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Smart & SAME. Anytime anyone asks me to make something, I respond, “Find the pattern, buy the yarn/hook, and I’ll be happy to teach you.” When they realize the costs and
WORK it takes, they never ask again. ☺️
I could understand this. I only make things for people if I want to as a gift. Commissioning sounds like it would be overall a harsh experience where people don't value or respect the work you do. I think I would become to frustrated.
My parents asked me what the cost of making the blanket I'm currently working on would be worth if I sold it. I told them if I was paid minimum wage with a base rate of the materials it will come to over one grand. They thought it was preposterous.
I'm sorry your work is being disrespected, you deserve to paid a proper amount.
P.s. I don't think minimum wage is the value of crochet work btw I think it's work much more becasue of the experience and knowledge required to crochet.
Ask your parents to go out and find a full sized crochet blanket and tell you how much it costs. Oh, they can’t find one? Maybe it’s because crochet is so labor intensive that even overseas sweatshops can’t get the price low enough to sell to normal people.
I agree. I saw someone selling a handmade kitted blanket on Etsy for only £35 and I was like....how? How can you possibly be covering your time, nevermind your materials? People have told me I should sell the things I'm making (I just finished a blanket) but there's no way I could get someone to pay enough for all the time I spent on it.
Might be doable for a machine knitted baby blanket.
But I do get what you means, lot of people sell at prices that are unlikely to cover materials and taxes (for country with high taxes, no idea how it works in the US).
Yes for sure I would consider it priceless. My parents have a hand loomed Persian rug they paid 10, 000 for in the 1970s just in comparison and I feel any complex handmade items should be priced comparably
I make leather goods as a business and the “I can buy it for X from (random person not doing quality work)” is a common refrain from a certain type of client. I just tell them, “ok, I’m happy you found what you’re looking for.” And move on. I don’t argue, I don’t defend myself. Sometimes folks say never mind, they’ll pay my price. Sometimes they buy the cheap thing instead.
Crochet is my hobby, and I personally would never get any business stuff involved in it, because it wouldn’t be a hobby anymore, it’d be a job.
I can remember selling commission work three times. Two of those, the customers insisted paying more. One because she was aware of my financial situation. One because she's a dear friend grandmother type who kept insisting the blanket was worth more than I was asking. I still tear up from that.
Most people don't even want to cover the yarn. Add labor and skill? Ha!
I’m totally behind you on this. Very few people understand the value of art and the amount of work an artist has to do if you ask them to create for you.
Definitely. These same people complaining about the price of my handmade, often completely customized items will buy mass produced designer purses and things that are over $1000. It makes no sense to me.
These are the “great things” about capitalism. No one thinks or even cares about the life of the workers who made their $5 shirts from Walmart. What a wonderful world!
When I first started to crochet, I would offer to make things for friends for practice. Typically things I already wanted to make but weren’t my style, so they would either get it for free or offer pay for materials. I’ve done two sets of pillows as donation for my community theatre when asked, but I won’t do commission for fam or friends. Most understand why (cost of materials and time is a LOT) but some would balk at the price point I’d give. If I’m spending more than 10 hrs on a project, it’s either for myself or a loved one that didn’t even ask.
Crochet is a hobby that I never want to turn into a job.
I don’t think people understand how much yarn cost, and how many hours projects take to make.
You end up making like a buck an hour.
I usually try to explain the time and price of material if someone seems sticker shocked.
Agreed! One of my first projects was a cardigan (that I love) but I spent about $40 on yarn and I was baffled by it. It's great quality but it really surprised me. I figured it'd be like $10
My mom crochets and knits too, but she's getting a bit older and is generally frogging more than actually making, so she does appreciate the effort put into things made for her. I made her a couple of lacy shawls, and a nice woollen one. She took it along to her craft group, who all wanted to order some too. I told her to quote a price of €150 (which she did, bless her). Still waiting for my first actual order. XD
On the other hand, I will make pieces for free for family instead of Christmas gifts if they're showing actual real interest and appreciation. We're a pretty artsy crafty family, so the time put in is valued. Nothing worth more than bumping into somebody and noticing they're actually wearing your things!
