I've been buying and using Vintage Thifted yarn all of them were Brand new priced at $1-$2 to even 50 cents. So for me im enjoying it and its fun been thinking selling the iteam i make from my thrift store vintage yarns and turn them into a little moneymaker.
I started as an avid crocheter, and just recently started knitting because I wanted handmade socks for less than $50. 😂 So, point here: There’s only one type of crochet pattern I will make for others or sell: Heide Bears crochet animals. They are so fun to make, I’ve made the hippo pattern at least 5 times, and the elephant pattern twice. I make the client pay for the pattern (even tho I already own it) and I make them pay for all the yarn and stuffing (even tho I may have enough stuffing). I definitely don’t charge enough for this, as in DK weight takes at least 50 active hours to make, but I absolutely enjoy making them and my man doesn’t want any more of them hanging around the house. 😅
That's great that you're enjoying yourself. You should charge more, though! Especially if the clients aren't personal friends. Don't sell yourself short.
You bring up a LOT of good points, Becca. Some of them I've thought about before, and some of them are new for me to ponder. I've mostly given my finished projects as gifts over some years, but I have also sold a few commissioned items. Of course, like a typical new crafter, I'm pretty certain I undercharged. It was because it was a fairly new pattern for me and I didn't feel confident enough in my finished projects to ask for more. :( That was a good experience for me as it gave me a sneak peek on that "obligated" feeling you mentioned. I totally understand your mindset, especially on the topic of deadlines and not wanting your passion to feel "like a job".
Two other factors that go into what to charge: the cost of the pattern OR the cost of our time in designing it and our time getting measurements and checking fit if it’s a fitted garment.
Yes. I completely forgot to add the pattern price when I was recording. And I could never make a fitted garment that wasn't custom so that would definitely add extra time to the process. (Don't even get me started on designers pricing their patterns to low!)
I am sick of people telling me that “oh they are so lovely you should sell these “. I hate it. Every time I hear it it’s annoying me coz I am not giving someone gift to just run with it and showing everyone and then people who I don’t care about or I don’t know behave like I have to must make them x thing. Like no I don’t have to. It’s not a business and it won’t be a business. I also can’t be bothered. I hate getting requests. I hate knitting for requests. I done a lots of things for my family for Christmas and I stay by it. I knit and crochet for myself and for my enjoyment only. If I want to gift something to someone I will. I knit when I have time and I buy yarn when I want to. People are so pushy that at this point I don’t want make anyone anything for any request
I know this is a fairly old video, but to hear you put into words exactly my thoughts was music to my ears. I'm very new to knitting, which is how I stumbled across you - now subscribed - but I used to do lots of other crafts and didn't want to sell them for exactly the same reasons. Many years ago, my Dad used to paint hen and goose eggs. He spent hours (and blood vessels) blowing them and painting them, and they were beautiful. Some colleagues wanted to see some so he took a selection to work with him and the black enamel ones with Geishas on them were a massive hit so they all wanted one. We had a production line going - he blew and painted, my Mum, sister and myself made the boxes... It killed it stone dead for him because he didn't want to keep doing the same thing and it took all of the fun out of it. So he stopped, and never painted an egg again. I've had the same experience with some things that I made, so I don't do those things any more. Everyone seems to want to make money out of everything these days, but I'd rather do it for pleasure, so here I go on my knitting adventure, and I will be checking out all of your helpful videos. Sorry for long, rambling comment...
That is such a sad story! But welcome to the world of knitting! I hope you love it. I haven't done any videos for a bit (life...) but I'm working on a few new ones finally.
I’m going to send this to my family! I feel exactly the same about my knitting and sewing. You can never charge what your item is worth! I would hate tight deadlines. I enjoy making for my family and friends. I always have a ‘to do’ list and enjoy them asking me to make things for them or I can ask them do they want anything specific, colour, pattern etc.
Becca J Norman Either too stressful which gets to your last point. Or too boring which is another point. When asked why I don’t sell sweaters, I say: nobody would buy them.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I've been buying and using Vintage Thifted yarn all of them were Brand new priced at $1-$2 to even 50 cents. So for me im enjoying it and its fun been thinking selling the iteam i make from my thrift store vintage yarns and turn them into a little moneymaker.
