it just didn’t feel nice.
- The project – The project was being made out of obligation. It wasn’t something they were interested in making, or it was something that they had made countless times before and didn’t really want to make again but felt like they needed to because someone had asked for it or purchased it.
- Repetition – This could be due to the pattern itself, or the item being made. For example, maybe it was a blanket with one stitch type used throughout, and crocheting it felt too monotonous and boring. Or maybe it was an item they’d made many times before, they knew the pattern inside out, and weren’t challenged by it anymore.
- Pattern difficulty – This could go one of two ways – the pattern was too simple, or the pattern was too difficult.
- Mood – Sometimes you may just not be in the right frame of mind to crochet, and that’s okay. Maybe it has nothing to do with crocheting, maybe you’re just not feeling it due to external factors in your life, and that’s okay too!
- What people think – Sometimes people are worried about what others think. Maybe none of your friends or family crochet, so they don’t value the time you spend doing it. They don’t understand it, and may even tease for it.
- It’s lonely – It’s true that crocheting is a solitary hobby, but some people don’t enjoy their alone time as much as others. This can often be a big hindrance to crocheting motivation.
- Overwhelmed – Maybe you have so many projects on the go, you don’t know where to start, and you don’t feel like you’ll finish any of them, ever.
The point is, if you reflect on your own feelings and work out what is squishing your motivation to crochet, you are better placed to tackle the issue head on with the right solution.
The right solution will vary depending on your reason, and it won’t always be the same. But if you can pick up on it, choose the right solution for you in that moment, you’ll be back to feeling your love for crochet sooner than you realise.
So, what killed your crochet motivation?
Once you know the answer, I’ve created a reference guide to help you find the right solution to help you get your love of crocheting back.
I hope this has helped, and if you have any feedback for me, or advice for those struggling with their crocheting motivation, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below, or get in touch with me by email here.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