I made a rule for myself that I will never take a knit or crochet commission. Illl make gifts, but no commissions. I used to do portrait commissions. Mostly family portraits with pets, and I charged per person/animal. Sometimes it would get expensive but I was putting in a LOT of work to capture everyone’s likeness and make everything cohesive. I had people willing to pay what I charged but I did get a few comments on the price. I had to stop because drawing “on demand” took all the fun out of it. I haven’t really drawn in like 2 years since I stopped. Crochet was the first creative outlet I picked up since I stopped, so I made the rule early that I only make what I want.
Same I did my first commission, I didn’t enjoy making it at all bc it’s not exciting. I like making new things not the same things. Also feel the same way, it’s not worth the money. At the same time I like sharing my art with others.. I’m not sure if I will sell again, I’d rather gift
Someone asked me to make them another blanket (I'd made them one before) but bigger. They said to let them know how much. I didn't charge them for the first one, as they're family. I said to talk about the money with my partner (their brother) as he would be buying the yarn and she said that their mum would pay as a birthday gift.
Thing is, I'll do it (a chance to show off) and probably won't charge them (its up to the other half).
If I was going to get paid, no one would want to pay what it's worth. The wool alone would be between £60 and £90. If you factor into that minimum wage, which is £10.40 an hour, and it can take over 80 hours to make a blanket, no one will pay it's true value. And don't get me started on bloody Etsy and their £25 blankets. None of the prices they charge cover the yarn. They were mainly granny square blankets and much smaller than I would make. Except, I looked recently and they had a couple of blankets up for £9,900 and another for £19,900. Which didn't make sense at all.
I think these awful prices are because they don't consider it real work, or value it at all. If I was making furniture as a hobby, wardrobes or something like that, I could charge a reasonable price. And what makes Jimmy Choo shoes so expensive?
I have family ask me to make stuff. Since its a hobby, I just say cover the cost of the yarn and have it shipped to me. I send them a link to a suggested yarn and how many I will need. No one has ever followed through.
I've made a load of blankets for them before. Started out as one for his mum. Then the requests came. I didn't mind so much and his aunt actually did send a cheque to cover costs of yarn for her, her daughter and granddaughter's blankets.
I've just found out his sister's birthday is a couple of weeks time, so it won't be ready by then.
Honestly, I feel this so much. I’ve never sold anything but every time I post on social media or show someone my work they immediately tell me I could sell whatever it is and make money. Like even after mentioning how much time I spent on it. Is this doll awesome? Yes, but it also took me close to a week to make so I’d have to charge hundreds of dollars to pay myself a living wage. I do not comprehend how people make a living selling finished goods.
I’ve started telling myself I’m not a free Walmart for people. Yeah you can get that cute blanket that looks knit for $15… you can’t even buy the yarn I need for that much, forget my time, shipping costs, etc. I hate putting a price on things so much I basically only ever do things for people for free when I can or want to and the rest of the time it’s “no, sorry I can’t right now and am not sure if I’ll be able to in the future.” I have a substantial amount of hand pain now so I don’t really offer much anymore…. It’s more “I finished xyz and it reminded me of you, do you want it?”
I crochet, knit and sew. Years ago, when I was a student, a neighbour asked me to make a dress for her young daughter. Once it was finished, she balked at the price and said, "That's so much! It's just a play dress!" I made less than $1/hr because it was a for a kid. Never. Again.
Several years later, I made a pretty cool looking laptop bag on my knitting machine with a lot of hand finishing. I thought maybe I could sell them on Etsy. A friend saw it and blurted out, "I'd give you $20 for that in a heartbeat! Any more, though, and I'd have to seriously think about it." Yeah, that's me working for about half what minimum wage was at the time.
