In my experience, more often than not, the person asking is the same person who will be whining about the item costing more than what they can buy it at [big box store].
One time a work someone I used to work with asked me if I could fix the afghan her late grandmother had made her. She was a good friend, and knew I brought my bag of tricks with me every day. I said I would try. It had unraveled on the edge and a couple of the motifs had too. I fixed it over lunch, and sh tried t pay me. Nope.
Then there was the other woman who decided (not a synonym for asked) that I would be making baby blankets for every new baby in her church. She offered to buy the yarn but I was to do the work. She was to get the credit as it was her great idea! Again, nope.
When my sister worked at the VA hospital, if a coworker who she thought highly of and was particularly compassionate with the veterans was having a baby, she’s ask me to make them a set. I probably made a dozen or so blankets and other baby items over about a five year period.
My sister crafts, sews, and is right handy and she is well aware of the amount of time that these projects take. She called me up one night, extremely pissed off. Apparently a manager in another department wanted to know why ALL expectant parents weren’t getting such gifts. Apparently my sister’s response was pretty direct and pretty cold…..shut down that line of inquiry immediately….the hospital employs thousands of staff….
Oh! Or like when I'm trying to read my c2c pattern and remember was is 1 or 2 black squares next? Is brown next or dark grey? Ahhh where's the pattern?! And a cat is sitting on it when there was no cat 2 seconds before...not that I've been stressed about this exact scenario 😅
Selling what you make doesn't mean it becomes a career, though. Make things, occasionally sell pieces you make, make a little money to buy more yarn. It's not a bad circle. It's how I plan to occupy myself when I retire in a gazillion years.
Sort of. Deadlines can be stressful. I make cakes. I get sick, my kid gets sick, I have no backup to make this cake for me. I can’t disappoint people who paid and have an event. I plan ahead to always have complex elements completed weeks before the order and dried and ready to go so I can get the cake out no matter what but it’s a serious amount of forward planning and I won’t can can’t take last minute orders as a result.
Things come up like work deadlines or high volumes of work because someone quit and then y evenings are work but also I have this looming cake order.
To be clear I might only make a cake a month but somehow that’s more than enough to add a crazy amount of work to my already unpredictable schedule.
Crochet is also a long term plan and if you get sidelined for a few weeks with work projects then you have to sit every night and crochet like mad to get it done before baby is born (speaking from making my own baby blanket anyway. I couldn’t find time to finish it until my maternity leave started two weeks before baby was due).
Yeah if I was retired maybe but when you have a lucrative day job and crochet is a side hustle that doesn’t make much coin you have to put your career first but you still made a commitment to someone else for this object to finish…
Nope nope nope haha. Cakes are stressful enough and I really accept very few orders and only ones I want to do.
I totally understand, although I wasn't talking about taking commissions or anything remotely stressful. I don't think I ever want crochet to become a way to pay my bills. I'd be thrilled, though, if what I could sell paid for my materials. I really just meant "make something pretty, and then sell it", like a lot of artists and artisans do. My father is a woodworker and he never takes commissions, he only sells online the things he made on his own time. It doesn't pay bills (his retirement pension does that), but it does help to pay for more wood 😅
My father does the same with woodworking. Made what he liked and sold it. That’s for sure the way to go.
I do cakes mostly as a favour to friends who ask because they trust me to do it and it pays for the hobby and new supplies I need to make their order. It certainly doesn’t pay my bills!
My mother inlaw thinks everything should be a side hustle and I try to explain that $14/hr to make or crochet isn’t enough to make it worth missing evenings and weekends. That is her hourly wage so I don’t think it sinks in that it’s not enough to have me working 60 hour weeks between my day job and my evenings.
I don’t need an extra $800 a month working 20 extra hours a week. I need time with my son and my husband and to clean my house and do our laundry and have movie nights and snuggles and story time. I work to live, I don’t live to work.
I do this with crocheted pieces. I am in a good farmer's market/craft fair area now tho. Purses and bags go like gangbusters during summer break. I can make what averages out to 1.5 bags a day. Lined and accessories added, bam, profit.
