CADD (Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder) & How To Overcome It

Let the sarcasm begin: 

We all have them, that project or projects that we start and then change our mind about and switch to a different pattern.  There's also the projects which we start and put down and never finish. And then there are the projects that sound like good ideas until there are deadlines then they become the bain of our existence and are worse than spring break and Christmas break homework that needs to be done by back to school time.  Welcome to the world of CADD!

WebMD.com defines ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness that can cause problems at home, school, work, or in relationships.  I'm not at all making fun of this true condition, but it's comical to me as to how many people suffer from what I call CADD (Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder).  Whether it's a new pattern you find online, or a new yarn you see in a store, or getting lost on Pinterest or Ravelry.com, the amount of creative options out there leaves even the most organized crafter wondering if there is a medication that can stop them from starting yet another crochet project.

Picking a pattern/yarn:

These can be the hardest CADD symptoms to overcome and depending on your creative process they go hand in hand.  Sometimes you have yarn and you find a pattern and sometimes you have a pattern and find the yarn. 

With online stores and websites out there like Instagram, Pinterest and Ravelry and The Crochet Crowd it's hard to avoid yarn and pattern overload.  No offense to any of those sites, but there are just too many options! 

Stop giving us so many great and easy to crochet patterns!  Stop showing us beautiful yarns in every shade and texture and weight imaginable!  We are only human and we can't decide what projects to work on! 

Overcoming Pattern/Yarn CADD Symptoms:  

If you're a new crocheter start by finding a pattern to work on and only buy the yarn that goes with that pattern.  A good suggestion is to find a CAL (Crochet-A-Long) project to work on...1) there will be small doses of crochet doled out to you in usually weekly clues so you won't feel overwhelmed 2) Most CAL projects have very detailed supply lists and instructions so you will have a strict "to do list" so you won't get distracted. When you are done, save the left over yarn and immediately start a stash-busting afghan of granny squares or hexagons.  The more random the better and think of this as a bonus project that you can donate to charity later if you can't find an owner for it.  The key is to keep your amount of left over yarn in check.  It will leave you feeling like you don't HAVE TO start another project while working on a current one.

Staying on Task:

Whether you do it on paper or electronically, keep track of your projects and how far along you are in doing them if you are working on more than one at a time.  Ravelry is great for this!  On the projects page they have tools to organize your projects and a little tool to tell you and other people just how far along you are in your project timeline.

Overcoming Stalled Projects: 

We all have projects that we start and get bored with.  Try to push through and finish the project.  If you simply can't stand the project, start a timer and work for 15 minutes on the pattern.  Most times I find that if I start a project I tell myself "one row or one more square then I'll stop and I end up finishing inches and sometimes feet of projects without paying attention to the time. 

When working on multiple projects: Check your list before you start to crochet, especially if items are sale items you are making for Etsy, trade shows or for store orders, work on paid items first.  Happy customers equal return visits and steady income of money!

 Saving Money:

Know what patterns you have and what yarn you own.  Sometimes by just knowing what you already have keeps you from starting something new!  Something new usually means a trip to the store and spending more money than you need.  I don't know anyone who goes to the craft store and comes home with just the yarn they were looking for.  If you have mastered this then I bow down to you over and over!

When dealing with CADD know that you aren't alone.  Everyone has had symptoms at one point or another but managing them will make you a happier and more productive crafter.