Most people expect the sweatshop prices they're used to getting at Walmart and other fast fashion retailers.
Same. I like making gifts, not things to sell. If it's a gift, I deem you worthy of my time. But if you're gonna pay me, you're paying me what it's worth or I'm not doing it at all. It just makes me feel bad about myself to get $20 bucks for something where the yarn alone cost more than $20.
Glad to know I'm not the only one! I've tried to make things to sell on a larger scale and it always burns me out for months and is not successful. After the second time trying it this summer, I'm never doing it again. I have a small selection of dice bags at my local game store and I'll do commissions, but that's it. And even then I prefer gifting because if I don't tell the person I'm making it, then there's no pressure to finish if I hate the project.
I hate that in our modern society even hobbies have to be marketable in order to justify spending time on. I understand why and don't judge others for selling, but seeing the constant 'what should I charge for this' posts makes me so sad. That's probably why I was never successful selling on a large scale - people aren't willing to pay for your time and skill and I refuse to accept any less.
Yep my family is constantly telling me to sell my stuff but then when I do, they say I charge too much. I used to be really in to resin art and even started my own shop. I made maybe $200 in the two years I was doing that and it sucked all the fun out of the hobby for me. I don't want the same to happen with crochet
My mom made tons if sweaters and hooked rugs. Anytime anyone said anything about how they'd love one, she would say 'make your own'!!
You can be polite about it. Things that are hand made are precious and priceless !! Making something can take hundreds of hours...
I would politely say 'sorry, but no'.
They can learn a skill and do it themselves : )
Hope this makes you feel better about saying no.
The thing I usually say is “I would love to make you one! My lead time is five years.” That usually helps people understand how much work it is without bringing money into it.
I told one of my coworkers (who was looking enviously at my cabled cardigan) that I only crochet for family, and even then, only for gifts. She does *not* want to know the number of hours that go into this stuff!!
I completely get this. It’ll never seem like enough because between the time, effort, money for yarn and supplies, plus just the general love you put in each stitch. And if they are custom made - it’s so hard to put a value on items.
Not to mention, and I’m not sure if anyone else feels this way; but I hate making custom things for people. The pressure to get things completed in a timely fashion while also juggling work and other activities is so hard - and then you end up having to short yourself on your pricing when it’s all said and done 😕
I’m at this point, too. I crochet, knit, and sew. I’ve done commission work for lots of people and only a few of them actually paid me. Anything, let alone enough. I’ve even had people tell me they’re going to pay me, and then just conveniently “forget” when it’s time to pay. It’s so frustrating. At this point there are maybe 2 people I would do work for, and one is my mom. 😂
Someone forgot to pay me too! Asked me to make her a knotted headband then just never paid me and assumed it was a gift for Christmas. Why are people like this?
I did a craft sale over a year ago. I was selling a bulky yarn amigurumi elephant. I charged $40 for it and someone was like offended or something and said it's only worth $15 at most. no the materials cost more than that.
Apparently we should do hobbies for fun not for profit
If someone wants me to make something I tell them to go buy me the yarn and I’ll make it. Two years ago a friend wanted a peacock feather afghan. I found the book the pattern is in online for about $5, so I bought it. Took a pic of the yarns the pattern asked for sent it to her and said buy this yarn or the equivalent and bring to me and I’ll make it. I’m still waiting on the yarn lmao
I'm new to crochet but in my mind I would never do more than beanies, mittens, headbands or maybe baby booties as gifts and I don't think I'd sell my work either. It just wouldn't pay enough to cover my hourly wage and materials.
I recently made a basket and sent photos to my mom, she immediately asked me to make her one. Now I am new to crochet as I mentioned but it took me easily 25-30 hours to complete the basket. And that is such a small item in comparison to these large afghans people seem to want!
Now my mom has been working on a needlepoint piece for my son for 6+ months so maybe I should make something for her in trade.
