5 Ways to Avoid Creative Burnout When Designing Amigurumi

 

 

Creative burnout sucks when you’re an artist. I find myself crocheting random things that never get finished; all the while wasting my time and materials. If you’re like me, then preserving your yarn stash is an absolute must.

So, how can you use your yarn stash wisely without filling a box full of random faceless - or, dare I say it - armless amigurumi WIPs? And can you do this without getting burnt out or worse - losing your cro-jo?! 

Practicing your amigurumi craft is great. Practicing amigurumi with purpose is better. 

The following is the first batch of tips in staying productive - even when you’re not motivated. Think of this like your base template to be in the back of your mind while crocheting with purpose. 

• You will avoid wasting precious materials.
• You will manage your time better.
• And you will develop a design-first mindset when planning any future amigurumi endeavors without the dreaded - yet inevitable - creative burnout. 

1. Pick Evergreen Themes 

Chasing amigurumi trends on social media is exhausting. You feel like an aging salmon swimming up against the river current getting to its final destination. 

The term ‘evergreen’ comes from a plant that stays green all year round. Some evergreen themes can be, but are not limited to:

• Holidays [Valentine’s, Halloween, Christmas, etc]
• Seasons [spring, summer, fall, winter]
• Aesthetics [eco, nautical, mythical, gothic, etc]
• Classic creatures [teddy bears, bunnies, bees, octopi, etc]

2. Create Batches of 4+ Designs

• Your Cast of Characters: Give each of your characters a personality. Describe their relationship to each other. From there, you can build an intricate story that showcases your creativity, your aesthetic and your brand.  

3. Pick a Color Scheme

• Around 4 colors [skin, hair, main, accent, etc]

4. Create a base pattern that can be open to many variations: example: 1 doll design can have 3 hairstyles, 3 outfits, 3 accessories, etc. [about 9 patterns/ characters]

• Your multiple variations can become multiple pattern downloads which can benefit you well on platforms like Etsy, KDP, Draft2Digital, etc. 

5. Keep Your Designs Simple

• Sometimes the best designs are the simplest. My best work has always maintained a minimalist appeal with a focus on seamless silhouettes. 

Remember: Creating the habit of looking at future amigurumi projects with the above 5 tips in mind will help you avoid wasting your time, materials, and creative burnout. 

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you found my content helpful. Please comment what you want to know more of down below. Keep Count and Stay Creative, my friends!