I am an intermediate level crocheter. I avoid learning new stitches because I don't want to forget the stitches I know. So I avoid a lot of projects that I don't know the stitches for. But I do know a decent amount of stitches...let's see, chain, single crochet, increase, decrease and I can crochet a lot of projects using these four stitches.
Last year I posted my crochet fails, because I wanted you to see that even as experienced as I am, I still make mistakes ... mostly though I blame it on the pattern. Ha ha!
I recently bought a rhino pattern off Etsy and I stuffed it up a few times but I kept going. So normally a pattern shows all the different parts of the body and I normally just choose which bit I am going to focus on and not in any order. So I started to create the body of this Rhino ... I skipped the beginning where you create the legs and arms first. Because I like to do arms and legs last, because it normally requires a few goes because they have to match equally the same and sometimes I miss a line of stitching so one is longer than the other, or sometimes the coloured yarn is mixed, so in this case, it was white yarn for the toes and grey yarn for the leg but the toes and leg were all as one. So if the two legs look a bit different, I would start again because one of them I missed counting some stitches.
So as I tried working on the body, the patttern then said, crochet the legs into the body. I was like oops ... so I killed the body I had worked on so far and started the crochet project again. This time I crocheted the legs only. Then I crocheted the start of the body and crocheted the legs to the project. Then I kept working on the body and then the pattern said add the arms. I stroked my hair in despair. Ahh, I hadn't crocheted the arms yet, even though it was second on the pattern. So I cut off my yarn on the body and then crocheted two arms and then attached it to the project. So I guess from now on, I should really just follow the pattern exactly how it is written.
In the end, my rhino looks hideous. It's horrendous. I can't even show you a photo.
But I still want to crochet and I have past successful projects of crocheting that I know it's okay. I can do this. I still want a rhino, so maybe after a few more successful projects, I will try crocheting a rhino again. This time following the pattern to a tee.
So here are five ways to mentally prepare to crochet a new project after the last one failed:
1. Let go of the failed project.
Don't have it in your space. Cut it up, take the stuffing out for the next project and chuck the used yarn in the bin. You don't need to remember your failure and you don't need to see it day in and day out. Don't hang onto this one. Chuck it out. I give you full permission to do this.
2. Focus on what you want to make next
The biggest way to move forward is to find a different project. Sometimes and you don't have to follow this rule, but maybe look for a simpler project for the next one. Just to rebuild your confidence. No-sew patterns are great, so you don't have the issue of adding heads, legs and arms to your project.
3. Focus on a fun project
I understand, a project may take a few hours so choose something that looks fun to crochet. Finding something you actually want to crochet that isn't too advanced, is a great start to rebuilding confidence because you are looking forward to making it.
4. Speak kindly to yourself
It is easy to criticize yourself for a project that didn't work out and feel not so confident to keep going. So speak kindly to yourself and say things like, "I can do this."
5. Put some soft relaxing music on
To help you focus and count your stitches, put on some relaxing/soft music to help you focus in one your crochet project.
Now, go and make your next crochet project with confidence.
Did you know I have created crocheting digital products on my Etsy store. Check out my Etsy Store stock and look under crocheting to see what products I do sell. My most highest viewed product is my Crochet Pattern Printable Tracker, where you can print out the template for your patterns and simply write down your pattern using the template. Then add them to a folder, so you have one place for your patterns.
I hope you enjoy reading my blog posts and look at my Etsy store for some inspiration.
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