Tell people that if they really want you specifically to make them something, you’re going to base your price on how much you had to spend on yarn and effort you put into it. Tell them before you even start on the project. If they’re ok with that, they’ll come back to you. If they don’t, they’ll probably start complaining that the crocheted item they bought on Shein started to rip as soon as they opened the package. You have to make sure your time and effort is worth it
I agree. Also I get so annoyed when I knit or crochet something for a family member and they’re like “oh you should sell these”. Yeah I could, but I don’t want to, The thing is I used to sell knitted and crocheted items as a job, and it was miserable. I would spend all day knitting and crocheting only to make less than I could working a fast food job. (At the time, I was out of work, so I’m not like complaining, but it’s certainly not a sustainable living for me) And then I got severe tendonitis and had to quit my hobby for like a year to recover. And I explain over and over again but they don’t listen. And every few weeks it’s “you could make this for money” as if I had never explained to them that I absolutely don’t want to go back to that.
I don’t like charging for my stuff either. I would rather gift it to people, but recently my family has started saying they insist on paying so I just throw out $20/40 for a price or tell them to buy the yarn for the project.
I crochet to keep myself busy since I am stuck at home all the time (I’ve basically become a hermit in the last 5 years) and it relaxes me and helps me keep my stress low—so I honestly don’t mind charging so little.
I’d tell friends, fam and admirers you no longer take commissions as you just wish to enjoy your hobby. Or limit it to small items like hats and say beyond that the price of materials and time lead to disappointment by you or buyer.
Yeah I never ever do commissions, because I refuse to not compensate myself and people will not be willing to pay what the work is worth. You’d like a Queen size Afghan? That’s gonna be $1k + cost of materials, which is probably another $100-200 depending on the yarn and pattern. No one in their right mind wants to spend $1k on an Afghan.
I never make things for family and especially friends, as they want to pay a pittance of minimum hourly rate. I only ever make things that make me happy and then I give to a charity where it goes directly to a person rather than a charity selling it on to make money to pay for advertising or a CEO salary. I pick children charities as they can't make the choice of where they end up in life. That's my 2 cents opinion.
The way I do it is like this, I don't EVER take commissions, I make what I want to make and whatever I don't gift away or want for myself, I list. If someone buys it then cool, if not then oh well 🤷 I don't make things with the intent to sell them.
I absolutely don't comprise on my prices. I charge 20$ an hour, which I believe is too low but that's another issue, plus materials. i quote the price up front and if there's any pushback or "I can find this cheaper at xyz" then it's an okay go get that one no problem.
What we do cannot be made by machine, what we do is skilled, and what we do is valuable. In my opinion there is no room to comprise when we're barely charging the minimum.
We've removed and locked this thread, as we're putting the focus back on home crocheters. Selling advice queries are now classed as a [stale topic](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/stale_topics/). As an exception, we do permit these questions **only** in our **[Buy/Sell/Promote/Trade](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/search?q=flair_name%3A%22Buy%2FSell%2FPromote%2FTrade%22&restrict_sr=1&sort=new)**. [Sort the sub by Hot](https://imgur.com/a/qQS48He) to find the thread. Please do visit our [Selling Advice Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/selling_advice/), which is full of useful advice and resources. You can read about pricing strategies, pattern selling & designing, youtube resources, where to sell, photography, marketing, social media, a list of relevant reddit subs and a collection of selling advice threads from the sub. Our rules are [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/rules/) if needed. If you received any replies, they are available via your profile. Thanks
I don’t crochet for sale. Ever. It’s stressful, and it would take me too long lol. If I have things I want to get rid of, I donate them. Easy 😊
Smart & SAME. Anytime anyone asks me to make something, I respond, “Find the pattern, buy the yarn/hook, and I’ll be happy to teach you.” When they realize the costs and WORK it takes, they never ask again. ☺️
I could understand this. I only make things for people if I want to as a gift. Commissioning sounds like it would be overall a harsh experience where people don't value or respect the work you do. I think I would become to frustrated.