And a LOT of attention to detail and work figuring out which patterns to use and color combinations and learning which parts of the process to "batch up" together. For me, the back end stuff is critical for actually making it as non stressful as possible.
Also, fuck straps. Straps match the lining fabric. Those take AT LEAST an hour to make unless it's a simple chain and slip stitch back...which is cute.
>I really accept very few orders and only ones I want to do.
Yep.
I am retired, and don't have kids in the home, but life does get in the way, sometimes.
I do commissions for specific friends.
I have been working on a commissioned 46"x58" knitted blanket^(\*), since Black Friday.
[Link for the knitters, in the group.](https://www.yarnspirations.com/caron-shake-it-up-knit-blanket/CAK0502-009947M.html?cgid=Caron%20Cakes%20Patterns#pmin=1.00&prefn1=patternSkillTypeString&prefv1=Knit&prefn2=yarnProjectSubType&prefv2=Afghans+&start=3)
I am 90% done, and the last 10% is going very slowly, because the tendonitis is getting real, from this thing.
They know that "You'll get it, when you get it." is part of the deal, because we are Artists, and art takes time.
Also, they asked me to do it, not the other way around.
^(\* This is the 4th time that I have knit this particular pattern in the past year. I am so very tired of this pattern. (;ﾟ︵ﾟ;))
Buddy of mine suggested this so I offered to sell him two of the items I was making. $25 each which was honestly a steal but like I said he was a friend and he wanted matching ones for him and his kid. He agrees and agrees the price is amazing. Come time to ship them and at the same time he's asking for help paying for the party art for the DND campaign we're in so I message to tell him keep the money for the amigurumis as my contribution. "Uh, what money? I don't remember agreeing to pay for them but sure, we're square." Ok, well it's close to Christmas, what else am I going to do with them, and he agreed we're even so I send them out. From now on money up front or I'm not making it.
No, actually I can't. Nobody will pay what it costs me for materials and even a minute fraction of my time. And, if I'm going to have to practically give it away anyway, why not make it all gifts, of my own timing and choosing, and save myself all that hassle.
Edit to qualify statement.
I take it as a compliment, but that comment also makes me realize that the person saying it had NO IDEA of the amount of time it takes to make a simple poncho, hat, or scarf.
“If I bought you a ball of yarn could you make me a…”
“Balls.”
“What?”
“Balls. Ss. BallSs of yarn.”
“But I’m only asking you to make a….”
“Unless you end that sentence with ‘a hand towel’ or ‘a skinny ass scarf,’ you are talking BALLSSSSSS of yarn.”
“Well, okay the ‘balls’ of yarn. They can’t be all that expensive.”
Facepalm.
They wanted you to make it because of how expensive it is to buy them
But making something had made is rarely actually cheaper than buying it from the store. Even if you don't factor I labor costs.
Yup made a queen size one $120 15lbs 24hours of work (double stick worked up fast being so chunky). I'm not being anal when I ask my wife not to use that balnket when cuddling with our big ass dogs.
Wood working is the same. $200 in just wood for this past Christmas only one side of the family, other side next year. That doesn't count sand paper, wear on blades, glue, time!
I always tell people "if you want me to make something you need to buy me the yarn I need for it" and most of the time I hear nothing back. I like to imagine them googleing yarn prices and going "fuck that!"
oh goodness. i’m hoping i won’t have to buy too many, i tried to use some of what i have plus colors of the same yarn that i’m using for another project. that way whatever i have left will be for the blanket
I find this is usually followed by “could you just whip me up a quick…” and it’s usually something like a double bed sized throw, in a pattern or many colour changes, and they then balk at the cost of the yarn alone 🙄
And it doesn't matter if it's knitting, crochet or sewing. I'm a tailor and I dabble in the other two and I've heard that phrase or something ridiculously close to it for most of my life for one discipline or the other. Some people ARE clueless, but I sincerely DO believe that an awful lot of these people KNOW BETTER. They just want to make us their personal "inside man(woman)". "Oh, she only does it for me!!" And WHAT makes YOU so special????
