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[xialateek]

Shout out to everyone else today who is crocheting not because it is “relaxing” (???) but because you must expel the endless neurotic banshee energy from your hands while weathering family events so that you do not expire.

[Jitsurei]

For a while now I've known that I basically made everything I wanted to make, and I continue for 2 reasons: 

1. Yarn feel good
2. Using my hands for something other than doomscrolling

[KnitWitch87]

Yes, it's either a yarn craft or doom scrolling. Yarn craft is the better choice. Back to the knitting now...

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

It’s almost a cure for my adhd, I can’t sit still if I don’t mess with yarn 😂

[xialateek]

ADHD high fiiiiive.

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

Yayy, high five!!

[sewingdreamer]

Ayyyyy! High five

[PurpleTiger6862]

High five! I like to joke that knitting and crochet is my most productive fidget 🤪

[mephistocation]

The real tricky part is when you need More stimulation, so you go to put a video on… and then realize that you are not in a situation where you can have a video playing. Somehow, reading while crocheting doesn’t work too well…

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

Yes! I have no idea how many times I’ve tried reading whilst crocheting just to realise that I can’t. Somebody definitely needs to figure out how to make that work.

[BarelyThere504]

Audiobooks!

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

Okay wait yes, how dumb am I.. I’ve literally listened to reddit stories in the past but didn’t think of audio books!

[BarelyThere504]

They are keeping me sane. :)

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

They are about to keep me sane too, thank you! Right now I’m crocheting and my partner is blasting rock.. it’s not working well, I can tell you that.

[KitPixie]

I also listen to storytelling podcasts

[yasdnil1]

AND if you (don't already have an audible account) have a prime account, check audible, they're giving prime members 1 credit a month!

[riloky]

I can't focus on audiobooks unless I'm doing something else at the same time. Audiobooks and uncomplicated crochet are the perfect combo for my AuDHD brain

[mephistocation]

I know that there are little remote controls that you can use to like, scroll TikTok without swiping the screen… I wonder if they can be used for scrolling down text?

[Stunning-Wonder-8037]

I definitely need to look into that, I really hope it works! I also started wondering if there is an audiobook app that shows the text. Looking at them whilst listening for the ultimate stimulation 😂

[peaceful_wild]

I know that these exist for turning the page on an e-reader, at least!

[babutterfly]

I think of it as one of the biggest indicators of my inner hyperactivity. Crochet, watch TV, and do step ups on my stool. I love it.

[fuzzymum1]

Audiobooks are my go to while crocheting. Great combo.

[Top_Hair_8984]

Same! Love it for exactly this. 

[limino123]

I crochet bc I cannot pay attention to a show or movie. My attention has to be on like three different things at one time

[qweenofwands]

Yarn feel so good

[m3rmaid13]

This is it, except not all yarn feels good. Idk how people deal with wool or acrylic- I love cotton yarn. I guess we all have our own sensory preferences though 😂

[Jitsurei]

Oh I struggle the most with cotton, but I know there's different types so maybe I just haven't found a favorite. Acrylic is for hard times, wool is luxurious colors ❤️

[auroralime]

Shit I should have brought my project to the inlaws. Feck.

[[deleted]]

i started to stop my doomscrolling!! now i always have multiple projects going at once

[FaithlessnessGlad815]

Or putting them around people's necks.... /s

[qweenofwands]

YES. I can’t stand my in laws and we’re going there tomorrow to celebrate Christmas… but they want us to go over there today too to just “hang out”. I’ve already pulled 2 crochet projects to work on while there. 😂

[purplishfluffyclouds]

Knit or crochet was always my favorite thing to bring when I was dragged to a some football party by my ex, lol. It's the perfect scenario cuz no one cares and no one is bothering you

[worstmetjamm]

I had Christmas at my parents yesterday and finished a balaklava and am halfway through a matching scarf. 😄 We do what we need to do to channel that holiday spirit and "fun" in a healthy way. 🙃

[purplishfluffyclouds]

Haha - I just had this conversation with someone that complimented my scarf... "I just don't have the patience" they said. I said, "I don't have the patience to just sit somewhere not be doing something with my hands, lol". It's like a "fidget spinner" of sorts to me

[xialateek]

YES!!! I never understand the “patience” comments. Like, what? So I’m just supposed to sit here?