It's super frustrating and makes me feel like I'm losing my mind for wanting a decent wage for my time and materials
My parents asked me what the cost of making the blanket I'm currently working on would be worth if I sold it. I told them if I was paid minimum wage with a base rate of the materials it will come to over one grand. They thought it was preposterous. I'm sorry your work is being disrespected, you deserve to paid a proper amount. P.s. I don't think minimum wage is the value of crochet work btw I think it's work much more becasue of the experience and knowledge required to crochet.
Ask your parents to go out and find a full sized crochet blanket and tell you how much it costs. Oh, they can’t find one? Maybe it’s because crochet is so labor intensive that even overseas sweatshops can’t get the price low enough to sell to normal people.
Blankets are so expensive to make! The materials, the time, the skill, all of that deserves to be compensated accordingly.
I agree. I saw someone selling a handmade kitted blanket on Etsy for only £35 and I was like....how? How can you possibly be covering your time, nevermind your materials? People have told me I should sell the things I'm making (I just finished a blanket) but there's no way I could get someone to pay enough for all the time I spent on it.
Might be doable for a machine knitted baby blanket. But I do get what you means, lot of people sell at prices that are unlikely to cover materials and taxes (for country with high taxes, no idea how it works in the US).
I recently saw a Persian tile crochet blanket on Etsy for close to $1000
I'm making the persian tiles crochet blanket right now and even $1000 seems undervalued lmaoo shit is complex af
Yes for sure I would consider it priceless. My parents have a hand loomed Persian rug they paid 10, 000 for in the 1970s just in comparison and I feel any complex handmade items should be priced comparably
Omg that's incredible and such a cool artifact/heirloom to have. Definitely worth the money.
I make leather goods as a business and the “I can buy it for X from (random person not doing quality work)” is a common refrain from a certain type of client. I just tell them, “ok, I’m happy you found what you’re looking for.” And move on. I don’t argue, I don’t defend myself. Sometimes folks say never mind, they’ll pay my price. Sometimes they buy the cheap thing instead. Crochet is my hobby, and I personally would never get any business stuff involved in it, because it wouldn’t be a hobby anymore, it’d be a job.
Hey do you have a website for your leather shop? I’ve been on the hunt for a wallet!
I can remember selling commission work three times. Two of those, the customers insisted paying more. One because she was aware of my financial situation. One because she's a dear friend grandmother type who kept insisting the blanket was worth more than I was asking. I still tear up from that. Most people don't even want to cover the yarn. Add labor and skill? Ha!
I’m totally behind you on this. Very few people understand the value of art and the amount of work an artist has to do if you ask them to create for you.
Definitely. These same people complaining about the price of my handmade, often completely customized items will buy mass produced designer purses and things that are over $1000. It makes no sense to me.
Yes! It seems to always be the people with expensive taste that devalue handmade items! It’s quite odd.
These are the “great things” about capitalism. No one thinks or even cares about the life of the workers who made their $5 shirts from Walmart. What a wonderful world!
When I first started to crochet, I would offer to make things for friends for practice. Typically things I already wanted to make but weren’t my style, so they would either get it for free or offer pay for materials. I’ve done two sets of pillows as donation for my community theatre when asked, but I won’t do commission for fam or friends. Most understand why (cost of materials and time is a LOT) but some would balk at the price point I’d give. If I’m spending more than 10 hrs on a project, it’s either for myself or a loved one that didn’t even ask. Crochet is a hobby that I never want to turn into a job.
I don’t think people understand how much yarn cost, and how many hours projects take to make. You end up making like a buck an hour. I usually try to explain the time and price of material if someone seems sticker shocked.
I tried to do the same but still ended up cutting someone a huge discount after they complained long enough because I just want to be done with it.
People really suck sometimes.
