Crochet Myths and Yarn Superstitions
There are many traditions and superstitions surrounding crochet and other yarn crafts from the Sweater Curse through to why it’s ok to include a mistake in your project. Learn more about these crochet superstition’s that will give you no reason to stop stitching, but give you the best excuse for any mistakes found in your project.
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Crochet Myths and Yarn Superstitions
There are many superstitions that evoke images of crafters of days gone by, huddled around a fire gossiping about poor Annie, who lost her man to the Sweater curse or confirm why Fiona didn’t fix that square when she spotted that mistake.
Read on to found out about those crochet and yarn superstition’s that will give you a good excuse for any mistakes you make and leave you questioning why people ever thougth this way.
It’s important to note that I am not superstitious in the slightest:
- I do not bid a lonesome magpie a good morning, questioning after his wife’s health
- I happily wave a black cat across my path in the vain hope they will allow me to pet them.
- You’ll find me skipping merrily across the cracks in pavements – my mothers back still in tact.
- I will scatter salt across the table with aplomb, no care of the devil dancing on my shoulder.
You get the drift, but one of the superstitions I’ll be sharing with you, I can get 100% behind – everyone should!
Top 5 Crochet Superstitions
1. Don’t Start a New Project on a Friday
It’s said that if you start a new project on a Friday, you’re doomed to never finish it!
I can wholeheartedly dispel this myth – I’ve started projects on every day of the week and so many of them have not been finished.
Knowing that so many people work on the weekdays, and that there really is nothing better than starting a new project on a Friday evening, knowing you have the next few days to work on a project.
However, I fear that the possible reason that project never gets finished is that a cheeky glass of something might be combined with starting the project.
This in turn could lead to an increased risk of extra stitches (my relaxed brain can never count) and who what’s to correct that sort of mistake.
If this sounds like you, maybe stick the glass of something and leave starting your project to the Saturday morning.
2. The Sweater Curse
The Sweater Curse describes the risk of stitching up a sweater for your significant other before marriage. The length of time it takes to make a sweater has outlasted many of my relationships so I can see why lots of people have sadly felt this curse; and that before you consider the love it would take to stitch up the hundreds of thousands of stitches needed to make the sweater.
The Sweater Curse say’s that the relationship with the receiver will end before sweater is finished.
The Wikipedia page that details the Sweater Curse, is full of useful information on how to avoid the curse including:
- involve your loved one with the making process, let them choose the colours and style before starting
- Start your handmade offering small before committing to such a large project to gift; mittens or a scarf
A common recommendation around the sweater curse is to delay making your loved one a sweater is to wait until you are married.
I see this as another great reason to avoid marriage! Personally, I don’t think my husband would apricate a sweater as much as blanket or themed stuffy I could make for him.
3. Making for a baby before it’s born
Much like the tradition of not bringing the pram home before the baby, it’s said that you shouldn’t finish any project for a baby before it’s arrival.
I’m pleased to say that so many people have proved this superstition wrong, and I love nothing better than stitching up a cute baby blanket for a newly arriving baby, be it booties, a bonnet or a blanket – all made in the softest of yarns.
When you consider that there are army’s of Grandma’s, Nana’s and Pap’s out there, stitching up whole handmade wardrobes for all the new arrivals, we can feel confident to keep on stitching so we can wrap them in a handmade cuddle the moment they arrive.
4. Make a mistake for your soul to escape
This is the myth that I whole heartedly stand by. In Irish Folk Lore:
“It is said that you leave a bit of your soul in everything you crochet. To avoid this, you should always work in a hidden mistake so that your soul can escape.”
The history of avoiding being perfect can be found in many different arts and cultures. yarndrasil.com has an amazingly detailed look into idea of ensuring your project isn’t perfect and shows how various crafts historically incorporate this ideal into their projects.
I am a huge fan of this idea not ensuring a project isn’t perfect, as it takes the pressure off the maker to just enjoy the making.
If like me you create something with a glaringly obvious mistake which is only spotted once a whole blanket is finished (insert eyeroll), just brush yourself down and move on remembering, most people wont spot your mistake.
Below is a photo that is proudly on display in the pattern for the Cable & Crossed Square – I use it as a warning to check your work as you go now- haha
5. Mittens made in Summer
This has to be the cutest of myths and a great reason to make these smaller accessories in the warmer months:
“Mittens knitted in summer will be warm and strong”
I like to think of the time taken working with thicker yarns in summer result in some lovely chunky mittens that would be worn all winter to keep little fingers all snuggly.
Crochet Superstitions
There are so many myths, crochet wives tails and yarn superstitions out there that I could make a list as long as my arm.
If you know of one not included, be sure to let me know!More Cosy Rosie Crochet Patterns
*This pattern and its images are copyright protected and the sole property of Fiona Field/Cosy Rosie UK 2022. Please do not redistribute, transfer, sell the pattern, or alter it to claim as your own. *
