I wish I know how to make them.

I had made soaps, candles, junk journal, handmade cards etc and gave to people. Some people said they loved it, some didn’t say anything , some just hinted it wasn’t their thing. Which all of these actions from them were acceptable and respectful. I do the same, someone gives me something even I don’t like it, I say thank you. For us, we shouldn’t feel offended because everyone has different taste, you may like something and gift to people, but theh may not like it, it’s ok. What is NOT ok, is someone being rude and disrespectful! it’s the thoughts that count, if they don’t understand that, they shouldn’t be in your life. If someone complains about my gift, they won’t get anything from me ever again. PERIOD

I think the issue is two fold. The maker needs to know the needs,wants, style and lifestyle of the recipient or it can become a burden, especially in this transient age where so few can even own a home and nest. If we grew up around hoarders we may swing the other way and become ultra minimalists. I would love someone to make me handmade gifts! It would feel as if it were just scratching the maker's itch if it weren't in my colors or it felt like the maker wasn't listening to me, ya know? I don't like how acrylic feels. Im really cold so a liose hat doesn't suit me. I've been in that season with littles at home and not managing my time the best. Im finally getting to make again and not feeling guilty, in the slightest, that it's all for me. Hahaha Ill sew pajamas for my boys but otherwise I will be teaching them how to execute their own clothing plans instead. Ive been on both sides of this dilemma too many times.

Good 4 u!

This is stunning Can you tell me once the project is washed would it be soft enough for baby thank you 😊

Hi I’m Giselle. I crochet and I love to gift. I’ve experienced my sister gracefully receiving these socks I knitted, cute knee length with little flirty ribbons. I was so proud. Well she passed down her hand me downs to me first because my family isn’t as affluent as hers. And yup I found those socks 2 months later. 🤦‍♀️ She didn’t even think maybe I’d notice.

My aunt made my sister the most beautiful quilt. She made my mom a beautiful quilt also and my mom didn't like it ("not her style") and put it in the closet. An heirloom quilt was also given to my sister. For some reason, no one thinks I want or value a quilt and here I am ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the gifts, yet I get nothing and I would actually appreciate and cherish these things. A different aunt had a contest for the family and the winner would get an afghan she made. I won the contest and was so excited about the afghan but then she never actually gave it to me. I don't understand. 😢 I ended up buying an afghan from a thrift store on ebay. It wasn't expensive, but was so pretty. When it arrived, I discovered it was made with amazing wool yarn. It was probably from someone's estate. Maybe there was no one to pass it on to. I'm glad to have it.

Love your hat!!! Those colors are gorgeous. Do you remember what yarn you used? Thank you so much

You look good in black ... love that shirt over the tank top. Great idea ... I could see myself making that. Once I finish the couple blankets I'm currently working on I definitely want to try to tackle some wearables. Those little tweed minis sure are cute ... OMG! Love them.

I would of waited after your cousin's party and mentioned it to the person "Hey, dont you remember, I already made you a blanket with that animal last year", and waited for their response. It's as if they are asking you for blankets and giving them away or something 😳🤷🏾‍♀️ I made bab, hat and sweater set for a grandmother I knew ( we are no longer associated) stated why would anyone make this when we live in Hot weather in Nevada. That statement shot an arrow, I was so hurt, the person didn't taken to consideration the time and effort I put into designing each item myself, it just blooming away that people can be so hurtful and that consider the designers/ creators feelings at all. I only do charity work now, and it is very fulfilling. I make blankets for the veterans. They did so much for our country. I figure why not. This is my way of giving back. one

I had some of that yarn. It was from the 1980s. That's as close as I can get for you on the date.

I actually don’t mind when people re-gifts or donate something I gifted them. I just think that if someone else loves it then is serving its purpose. There’s this older lady in my church that always comes with this beautiful crochet shawl, and every time I see it I always think it’s so pretty! And then one day I complimented her and asked her if she made it, and she said that it was thrifted! That years and years ago she saw it at a thrift store and snatched it, and now she wears it to church all the time! And she is the sweetest lady. I’m sure the person that crocheted it would of been so happy to see their creation being loved and treasured! But I understand it can be disheartening to see a handmade gift being thrown away or not appreciated.

People's attitude toward Hobby Lobby really upset me. Most of these people who won't shop there are people who want their particular situation accepted everywhere and Hobby Lobby doesn't accept their position. Why can't they accept HL's right to express their beliefs and standards the same way they want others to accept theirs. The yarn stash. I fell for that shaming and de-stashed most of my yarn. I felt very deprived and restlessly unhappy about it. The other thing was the quality of yarn = so I went to those regional yarn convention things and bought a LOT of expensive hand-dyed, special animal fibers - think yak. Most of it is still living in my closet. I don't DO that type of project. I don't enjoy it. So I will slowly rebuild my stash with the type of yarn I actually use doing the types of projects I enjoy making without guilt or pressure to "improve" my habits.

