Seriously, dude, we're doing it wrong!
I was checking out the latest pins on Pinterest, and came across this. A charming, hand knitted hat at the very low sale price of $150 CAD. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS IS THE SALE PRICE!
I could knock one of these off every day, and make about $1000 a week after expenses!
I'm not sure why this gets my goat, but it does. I see some fabulous knitting and crocheting in my shop, and the crafter can't even recover the cost of the yarn when they try to sell the item. And, please understand this is not to say I object to this price. Eight skeins of good quality yarn to recreate the hat may cost in the region of $80, but you could make at least 6 hats from that yarn. Your knitting time from start to finish would be about 2.5 hours, so that adds another $30 to the total per hat based on minimum wage. So the total outlay for each of the 6 hats is $40.I am assuming you have the knitting needles, scissors and notions already on hand. So, could one sell it for $40. I doubt it. $20? Probably not. $10? Maybe, but you'd get the "I can get one at Walmart for $1.99" as they were pulling out their wallet.
How can we as hand knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners put an end to the undervaluing of our work? I have some ideas - the first one is for all of us to figure out the actual costs of materials and labour, add a bit for ourselves and price accordingly. Secondly, the use of better quality materials is critical. Cheap acrylic items are available everywhere. Creating with cheap acrylic only cheapens your work.
So often, I am asked if the samples in my shop are for sale. Sometimes they are and I price the item at the retail cost of the yarn. Nothing for the labour, just the yarn. And 9 times out of 10, the customers says it's too much - they can get one at Walmart or Zellers for less.
This hat is not even well knit - all the knit stitches are twisted. But it does have a cool label inside that states it is hand knit in Berlin, and made from virgin wool. Click on the photo to enlarge it, and a link to the website is here There are several hats similar to this one in style and price in the Sale section of the website.
I have to wonder if any of these hats are actually purchased by a real human being. But, if you did want to make yourself a knock off, here's the pattern. It looks like it is a loose, roving style yarn similar to Rowan Big Wool. Based on that, and the number of stitches I can count in the photos, you'd use a size 10 mm knitting needle (circular or double pointed) and cast on loosely (see yesterday's post) 48 stitches. Join in the round and knit in k1, p1 rib for 7 rounds changing colour (there are 8 in this hat) when and if you want to.If you want your stitches to be twisted as shown in the actual hat, knit into the back of the stitch every time. Purl 1 round. Resume ribbing until piece measures 30 cm. Begin decreasing for crown. Knit 2 together across the round - 24 stitches remain. Next 2 rounds, knit 2 together across the rounds, 6 stitches remain. Break yarn, and draw through the remaining stitches, secure well. Weave in ends. Done. No pompon, no nothing. And you've got yourself a $150 hat. Be sure to enclose a copy of the web page with the item description and price on it so the lucky recipient knows its value.
Wait, don't do that. They'll think you're crazy for spending the weeks grocery money on a hat!
I could knock one of these off every day, and make about $1000 a week after expenses!
I'm not sure why this gets my goat, but it does. I see some fabulous knitting and crocheting in my shop, and the crafter can't even recover the cost of the yarn when they try to sell the item. And, please understand this is not to say I object to this price. Eight skeins of good quality yarn to recreate the hat may cost in the region of $80, but you could make at least 6 hats from that yarn. Your knitting time from start to finish would be about 2.5 hours, so that adds another $30 to the total per hat based on minimum wage. So the total outlay for each of the 6 hats is $40.I am assuming you have the knitting needles, scissors and notions already on hand. So, could one sell it for $40. I doubt it. $20? Probably not. $10? Maybe, but you'd get the "I can get one at Walmart for $1.99" as they were pulling out their wallet.
How can we as hand knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners put an end to the undervaluing of our work? I have some ideas - the first one is for all of us to figure out the actual costs of materials and labour, add a bit for ourselves and price accordingly. Secondly, the use of better quality materials is critical. Cheap acrylic items are available everywhere. Creating with cheap acrylic only cheapens your work.
So often, I am asked if the samples in my shop are for sale. Sometimes they are and I price the item at the retail cost of the yarn. Nothing for the labour, just the yarn. And 9 times out of 10, the customers says it's too much - they can get one at Walmart or Zellers for less.
This hat is not even well knit - all the knit stitches are twisted. But it does have a cool label inside that states it is hand knit in Berlin, and made from virgin wool. Click on the photo to enlarge it, and a link to the website is here There are several hats similar to this one in style and price in the Sale section of the website.
I have to wonder if any of these hats are actually purchased by a real human being. But, if you did want to make yourself a knock off, here's the pattern. It looks like it is a loose, roving style yarn similar to Rowan Big Wool. Based on that, and the number of stitches I can count in the photos, you'd use a size 10 mm knitting needle (circular or double pointed) and cast on loosely (see yesterday's post) 48 stitches. Join in the round and knit in k1, p1 rib for 7 rounds changing colour (there are 8 in this hat) when and if you want to.If you want your stitches to be twisted as shown in the actual hat, knit into the back of the stitch every time. Purl 1 round. Resume ribbing until piece measures 30 cm. Begin decreasing for crown. Knit 2 together across the round - 24 stitches remain. Next 2 rounds, knit 2 together across the rounds, 6 stitches remain. Break yarn, and draw through the remaining stitches, secure well. Weave in ends. Done. No pompon, no nothing. And you've got yourself a $150 hat. Be sure to enclose a copy of the web page with the item description and price on it so the lucky recipient knows its value.
Wait, don't do that. They'll think you're crazy for spending the weeks grocery money on a hat!
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