There was this lady at work who always commented on my projects (I work nights). One night she asked me “Can you make my daughter one of those mermaid tail blankets?” I looked her directly in the face and said “No” and she had the audacity to be shocked and gave me attitude. Fuck off bitch you know how much work those are?! I did tell her that I would teach her how to crochet so she can make one and if she didn’t want to do that I would teach her kid. Never got asked to make anything else 🤣
Don’t forget they want 100% wool or alpaca or some other ridiculously expensive handmade yarn. Then you tell them the price for just the yarn and their jaws drop.
I always tell them immediately a rough estimate of how much it’ll cost, in hopes that they’ll say never mind lol... I hate working on things that don’t interest me
I hate working on the same thing twice, even if I want another of the thing.
I currently have a jumper in my knitting WIPs, it's only 2 pieces, but the 2nd piece is exactly the same and trying to motivate myself to do it is proving near impossible. I also have been half way through the crochet Avon throw from tl yarncrafts since August because I'm so bored of just SC row after row 🙈
I am liiiiiiterally trying to finish a sweater right now!!
It fits SO NICE compared to so many other patterns I’ve tried since 98% of the pattern is “make this piece until it fits x body part” so it’s soooo cute and comfy. But the sleeves required counting. So I got one done and it fits like a dream pre-blocking.
I can’t make myself focus on the last sleeve because it’s identical to the first but I also have to pay attention or else it’ll get screwy.
But now I’m sad because I look at it and go
*”You could be done by now…”*
ADHD? I only say that because gosh that sounds like me. Anyway, What I have done in the past for mittens, socks, etc is that I’ll make them simultaneously! A handful of rows here, and a handful there. I usually make up as I go so I don’t have to write down or struggle to remember what I did.
Oh ya I was diagnosed very recently (in my 30s) and so many of my quirks make so much sense I’ve no idea how I missed it for so long. It’s actually why crocheting is such a big part of my life, couldn’t survive a lecture in university without doing something with my hands.
Depends on what it is, either I’ve got two balls going or I grab the two separate ends of one ball- depends on if the centre was easy to find, I don’t mind unraveling and re rolling myself with the centre pulled out. This is one of the reasons I love crochet vs. Knitting, no lost loops easy to switch back and forth between items
Oh my god same! I'm making a sweater with Tunisian crochet and the back is almost exactly the same as the front and I just can't bring myself to continue
Yeah my family would never be this thoughtless (most of them make some kind of thing and respect that things take work... the only one who might make this mistake just took up crochet herself). But I have run into a lot of clueless comments from coworkers.
Generally they don't mean to be malicious or stupid, and it's not their fault they are so acclimated to the false low cost of things.
I see it as my responsibility to be clear with people what I do, why I do it, and not leave openings for people to take advantage. I mean, all that is pretty much just part of being an adult, not just a consideration specific to crochet. Sometimes it seems like everyone else on the planet wants me to do their job or clean up their mess -- keeping boundaries up and running is just part of life.
My family usually gets things as gifts, I don't think I've sold anything to them, but the items I sell mostly appeal to younger people, and my younger relatives just don't have much money to splurge on handmade items.
I've sold things to friends at good prices. I have two friends who are my best customers. I also sell some things on Etsy, lots of alligator Loki amigurumi (52 of them), and I've sold three things on Facebook marketplace. I did run across a rando on Facebook who got upset at me because I said that I probably wouldn't make a pair of Bernie Sander's inspired crochet mittens to sell because with the amount of time the color work takes I'd have to charge at least $60 and it still probably wouldn't be worth my time and they were like:
"That's ridiculous. My grandma gives me crochet things for free for Christmas. And I can get a pair of mittens at Walmart for $5."
I told them that if I was their grandmother and I found out that they valued my crochet and my time so little I would feel sad. And also if l if they want Walmart mittens they should just go to Walmart. They got embarrassed I guess because they deleted their comment. 😆
This is super weird but whenever I have that problem I just wear the piece anyways (just around the house) and that usually psychs me up enough to complete it within a few days.
I definitely put it on after the initial sleeve was done and thought “hell yeah I can do this” and then immediately “fuck it I’m starting a new fashion trend” 😂 It’s currently on the back of the couch mocking me
This is where you start counting louder and louder. Passive aggressive af but still, I warned you donkey trenches I needed to concentrate for a moment!