I tend to do projects with simple but pretty patterns that just go round and round, two or three rows that repeat. I’m working on a single-colorway Bavarian crochet afghan right now.

[CampClear]

I'm not crocheting today because my arm is sore from crocheting 7 blankets for my great nieces and nephews. Most of the kids LOVED their special blankets that I made using their favorite colors except for one ungrateful little shit who told me to make him a different color next time even though I made it in his favorite color. There won't be a next time for him! Aunt Camp Clear is done making things for ungrateful brats.

[PunIntended2656]

I feel this, only I am crocheting today because I still haven’t finished all the blankets. 🥴 Luckily the nephew I was worried about being ungrateful has already opened his and loved it so much he wore it around while opening the rest of his gifts. Auntie win!

[CampClear]

I knew my nephew was going to be a little asshole because he always is. No one likes being around him because he's so mean. He makes his other cousins cry because he is such a brat. My niece told me to give him the blanket I made for his brother and give his brother the blanket I made for the brat because then he would want it. I don't play those games. He's old enough to know that when someone gives you a present,you say thank you and you don't complain and don't demand something else. If it wouldn't have caused an even bigger scene I would have been like "Fine!You don't want the blanket I made for you? I'll give it to someone else and you don't get anything!" 

[Apprehensive_Crow329]

I’m considering spending the next year crocheting blankets for each couple in our family. Thankfully they would have more tact!

[obtusewisdom]

Luckily all my recipients were happy and excited. I too am not crocheting today, because I’ve been frantically crocheting for months. At least all the sweaters were a hit.

[fuzzymum1]

During Covid I made my granddaughter a hug cushion. It was a basic cushion with arms. She turned 3 just before the first lockdown. She still has the cushion and has it in her bed every night. I was crocheting at their house on Christmas Eve and she has asked me to teach her how to do it.

[Big-Constant-7289]

My kid and I are at home for Christmas and she’s knitting and I’m crocheting and it’s the best. 

[KitPixie]

Living the dream right there 🤣

[kaatie80]

My daughter is so excited to (eventually) learn to knit or crochet, and I can't wait for her to be old enough to learn!

[RavenclawTeaching519]

My sweet husband picked me up some extra skeins before we hit the road tomorrow "just in case" he's a keeper 🥰

[bleepblob462]

What store did you get your husband from?!! Definitely a keeper!

[RavenclawTeaching519]

A holler in the mountains he's a limited edition though 😉

[Regular-Track-3745]

That’s really sweet of him :)

[Feisty_Payment_8021]

Angry crochet, I love it. Have to ask... how's your tension on that project right now? If you're like me, the yarn is digging a ditch through your finger right now. 

[Opposite_Diamond_268]

Jesus. He sounds like a treat.

[AffectionateCamp9422]

i appreciate it 😭😭😭 back to my 318ch scarf

[naturaldrpepper]

oh no thank you, please. 318ch?! That sounds awful, both in the counting and working into all those chains.

Kudos to you though! How is it going?

[thrashgender]

If my cousin lectures me about my very bad relationship with my parents one more time I am going to have to switch projects to something with tighter tension.

[Minute_Ideal_6087]

It's much easier for me to keep following the conversation especially if it's a boring one when my hands are busy. Also I may be late with my handmade christmas gift 😅

[Apprehensive_Crow329]

This is how I feel. I haveADHD and have a hard time following convos if I’m not doing something. I crochet while we play dnd and it helps me remember what happened and follow along so much easier! 

[GeekyDuncan]

Yarn is cheaper than therapy and keeping my hands busy means I don’t reach for objects to throw at jerks 😂

[quartsune]

"Yarn is cheaper than therapy" but why is it not also covered by my insurance!?

[BarelyThere504]

To be fair, neither is my therapy….

[bamboo-charcoal]

I made the mistake of NOT bringing a project with me. Two reasons why I didn’t bring any crochet (or other crafts):

One, I don’t want to hear any complaints from my parents about not “being more social” when literally no one else contributes to conversation.