I started as an avid crocheter, and just recently started knitting because I wanted handmade socks for less than $50. 😂
So, point here: There’s only one type of crochet pattern I will make for others or sell: Heide Bears crochet animals. They are so fun to make, I’ve made the hippo pattern at least 5 times, and the elephant pattern twice. I make the client pay for the pattern (even tho I already own it) and I make them pay for all the yarn and stuffing (even tho I may have enough stuffing). I definitely don’t charge enough for this, as in DK weight takes at least 50 active hours to make, but I absolutely enjoy making them and my man doesn’t want any more of them hanging around the house. 😅
That's great that you're enjoying yourself. You should charge more, though! Especially if the clients aren't personal friends. Don't sell yourself short.
You bring up a LOT of good points, Becca. Some of them I've thought about before, and some of them are new for me to ponder. I've mostly given my finished projects as gifts over some years, but I have also sold a few commissioned items. Of course, like a typical new crafter, I'm pretty certain I undercharged. It was because it was a fairly new pattern for me and I didn't feel confident enough in my finished projects to ask for more. :( That was a good experience for me as it gave me a sneak peek on that "obligated" feeling you mentioned. I totally understand your mindset, especially on the topic of deadlines and not wanting your passion to feel "like a job".
Two other factors that go into what to charge: the cost of the pattern OR the cost of our time in designing it and our time getting measurements and checking fit if it’s a fitted garment.
Yes. I completely forgot to add the pattern price when I was recording. And I could never make a fitted garment that wasn't custom so that would definitely add extra time to the process. (Don't even get me started on designers pricing their patterns to low!)
I am sick of people telling me that “oh they are so lovely you should sell these “. I hate it. Every time I hear it it’s annoying me coz I am not giving someone gift to just run with it and showing everyone and then people who I don’t care about or I don’t know behave like I have to must make them x thing. Like no I don’t have to. It’s not a business and it won’t be a business. I also can’t be bothered. I hate getting requests. I hate knitting for requests. I done a lots of things for my family for Christmas and I stay by it. I knit and crochet for myself and for my enjoyment only. If I want to gift something to someone I will. I knit when I have time and I buy yarn when I want to. People are so pushy that at this point I don’t want make anyone anything for any request
Mind blown 🤯
That is so cool how you broke it all down.
I know this is a fairly old video, but to hear you put into words exactly my thoughts was music to my ears. I'm very new to knitting, which is how I stumbled across you - now subscribed - but I used to do lots of other crafts and didn't want to sell them for exactly the same reasons. Many years ago, my Dad used to paint hen and goose eggs. He spent hours (and blood vessels) blowing them and painting them, and they were beautiful. Some colleagues wanted to see some so he took a selection to work with him and the black enamel ones with Geishas on them were a massive hit so they all wanted one. We had a production line going - he blew and painted, my Mum, sister and myself made the boxes... It killed it stone dead for him because he didn't want to keep doing the same thing and it took all of the fun out of it. So he stopped, and never painted an egg again. I've had the same experience with some things that I made, so I don't do those things any more. Everyone seems to want to make money out of everything these days, but I'd rather do it for pleasure, so here I go on my knitting adventure, and I will be checking out all of your helpful videos. Sorry for long, rambling comment...
That is such a sad story! But welcome to the world of knitting! I hope you love it. I haven't done any videos for a bit (life...) but I'm working on a few new ones finally.
I’m going to send this to my family! I feel exactly the same about my knitting and sewing. You can never charge what your item is worth! I would hate tight deadlines. I enjoy making for my family and friends. I always have a ‘to do’ list and enjoy them asking me to make things for them or I can ask them do they want anything specific, colour, pattern etc.
Hi. I agree. I've knitted lots of tiny bunnies to sell. I'm knitting myself a jumper now. X
Ooh, enjoy that change of pace!
I agree with “I knit what I want to knit”
A custom knit is almost impossible. ie I want blue….is there only one blue and all the other stuff you said
Yes! In a way, I would be more limited by offering a list of attributes for someone to choose from.
Becca J Norman Either too stressful which gets to your last point. Or too boring which is another point. When asked why I don’t sell sweaters, I say: nobody would buy them.
Not worth to sell. I’m very passionate in knitting, I love designing my own and give to my family.
It's much more fun that way, right?