“What Should I Crochet Next? A Guide for the Happy (But Stuck) Crocheter”

Choosing Your Next Crochet Project (Without the Paralysis)

Introduction

Finishing a crochet project is such a great feeling, but what happens when you’re ready to move onto the next project but have no idea what to do? You know the basic stitches, but maybe you’re not ready for the more advanced designs yet? So how do you figure out what to do next?

This happens to me more times than I want to admit! Know that you are not alone and many of us deal with this on a daily basis. Today, let's go through some ideas you can think about so you can finally set a path and move forward!

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Where are you now?

Review where you are at right now while feeling stuck. Are you currently crafting for fun or do you have a business? Which part are you feeling stuck at? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Crafting focused:

• Where are you currently at right now? I don’t mean “what is your GPS location”, but what level are your current crochet skills? 
• If you’re an intermediate crocheter, you’ve already gotten the basics down. Can you refine any of those beginner skills? 
• What issues have frustrated you in the past? 
• Do you need any additional tools to help you continue to confidently crochet?
• Have you been wanting to try a new stitch or pattern that you’ve seen lately? 
• Is there a yarn type that you have wanted to try?
• Do you have a crochet business? (Do you want to start one?)

Business focused:

• Is your crochet business organized?
• Is it performing well? How can it be improved?
• Do you need to change your business structure or focus?
• Is it legally compliant where you live?

Questions like these can help you narrow down to the type of project that will keep you engaged and excited as well as clarify where you are actually stuck.

RELATED: Know Your Crochet Level: Skills, Techniques, And What Comes Next

Moving Forward

After asking yourself these questions, you’ll realize that many of your answers have a theme which will help guide you on that you can do next. No matter your answers, you have multiple paths you can choose from. I frequently ask myself these questions, so we may have similar thoughts that we can compare. Here are some path options that you have likely fallen on, based on your answers, during your personal Q&A:

The Skill-Builder Path

Pick something that teaches you one new technique (color work, garment construction, a new stitch pattern, etc.). Improve your skills one stitch/technique/focus at a time.

The Confidence-Builder Path

Choose a slightly more complex version of something you've already made successfully. Learn it and refine it. See if you can add to it to improve it using your own ideas.

The Joy Path

Sometimes you just want to make something pretty or useful without stress (and that's perfectly fine!) Follow your heart to the next project!

Practical Considerations That Actually Matter

Life can get in the way of our crocheting. Some quick questions to ask yourself:

• How much time do you have? This will help determine if you need a quick and simple project or if you have time to work on something more intricate and challenging. 
• What's your yarn stash situation? Maybe focus on using what you have rather than going out and buying more yarn right now. (You can never have too much yarn, but it’s still a thought that may have crossed your mind right? ha!)
• Is this next project for you or a gift? 
• Deadline or no deadline?

RELATED: Discover Your Crochet Style

Finding Inspiration Minus the Rabbit Hole

Priorities

If you have a crochet business, you will obviously need to prioritize your business versus crocheting for fun. Be sure to take care of any orders and tasks with deadlines first. Take focused breaks in between orders to keep yourself engaged. Focused breaks can be anything you want it to be to break up the monotony. Working on a pattern design, crocheting a personal project instead of an order, cleaning up your crafting space, going for a walk, Netflix and chill (with a timer of course!)…..Do what works best for you but remember to come back to your high priority tasks! 

Focused Browsing

Consider setting a timer for browsing patterns. “I’m going to set a timer for 30 minutes and only browse through Ravelry” or “For the next hour I’m going to go through my pinned pattern ideas.”Obviously use whatever time segments work best for you. If you stray, on pinterest or other platform, gently remind yourself of the task at hand, how much time you have left, and get back to it. Don’t beat yourself up about distractions, it happens to everyone!

Use Your Current Stash

Have a lot of leftover yarn from a project that went well? Maybe you've taken a break from making that item but don’t mind making a few more just to use up your stash. You can always sell the finished makes or gift them to others!

RELATED: Creative Ways To Use Yarn Scraps

Save For Later

Knowing when to save an idea for later versus starting it now can make or break your motivation. It’s OK to mark a project for later due to time constraints, temporary lack of proper yarn or tools for the project, etc. The next time you are unsure what to do, you can go through and choose one of those projects you saved for later.

Conclusion

It’s OK to feel lost sometimes, but don’t feel like you have to wait for the perfect moment to start something again (we all know that kind of moment doesn’t exist). There's no wrong choice on what to do next, and sometimes you just need to start and see what happens. The best project is the one you'll actually finish and enjoy making.

Your Turn

Do you often feel stuck after finishing a project? What strategies have worked for you in the past to help you move forward? Share in the comments!

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