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Ceci

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A crocheted baby doll with light brown skin, black eyes, and a pink and purple striped dress, wearing a matching bow, held in a car. Overlay text reads "Making a project I hated, AGAIN! - mini week in my life."
A close-up of a crocheted baby doll with light brown skin and black eyes, wearing white and pink striped overalls. Overlay text reads "FIRST ATTEMPT."
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Hated this pattern, but I still made it AGAIN!

*Disclaimer: the pattern is amazing, it’s well written and easy to follow, I just hated what I was making

📓 CROCHET DIARY [it’s long, I’m sorry]

Sometime in early January a family friend commissioned a baby doll from me. I hesitated because I’ve yet to see a crochet baby pattern that makes me go “that’s cute, I want to make it” so I asked if they had one in mind and if not to look for one for me to make. They sent me one and honestly I didn’t like it, so I looked for patterns and suggested them. Well, they didn’t like the ones I picked and said they liked the one they sent me better….so I got to work.

The project itself was not difficult exactly, just a lot. That coupled with a time constraint really stressed me out. At some point my yarn snapped because I pulled too hard and believe me when I say… I almost CRIED 🥲

Cut to the day I finished and turned it in. As everyone is passing it around admiring my work, someone commissioned another one from me….and because I can’t say NO, I agreed.

I really took my time with the second doll and if I’m being quite honest, I absolutely hated the entire process. The day I finished it and handed it off, I came home, threw my hands up and yelled “I AM A FREE WOMAN.”

The mental space this project was occupying in my head was too much, it really stifled my creativity these past couple of months. Every time I wanted to work on something else, I always had to tell myself “no because the doll needs to get done.”For that reason alone, I will NEVER be making this project again.

THE LESSON IN ALL THIS: learn to say no, even to family. Just because you have a skill that they love doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be the supplier.

I don’t have a business so I think whenever people ask me to make them something I price things pretty cheaply, but I really think I’m going to have to start going the expensive route to minimize getting asked to make stuff.

#crochetcommunity #crochetjourney #crochetadvice #yarnstruggles #crochetproject #Lemon8Diary #shareyourthoughts

2024/4/28 Edited to

... Read moreCrocheting can be a rewarding yet challenging craft, especially when creating personalized items like dolls. Many crafters face similar situations where they may feel pressured to fulfill commissions, even for loved ones. This article illuminates the struggle of balancing personal enjoyment with the expectations of others. Learning to assert oneself is crucial. Think about your craft; is it a source of joy or a chore due to external demands? Building boundaries, particularly in family and friendship settings, is essential for maintaining passion in any craft. Pricing your work appropriately can also help mitigate over-commitment; undervaluing your skills often leads to being asked to take on more than you desire. Crafters should prioritize their creative freedom and mental well-being to truly enjoy their passion. Take note of your own limits and preferences when it comes to craft commissions. Use your skills to empower yourself, not to feel constrained. The art of saying no is just as important as the act of making. By sharing personal experiences, we create a supportive community that values honesty about the creative process and the emotional labor involved in commissioned work.