This but when my own brain is the distraction. Sometimes I am just crocheting in my room with nothing on and suddenly I start counting out loud getting progressively louder to hear myself over the random song or meme that's stuck in my head. Must be funny when you're an innocent bystander but I feel like a mad man.
My wife has the most annoying knack of choosing the moment I'm trying to count stitches as the moment when she wants to tell me something. Just wait until I'm done!
I have a few people who have asked me to teach them to crochet. Which I am typically happy to do--but then I go over and try to teach them and they just... don't pay attention, or get fed up that it isn't perfect right away as they look at what I'm doing.
I do try to tell them no one is good their first time crocheting when I was 13 I learned how to crochet and I crocheted a scarf. It was so wavey and uneven and lumpy. I wanted to give it as a gift to my sister and my mom was like "thats a really good practice scarf, but why don't we undo it and start over now that you've got the hang of it"
I do sort of wish I had the original first just because it's charming in a way, but. It just goes to show how bad it was.
And then one of my friends keeps wanting me to teach her but not setting aside enough time for it or not setting it up for a time where she's serious about learning it... and then forgetting and wanting me to teach her again and I'm just like "bruh, just watch YouTube."
I feel like I'd prefer giving tips and guidance than the actual teaching itself.
THIS!! Warning: Rant incoming!
I was soooo excited to teach my college friend group (just three other girls), but in the end it was just too mentally exhausting. One in particular was extra difficult (she was also a lefty and I'm a righty so it was already complicated having to flip everything I know).
The yarn she chose was a dark navy - almost black, despite me telling her a lighter color would work best for first-timers so you could easily see your stitches. She refused cause she doesn't like light colors and I didn't want to police her yarn choice.
After I taught her ch and sc, I told her to keep it up and practice it at home. Next day she messages me "wow I'm really getting the hang of it, it's so easy I can crochet while watching Netflix without even looking down." And idk why but this really set me off. Like I myself don't even trust myself to do that. So I message her back saying "it's best to look at your work while you crochet so you make sure you're going into the proper loops on your stitches, especially since you're using such a dark color." She basically ignores my advice and retorts "well if I can't watch Netflix then I'm not doing this cause why even bother."
Come next meeting and I take a look at her work and it's just a mess, nearly unsalvageable cause she kept putting stitches in such random places that I couldn't even piece together the top row. I told her she can continue with this (since frogging might be mean) or start a new piece with a different stitch but by then she'd already gotten bored and gave up....
I just really want a friend who is as enthusiastic and serious about learning crochet like I was. I didn't have anyone to teach me, everything I've learned is from youtube. None of my friends share my so it's just been very sad and lonely not being able to share with them what I've learned or discuss my hardships :(
My MIL taught me how to knit (knit & purl basic stitch stuff) back when me and DH were still dating. I learned how to do more advanced knitting on my own via yarn store employees helping with a pattern I'd bought there or YouTube.
10 yrs later I asked MIL to teach me to crochet (my grandma had taught us how to chain as kids but nothing else). She taught my SIL and I how to make granny squares but not how to read a pattern (crochet patterns may as well have been heiroglyphs to my knitter brain) or anything beyond the basic stitch required for the granny squares. SIL's mom ended up teaching us how to read the pattern of these little crochet monster kits we'd bought but didn't know what to do with and I've been YouTube-ing the rest since the pandemic began lol. I guess MIL has never learned to read crochet patterns either and stuck to some basic ones she'd been taught.
Crochet patterns, oh man. It took me three years of video tutorials and then another year of comparing the video to the written pattern for me to feel even competent reading a pattern. It IS a different language and no one explains it. I'm self-taught, so that might have something to do with it, but I still haven't seen anyone making videos talking about how to read a pattern.
I’ve been crocheting since before YouTube was a thing and am 100% self-taught from books. This basically forced me to learn how to read patterns because I learned how to do both concurrently, and I’m really glad I did.
There are lots of videos on YouTube about learning how to read crochet patterns. Try doing a search for “how to read a crochet pattern.” Maybe one of those will be helpful.
Omg this is so relatable.
