My Unpopular Crochet Opinions That Might Surprise You

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These unpopular crochet opinions challenge common crochet “rules” and might surprise you…from techniques to projects and everything in between.

Sometimes I sit down with my crochet and realize… I have opinions. Not necessarily the popular ones either. So today, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my unpopular crochet takes – the ones I fully stand by, even if not everyone agrees.

I feel like in the crochet world, there are so many “right” ways to do things – how to make ribbing, how to work in the round, what projects are worth your time…and over the years, I’ve definitely found myself doing things a little differently. These are the opinions I don’t always say out loud, but today, I’m saying them. And of course, you don’t have to agree with me, and I have a feeling you might have a few of your own, too.

Unpopular Crochet Opinions Video

1. Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Makes the Best Ribbing (and I will not be convinced otherwise)

We’re starting off strong with this one, because I truly feel this in my soul.

There are so many ways to create ribbing in crochet: single crochet in the back loop, half double crochet in the back loop, front post/back post stitches… and they all have their place. They look nice, they get the job done, and I’ve used all of them at one point or another.

But if we’re talking about that soft, stretchy, knit-like ribbing? Nothing – and I mean nothing – compares to slip stitch in the back loop only. It has this natural elasticity that just works. It stretches beautifully, it hugs where it needs to hug, and it gives that clean, subtle texture that looks so polished without trying too hard. It’s especially perfect for things like hat brims, cuffs, and anything that needs a little give without feeling bulky.

Yes, it’s slower. Yes, it can feel a little tedious if you’re not used to it. But the end result? It’s totally worth it, in my opinion. I feel like if you really give it a chance, you will find yourself reaching for it over and over again.

2. You Can’t Convince Me That Making Amigurumi Is Fun

Okay… hear me out before you come for me.

I can absolutely appreciate amigurumi. There are some incredibly talented designers out there creating the cutest, most detailed little pieces, and I will happily admire them all day long. The creativity, the shaping, the detail—it’s impressive, truly.

But actually making them? I just can’t get on board. The idea of crocheting in tiny, tight circles, making what feels like a hundred separate pieces, and then…when you’re finally done…you still have to stuff everything and sew it all together?

It just sounds like a lot. And not just a little extra work… a lot of extra work for something that ends up being relatively small. Maybe it’s just the way my brain works, but I like projects that feel a little more continuous and relaxing. Something I can settle into without constantly stopping, switching pieces, or figuring out assembly at the end.

Again, I will happily admire amigurumi from afar… but for me? I’m gonna pass.

3. Joined Rounds Are Better Than Continuous Rounds

I know, I know…this one might be controversial. But I will take a visible seam all day long if it means I can work in joined rounds. Personally, I need a clear, definitive end to each round. You finish, you join, you move on. No guessing, no second-guessing, no wondering where your round actually started.

Here’s the thing: I do not love using stitch markers. I’ll use them when I have to, but by the time I’ve worked my way all the way back around, I’m sitting there like…“Wait… is this the first stitch of the round? Or the last stitch from the previous one?”

And since everything is the same height in continuous rounds, it’s not always obvious. You can’t just glance at your work and know where you are, and counting stitches doesn’t always feel as straightforward either. With joined rounds, everything feels more structured and easier to follow. It just makes more sense in my brain.

Now, I will say…there is absolutely a time and place for continuous rounds. I’ve designed patterns that use them (like my Diamond Bag, Knit-look Cowl, and Diamond Fingerless Gloves), and in those cases, it was 100% the right choice. But if I have the option? I’m choosing joined rounds every single time.

4. It’s Okay to Get Rid of That WIP

Alright… this might be the one where I lose a few of you. But I’m just going to say it: it’s okay to get rid of a work-in-progress. If it’s no longer bringing you joy, if it’s not relaxing, if it’s just sitting in a basket in the corner staring at you every time you walk by and making you feel a little guilty…then you don’t have to keep it.

Crochet is supposed to be your happy place. It’s supposed to feel calming, creative, maybe even a little therapeutic. And if a project starts to feel like a chore or a weight on your shoulders, that’s kind of the opposite of what we’re going for.

Now, I will say – I might be a little extra ruthless about this because of how I live. I live in a 384-square-foot shed that we’re converting into our cabin, so I’ve gotten really used to letting things go if they’re not being used. If I haven’t touched something in months and I don’t see myself picking it up again anytime soon, I’m probably not keeping it around. And yes… I’ve absolutely done that with crochet projects.

Sometimes I’ll frog the whole thing, rewind the yarn, and donate it – especially if it was a color palette I picked just for that project and I don’t see myself using it again. We have a little yarn library at our local library, and yarn never lasts long there, which I love.

But… and here’s where I might really lose some of you… There have also been times when I didn’t even want to deal with frogging it. I didn’t want to rewind it, I didn’t want to store it…I just wanted it gone… so I threw it away. And I know that’s not for everyone. But I think the bigger point is this: you are allowed to let go of projects that no longer feel good to you.

You don’t owe a project your time just because you started it.

5. Giant Yarn Stashes Are Overrated

This one kind of goes hand-in-hand with the last point. And again, this might be a little influenced by how I live right now – but really, even when I lived in a ‘normal’ house, I’ve never really been someone who keeps a big yarn stash.

Now don’t get me wrong…I love seeing a beautiful yarn wall. The cubbies, the colors, everything organized by weight…it’s gorgeous! I can absolutely appreciate it. But do you actually need one? Not even a little bit.

For me, having a large stash would feel overwhelming. Even if it were perfectly organized, it would still feel like clutter in my space. I’ve learned that I just function better when I keep things simple.

Believe it or not, the yarn I have on hand is almost always just the yarn I’m actively working with. When I finish a project, if there’s leftover yarn and I don’t have a clear plan for it – especially if it’s not something I’ll use for a scrappy project – I let it go. I bag it up and take it straight to the free yarn library in town.

I do have one small bag of miscellaneous yarn tucked away in our camper that I haven’t touched in a while… and that’s probably my sign that it’s time to go through it and let some of that go too.

At the end of the day, I think it really comes down to how you like to create. Some people feel inspired by a big, beautiful stash, and that’s amazing. But for me? Less yarn, less overwhelm, and more intention with what I’m working on feels so much better.

Conclusion

Crochet is such a personal craft, and that’s exactly why conversations like this are so fun. What works for one crocheter might feel completely wrong for another – and that’s the beauty of it. There’s no one “right” way to enjoy this craft.

Some of these might have you nodding along, and some of them might have you dramatically clutching your yarn and wondering how we can still be friends after what I said about amigurumi.

But that’s what makes crochet so fun; we all have our own preferences, our own habits, and our own little hills we’re willing to die on.

So now it’s your turn. Tell me your most unpopular crochet opinion in the comments. No judgment here… unless you’re about to tell me slip stitch ribbing isn’t the best.