Crocheting (or knitting) for others - UNPOPULAR OPINIONS

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  • Опубликовано: 8 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 57

  • @StitchesGonnaStitch
    @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +5

    🐘 Don't you just hate when something ruins your stitching mojo? What are you working on lately? 🧶🧵🪡

  • @Shelbyluhoo
    @Shelbyluhoo Месяц назад +19

    People expect handmade items at Walmart prices, and unfortunately some people give in to that expectation and way undercharge for something that we know took a long time to make

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +6

      Yes, I know people who don't care about making fair money but it's such a disservice to everyone else. And obviously machine knit stuff doesn't help. Even worse, I went down a TikTok rabbit hole and found people in China live selling CROCHET plushies for Walmart prices - meaning someone is making and making and making without fair pay.

    • @Shelbyluhoo
      @Shelbyluhoo Месяц назад +2

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch yes, it undervalues everyone else's work! And the exploitation of labor in China is a whole problem in itself

    • @GillianBergh
      @GillianBergh Месяц назад +1

      After many request at work, I started knitting to order. I did not charge much for the work, but would only take on projects if the person bought the yarn. I told them it did not have to be the same brand , as long as it was the same type (DK, 4ply etc.)

  • @castironskilletgranny
    @castironskilletgranny Месяц назад +10

    Yup. My first time you tube presented you to me. You go girl! Do what you want! Charge what you feel like!
    I spent a career as an engineering designer then taught the same for a bit at college level. When anyone gets snarky or sassy with me about my beloved crochet or sewing, I put on my lecturing professor persona, describe my pricing at the same rates as i would a mechanical design and make it clear that my time is money whether it's yarn, fabric, metal, electronics or any other medium. My elder daughter says, "Mom you are not a social butterfly, you're a social dragonfly." I'm old enough to pick my bug.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Welcome and thanks for hanging out! 💜 I almost fell like I should value it MORE because I don't get to enjoy it as much as I'd like to. My yarn 🧶 time is precious.
      Your daughter sounds awesome! Lol

    • @castironskilletgranny
      @castironskilletgranny Месяц назад +2

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch I did subscribe but been busy so have only watched this video. So I don't know your personal situation, but get the impression that your craft is not what's putting food on the table. Now, I don't know about you, but with the popularity of crochet right now, I have enough people whom I love, to just spend my joyful stitching time for them. Those other people? Well, if they aren't kind enough to move my heart, well, I don't need a negative attitude while I'm stitching. Nice people might get something from me, but the rest can fade into the background noise.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +2

      @@castironskilletgranny thanks for the subscribe and it's totally fine! Correct, I work full time, often over 40 hours plus all the other usual stuff: family, aging parents, etc. And yes, I'm not going to use my precious stitching time feeling dread or resentment.

  • @theMermaidRhonda
    @theMermaidRhonda Месяц назад +12

    Hi from SW Ohio! I know how infuriating it is when people act like what we do is so trivial. I did a craft market last year and I had one of my shawls on display...it was made from Hobbii Universe yarn and was beaded along the bottom rows. Just one row of the beaded part took over an hour. Someone asked me how much it was and I said $400...it took over two weeks to make and I wasn't taking less than that. She looked at me like I was crazy, so I explained why it was that much. I don't know if she really got the point, but I tried! Nice to find your channel..:)

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +3

      Hi from NEO!!! A remember a guy in a Browns Backers club complaining that a knot or crochet hat on Etsy starts at $50 and why couldn't it be $20? So I took my hourly - conveniently $20/hr at the time, and accounted for materials. Made the ribbing band and posted this is $20 of work and material. He got the picture but I sincerely doubt he'd ever pay a decent amount anyway. But yes - beaded is... quite an endeavor. I remember doing a Kitman Figueroa patten phase in my life. Why, literally why lol. They turned out beautifully though. My spare time is valuable gosh yarnit!

    • @GillianBergh
      @GillianBergh Месяц назад +2

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch I would have suggested he buy the materials including crochet hook or knitting needles, and make it himself. If he says he can't knit, I'd say 'get a library book or watch a You-tube video.

