18 DIY Crafts Everyone Tried But Never Finished
Here's a lighthearted roundup of crafty projects that most people started with excitement but abandoned halfway.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
DIY projects always begin with enthusiasm, a shopping cart full of supplies or a Pinterest board of inspiration. However, between the first step and the final product, motivation fizzles out. From half-painted mason jars to never-stitched quilts, here are 18 DIY crafts that nearly everyone has tried but rarely completed.
1. Knitting a Scarf
Ruth Hartnup on Wikimedia Commons
Many beginners pick up knitting needles with dreams of a cozy, hand-made scarf. However, after a few uneven rows and lots of dropped stitches, the project ends up shoved in a drawer.
2. Homemade Candles
Indrajit Das on Wikimedia Commons
The idea of pouring wax into jars sounds simple, but the process can be messy. Wicks fall over, colors don’t mix right, and the whole kitchen smells like burnt crayons.
3. Scrapbooking
PickPik
At first, it feels fun to decorate pages with stickers and photos. However, once people realize how time-consuming it is to cut, glue, and design layouts, the project often stalls.
4. Macramé Plant Hangers
Diana Reyes on Pexels
Braiding ropes for a trendy plant hanger starts out exciting. However, keeping track of knots and patterns can be surprisingly confusing.
5. DIY Quilts
Erik Mclean on Pexels
The thought of stitching together a patchwork quilt sounds charming. However, between measuring, cutting fabric squares, and hours at the sewing machine, most people give up halfway.
6. Tie-Dye T-Shirts
MpegMan on Wikimedia Commons
Squirting colorful dyes on a white tee seems like a foolproof summer project. However, the end results are usually blotchy, muddy-looking shirts.
7. Homemade Soap
Meruyert Gonullu on Pexels
Soap-making requires precise measurements and sometimes tricky chemicals like lye. A small mistake can ruin the batch or make it unsafe.
8. Jewelry Making
San José Public Library on Flickr
Craft stores sell endless beads and wire for DIY earrings and bracelets. However, bending wire and closing clasps neatly is harder than it looks.
9. Embroidery Hoops
Hey Paul Studios on Flickr
Starting an embroidery design feels relaxing at first. However, keeping the stitches even and following patterns takes lots of concentration.
10. Clay Pottery at Home
PickPik
Shaping clay by hand always looks effortless in videos. In reality, the pieces often collapse, crack, or come out of the oven lopsided.
11. Crocheted Blankets
Ryannguthrie2000 on Wikimedia Commons
Just like knitting, crocheting a blanket starts with excitement. However, after a few hours, you realize it takes hundreds of stitches to cover even a small section.
12. Homemade Picture Frames
Daria Liudnaya on Pexels
Gluing popsicle sticks together or decorating wooden frames seems like an easy win. However, once people start sanding, painting, and sealing, it quickly feels tedious.
13. DIY Terrariums
Lucy Serafi on Wikimedia Commons
Building a miniature garden in a glass jar sounds simple enough. However, plants wilt, condensation fogs the glass, and maintenance becomes a hassle.
14. Stained Glass Kits
Unconventional-Knuckle on Pinterval
Kits promise stunning sun catchers, but the process involves cutting sharp glass pieces and messy soldering. One wrong move can ruin the entire design.
15. Handmade Rugs
Joe Haupt on Flickr
Braiding or weaving rugs takes endless time and effort. After hours of looping fabric strips, the rug is barely the size of a placemat.
16. Wooden Birdhouses
PickPik
Painting and assembling birdhouses is fun at first. However, measuring and nailing pieces together often leads to lopsided results. Many half-built birdhouses never actually make it outside.
17. Cross-Stitch Samplers
PickPik
Tiny x-shaped stitches on patterned fabric look beautiful in finished form. However, completing even a small design requires countless hours.
18. DIY Holiday Ornaments
PxHere
Every holiday season inspires a burst of crafting energy. However, halfway through making glittery ornaments, the mess and effort outweigh the fun.