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My Fantasy Self and the Crochet Lies I've Told Myself

 

You know who has lied to me more than anyone else? Me. Specifically, my fantasy self—that idealized version of me who’s effortlessly stylish, endlessly organized, and crochets elaborate heirlooms with perfect tension and zero frogging.


Turns out… she’s full of it.


If you’re not familiar with the idea of a “fantasy self,” it’s the version of you that you imagine you could be, or wish you were. Often inspired by social media, childhood influences, or those magical makers we follow online, this fantasy self can lead us into some truly questionable crochet decisions. And oh boy, do I have some stories.


The Fantasy Purchases

Let’s talk yarn first. My fantasy self loves blanket yarn. She’s seen the hoodies, the plushies, the amigurumi animals. She told me I’d love working with it.


I don’t. It’s bulky, it’s tough on my hands, and it’s just not fun for me to use. Has it sat in my stash forever? Yep. Could I maybe still make a baby blanket with it someday? Probably. But the truth is—I bought it for a version of me that doesn’t really exist. Watch my finger knitting VIDEO HERE.


Then there’s the Pumpkin Bobble Blanket of Doom. Three pounds of burnt orange Pound of Love, bought on sale with the intention of making a bobble-stitch lapghan that would look like tiny pumpkins. Sounds adorable, right? 


Except... have you ever crocheted an entire bobble-stitch blanket? That’s a full-time job. Fantasy Shannon was up for it. Real Shannon is not. For my Fall Project Playlist CLICK HERE.


I've totally changed my mind on several yarns along my crochet journey, read about IT HERE.

Hooks, Tools, and Instagram Aesthetics

Crocheters don’t have a ton of tools, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to fantasy-self shopping sprees. I’ve seen the handcrafted hooks. The swoon-worthy wood grains. The perfect product photos with the cozy vibes.


And I’ve definitely convinced myself that I needed them—to complete the aesthetic, to match the yarn, to be that person.


Meanwhile, my 20-year-old basic hook still works like a charm. But fantasy me loves a vibe, and she’s very persuasive.


Projects That Don’t Spark Joy

Sometimes, it’s not just about what we buy. It’s about what we don’t make—because our fantasy self tells us it’s not trendy, not exciting, not cool enough. Watch THIS VIDEO to see several projects I just can't seem to finish! Here's the BLOG POST with more info.


Or READ THIS BLOG POST about my experience with crocheting a temperature blanket.


My friend and crochet tutor loves to crochet baby clothes. She sticks to what brings her joy and doesn’t worry about what's trending on TikTok. I admire that. But me? I’ve tried to follow trends and joined CALs that were way above my skill level. Spoiler: I ended up frustrated and burnt out.


My fantasy self loves amigurumi. Real me does not.


The Worst Lie of All

But you know what the worst lie is? “You’ll remember that.”


No, Shannon. You won’t.


I’ve forgotten hooks, rows, pattern ideas, yarn names, colorways, and entire plans because I didn’t write them down. My fantasy self thinks she has a flawless memory and excellent organization skills. Real me is over here trying to decipher what “WIP BOBBLE THNG??” written on a sticky note means.


Learning to Love the Real Me

It’s okay to dream, to plan, to aspire. It’s great to try new stitches and work with new fibers. But if we get too caught up in the fantasy, we stop enjoying the reality of where we are—what we actually like, what brings us joy, and what fits our life right now.


Being honest about that has helped me rehome yarn I’ll never use, stop impulse buying for imaginary gift projects, and appreciate the maker I really am. (And yes, I’m writing things down now.) THIS VIDEO shows how I decided what yarns needed to go.


So if your fantasy self is whispering in your ear at the yarn store, maybe pause. Take a breath. Ask if it’s you who wants that mohair, or the version of you who never has to frog it.


Spoiler: frogging mohair is never fun.

Watch the YouTube video here!




Awhile back, I did a silly collab with some of my YouTube friends called 2 Yarny Truths and 1 Lie, for a few laughs, watch that VIDEO HERE!


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