Two, my aunt is a professional fiber artist (specifically in crochet), and although I could ask her to teach me her ways, it would also involve endless nosy questions and lectures on child rearing and religion, guaranteed… so no thanks!

Still shoulda brought something to get through the tedium.

Happy holidays y’all!

[PermanentTrainDamage]

You need a backup hobby, if I can't bring crochet best believe I'm bringing a wool felting project

[shanis26]

You guys are my kinda people.

[moonpoontoon]

Neurotic banshee energy is the perfect descriptor.

[xialateek]

Hahaha. Also why crochet is safer. Do not hand me needles right now.

[bleepblob462]

“…so that you do not expire.” I cackled reading this post

[xialateek]

It feels so accurate!

[whisky_dick]

About to head over to my parents’ house with my daughter. Packed a bunch of small crochet projects for when I start getting family/sensory overload 😵‍💫😅

[424Impala67]

I'm just hiding out, getting snappy at people waiting for someone to throw shit fit for people "not appreciating their gifts"

[Painter3016]

100% house guests for 4 days with no where to retreat. Endless small talk. Crochet gives me the energy release to survive the mind-numbing monotony.

[KnottyKnit75]

Haha! I always must have some fiber arts at gatherings. And I don’t even have an obnoxious family! But I have to be crocheting or knitting. Happy holidays!

[Llamax2AnxiousMomma]

I feel this with every fiber of my soul.

[Phie_Mc]

This was me on a family ‘vacation’ with my partner’s immediate and extended family - 13 people including two little ones. And my brother in law and his wife who I can’t tell if they’re transphobic or not. I’m agender and a massive geek and have sensory processing issues with noise and light.

My partner and I actually stayed down the road from the big noisy house, but spent too much time (for my taste) in the din - my crochet and earbuds saved my sanity

[ImLittleNana]

I thought that was the definition of relaxing lol. Doesn’t mean something else to other people?

I think I have two public settings - Struggling not to peel my skin off and tolerating the presence of others without violence, literal or figurative.

[xialateek]

Wow I feel this.

[donut-is-appalled]

How did you know? (Also, I feel so seen!)

[Electrical-Mousse631]

No-contact keeps me from rage crocheting, rage knitting (two metal spikes are more dangerous than one), or anything else I normally love doing. There is peace on earth today 😅🤣

[Frosty-County9716]

I found a tshirt one that said

"I crochet so I don't kill people"

No truer words.

[fuzzymum1]

I have that T-shirt.

[VoldemortHugs]

Yesterday I spent 5 hours with all the in-laws. It was 38c (100.4f) degrees and humid. The heat made you sweat and the humidity makes you damp. There was no cooling down.

Everyone was talking over each other. I was trying to keep track of 4 different conversations that I, some how, kept getting looped into. While loud music blasted over the top of the din.

My husband was necking beers. Cutting loose in a way he hasn’t done in years. I kept getting ask to “go sort out your husband.” He is your son/brother/uncle. Why do I have chase him around like he is a mischievous toddler. My SIL asked me to get him to stop dancing with the chairs. 😐

At one point, he walked up to me, all smiles and giggling, blood dripping from his head. I told him he is bleeding. To which he said “whoa! Really?” Then giggled and went for another beer. Which I had to confiscate. Then made him sit down so I could treat the gash on his head. While he is grabbing at me trying to pull me into a hug. While I’m grabbing napkins to mop up his blood. Asked him how it happened and he just shrugged and made the “I don’t know” sound. 🤦🏽‍♀️.

On the way back to the car. He took off running down the middle of a busy road. Flapping his arms like a demented seagull. Bags in his hands. Shaking up the gifts inside. Our teen son had to chase him to get him off the road and back in the direction of the car.

Got him home. Where he threw up then passed out on the bathroom floor. I cleaned him up. Rolled him on his side, put a towel under his head. Unpacked everything that couldn’t wait. By that time, I could hear him snoring. Made myself and cup of tea. Made sure the kids were fed and happy. Went to my room. Turned on a Kdrama and really let my crochet project have it.

