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Why I Can't Finish My Projects

My Unfinished Projects



If you've been following my channel for a while, you may have noticed that I don’t post a lot of WIP (Work in Progress) videos. In fact, I might have only one or two. There's a strategic reason for this: I categorize my projects into only two types—finished or abandoned.

I have a basket full of WIPs, some over a year old. When I look at it, I feel a mix of embarrassment and frustration. These unfinished projects feel like failures to me. One of my biggest realizations came with my temperature blanket a couple of years ago. I started out excitedly, releasing two videos right away. Then, the project sat untouched until September, even though I knew I disliked working on it. I finally admitted to myself—and my audience—that I wasn’t going to finish it. That moment was filled with guilt, not only about abandoning the project but also about spending money on yarn specifically for it.

Avoiding Disappointment

After reflecting on my habits, I’ve realized that my struggle with WIPs is tied to a bigger issue: avoiding disappointment. I’ve noticed this pattern in different areas of my life—whether it’s work, YouTube, or crochet. If something isn’t a strength of mine, it tends to manifest in multiple ways.

Here’s how this plays out with my crochet projects:

  • I start a project with excitement.

  • Doubts creep in—about the yarn choice, pattern, or a combination of both.

  • I push those doubts down and continue.

  • I reach a point where I know the project won’t turn out how I envisioned, but I’ve already invested so much time that I can’t bring myself to frog it.

  • Instead of facing that disappointment, I put the project in a bin, out of sight and out of mind.

The Role of Self-Striping Yarn in My WIPs

One major pattern I've noticed is that most of my abandoned projects use self-striping yarn. I love how self-striping yarn looks in the cake, but once it's worked up, the randomness bothers me. The color pooling is unpredictable, and I prefer more structured, symmetrical designs.

For example:

  • My hexagon cardigan has mismatched armpits—one dark brown, one cream.

  • My poncho cardigan was nearly done, but the uneven striping made me hesitant to finish it.

  • Even small projects, like a keyhole scarf, remained untouched simply because I wasn’t happy with how the colors laid out.

It’s not that self-striping yarn is bad—it’s just not for me. The one exception was a corner-to-corner blanket, where I was able to control the color placement more effectively.

The Struggle of Note-Taking and Recreation

Another big reason some projects get abandoned is poor documentation. I’ve had multiple instances where I’ve tried to recreate a past project for a video but failed to take proper notes. I always tell myself, “I’ll write it down once I know it works,” but by the time I finish, I’ve forgotten the exact details.

I’m considering getting a dedicated notebook just for pattern notes. If you have a method that works for you, I’d love to hear about it!

Time and Money: The Ultimate Investment

Finally, I think one of the biggest factors in my WIP pile is the investment of both time and money. My temperature blanket was a perfect example. I spent around $70 on yarn for it, thinking I was planning ahead wisely. Even though I ended up using the yarn for other projects, the initial disappointment of “wasting” that money lingered.

Thankfully, I’ve become much more intentional with my purchases. Now, before starting a project, I ask myself:

  • Would I buy this if I saw it in a store?

  • Does the yarn suit my needs in terms of fiber, weight, and drape?

  • Am I choosing colors I truly love?

Moving Forward

I’m still working on overcoming my WIP tendencies. Part of that involves confronting my hesitation head-on—whether it’s finishing projects, improving my note-taking, or being more mindful about yarn choices.

If you also struggle with abandoned projects, you’re not alone! I’d love to hear how you handle unfinished WIPs. Do you push through? Frog them? Or, like me, tuck them away for “later”?

Watch the YouTube video here!



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