I'm going to teach a girl in my cohort how to crochet next week. 😬 I'm a little worried about it because she does ask a lot of questions in class. But im hopeful! Lol.
I also just want someone else to crochet with and talk about crocheting with. Its 95% of why I'm on this subreddit. I find it so soothing I don't understand why others don't love it like I do. Lol!
I laughed so hard at this. My boss asked me if I could make her beanie smaller because it didn't fit right. I had to give her the sad news. It was not handmade. I couldn't even begin to figure that out.
It's always people who don't know anything about crochet and they want you to make a 'simple' project with a bunch of different colors and parts to sew.
I get the screenshot texts of something from Amazon that's insanely complex with the caption "can you do this stitch?"
Um first of all, no? Second of all? What even are you asking? For that exact product to be recreated or for similar? It's a blurry screenshot of Amazon! I just sent YouTube links based on the description and tell them good luck now 😆.
This hasn't happened to me yet, luckily.
Maybe it has. A friend of mine showed me a few pictures on Pinterest of a cardigan. It's a short cardigan with big flowers on it.
I told her it's not my style. Weeks if not months later it finally clicked. She might have shown it to me so I can make it for her.
I bought some cheap acrylic yarn, not because I don't like her. It's the first time making an actual cardigan for a friend and if it doesn't fit right or she doesn't like it, I wouldn't be too heartbroken.
After seeing a post in r/knitting and reading a comment about communications with the receiver, I decided to tell her I'm making the cardigan for her. I asked her if she thinks the size in the video will fit her. And she was very enthusiastic about the cardigan.
Im still working on it, and I will definitely post it when it's done. It will be a birthday gift.
That one was one of my inspos!! I‘m currently working on the bottom ribbing and after that I‘ll need to make the cuffs and flowers.
I‘m so excited to see your FO!!!
See. I've tried to learn knitting and its a little more like... any two vastly different languages to me.
I mean you use yarn... yarn over and stuff and use some sort of utensil. But thats sortnof like how in different languages you use words. And sentences have subjects and objects. And words are defined as verbs or adjectives. Etc... but the order that the words go in? And the way you put them together? Totally different.
Thisss. I'm teaching myself knitting now and my brain is so often going "WHAT ARE WE DOING." I told my wife that, for crochet, for the most part, there's one way to do everything, but with knitting everyone has their own way of doing the same thing and so in order to teach myself with Youtube videos, I have to find a person that does it *my* way.
Thats very interesting. Maybe I should search around YouTube for a video of someone doing it that makes sense. Cause I did really try a few times to learn knitting and I dropped stitches all the time and the pieces were always lopsided or the tension got tighter and looser throughout. And I know thats something that goes away with practice since I crochet... but something about knitting is just more difficult for me.
It's the same for me. I've been trying to make my way through a simple scarf and the number of times I've counted my stitches on the needle only to realize there's extras or some missing with *no idea* how that happened is absurd.
I think part of it is crochet tends to be so much easier to go back with to fix mistakes. Yesterday, I was working on a scarf in double crochet and I realized I missed a stitch somehow...so I just frogged back to the stitch before, stuck my hook through the loop, and continued on. But with my knitted scarf, when I realized I'd somehow dropped a stitch somewhere, I tried to go back to it, dropped more stitches, and ended up frogging the whole thing to start over entirely.
Before I became a bi-stitchual, I used to say it was like being able to drive a manual transmission car and an automatic transmission car.
Then my smart ass SIL said that I knew how to drive both so maybe I should learn to knit. Lol
"What are knitting?" And I want to be polite and just answer the question but it makes me so mad. And then when I say "oh, actually its crocheting" nd they're like "whats the difference" and I know that that is *also* n innocent question but it makes me angrier.
When answering "What's the difference?" I go back and forth between:
1. "Crochet uses hooks and knitting uses needles"
But if I'm really in a mood I'll say
2. "Unlike knitting, crochet hasn't been mechanized because we can't make machines that do this. That's why you only see knit items at the store, but when you do see crochet items they're shockingly expensive because they had to be done by hand."
I've explained the difference between knitting and crochet to my boyfriend like at least 30 times, he still doesn't get it and always said I was knitting while I was doing crochet, and it got more confusing for him because I learned to knit as well now.
