AI Crochet Or Handmade? More Ways To Spot The Difference

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen beautiful crochet pieces that seem… too good to be true. Artificial Intelligence can now create imitation images of crochet items. It basically creates an image and adds a crochet stitch texture over the top.

Why is this so scary? Because sleazy people are using fake images to get people to share their images, visit clickbait websites, or even pay money for completely fake patterns.

AI-generated images are getting better, but there are still telltale signs that something is off. Let’s break down how you can spot a fake crochet image created by artificial intelligence.

1. Overly Dramatic Stories (The Sob Story Test)

Sometimes, these posts are accompanied by tear-jerking stories, like “My family says my crochet is terrible!” But when you compare the story with the crochet work in the image, something doesn’t add up. If the work looks professional yet the story screams “beginner heartbreak,” be suspicious.

Even if the image is of a real, handmade piece of crochet, these posts are often “like farming.” This means they are gathering likes and comments to move their posts into the algorithm that makes them appear more often in the Facebook feed of those who comment.

So when you see a sob story, resist the urge to like or comment. If you do, you will just start seeing a lot more of them.

2. Unrealistic Color Saturation

AI-generated crochet images often have colors that are too bright or perfectly coordinated. Pay attention to whether the hues look too intense, almost like they’ve been hyper-saturated.

Real crochet photos tend to have more natural lighting and subtle color shifts. If the yarn seems to have the perfect fade from one color to the next, or the colors seem to fade in the middle of a strand of yarn (especially in the wrong direction from the motion of the yarn), the image is probably a fake.

3. Ethereal Lighting and Perfect Shadows

Does the lighting look like it’s straight out of a dream? If the crochet piece is bathed in an ethereal glow, and the shadows are perfectly positioned to show off every detail, it’s probably fake.

Real crochet photos have less “perfect” lighting, with more natural shadows that vary depending on the setup. Real light is rarely perfect.

4. Textures That Are Too Smooth

Real crochet has texture. You can see and almost feel the softness or stiffness of the yarn. AI images often miss this. The textures might look too smooth, almost as if the yarn is made of plastic or digital fabric. The yarn often seems to have no “ply” or strands twisted together to form the yarn. And sometimes it even looks “fluffy” when there is no sign of fuzz coming off the yarn.

5. Size and Complexity Seem Off

If the crochet project looks incredibly complex or the size doesn’t match up with real-life proportions, be cautious. Sometimes the item’s scale or intricate details seem too perfect for a handmade item, indicating that an AI might be at work.

Beware of COUS — Crochet Of Unusual Size.

In reality, these types of crochet projects would need a wire/metal/wood framework underneath or they would sag under the weight of the amount of yarn needed to create them. No sagging on a giant crochet cat? That’s totally fake.

6. Blurred Stitches, Sharp Edges

One giveaway is when the edges of the crochet project are sharp and clear, but the individual stitches are blurred together. In a real crochet piece, you can make out each V or X stitch, but AI tends to gloss over these details, making the stitches appear more like a smooth texture of strands side-by-side than a series of loops.

7. Stitches That Run the Wrong Way

Another red flag: stitches that run in an odd direction. For example, if the stitches aren’t aligned in the usual V or X formation or seem to go against the grain of how crochet typically works, you’re likely looking at an AI-generated image.

8. No Gaps or Visible Increases/Decreases

Real crochet projects have gaps between stitches, especially when you’re working on increasing or decreasing rows. Especially on amigurumi images, look for the increases and decreases. Do the ears just magically come to a point without decreases?

AI-generated images often lack this necessary shaping, making everything look a little too “perfect.”

9. Stitches Stacked Directly on Top of Each Other

In real crochet, stitches tend to drift slightly as you work. However, AI images often show stitches that are perfectly stacked, like little soldiers. This unnatural alignment is a dead giveaway.

10. Gibberish Writing

If there’s any text or writing in the image, check whether it’s legible. AI often struggles with text, so you’ll see random letters or gibberish where there should be coherent writing.

11. No Magic Circle in Amigurumi

For amigurumi lovers, this is a big one. In a real crochet project, you often start with a magic circle that creates a visible center in the round. In AI images, this starting point is often missing, and you’ll see perfectly aligned stitches with no clear beginning.

12. Hazy Backgrounds That Are Still in Focus

Look closely at the background of the image. In real photos, a background might be blurred due to depth of field, but in AI images, the background often has a misty or hazy look that still seems oddly in focus. This dreamy backdrop is a classic sign of AI editing.

13. Proportions and Scale Are Weird

Finally, take a good look at the proportions. Does the amigurumi bunny have unusually long ears? Is that blanket way too big for the chair it’s draped on? If the proportions don’t make sense, it’s a strong hint that AI had a hand in creating the image.

14: Hands and Faces Are A Mess

AI has not mastered humans. The variations of the face and hands of a real person are just too complex for a computer to generate. So look at the people in the image and see if they seems off. Count fingers, toes, even arms! AI tends to mess things things up, and these strangely stretched out humans are a huge red flag that an image is not handmade crochet.

15. “One of These Things Just Doesn’t Belong Here”

Sometimes, there’s just something that feels… off. Trust your gut! If one element of the image feels out of place, it’s likely because the AI didn’t get everything quite right.

Next time you’re admiring crochet work online, keep these tips in mind! While AI can create stunning visuals, nothing beats the charm of a handmade crochet piece. Happy spotting!