On Frogging: The Gentle Art of Starting Over

There’s a moment in every maker’s life when you stare at your project - really stare at it - and something just doesn’t feel quite right.

Maybe the stitches don’t match your vision.

Maybe the fit is off.

Maybe you’ve been “resting” the project for three weeks because your gut already knows: You need to frog it.

And friends, I just did.

I have a design I absolutely adore on paper. The yarn? Dreamy. The stitch pattern? Lovely. But every time I picked it up, I felt a little tug in my chest that said, “This isn’t it.” I tried to ignore it. But I wasn’t knitting—I was avoiding. And that told me everything I needed to know.

So… I ripped. Carefully. Slowly. A little nervously. Because what if I was overthinking this. And you know what? I’m so glad I did. I've started over and now it's exactly what I hoped for.

Here’s what I want you to know, in case you’re sitting with that same quiet knowing:

Frogging isn’t failing.

It’s choosing yourself. It’s choosing joy. It’s saying, “I care enough to make this right.”

We honor our time, creativity, and patience not by pushing through what doesn’t feel good but by giving ourselves the grace to try again.

A Few Tips If You’re About to Frog:

• Take a photo of your work before you rip—it’ll remind you how far you’ve come.

• Use a lifeline in tricky areas so you don’t lose your place completely.

• Mark your pattern where you’re stopping or restarting.

• Give yourself a break after ripping. Make a cup of tea. Snuggle your dog or cat (if they'll let you). Do a little yarn winding.

  
  

Frogging is emotional work. But it’s also hopeful. It’s the art of letting go, with love, so something even better can take its place.

So if you’ve been stuck, unsure, or feeling that internal nudge…This is your permission slip.

You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to frog. And you are absolutely allowed to try again...with joy, confidence, and a fresh cast-on.

Let’s normalize the messy parts of making. The rip-backs. The redos. The “not this time” moments. Because they’re part of the magic too.

Cheers & Stitches,

Crystal

PS: Have you had to frog something recently? How did it feel? What did it teach you? I’d love to hear your story—drop it in the comments or send me an email.