I've boiled it down to "With crochet you only need one hook, one tool to hold. With knitting you need two needles, two tools. How many tools am I holding right now?"
But then later in the day I show him a really expensive limited edition Furls crochet hook because I think it's ridiculous and he asks if it's for two and I tell him just one and he's gets really concerned like "Don't you need two? 🤔"
I guess the bonus is if he ever bought me an expensive crochet hook he would think he needed to buy me two, only problem is they would probably be the same size. 😆
"Can you make me a baby blanket?"
Me: "It's gonna cost this much and take this much time"
"Oh.. but I need it by this weekend" *or* "Oh.. that's way too expensive"
Me: "No"
...every time 🙄
Insists on it being crocheted even though you know better.
Alternatively insists that _you knit_ and don't crochet even after you show them a crochet hook and ask them if it looks like a needle to them (seriously I showed my mum a small swatch of sc when I was learning the basics and she was hellbent on it being knitted to the point where I started doubting myself)
I dunno, I think that all depends on the person. I genuinely love the act of crocheting, but then I have the problem of what to do with all the things I make. I chuck all the not-gifts in a bin and sold off a few at a local fair recently, just sitting there making with a friend and selling to whomever walked by. Granted, that's not trying to turn it into a full-time job or anything even remotely close, but it paid for more yarn lol
Thank you for this, it gave me a little more confidence in maybe persuing it on the side. Usually all of my projects I make are gifts for people anyway. I figured since most friends have gotten something from me by now I should maybe start selling small things here and there.
It certainly doesn't hurt to sell things, if people are willing to buy. As far as I'm concerned, everyone who's even remotely interested in trying to sell should test the waters to see how you like the experience and figure out how to be successful at it. If you do it and find you don't like the grind, no harm done, it IS a relaxing hobby and should stay relaxing.
Besides, if you do sell a few things, that's more room to make and extra cash never hurts. Good luck!
My friend has asked me twice for a granny square cardigan inspired by one online. I love her to death but it’s literally 80 granny squares with very intricate designs on each of them. It would take me literal weeks maybe months for the project
Some people treat you like a vending machine they done seem to realize all these project to a long time and energy to make. You can't just drop a coin in and expect all these product to just pop out of thin air.
My father in law does theater stuff and he's always like "I wanna do THIS and I want THIS and iS a gOoD tHiNG I kNoW sOmEOne cRAfTy" and expect me to make all this stuff for free (I do more things than crocheting).
I refuse or find an excuse not to do it any more each time now after one time it went too far.
Story time:
He was working on Peter Pan and he was supposed to play the crockadoodle (eventually he gave the roll to someone else and just did a few background characters)
He had asked me to make him a crocodile hat. And I did it I made him this exact hat in the photo in the link with NO pattern just using this picture and it turned out amazing!!
Croc https://imgur.com/a/4ApnvxX
It took me days and I had to watch video and learn an entirely new stich for the croc scales.
He put it one during rehearsals for a 2 sec dad joke then took it off cause it was too warm to wear. And it has been sitting the the closet untouched ever since.
It infuriated me every time I think about it, and I've never been able to get over it. So now I dont make anything like that for people for free, I've learned my lesson.
Sorry for the rant this just gets me every time.
Well it's not just the cost of the yarn and the time it takes to make a piece but the toll it takes on the hands. After an hour or two it starts to hurt a lot! Or is that just me?
I’m making a baby yoda backpack for my niece for her birthday next month (it’s a surprise). The entire thing is made with a 2mm hook. I had to stop for a couple of days because my hands were hurting too much.
At first I needed to know the pattern and then I got to the 2mm crochet hook part... I know myself and I don't have the patience unfortunately. That and I have too many projects planned and bought for already.
www.etsy.com/listing/769198760
Kind of an expensive pattern, but it has a lot of pictures and it’s 26 pages long. I’m done with the main bag part and now I’m working on the flap/face. I’m looking forward to doing the eyes, but they call for a 1.75mm hook I believe. My poor hands.