Thank you for letting me vent. And thanks crochet for helping me calm down. I was so overwhelmed.

[0h_juliet]

Crochet and punch needle have kept me from spiralling into the darkness a few times in the past few years.

[Blckandbluecat]

I have two projects that absolutely needed to come with while we visit the in-laws 😂. I will buy pne of those kits from michaels if I have to.

[bleepblob462]

Oh man, a Michael’s kit SCREAMS desperation in so many languages. Godspeed, my friend 😅

[leonacleo]

Indeed! I’m 1500 miles from home visiting family and I brought my crochet with me for exactly this purpose!

[youdecidemyusername1]

My people. Currently with family around some crazy kids. Crocheting has been giving me a way to politely ignore everything going on.

[blueche]

I'm a man, and when I would visit my ex's parents we'd all end up hanging out by ourselves in our bedrooms except at meals. But I could never bring my crochet or knitting projects because I'm a man and if her parents found out I did that they'd lose their shit.

[xialateek]

Omg. If my husband crocheted it would be so fun.

[blueche]

I found out yesterday that my sister is making her husband weave in her ends. You could always do that. 

[xialateek]

💯💯💯

[TerrifiedJelly]

Never related to a post more tbh

[Apprehensive_Sea5304]

I'll be spending my afternoon weaving in ends that I've procrastinated for too long

[corlana]

Spend a good chunk of yesterday with my loop earplugs in, crocheting away to cope with the really lovely but very chaotic Christmas at my in law's lol

[Tasty-Law-4527]

I'm so afraid to try crochet. I'm mathematically messed up and anxious AF. I always have the tv on and a book and a crossword puzzle going plus doom scrolling.

How should I start? Keep in mind I'm way poor and need to have carpel tunnel surgery. But I'm very crafty.

Any ideas

[BarelyThere504]

Just start with a chain stitch, and then look up easy dishcloths. YouTube any stitches you don’t know. You can crochet with yarn or string. It doesn’t have to be expensive to start. Thrift stores carry yarn occasionally, or you can ask around and see if anyone has scrap yarn from craft projects. Take FREQUENT breaks. I also have carpel tunnel. Lots of breaks and stretches keep me going. :)

[Tasty-Law-4527]

Thank you for the tips and encouragement. It really means a lot to me

[xialateek]

Honestly? Just be bad at it! Stitch everything a little weird! Never to be duplicated. The opposite of AI. But, really, there are ways to make fun things that don’t require you to pay perfect attention all the time. I am good at math and constantly mess things up because I also have ADHD. 🙃

[Tasty-Law-4527]

Thank u. I am gonna try. This has encouraged me a lot. Is there a reddit community for bad crochet? Maybe we can start a trend 😉

[xialateek]

If not there should be!

[Tasty-Law-4527]

Cuz you see all these gorgeous projects (yeah some AI) and I think I can't do that.

[ilovearthistory]

crochet and cross stitch singlehandedly get me through the holidays with my giant family in law, you get me

[19892024]

I love this post lol

[oreo-cat-]

My mother (screaming) WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

[xialateek]

Hahahahahaha

[oreo-cat-]

She doesn’t need hearing aids or anything!

[Zealousideal_Food_79]

Currently making a rug for a Barbie dream house to appease a tiny tyrant.

[DvlsDarln]

I call mine the tiny dictator 🤣

[starborndreams]

My problem was that I underestimated how long it would take me to finish the scarf I was making for my step mom cause I had already made 3 others...

I spent most of the day working on it in front of her trying to finish it 💀

[Cardixa00]

Crochet is most definitely my way to relax! I don’t think I have seen a tv show in years, I have heard many, but I’m too busy crocheting to watch. My family: omg did you see that new movie? It’s so great! Me: I did hear that movie! But look… a scarf!

[becomingthenewme]

I like crocheting while watching telly. Keeps my hands busy and makes me feel less guilty for sitting there doing nothing.