  • @fiberandfiction
    @fiberandfiction День назад

    I really like how you describe the feeling of the yarn on various needles. Great info!!!
    I only knit and crochet for myself and gifts because people don’t appreciate cost or work involved in making, regardless of media.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  20 часов назад

      Thanks - and yes absolutely most people do not get it. And they think that because I *have* yarn already, it's basically free. That's not how that works...

  • @Mantelinorsu
    @Mantelinorsu 8 дней назад

    Such a random coincidence, and this has nothing to do with handcrafts, but I also had a revelation about turning a hobby into a career while playing in a military band - for me it was conscription though, not employment, so I already knew when my last day would be when I started. It was absolutely an excellent experience overall and, if it were possible, I would do the year-long stint again, but it definitely solidified for me that, as fun as it was, I do not want to be a professional musician and instead want to keep it as a hobby I can enjoy. I think knowing that it will end on a specific day made it easier on the bad moments, because I knew it would not last forever and a different kind of life was waiting for me afterwards. But it also made the good moments all the more bittersweet...
    After leaving service, it took me quite a while to first of all find the joy of playing again and then to rediscover the type of music I like playing and the type of ensemble I like to be a part of. Nowadays, I play in an amateur orchestra whose level is high enough to be a nice challenge but not too high that it would suck the joy out of it, and I love it there. I am so happy I found the love of making music again.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  8 дней назад +1

      Awww that's great! I haven't gotten the music bug back (yet). I have gone through periods of not crafting if I took too many orders and burnt myself out. Glad you were able to rediscover the joy!

  • @BellaAnderson-o11o1o
    @BellaAnderson-o11o1o 26 дней назад +1

    Elephants are a symbol of wisdom, and your story is full of wisdom. Creative people develop their skills through personal enjoyment and personal expression. Turning that into a monotonous job for money takes the joy out of it, even though a mark of success is people paying you for your skills, because they find value in the things you make. It's an odd thing that I think many creative people struggle to make sense out of. But yeah, great storytime.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  26 дней назад

      Thank you! 💜 Elephants are my favorite animal so I am honored for the wisdom comment. I do think it's one HUNDRED percent OK to make your job crochet but I don't want anyone to get burnt out and it's worth having alternate hobbies outside of yarn. I can't remember who it was I watched recently that said the only reason they every sell is because they keep making things but can't keep everything. I thought that was so incredibly valid and probably going to be how I view selling. If I have enough extras, or I decide I loved this thing once and now prefer others, it'll be OK to let it go.

  • @TheNMDavis
    @TheNMDavis Месяц назад +4

    I think I might have listened to the video you were talking about. It helped me solidify a decision I was trying to make and feel good about it. I related to so much of what you talked about here - even the music part. I was a harpist for a number of years and felt I couldn't turn down any job even if I had no business doing it. As such it ruined my enjoyment of playing. i don't intend to let that happen to me with crochet. Thanks for saying all you did.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Yes I've burned myself out before - even with charity crochet. I've given plenty so I'm fine saying no. My local stitching group someone asked if we could do a charity project (I started the group) ans I said anyone is welcome to coordinate it but I'm stretched too thin to participate. Needless to say, nobody ever did it. They always want someone else to do all the legwork. Creating should be fun, not a crank-out-as-much-as-I-can just for the sake of it. One of my locked in orders wanted to add another (sewing) project and I directed her to another coworker and said I'm paring down after my current slate. She's like omg you can skip the doll I'd rather have the shirt so thankfully she understood.

  • @ki-rort
    @ki-rort Месяц назад +3

    I never sell any of my items. I normally donate what I make. If someone wants me to make something for them, I usually will, but I only let them pay for the yarn and shipping if required.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +2

      I used to do that but it got to the point where I could never make anything for myself.

    • @ki-rort
      @ki-rort Месяц назад +1

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch I only have a few folks who have ever asked me for anything so it works for me.