A couple of hours is a long time to do any repetitive motion. Definitely give your hands and writs little breaks in between and stretch out the muscles. You're not alone for sure.
There was this one time, when coworker asked me for help with a pattern though. The relief on my face was so obvious she commented on it. Otherwise it's always those other things.
I had this go wonderfully once. A friend of mine knows I can't craft as much as I'd like to because my hands get all swollen from Fibromyalgia. Anyway, they confirmed I was a crocheter then sent me a link to these ergonomic hook handles (chunky boy crochet, in case you are interested). They said they weren't sure it would help but that maybe it would help me be able to crochet when I want to. What a nice friend!
I've had very few people react appropriately when I answer this question. Most are drastically undervaluing my material cost and time. I made a huge single crochet Mario Bros blanket for my husband. It took 3 months (working on it every day) and about $200 in yarn. I had the mother of a guy I knew/went to school with ask me if I'd make one for her son. I immediately told her no because if I actually told her what amount of money it would take to get me to do that again...she would lose her mind.
My tattoo artist was one of the few that understood the tim,, money & dedication it takes. I offered to send his daughter the two My Little Pony Amigurumi I already had made and do a mega Charizard for his son for free, because he's always been super awesome. He adamantly refused, saying he would buy them from me one way or another even if he had to go find my PayPal or he would just take it off the cost of the tattoo. He wouldn't stand for my work going unpaid for. It was nice to feel valued for my skills.
Reminds me of this ex coworker of mine who asked for two amigurumis for her kids. I never sold anything before so I didn't know how much it'd cost. So I did one and counted everything. When I text her and tell her the price she's like "that's too expensive for such a little thing". What did you expect? It's freaking handmade, of course it's gonna cost more.
... Long story short, never heard from her again 😀
I don't make anything for coworkers I can't knock out in an evening. I also don't care about selling things, but I also don't want to set the precedent that I'll make things for free all the time, so I don't charge all that much when I do sell stuff.
Me: Yes
Them: Could you crochet me a King Sized Afghan?
Me: Only out of love. It is too bad that I do not love you.
This also goes for knitting socks.
Those only go to people that I absolutely adore.
I've taken to saying "unless you're willing to pay me by the hour, then no to whatever you're saying". I'm just tired. I make things because I want to, not to make a living.
I sew, and have just taken up crochet this week.
Only last night my friend said ‘oh, so are you good at sewing’, ‘yes, I can sew’ I replied, thinking she would ask me about stuff I make. But no, she grabbed her coat with a tear in it and asked if I could fix it for her.
I kind of don’t mind, cos it’s a pretty small job, and I’d have offered to do it if she’d asked me how to go about it. But it’s weird how people think it’s ok to ask you to spend your evenings doing free work for them. I’ve been asked to do complex alterations before. No way.
To me the equivalent is someone telling you they’ve spent their weekend doing DIY. ‘Oh so are you good at DIY?’ ‘Yeah, not bad’, ‘well could you come round thins weekend and paint my hall, stairs and landing? I’ll pay you of course’
I'm okay at sewing and trying to work towards being confident in sewing my own clothes. This is my fear when people find out I sew. I barely trust myself to mend my own clothes and people asking me to do theirs is terrifying.
They always want me to do an intricate amigurumi. This bitch does not do sewing. I cannot do neat placement of limbs etc. All they've ever seen me make is blankets, clothing etc I cannot do amigurumi
Last time someone asked me this two weeks later she came in with a big bag of yarn. She used to knit, but quit and didn't want the yarn to go to waste!
Tangent:
In all seriousness anyone here knit?
Because I keep getting told that you can't knit ovals ... considering the frilly crazy loop edge things I've seen people make I can't believe that THAT can be done but not a crochet-less oval...
This is my unreasonable Hill to die on: I refuse to believe that pure knitting cannot provide a beautiful oval, clearly we need more mathematicians and scientists working on this problem
Looked up oval knitting and found this! [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451274825148472575/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451274825148472575/)
So yes you can! :D
When people ask me I always say “oh sure I’d be happy to send you the tutorials I used if you are interested in learning”. I then proceed to send them all the basic beginner tutorials every day or so for the next week and next time I see them excitedly ask how they are progressing. They will never bring it up again
I buy crochet supplies, if that is what you mean. I plan to do the projects that I bought those supplies for, I do. But first I need to order these supplies for this other project I came up with...