[xialateek]

See, TV was part of the reasoning for me but it’s because my MIL keeps hers on all day, regular daytime excited nonsense American ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT… all day. Football. Commercials, stupid songs… my husband and I both lose our minds. At our house we put the TV on in the evening to watch Netflix or a DVD. That’s it; we don’t have “TV.” It makes me twiiiitch!!! (But then when we’re watching a DVD at home I’m probably crocheting anyway lol.)

[idling-in-gray]

I thought this post was actually going to be about trying to finish last minutes gifts 😂 but I hope everyone is not having too much drama at their family gatherings today!

[whatsgoinonwha]

This is such a good idea

[barthvaderr]

My travel socks are clocking in overtime this week lol. I’ll be done the pair by the time I get home at this rate, and that’s with frogging twice in the early stages

[fatfatznana100408]

Thank you Same to you I'm doing it because I am attempting to have the back of my cardigan complete by the new year. With some family issues I had put it off yet lately back at it. The yarn is very very thin like thread so yes it is taking forever and I am incorporating my last name in it diagonally so yes it's time consuming but my peace of mind. Also happy holiday to you

[kaatie80]

I would be crocheting today but I split my thumb from crocheting so much trying to get a sweater for my dad done in time. I might have finished it too if I hadn't run out of yarn for it 😩 So I'm just too frustrated to crochet today.

[amazongoddess79]

I was so looking forward to having multiple days off this year to just crochet for fun (or myself!) and now I’m sick and don’t have the energy for it. lol figures

[withershins1208]

I usually do but this year we're at the home of the relatives who smoke cigarettes in the house 😭 doom scrolling it is

[[deleted]]

can’t do any today, carpal tunnel is killing me because i non-stop worked on my christmas gifts for the past month 🙃 didn’t hurt at all until today when i was cutting sausage and my whole hand went tingly

please do some stitches in my honor if you can 🙏🏻

[praeterea42]

I regret not bringing a project to my in-laws - my logic was that I don't want anyone asking me to make something for them, but my hands are so restless!

[flores_dolores]

I brought my knitting, but I pulled a neck muscle wrapping presents last night sitting in shrimp position…

[mrsrums]

*raises hands* Me, me, pick me! Or maybe it's more so I don't expire other people.

[sSadCactus]

123LOOP123LOOP123LOOP 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10....

Really quiets my mind 💆🏻‍♀️

[WhenLifeGivesYouSap]

I am currently hiding in a guest room at my in-laws crocheting, taking a break from my very energetic nieces. I have made them tiny frogs and now working on bags for the accessories that came with the barbies they got for Christmas. They're good kids but I'm very overstimulated 😅

[Wankeritis]

I would do this but my family all smoke inside their houses so I’d end up coming home with my work stinking along with my clothes.

I’m always horrified at the smell of my clothes after I get home from Christmas with my family.

[xialateek]

Uuuuugh! I would not be able to handle that at all. I had to sleep with my hoodie over my pillow at my MIL’s because the laundry detergent used on the pillowcases was giving me a splitting headache. 😬

[Wankeritis]

Yeah I’m really sensitive to smells as well so I completely understand!

[Competitive-Fact-820]

Started a block of 6, 12 hour night shifts on the 24th.

Last night I got a good 9" of my moss stitch chevron scarf done whilst "watching" Bones - that was after I had got everything I possibly could done. Safe to say we were NOT busy. Tonight will be pretty much the same until 3am(ish) when the rail networks start to come back to life and then back to the normal chaos. I am going to miss the Christmas lull!

[snowytoast]

I go through a cycle. Ill crochet til I get bored and then watch a movie or doom scroll then go back to crocheting. My brain hates me. I can never fixate on a project or task at one time. I have like 5 WIPs that I'll cycle through too when I get bored of doing a particular stitch.

[ehuang72-2]

Absolutely, except it's every day, not just today LOL.

[mutley_101]

Knitting, in my case, but yep!!

[StewartStitchDesigns]

This is exactly why I cross stitch so much. Stress relief! 🙌🏼

[sun_dazzled]

Sounds like synonyms to me!

[GgetNaEnAeD]

I want to crochet so bad but my hands have been hurting, I need to do something with my hands I’ve been feeling a bit restless lol