I HATE seeing hand-crafted items in charity shoppes (Thrift stores). Especially afghans. =I feel like I have to "adopt" them all!!- I understand that when major changes happen in one's life: perhaps a death of a loved one, or a move things need shifted. But personally, I wish people would donate these hand-made items to a specific charity: humane society, shelters, veterans associations, nursing/retirement homes, etc. etc. And yes, I've had that happen too: I made a little something for a friend. When he passed, the family went through his belongings, none of his relatives felt they could use it, so into the donation pile it went. -I didn't want to guilt them by telling them that I had made it, so I said nothing. My consolation: Maybe someone who truly needs it: an afghan, a scarf, etc. will find and cherish it!

I’ve been reading so many comments on this video and I’m just blown away by the pure psychotic nature of some people. The stories of handmade gifts getting rejected in social settings, and being ripped up and peed on by dogs, people laughing when opening a handmade gift and embarrassing the maker of the gift, OMG it makes my blood boil and my heart hurt. I try to see the positive side in most situations but wow people are horrible. I’m glad I’ve never gone through something like these stories (and hopefully never will) because if someone openly rejected my handmade gift, especially in front of other people, I would be enraged and probably do something I’d regret…

I've decided not to make anything (Crochet) for anyone who doesn't understand the work and care that goes into handmade items. I decided this because when my first child was born, I received a few crocheted and knitted blankets for him that I liked but didn't really appreciate since I didn't yet crochet myself. I don't even remember who made them, which kills me now. Once I learned to crochet, I regretted my dismissive attitude toward those beautiful blankets. I've noticed that people who don't make things themselves have no understanding of what goes into creating something and even devalue such gifts in their minds as something cheap (if only they knew!) that someone made so they didn't have to buy a "real" gift.

😢

Because I am me, if the cousin had asked me to make something I had already made, I would have told the cousin "Oh, I made you that exact blanket last year" Then I would have watched the face as I swirled my drink with a huge smile on my face.

Thank you for this. I didn't get how to make beanies before. No one had explained about doing the single crochet at start/end of row. I have made my first beanie. I don't know If it was yarn, or my error, but when I pulled the top closed I still had quite a big hole, and sewing it together jas left me with ' 2 pointy ears' at the top. I am happy with my hat though

It's just mean I realize people don't know how long it takes

It took me a long time to enjoy finer weight yarn. I mean, decades. Like you I started with afghans and hats, but this summer, after 30 years crocheting I finally gained the confidence to make a wearable. It took me completing a top for myself in fingering weight yarn to finally be comfortable working with the fingering weight, and now I have invested in a hank of lace weight yarn. I found that if I use a really nice fiber when I work with the lighter weight yarns I WANT to work on them so I can experience the pleasure of working with the yarn to begin with, which gets me accustomed to the lighter weights. I don't think I will go further than the lace weight though. Thread crochet is not for me - it is too hard for these older eyes to see the stitches. 😂😂

You rock! Anything that is handmade has the greatest value in life

Ive also grown to love thinner yarn too!

I don't make anything by request anymore. People don't understand the work or cost that goes into it. I make gifts only for people who appreciate it.

Wow, congratulations on this video. In a clear, precise, and organized way, you describe most of, if not all, the crochet market world. Impressive!!! The tone, pace, and sweetness of your voice are definitely an asset for you. I'll start following you. One question: What would you recommend to an almost 70 years old granny, illiterate in e-commerce tools and social media, that wants to make some money out of her crochet?

Awesome hand spun! And, if you want to try spinning your own, you can start slowly to see if you really like it.

I could not agree more about liking the feel of a natural fiber or blend. Spinning looks fun and creative but that’s not an expense in $ and time that I’m willing to commit to yet. You r wonderful!

Totally off topic but thank you for showing us the cat!!! I recently started spinning yarn on a drop spindle and I absolutely love it! It's a lengthy process but it is so rewarding to be involved in the production process of a garment from fiber to yarn to wearable item. Spinning on a drop spindle is very affordable, the tools (spindle and niddy noddy) are very easy to make yourself and I have found that fiber/roving is sometimes cheaper than yarn in luxury fiber such as merino and alpaca.

I've enjoyed finer weights more now than I did in the beginning. I really loved chunky yarn in the beginning because it knitted up so fast and I was able to get a lot of projects completed.

I really enjoyed watching you love the new yarns. Seems like a natural progression for Yarny people to enjoy more specific yarns and colors. Also hand-dyed yarns are super pretty and the notion of being able to spin your own yarn and colors is very alluring. Either way we should be able to love the yarns we choose and use. 😊

I'm leaning into thinner yarns also. 😊

Don't give gifts. If you do, give them something that has no nostalgia for you. Give ham to the elderly, a broom to her who never sweeps her floors, and a washcloth to a brother who never showers. I think you know what I mean.😊 Don't give something that means a lot to you.

