Stop Starting Projects You Never Finish: A Crocheter’s Planning Guide

Introduction

Where do I begin with this post on crochet project planning LOL! Until recently I never had a plan for my crochet projects. I would browse through patterns online, save some patterns on Pinterest, make something if someone asked, and then either forget about the projects I saved or never finish the ones I started. *insert a big facepalm here!*  

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There are times when I have started a project that I really had my heart set on but, because I did not sit down and properly plan it out, I ran out of yarn before I finished. This doesn’t sound bad (I could always go get more right?) but when you’re worried about matching dye lots or using a yarn type that your local craft store doesn’t always supply, running out of yarn can be a hassle.

I’ve also lost motivation halfway through projects. This is pretty disappointing to me because I often remember the excitement I had when starting the project. We are human! We can lose motivation at any time, for any reason! For some of us, crochet project planning can help minimize this frustration!

Typical Problems

There are so many different common crochet problems that we all run into at one time or another. Some may include the following:

• Underestimating yarn needs
• Not tracking appropriate gauge
• Losing excitement and motivation mid-project

Obviously there are more common problems that we can run into, but these three are (in my personal opinion) some of the big issues that many people face. If you also run into these issues, or any others not listed here, you are not alone!

The biggest downfall from these three problems I listed, for me, created unnecessary stress. My WIPs start piling up, and just the mental/emotional cost of too many WIPs can really do a number on you! So, gone are the days where I just wing it!

I started getting myself organized with a planning system that works for me right now and I’d love to share it with you.

Why Crochet Project Planning Matters

I’m pretty sure the person reading this post is smart, creative, and can troubleshoot relatively easily (give yourself some credit!). So I’m pretty sure you know what the benefits to crocheters of project planning are, but lets go over some of the key benefits as a review:

• Save money by only getting what you need
• Save time because you are focused on your task
• Reduce waste and lessen the amount of unused supplies
• Increase the number of projects you ACTUALLY complete!

With a plan, I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. As a result I know that I have everything I need (because I planned ahead) and I end up actually finishing my project. Completing a project gives me a huge sense of accomplishment and a bump in motivation. Who doesn’t want to feel proud of themselves right?!

Key Planning Details

You should consider the following key details when you are planning a project:

• Yarn calculations
• Shopping lists (supplies and accessories needed)
• Timeline/milestone tracking
• Pattern notes and modifications
• Progress photos and motivation tracking (optional)

I realized I needed all of these key elements (plus more) in one place which is why I made myself my own comprehensive crochet project planner.

My Planning Journey

As I mentioned before, I would just save things I thought were fun or cute and then try to make them. So as an example…say I saw a cute pattern for a scarf. I would think, “oooh that looks nice! I think I want to do that!” I would look at the pattern and see that the person used maybe two or three skeins of yarn. I like my scarves long, so I may end up using more than that. How long do I like them? I dunno… I wing it. This is poor planning on my part because I usually end up with either not enough yarn, or extra yarn. Not enough yarn causes stress on whether you can find that yarn quickly again to finish your project. Too much yarn, you end up adding to your yarn stash and WHO KNOWS when you’ll touch it again. 

See what I’m getting at? This is why I made my own planner to use! If you’d like to learn how to make one on your own, check out my DIY Crochet Project Planner post! It has great tips on what you should cover in your planner to get you started.

RELATED: DIY Crochet Project Planner

Summary

Even with a planner, I find that I want to tweak the ways I plan, depending on the project. But I can tell you this, I love that I can use a planner as my base for a project. Then if I need to add any other details that are not in my planner, I can add additional project notes. (Sticky notes are perfect for this too!)

Do you have issues planning your projects as well? Have you tried creating your own planner? If so, does it work for you?  Let us know in the comments!