  • @AuntBirdiesNest1114
    @AuntBirdiesNest1114 23 дня назад

    I really want to know what all you said! I agree with about the first half of your video, but you hadn't gotten to your point by then, and that running water in the background drove me nuts! I've been trying to get into selling my knit and crochet items, but I do intricate work with tiny hooks and needles, so it takes a long time and generally is not worth the prices I'm able to charge. Kudos to you for making it work! If enough of us demand to be paid for our time, the popular thinking will eventually change.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  23 дня назад

      Sorry I usually unplug the cat fountain but sometimes I forget. But exactly, if everyone started sticking to standard pricing it would possibly be worth it. But unfortunately I've been to craft shows as a customer and there is always at least one booth that only charges a little more than the yarn cost.

  • @EverythingBekka
    @EverythingBekka Месяц назад +2

    😮 I played French Horn too 🫶🏾 Love this rant, your video & your honesty!

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +2

      Wow that's rare to find another French horn alum. Thanks for hanging out 💜

    • @YARNBARF
      @YARNBARF Месяц назад +1

      ​ I played the French Horn in Jr High School, in Eb.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Wow a mini French horn club! Lol

    • @EverythingBekka
      @EverythingBekka Месяц назад

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch 🤣 who will be 1st chair 🪑

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      @@EverythingBekka definitely not me anymore. I'm not even sure I remember how to read music 😬😆🙃

  • @jessmakingit
    @jessmakingit Месяц назад +1

    Oh my goodness, I thought I was the only one that disliked Hobby Lobby's website, Joann's app, and the Michael's in my area is garbage also. I literally have a better yarn supply at home. I was also in Joann's the other day and their yarn dept was so messy and disorganized. It was hard to find anything specific. I'm all about taking the risk to order online and have it shipped or pick it up curbside now. It's kind of weird that I'm able to order for pick up and have things in stock that I couldn't find at all "in store". Oh well, that's how it goes, not a big enough deal for me to allow it live rent free in my brain.
    Ok, NO WAY that you should take less just because it's a side gig. Custom = upcharge, working "overtime" = upcharge. It has to be worth it and just because it's a side gig doesn't mean it's worth less. Also & most importantly, just because you like your job/gig doesn't mean you should make less! Nope, nope, nope!!!!
    Enjoying your craft/art/job is not punishable by making less money. LOL, just think how silly that sounds.
    I enjoyed your video and I totally get that you have to be super careful about hobby-job crossover activities. I've ruined more than one hobby that way. Take care & have a great day!

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Thank you! And yeah it's crazy how hard it is to shop online. I talked myself into just ordering online from Michael's and got so frustrated I gave up. It's sad because the first one in my general area (over a half hour away) was awesome when it opened. I just don't have any other reason to go to that area now and traffic is so bad there. The JoAnns by work is hit or miss, but definitely a smaller yarn section because it's a strip mall style store. Luckily my "home" (still not a super short drive or anything - rural life) JoAnns is the great big giant one in Hudson OH so I get spoiled by their offerings. But also overwhelmed sometimes because they keep expanding their yarn (yay). It does often mean I can order and get stuff in a day or two though even if I have it shipped. I ordered blanket quantity of one of their Halloween yarns over the weekend and I had it on my doorstep yesterday.
      Since it's the flagship, I did call and ask them about why the stock on the app says zero but regular website has 3 of a particular yarn a couple months ago. I just didn't want to waste the trip. She did admit they hold some stock for in-store shoppers or in case there's an inaccuracy in inventory. Then they went and grabbed it until I was able to get over there.

  • @99zanne
    @99zanne Месяц назад +2

    I think you are entitled to charge what you choose to charge! It’s your time and your hands, so it’s your choice.

  • @x77punk77x
    @x77punk77x Месяц назад +3

    I have no Hobby Lobby location near me which is fine because that company is crazy-right-wing and a lot of people in my county boycott businesses like that. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    We’re lucky in my area to have lovingly run and well-curated yarn stores to complement mainstays like Michael’s & Joann ❤

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +4

      Everyone is welcome to vote with their dollars.

    • @creative2716
      @creative2716 Месяц назад

      WTF? Keep politics out of knit/crochet.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      @@creative2716 thanks for the idea to include this in a future video.

