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What Is Advanced Crafter Syndrome?

Advanced Crafter Syndrome (ACS) is a potentially serious illness. It affects approximately 4 in every 10 crafters.

What Are the Symptoms of ACS?

While there is no laboratory test for ACS, many people suffering from ACS exhibit the following behaviors:

  • An inability to follow written craft pattern instructions exactly as written. Patients may claim to “know a better way to do this”.
  • Maintaining a large amount, or “stash”, of crafting materials. In some cases patients have been known to have a stash large enough to require its own room.
  • Spending more per month on crafting materials than on food.
  • The desire to cover public property with crafting items, sometimes referred to as “yarn bombing”.
  • Conversing with other crafters via social networking sites while at work in addition to compulsively viewing crafting websites and tutorial videos.
  • A refusal “on principle” to purchase store bought items if the patient feels he/she can make something similar, even when making the item will cost three times as much as the store bought version.

How Does ACS Spread?

ACS is spread via social contact, in person and online, with others already infected. Recent outbreaks have been associated with exposure to craft related you-tube videos and twitter.

How Is ACS Treated?

There is currently no known cure for ACS. Stash busting, or the focused use of crafting materials in order to lessen one’s supplies, provides temporary relief.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have ACS?

If you think you may have ACS, contact a local support group.