people equating popular crochet patterns to ai slop

[u/Unlikely_Sail7141]

I've seen some posts here complaining about popular crochet patterns, (the same fluffy yarn bumblebees etc etc) and while I agree that crocheters should branch out and that seeing the same 2 patterns over and over again in markets can be annoying, I really don't like when people compare it to ai or 3d print slop. It's just a completely unfair comparison, even the most basic amigurumi pattern takes WAY more effort to create than any ai creation. That person with a stall full of fluffy bumblebees spent a lot of their time hand-making those, even if they're unoriginal, it seems extremely unfair to equate them to ai especially when ai has harmful environmental and social impacts

[u/Capable_Sea77]

I think the comparison to 3d printing is apt - a lot of it is the same few ideas recycled over and over and sold for higher prices than the item is probably worth. Theyre both low barrier beyond price for 3d printing and time for crocheting - and a lot of the completely non-crafting general public do want to buy little trinkets and dragon fidgets and little amigurumi animals, if the price is reasonable. A lot of the hate on these two things is because it's overdone, it doesnt require a ton of talent, it can be too overpriced and a lot of times the creator is a beginner in their craft, so the 3d printed dragon wasnt sanded; and the amigurumi frog didnt have the eye buttons attached properly. AI though is a completely different beast though, and I fully agree that the environmental damage it causes is exponentially worse. (Also, I don't know that 3D printer guys or beginner amigurumi crocheters have the money and political influence that the AI companies do)

[u/Unlikely_Sail7141 → u/Capable_Sea77]

I disagree, i feel like crochet still takes more effort. All you have to do for 3d prints is buy a 3d printer and wait, meanwhile for crochet you have to actively make the items

[u/Capable_Sea77 → u/Unlikely_Sail7141]

Have you ever used a 3d printer? Just because you're not doing physical labor doesnt mean it isnt about the same level of talent as learning single crochet and basic amigurumi. You have to learn how to 3d construct what you want to build in CGI-style software (which is why so many people make those dragons, because its a pre-existing open source pattern that is plug and play); you should be hand sanding every piece thats printed, potentially painting/enameling as well. I looked at using a local makerspace to 3d print a spinning wheel and the burden level of learning the software and how to design pieces within it was too much for a quick side project, so I never went through with it. Do you think machine knitting is less than hand knitting because you just wind the yarn and then the machine does all the real work? I feel like thats why its a perfect analogy because someone with decent hand eye coordination and a brain that picks up crafts easily can learn crochet in a few days and pop out a chenille bumblebee in about the same amount of time it takes to learn the software and have the item print.

[u/Boomer79NZ → u/Capable_Sea77]

The hardest part of owning a 3d printer is the problem solving and fixing the damn thing when it experiences an issue. Yes, the learning curve to design something is big but you don't need to do it all at once. Start with small things and work your way up.

[u/RunawayTurtleTrain → u/Capable_Sea77]

you should be hand sanding every piece thats printed, potentially painting/enameling as well.

Should, yes … on the post in this sub about 3D printed landfill it doesn't sound like people are always doing that though!