There’s nothing quite like starting a big crochet project, the excitement of laying out your squares, the vision of how cozy and beautiful it’ll look when it’s finally finished. Right now, I’m working on a king sized blanket made from 30x30 granny squares. They’re joined, and I’m adding rounds to build it bigger and bigger. It’s gorgeous... but let me tell you, it’s also exhausting.
The truth is: big projects take time. They’re heavy in your lap, repetitive in your hands, and they test your focus. As someone with ADHD, I find that the repetition slowly makes my brain “switch off.” First my focus slips, then my energy dips, and before I know it, I’m fighting fatigue while still surrounded by yarn.
And then there’s the balancing act. Orders pile up. Customers want their pieces quickly. There’s always this quiet voice, sometimes not so quiet, reminding me that I “should” be prioritizing paid work. But personal projects matter too. They fuel creativity, give comfort, and remind us why we fell in love with crochet in the first place. Only I know what I’m capable of — not just in terms of speed, but in terms of mental and physical stamina.
Some days, it can feel like others don’t see that. Like my energy is weighed against their timeline. And yes, it can leave me feeling beaten down. But I’m learning to give myself permission: to take it slow, to work on the giant blanket even if it’s not “practical,” and to let joy have a seat at the table right beside productivity.
Because crochet isn’t just about finishing fast, it’s about creating with care, and sometimes about reminding yourself that your pace matters too.
Quick tip
If you’re tackling a large project, break it down. Set mini goals (a few rounds, a single square, one evening’s progress) and celebrate them. Big things are always made up of little stitches.