  • @Doridoesthings
    @Doridoesthings Месяц назад +2

    Hey Holly! 👋 I'm Dori. 😅 just sitting here working on an amigurumi piece (crochet). I like chatty videos. That's the kind of content I like to put out as well!
    I have a list, like Santa, .. only certain people even make the list and when they send me stuff "I should totally make" , I write it next to their names and maybe they'll get lucky 😂😂

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Hi Dori! I will check you out. And omgoodness I totally do that with the dry erase board on my fridge (minus my dad since he visits somewhat regularly). Just the other day I was like, why do I have so many Minnie patterns on my Ravelry queue? Then I remembered who wanted one last year. Oh well, it was going to be a total surprise anyway.

  • @Lauraetcetera
    @Lauraetcetera Месяц назад +1

    Hi Holly, nice to "meet" you! I do also get put off by people telling me I can make them things (as if it's a privilege lol) but I know it's meant to be a compliment, obviously they like what I make enough to own it/wear it/use it. Just curious...do you prefer to knit or crochet? I started knitting but once I found crochet, I'll never go back haha (ok that's a lie, I did knit a scarf for a crochet stuffie once). I really hate to online shop for yarn. I much prefer to touch and feel everything first, plus make sure the yarn matches. Even when I went to hobby lobby and wanted a few skeins of some fluffy frosted yarn, the undertone color didn't match (different shades).

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад

      Yes - they think we should be honored that we "get to crochet" um, yeah but I'm not crocheting what *I* want! It's my spare time and even my job pays me VERY well when I have to work in my spare time. I do enjoy knitting but finding quality ergonomic crochet holds that MY wrist likes has made me practically stop knitting altogether. It usually just depends on what I want to make and lately crochet stuffing is what my inner 8 year old wants lol. If I don't know a yarn/color very well I FOR SURE go in person. But for general basic colors or for yarns I'm already familiar with - please spare me the trip. I'm also semi-rural so on a day like today when I'm WFH it's a solid 30 min to JoAnn (granted I'm lucky that it would be the original Hudson flagship). Even Walmart is over 15 min away and not well stocked by me. I've also had very positive experiences trying KnitPicks and just ordered a bunch of fall colors. I totally get not wanting to chance it though!

    • @GillianBergh
      @GillianBergh Месяц назад +1

      Worse than a compliment, they act as if they are doing you a favour by asking!

  • @Which-Craft
    @Which-Craft Месяц назад +3

    A job is a job is a job. You are definitely not wrong to charge accordingly, nor are you required to give up your work/life balance for it. I knit/crochet/weave first as a hobby, and if it turns into a job, it's still supplies and time and job wages. I can only do it as a hobby, and I will not take on requested projects if they are too time consuming - why? Because it's my hobby, not a job. If it becomes a job for me. I will quit, because the love of the hobby is gone.

    • @Which-Craft
      @Which-Craft Месяц назад

      Go 42, baby! yes!

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +3

      Yes! The whole "do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life" adage doesn't necessarily apply to hobbies. If someone LIKES making and selling, that's cool but I also suspect they have at least one other hobby to break it up.

    • @Which-Craft
      @Which-Craft Месяц назад +1

      @@StitchesGonnaStitch Exactly. I love my job and I love what I do in my job. But my hobbies help me break away from it so I can preserve that work/life balance and my sanity!

  • @Sheisme120
    @Sheisme120 Месяц назад

    I got a fairly big bag of fiber stuffer at Michael’s for about $6.99.

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      The regular is not bad but I did look up the Silky recently and.... they are by far the highest. Obviously regular fiber fill is totally fine, I just wanted to be extra with the project in the next video.

  • @Thehistorygeographyandflagnerd
    @Thehistorygeographyandflagnerd Месяц назад +3

    My family asks me to to make hats for them for free and when I say 4000 iqd (not that much at all)they laugh and think it’s a joke

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      That's annoying. I don't think people realize crafting supplies are not cheap these days. Plus, my time that I cannot get back? That's important.

  • @lauraseale8520
    @lauraseale8520 Месяц назад +2

    Were you listening to Charlie, from the Stitchery?

    • @StitchesGonnaStitch
      @StitchesGonnaStitch  Месяц назад +1

      Possibly? She did mention she was ranting on her second channel but didn't mention her main channel.