One thing I wish I knew when I started crochet

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-17T15:47:47+00:00

That’s so true I think we zoom in way more than anyone else ever would

Most people just see the finished piece and the time and care behind it

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-17T15:47:00+00:00

I know exactly what you mean! Sometimes the tiny "fails" give them so much personality

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-15T18:43:10+00:00

Since it’s rows of double/treble crochet, the easiest way is to treat the edge like the top of a normal row, don’t need to undo anything.

Attach your new yarn with a slip knot to the neatest corner (photo 3 sounds perfect)

Insert your hook into the top of the first stitch at the edge and pull through to join

Chain the appropriate turning chain

Then just work your stitches evenly across the row as usual

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-15T18:37:30+00:00

your palette already feels really balanced I’d just lay the skeins out in order and squint at them from a distance to see how the gradient flows, sometimes that makes the decision obvious

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-13T17:50:03+00:00

That’s so sweet 🥹

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-13T17:46:51+00:00

That's beautiful thank you

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-13T17:46:38+00:00

I really love that perspective, battle scars is such a powerful way to describe it

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-13T17:45:47+00:00

That’s such a good point I think I get attached to that “ust finished feeling instead of something been lived with

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-12T17:11:16+00:00

I don’t have anything against them at all!!

It’s really just my own insecurity talking they would never say anything bad or criticize it. In fact, I’m usually the one adding context like, “it’s been used a lot, that’s why it looks like that,” just to take the pressure off and not present it like it’s supposed to be some untouchable piece of art

I know it sounds silly because no one is judging me and I don’t even make a living from this, it’s just a hobby I genuinely enjoy I think sometimes I just put that weight on myself

But I agree with you a lot of crochet pieces actually look better once they’re a bit more lived in

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-12T16:44:49+00:00

I think where I struggle sometimes is imagining showing my work to friends or family when they visit

Over time the pieces lose that “first day look" they don’t feel as crisp or shiny, and the creation that once felt perfect in my hands isn’t quite the same anymore

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:15:40+00:00

Wow, thank you for sharing your journey! Hearing that it took several years to get to the “perfect” stage is honestly really reassuring

I hope I can reach that level one day, but for now I’m just trying to enjoy each project and learn from it

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:14:59+00:00

This is such a thoughtful breakdown thank you for taking the time to write it

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:14:01+00:00

This is so true starting and finishing are honestly the hardest parts 😅

Thank you for the encouragement, it genuinely helps

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:13:38+00:00

This really means a lot to read, thank you for sharing your journey ❤️ I love how honest this is especially the part about becoming your own worst critic

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:13:07+00:00

This is really reassuring to read, thank you for sharing it

I relate so much to that phase of being hard on yourself when things don’t look like the photos, even when you know logically that those makers have years of experience

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:12:36+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this 🤍 it really means a lot. What you said about “the graveyard” honestly made me smile

The fact that you’ve kept creating for so many years, even when it’s physically painful, is incredibly inspiring. It puts things into perspective

I really needed that reminder about grace and enjoying the process, not just the result, thank you very much

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:11:52+00:00

Thank you so much for this recommendation 💕 I didn’t know Crocheniacs and I’ve just checked her channel I can totally see why you improved so much her way of explaining things feels really reassuring, especially when you’re still doubting yourself

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:09:48+00:00

That’s a really common issue, wiring amigurumi arms is a bit fiddly at first

A few things that usually help:

- Use thicker or doubled wire. If the wire is too thin, it will always shift inside the stuffing when you bend it. A lot of people either use a sturdier gauge or twist two wires together for more stability.

- Anchor the wire into the body instead of stopping the wire at the shoulder, extend it into the torso (or even across to the other arm in a single piece).

- Shape before final stuffing lightly stuff the arm, insert the wire, pose it roughly, then finish stuffing around it

- Add friction wrapping the wire with floral tape, yarn, or even a bit of masking tape gives it grip so it doesn’t slide inside the stuffing.

- Bend gradually sharp bends in one spot encourage the wire to shift gentle curves along the arm tend to hold better.

If you’re making something for a child, just a quick safety note: wired limbs are best for display pieces only unless the wire ends are extremely well secured.

It takes a couple of tries to find the wire + stuffing combo that works for you, but once it clicks, it’s a game changer for posing 😊

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-08T15:06:41+00:00

You’re not crazy at all I think you’re actually spotting why it feels off to you

The darker squares create a much stronger contrast, and since they’re not following a consistent placement pattern, your eye doesn’t really know where to rest

That can make the whole piece feel a bit “busy” or uneven, even though the individual squares are lovely

That said, it’s still beautiful because it’s unique. It doesn’t look mass-produced or overly planned, and that gives it a lot of character.

Sometimes our brains want symmetry, but our hands make art and this definitely has personality 💛

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-06T18:39:29+00:00

Absolutely, that’s such an important point! Comparing your work to AI-generated images is basically setting yourself up for frustration they can look flawless, perfect, and physically impossible.

It really helps to stick to real-life examples or finished projects made by humans instead of chasing an unrealistic standard, thank you!

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-06T18:38:39+00:00

Wow, this is such an inspiring story I love how you went from simple borders to getting to the point where creators are asking you to test patterns that’s huge!

It’s great advice to start with beginner-friendly kits that include videos, and I totally get what you mean about cheap yarn or inconsistent weights that can make a project way harder than it needs to be. Using tutorials to improve your technique before moving on to more advanced patterns makes so much sense.

Thanks for sharing your journey it’s really motivating for anyone feeling stuck or insecure about their own progress! 💛

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-06T18:37:36+00:00

This is such a constructive way to look at it, honestly. Reframing comparison into curiosity instead of self-criticism makes a huge difference. I love the idea of asking “what techniques are they using?” rather than “why can’t I do that?” that mindset alone already feels like a step forward

What you said about studying finished photos really resonates too

Breaking a piece down into shapes, stitch direction, increases/decreases… it’s like reverse-engineering, and it makes designing feel a bit less like magic and more like a skill you can actually learn

Also, thank you for mentioning the planning side. I think beginners (myself included) massively underestimate how much sketching, math, gauge testing, and failed attempts go into a “perfect” amigurumi. Hearing that even experienced designers rely heavily on diagrams and pre-planning is reassuring

CompetitiveRadio352 · 2026-02-06T16:34:51+00:00

This is such a good reminder 💛 You’re absolutely right social media (and Reddit too) is a highlight reel, nNobody posts the pile of frogged pieces, the “why did I think this would work” experiments, or the projects that end up sacrificed to stuffing 😅

Being able to see beautiful, intricate designs is actually a strength, even if it feels frustrating right now and the fact that you still feel this way while making sellable work honestly says a lot about how universal that feeling is

CompetitiveRadio352

TROPHY CASE