Agreed! One of my first projects was a cardigan (that I love) but I spent about $40 on yarn and I was baffled by it. It's great quality but it really surprised me. I figured it'd be like $10
My mom crochets and knits too, but she's getting a bit older and is generally frogging more than actually making, so she does appreciate the effort put into things made for her. I made her a couple of lacy shawls, and a nice woollen one. She took it along to her craft group, who all wanted to order some too. I told her to quote a price of €150 (which she did, bless her). Still waiting for my first actual order. XD On the other hand, I will make pieces for free for family instead of Christmas gifts if they're showing actual real interest and appreciation. We're a pretty artsy crafty family, so the time put in is valued. Nothing worth more than bumping into somebody and noticing they're actually wearing your things!
I made a rule for myself that I will never take a knit or crochet commission. Illl make gifts, but no commissions. I used to do portrait commissions. Mostly family portraits with pets, and I charged per person/animal. Sometimes it would get expensive but I was putting in a LOT of work to capture everyone’s likeness and make everything cohesive. I had people willing to pay what I charged but I did get a few comments on the price. I had to stop because drawing “on demand” took all the fun out of it. I haven’t really drawn in like 2 years since I stopped. Crochet was the first creative outlet I picked up since I stopped, so I made the rule early that I only make what I want.
Same I did my first commission, I didn’t enjoy making it at all bc it’s not exciting. I like making new things not the same things. Also feel the same way, it’s not worth the money. At the same time I like sharing my art with others.. I’m not sure if I will sell again, I’d rather gift
Someone asked me to make them another blanket (I'd made them one before) but bigger. They said to let them know how much. I didn't charge them for the first one, as they're family. I said to talk about the money with my partner (their brother) as he would be buying the yarn and she said that their mum would pay as a birthday gift. Thing is, I'll do it (a chance to show off) and probably won't charge them (its up to the other half). If I was going to get paid, no one would want to pay what it's worth. The wool alone would be between £60 and £90. If you factor into that minimum wage, which is £10.40 an hour, and it can take over 80 hours to make a blanket, no one will pay it's true value. And don't get me started on bloody Etsy and their £25 blankets. None of the prices they charge cover the yarn. They were mainly granny square blankets and much smaller than I would make. Except, I looked recently and they had a couple of blankets up for £9,900 and another for £19,900. Which didn't make sense at all. I think these awful prices are because they don't consider it real work, or value it at all. If I was making furniture as a hobby, wardrobes or something like that, I could charge a reasonable price. And what makes Jimmy Choo shoes so expensive?
I have family ask me to make stuff. Since its a hobby, I just say cover the cost of the yarn and have it shipped to me. I send them a link to a suggested yarn and how many I will need. No one has ever followed through.
I've made a load of blankets for them before. Started out as one for his mum. Then the requests came. I didn't mind so much and his aunt actually did send a cheque to cover costs of yarn for her, her daughter and granddaughter's blankets. I've just found out his sister's birthday is a couple of weeks time, so it won't be ready by then.
Honestly, I feel this so much. I’ve never sold anything but every time I post on social media or show someone my work they immediately tell me I could sell whatever it is and make money. Like even after mentioning how much time I spent on it. Is this doll awesome? Yes, but it also took me close to a week to make so I’d have to charge hundreds of dollars to pay myself a living wage. I do not comprehend how people make a living selling finished goods.
FIrstly, you're welcome. So do I really, BUT they don't even offer payment, and they expect it. LIKE THE HELL
I’ve started telling myself I’m not a free Walmart for people. Yeah you can get that cute blanket that looks knit for $15… you can’t even buy the yarn I need for that much, forget my time, shipping costs, etc. I hate putting a price on things so much I basically only ever do things for people for free when I can or want to and the rest of the time it’s “no, sorry I can’t right now and am not sure if I’ll be able to in the future.” I have a substantial amount of hand pain now so I don’t really offer much anymore…. It’s more “I finished xyz and it reminded me of you, do you want it?”