I've been looking for a simple beanie pattern to make as a gift. I think my niece will be getting all three of these! Thank you!

im not crazy anymore. i hear people always liking 4 and there's many i like because of the endless palettes i find but thinner yarn makes me more happier and satisfied. i do japanese crochet patterns and they mainly use 1 and 2 and its hard for me to find? i know knitpicks have them but i have only tried cotton from hobbii. im new to crochet but i dont know how to pick yarns :(. i started selling all my thicker yarns because of it

fall colors are the best

I have 3 sisters who I love dearly however one of them I no longer gift handmade gifts because she doesn’t appreciate it. I try to ignore when she request me to crochet something as I know she is just asking but won’t use it or even will give it away, because I know she has done it in the past. My other two sisters still get things I make but I won’t do requests as that will hurt the one sister’s feelings.

For me crocheting and giving gifts is my love language but I acknowledge that not everyone is comfortable with receiving gifts as strange as that may seem.... (ie my husband is terrible at receiving gifts and very unsentimental on top of that so anything I make or give him especially if it is not useful will end up in a cupboard or even the dustbin) He is doesn’t do it to be mean or hurt my feelings, he is just not into 'kaggel kak' / nik naks / bric a brac etc which is how he sees these things as. Ps My mom was the same as my husband so as kids all our hand made gifts and cards disappeared shortly after being presented to her.

Once again it seems like you and I are on the same trajectory lol. I think its kind of a natural progression though. When I started, I used worsted weight because thats what was easily available in places like Walmart, and I used mostly that for years, but I've accepted that I just prefer fingering weight yarns in general. I find them more versatile - you can make socks or sweaters or hats, etc, but you can also hokd it double for DK weight. I also love the drape and its just more practical of Florida because its not as hot. Also Stroll is my favoritr Knit Picks yarn and im excited to see what you make with the minis :) I got the Timberline pack with tears and blues and the Deep Blue set that is totals from blue to black. Im still trying to figure out what to make with them - I feel compelled to keep them together since they look so nice, but the great thing is they also work for things like sock heels and toes. Yay for fingering weight! Lol

Kitty Counter: 3 ( I think 😂). Your projects are beautiful as always and that vest is spectacular! I would buy it from you, tbh. It’s interesting, I’m the same now…tried lighter weight yarns and I LOVE THEM! Finishing a hexacardi now that’s all dk and sport minis and scraps & it’s great; lightweight - hot flashes - and the fit and drape are chefs kiss! Thank you for another terrific video! Stay cool and gimme my two dollars! ☺️🫶🏻🧶🧡

Absolutely understand where you are coming from. The yarns are all beautiful but I especially love the mini pack and the multi colored hank! I’m drooling. Always enjoy your content ❤

I’ve been thinking about spinning as well. I have a lady who said she would teach me…I just need to find a spinning wheel!

Knit Picks/we crochet is my favorite online store! I love their yarns and absolutely love their knitting needles. Their dots crochet hooks are great too. I'd put teal together with your hand spun yarn, this way the golds will pop.

I picked up crochet lace whilst on my crochet journey, was watching crochet videos and sat making lace whilst people talked about disliking fine weight yarn… I was working with DMC petra 5 like ‘huh??’ Haha Fine weight crochet is so much nicer on my hands, as i have to do a lot of ‘feeling’ what I’m doing due to visual disability, and my hands are hypermobile and possibly arthritic. Fine weight takes ages which can suck, but surprisingly less long when doing a pretty lace pattern with it

I have a birthday early in January ….need i say more 😂

Gorgeous yarns and colors! I too bought some Knit Picks Palette and mini skeins for a sampler blanket when they were on sale but it’s so hot in my area, I’ve only been working on wearables lately. Looking forward to a cool down (hopefully) next week. I agree, the lighter weight yarns have a lovely drape and you get more yardage for your money. Win, win!

Thank you for this video - I am trying to organise myself at the moment so that I can do work and chores, but also have guilt-free time for my craft projects. As always, Shannon, you have told me what I needed to hear 🎉❤

I love the fact that you're sharing your journey honestly. Knit picks has nice fingering yarns at reasonable prices. I find that it may be a little more grabby than more expensive yarns but still well within the garment worthy softness scale and they have great sales.

You choose beautifully

Yay little dude tail cameo! 🐈‍⬛ haha. Those mini hanks are so cute, and the hand spun yarn is so pretty! I weave in addition to crochet, and it seems like many spinners become weavers and vice versa and enjoy it. I haven’t been tempted because the sound of carding wool makes my skin crawl 😅 haha

Welcome to the finer weight fan club, so glad you're here! 😊