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Someone Rejected My Crochet Gift

Coping with Rejection


Rejection hurts. As fiber artists, we pour our time, energy, and love into creating handmade pieces, so when a gifted item is unappreciated, forgotten, or even discarded, it can sting deeply. I recently watched a video where someone asked, "How do I get over the hurt of rejection because someone threw away something I made for them?" This resonated with me because I’ve experienced rejection in my own crafting journey. If you’ve ever been in the same boat, let’s talk about rejection, how it affects us as fiber artists, and what we can do about it.

Seeing Handmade Creations in Thrift Stores

As an avid thrifter, I often come across handmade blankets, hats, and scarves in secondhand stores. I can tell they were lovingly crocheted or knitted, yet they’ve ended up discarded. While I sometimes buy them to save them, it’s a reminder that not everyone values handmade items the same way we do.

My Personal Experiences with Gift Rejection

I’ve had my fair share of rejection, whether immediate or delayed. One example was when I made hats for a family member going through medical treatments. I put thought into the yarn and design based on their preferences, yet I later found them sitting unused years later. Another time, a cousin asked me to make a blanket featuring a particular animal—completely forgetting I had already made them one just a year and a half earlier. These experiences can feel discouraging, but they’ve taught me valuable lessons.

Managing Expectations and Protecting Your Passion

To prevent rejection from draining my joy in crafting, I’ve adjusted my mindset:

  1. Once a gift is given, it has served its purpose. I remind myself that the act of giving is what matters, and what happens afterward is out of my control.

  2. Be selective with recipients. I now only make significant handmade gifts for people I know will truly appreciate them. This means limiting big projects to my immediate family or close friends.

  3. Avoid gifting to known regifters. If someone frequently regifts items, I opt for a more practical present, like a gift card, instead of a handmade piece.

  4. Scale back on production. In my early years of crocheting, I created an overwhelming number of projects just for practice. Now, I focus on making things with a clear purpose, reducing the need to find homes for excess creations.

  5. Use affordable materials for casual gifts. When making gifts for larger groups, I use budget-friendly yarn to lessen the financial and emotional impact if the item isn’t cherished.

  6. Shift content creation to match my crafting values. Early in my YouTube journey, I felt pressure to constantly produce new projects. I’ve since moved away from that mindset and now share my work in a way that aligns with my values.

Finding Joy in the Process

The most important takeaway? Don’t let rejection steal your joy. Your craft is yours, and the act of creating should bring fulfillment, regardless of how others respond.

If you’re struggling with similar feelings, know that you’re not alone. Focus on crafting for yourself, for those who truly appreciate it, and for the sheer love of fiber arts.

Have you ever experienced rejection of your handmade gifts? How do you handle it? Let’s support each other in the comments!

Watch the YouTube video here!




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