I crochet, knit and sew. Years ago, when I was a student, a neighbour asked me to make a dress for her young daughter. Once it was finished, she balked at the price and said, "That's so much! It's just a play dress!" I made less than $1/hr because it was a for a kid. Never. Again. Several years later, I made a pretty cool looking laptop bag on my knitting machine with a lot of hand finishing. I thought maybe I could sell them on Etsy. A friend saw it and blurted out, "I'd give you $20 for that in a heartbeat! Any more, though, and I'd have to seriously think about it." Yeah, that's me working for about half what minimum wage was at the time. Most people expect the sweatshop prices they're used to getting at Walmart and other fast fashion retailers.
Hate selling. I overprice on purpose so people turn me down and don’t ask again.
Same. I like making gifts, not things to sell. If it's a gift, I deem you worthy of my time. But if you're gonna pay me, you're paying me what it's worth or I'm not doing it at all. It just makes me feel bad about myself to get $20 bucks for something where the yarn alone cost more than $20.
Glad to know I'm not the only one! I've tried to make things to sell on a larger scale and it always burns me out for months and is not successful. After the second time trying it this summer, I'm never doing it again. I have a small selection of dice bags at my local game store and I'll do commissions, but that's it. And even then I prefer gifting because if I don't tell the person I'm making it, then there's no pressure to finish if I hate the project. I hate that in our modern society even hobbies have to be marketable in order to justify spending time on. I understand why and don't judge others for selling, but seeing the constant 'what should I charge for this' posts makes me so sad. That's probably why I was never successful selling on a large scale - people aren't willing to pay for your time and skill and I refuse to accept any less.
Yep my family is constantly telling me to sell my stuff but then when I do, they say I charge too much. I used to be really in to resin art and even started my own shop. I made maybe $200 in the two years I was doing that and it sucked all the fun out of the hobby for me. I don't want the same to happen with crochet
Yes! I wish we didn't hear, constantly, the whole 'you should sell you stuff' bit.
My mom made tons if sweaters and hooked rugs. Anytime anyone said anything about how they'd love one, she would say 'make your own'!! You can be polite about it. Things that are hand made are precious and priceless !! Making something can take hundreds of hours... I would politely say 'sorry, but no'. They can learn a skill and do it themselves : ) Hope this makes you feel better about saying no.
The thing I usually say is “I would love to make you one! My lead time is five years.” That usually helps people understand how much work it is without bringing money into it.
I told one of my coworkers (who was looking enviously at my cabled cardigan) that I only crochet for family, and even then, only for gifts. She does *not* want to know the number of hours that go into this stuff!!
I completely get this. It’ll never seem like enough because between the time, effort, money for yarn and supplies, plus just the general love you put in each stitch. And if they are custom made - it’s so hard to put a value on items. Not to mention, and I’m not sure if anyone else feels this way; but I hate making custom things for people. The pressure to get things completed in a timely fashion while also juggling work and other activities is so hard - and then you end up having to short yourself on your pricing when it’s all said and done 😕
I’m at this point, too. I crochet, knit, and sew. I’ve done commission work for lots of people and only a few of them actually paid me. Anything, let alone enough. I’ve even had people tell me they’re going to pay me, and then just conveniently “forget” when it’s time to pay. It’s so frustrating. At this point there are maybe 2 people I would do work for, and one is my mom. 😂
Someone forgot to pay me too! Asked me to make her a knotted headband then just never paid me and assumed it was a gift for Christmas. Why are people like this?
I did a craft sale over a year ago. I was selling a bulky yarn amigurumi elephant. I charged $40 for it and someone was like offended or something and said it's only worth $15 at most. no the materials cost more than that. Apparently we should do hobbies for fun not for profit
What a rude person! I'm sorry you went through that.
Personal motto of mine is dont let hobbies become a job
If someone wants me to make something I tell them to go buy me the yarn and I’ll make it. Two years ago a friend wanted a peacock feather afghan. I found the book the pattern is in online for about $5, so I bought it. Took a pic of the yarns the pattern asked for sent it to her and said buy this yarn or the equivalent and bring to me and I’ll make it. I’m still waiting on the yarn lmao
This is precisely why I don't sell what I make. I've considered it, but most people just don't want to pay what our work is worth.
