Crochet Maven

I saw a yarn online and thought it would be interesting to try. It’s a nice red and black that I could use for the red scarves that I make. When I got it, I dove in and tried it. First attempt:  I made a set, double stranded and I didn’t like it. It wasn’t quite as thick as I thought, but it wasn’t quite right using two strands, either. Second attempt, I tried one strand and made a set. It was okay then after starting, restarting and after the third start of a scarf – I’ve given up on it. I am just not going to use it anymore. After several attempts on this third project, I put the partially completed project, the stopped project (which could be considered a test swatch) and all the rest that I bought into the donation bag for someone else to enjoy. There are just times when you need to give up on a yarn. I wanted to like it and in some ways I do, it’s soft and I like the colors, it’s just not fun to work with. Crocheting is about fun and relaxation for me and I was struggling. Not in the “I don’t like how this stitch looks” or “I think this would be better” inspired restarts that I am wont to do. This was, I made two projects and thought I would like it better if I tried something different the next time, well, I didn’t want to put myself through the abuse and I let it go. Very cathartic.

It’s not so easy when you find yarn that you think you will like and don’t because it ticks all the boxes, right weight, material, color. Buying online can be challenging because you can’t touch the yarn. Even when you try something new what you see in the store, you don’t know if you will like it or not, until you use it. It’s a chance we all take, which is why many people stick with the yarns they have used because crafting can be expensive.

I’m never really sure whether I try something in person or online if I haven’t used it. Sometimes, I take a chance and it can be a hit or a miss. Yarn sub may give you a clue if a yarn is similar to something you’ve used before or if it gives a suggested hook size. Other keys that are helpful are if it’s a certain weight or if the fiber composition sounds good. Not all the time, but most of the time I’ve had good luck and finding yarns that are nice online and reasonably priced. I’m always hunting for a bargain when it comes to “working stash yarn” for projects to donate and since I use so much. Generally, I can get a lot of really great yarns that are being discontinued in certain colors or changing seasons.  Then, there are times like this one, where it’s been frustrating to use.  After trying multiple ways of using it, I have given up. I started another project in the same stitch with a different yarn and the project has been enjoyable. Since purging the pretty and frustrating yarn, I feel so much better.

Yarn doesn’t always work out that’s okay certain stitches look better in some yarns than others or some colors look better than others, that’s okay too. It’s part of the learning process… oh well, I tried it, this didn’t work – keep it moving. Crocheting makes me happy – this yarn was stealing my joy, so it had to go!

Half of the year has passed, so I took a quick tally to share my progress on my different goals.

• • • 66 Hat and scarf sets
    • 18 Hats
    • 3 Red scarves

Plus a few things in progress!

Happy crocheting!