How to Choose Your Next Crochet Project: 10 Simple Questions to Ask

How to Decide Which Crochet Project to Work on Next

1. Check Your Current WIPs

Before you start looking for something new, take a look at the projects you’ve already started.

Pull out your project bags, check your baskets, and look at the projects you’ve put aside.

You might find:

• A project that’s almost finished
• A project you started recently
• A project that’s ready for finishing
• Something you were really excited about when you started

You’re simply getting a clear picture of your current WIPs.

You may even discover that you already have a project you’d love to work on next.

If you have several WIPs scattered around your home, keeping track of them can quickly become overwhelming. 👉 Learn How to Organize Multiple Crochet Projects Without Losing Track of Them

2. Look at Your New Project Ideas

Now look at the projects you haven’t started yet.

These might include:

• Patterns you’ve bought
• Patterns you’ve saved
• Projects you’ve already bought yarn for
• Something you’ve been thinking about making
• A project you recently saw and immediately fell in love with

You’re simply creating your full pool of possibilities.

That’s a much better starting point than choosing whatever catches your attention first.

3. Is There Anything You Need to Make by a Certain Date?

Some crochet projects are just for you, and you can finish them whenever you want.

Others need to be finished by a particular date.

For example:

• Birthday gifts
• Holiday gifts
• Christmas projects
• Seasonal projects
• Wedding or event projects
• Baby gifts
• Something you promised someone
• Something you want to take on vacation

A project that takes several weeks and needs to be finished next month may need to take priority over a project that has no deadline.

But don’t automatically assume that every deadline means “start this immediately.”

You’ll still want to consider how much time you actually have and whether the project is realistic.

If you’re choosing projects because you have holiday gifts or seasonal makes to finish, you’ll want to plan those projects a little differently.

👉 Read the Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Holiday Crochet Projects

4. How Much Time Do You Have Right Now?

Maybe you only have a few short pockets of time at this point in life. Maybe you have several free hours this weekend. Or perhaps you have plenty of time for a larger project.

Your available time can help you narrow down your choices.

A large project that takes weeks to complete might not be the best choice when you’re currently short on time. A smaller project that you can work on in short sessions may be a much better fit.

On the other hand, if you have plenty of time and want something you can settle into for a while, a larger or more involved project might be exactly what you’re looking for.

5. How Much Energy Do You Have?

Think about your energy level at this point in life. How do you feel most days?

Low energy

You might want something simple and repetitive.

A familiar stitch pattern or an easy WIP could be perfect.

Medium energy

You might be happy to concentrate a little.

You could choose something with longer pattern repeats without being extremely complicated.

High energy

You might be ready for a challenge.

This could be a good time to work on something complicated, learn a new technique, or tackle a project that requires more concentration.

Choosing a project that matches your energy can make crochet feel much more enjoyable. But theres still no rule. You decide.

6. What Kind of Project Fits Your Life and Mood?

Ask yourself: What kind of crochet sounds good to me right now?

Maybe you want:

• Something relaxing
• Something productive
• Something quick
• Something challenging
• Something repetitive
• Something you can learn from
• Something portable
• Something you’re really excited about

7. Narrow It Down to 3–5 Projects

By now, you should have a better idea of which projects could work.

Narrow your options down to three to five projects.

These can come from:

• Your current WIPs
• New project ideas
• Projects with deadlines
• Projects you’ve already bought supplies for

For example, your shortlist might look like:

1. Almost-finished cardigan
2. Quick hat
3. New sweater pattern
4. Birthday gift
5. Small portable project

Now you’re choosing between five realistic options rather than staring at a giant list of possibilities.

8. Check Your Commitment

Before you choose, take a moment to think about what you’re actually committing to.

Consider:

• How long will it take?
• How complicated is it?
• How much work is involved?
• How much concentration will it require?
• Does it have a deadline?
• Will I still want to make it once the initial excitement wears off?

This is particularly useful when you’re tempted by a brand-new project.

Sometimes you see a beautiful pattern and immediately think:

“I NEED to make this!”

But when you think about the actual project, you realize it will take 30 hours, and doesn’t really fit the amount of time you have available.

You’re simply checking whether you’re ready to take on that project now.

9. Which One Do You Actually Want to Make?

Now ask yourself the most important question:

Which of these projects am I genuinely excited to crochet?

Which one do you actually want to pick up and work on?

A project you’re excited about can be much easier to return to than one you’re only making because you feel like you should.

10. What Can You Crochet While You Wait?

If your chosen project needs you to order yarn before you can start, look at your narrowed down list again.

Is there something you can work on while you’re waiting for your supplies?

This gives you a plan without creating another unnecessary WIP.

A Quick Way to Choose Your Next Crochet Project

If you’re still stuck between several projects, ask yourself:

1. Does it have a deadline?
   If yes, consider prioritizing it.
2. Do I already have the supplies?
   If yes, that’s one less barrier to starting.
3. Do I have enough time for it?
   Choose something that fits your actual schedule.
4. Does it match my energy level?
   Easy, repetitive crochet might be best when you’re tired.
5. Am I excited to make it?
   If yes, that’s a very good reason to choose it.
6. Can I start it right now?
   If not, choose something else while you wait.

Use the Free Crochet Project Planner to get your projects out of your head and organize your crochet world.

👉 Get Your Free Crochet Project Planner →