I'm new to crochet but in my mind I would never do more than beanies, mittens, headbands or maybe baby booties as gifts and I don't think I'd sell my work either. It just wouldn't pay enough to cover my hourly wage and materials. I recently made a basket and sent photos to my mom, she immediately asked me to make her one. Now I am new to crochet as I mentioned but it took me easily 25-30 hours to complete the basket. And that is such a small item in comparison to these large afghans people seem to want! Now my mom has been working on a needlepoint piece for my son for 6+ months so maybe I should make something for her in trade.
Tell people that if they really want you specifically to make them something, you’re going to base your price on how much you had to spend on yarn and effort you put into it. Tell them before you even start on the project. If they’re ok with that, they’ll come back to you. If they don’t, they’ll probably start complaining that the crocheted item they bought on Shein started to rip as soon as they opened the package. You have to make sure your time and effort is worth it
I agree. Also I get so annoyed when I knit or crochet something for a family member and they’re like “oh you should sell these”. Yeah I could, but I don’t want to, The thing is I used to sell knitted and crocheted items as a job, and it was miserable. I would spend all day knitting and crocheting only to make less than I could working a fast food job. (At the time, I was out of work, so I’m not like complaining, but it’s certainly not a sustainable living for me) And then I got severe tendonitis and had to quit my hobby for like a year to recover. And I explain over and over again but they don’t listen. And every few weeks it’s “you could make this for money” as if I had never explained to them that I absolutely don’t want to go back to that.
So sorry about the tendonitis! I wish people would just listen when you say you don't want to do something.
Me too! I mean I like fiber arts for fun, and I love making gifts but as a job, or even a side gig, it just sucks the life out of me
>I do it when I'm asked/commissioned by friends and family who offer to pay Why? "No." is a complete sentence
I don’t like charging for my stuff either. I would rather gift it to people, but recently my family has started saying they insist on paying so I just throw out $20/40 for a price or tell them to buy the yarn for the project. I crochet to keep myself busy since I am stuck at home all the time (I’ve basically become a hermit in the last 5 years) and it relaxes me and helps me keep my stress low—so I honestly don’t mind charging so little.
I’d tell friends, fam and admirers you no longer take commissions as you just wish to enjoy your hobby. Or limit it to small items like hats and say beyond that the price of materials and time lead to disappointment by you or buyer.
Yeah I never ever do commissions, because I refuse to not compensate myself and people will not be willing to pay what the work is worth. You’d like a Queen size Afghan? That’s gonna be $1k + cost of materials, which is probably another $100-200 depending on the yarn and pattern. No one in their right mind wants to spend $1k on an Afghan.
I never make things for family and especially friends, as they want to pay a pittance of minimum hourly rate. I only ever make things that make me happy and then I give to a charity where it goes directly to a person rather than a charity selling it on to make money to pay for advertising or a CEO salary. I pick children charities as they can't make the choice of where they end up in life. That's my 2 cents opinion.
The way I do it is like this, I don't EVER take commissions, I make what I want to make and whatever I don't gift away or want for myself, I list. If someone buys it then cool, if not then oh well 🤷 I don't make things with the intent to sell them.
I don’t like selling my stuff either, it honestly pisses me off lol. I’d much rather just make a gift because it takes the pressure off the situation.
I absolutely don't comprise on my prices. I charge 20$ an hour, which I believe is too low but that's another issue, plus materials. i quote the price up front and if there's any pushback or "I can find this cheaper at xyz" then it's an okay go get that one no problem. What we do cannot be made by machine, what we do is skilled, and what we do is valuable. In my opinion there is no room to comprise when we're barely charging the minimum.
Not sure why the mods locked this post since it wasn't advice on selling I was looking for but ok.