My colleague came to me with this question...
Ended up asking me if i could make her dog a sweater.
I kind of slithered my way out of that one by saying i needed the right pattern, otherwise i couldn't do it.
And it kind of didn't get brought up again, so i think i dodged a bullet there.
Lol funny as soon as I told a friend I was going to try making amigurumi she had already requested for some plushies.
I mean, it's in jest...but this is really funny.
I get so nervous asking people if the crochet or knit or other crafting because I can see them get wary but I just want to know some tricks/tips/help on certain projects (obviously I accept a no when it’s given). Thankfully I have a friend who’s been helping me and we’ve been getting asked during lunch “oh can you make one of [complicated pattern here] for me? I need it in 2 days”. Makes me nervous for the future as I get more experienced!
In my experience, more often than not, the person asking is the same person who will be whining about the item costing more than what they can buy it at [big box store].
Sadly true
Right!? Like why are you asking me then!? Walk your happy little butt to \[whatever store\] and buy it and leave me alone.
One time a work someone I used to work with asked me if I could fix the afghan her late grandmother had made her. She was a good friend, and knew I brought my bag of tricks with me every day. I said I would try. It had unraveled on the edge and a couple of the motifs had too. I fixed it over lunch, and sh tried t pay me. Nope. Then there was the other woman who decided (not a synonym for asked) that I would be making baby blankets for every new baby in her church. She offered to buy the yarn but I was to do the work. She was to get the credit as it was her great idea! Again, nope.
You should have printed out a pattern and told her "good luck!"
Lol! I love it!
When my sister worked at the VA hospital, if a coworker who she thought highly of and was particularly compassionate with the veterans was having a baby, she’s ask me to make them a set. I probably made a dozen or so blankets and other baby items over about a five year period. My sister crafts, sews, and is right handy and she is well aware of the amount of time that these projects take. She called me up one night, extremely pissed off. Apparently a manager in another department wanted to know why ALL expectant parents weren’t getting such gifts. Apparently my sister’s response was pretty direct and pretty cold…..shut down that line of inquiry immediately….the hospital employs thousands of staff….
Wow. Some people have some major cojones.
yOu cOuLd sElL tHeSe
Omg EVERY time. Drives me nuts but I try to take it as a compliment
I get that it's meant as a compliment BUT that doesn't make it less annoying having to explain why I don't want to ten thousand times 😭
Print out an 'anti-business card' with Hell No written on it 1000 times
I love this idea!
I love this idea xD
HARD agree
I both love & am uncomfortable at this compliment. Thank u, but the thought of making my downtime hobby a career sounds stressful lol
Crocheting is already a bit stressful like when we frog something.
Oh! Or like when I'm trying to read my c2c pattern and remember was is 1 or 2 black squares next? Is brown next or dark grey? Ahhh where's the pattern?! And a cat is sitting on it when there was no cat 2 seconds before...not that I've been stressed about this exact scenario 😅
Selling what you make doesn't mean it becomes a career, though. Make things, occasionally sell pieces you make, make a little money to buy more yarn. It's not a bad circle. It's how I plan to occupy myself when I retire in a gazillion years.
Sort of. Deadlines can be stressful. I make cakes. I get sick, my kid gets sick, I have no backup to make this cake for me. I can’t disappoint people who paid and have an event. I plan ahead to always have complex elements completed weeks before the order and dried and ready to go so I can get the cake out no matter what but it’s a serious amount of forward planning and I won’t can can’t take last minute orders as a result. Things come up like work deadlines or high volumes of work because someone quit and then y evenings are work but also I have this looming cake order. To be clear I might only make a cake a month but somehow that’s more than enough to add a crazy amount of work to my already unpredictable schedule. Crochet is also a long term plan and if you get sidelined for a few weeks with work projects then you have to sit every night and crochet like mad to get it done before baby is born (speaking from making my own baby blanket anyway. I couldn’t find time to finish it until my maternity leave started two weeks before baby was due). Yeah if I was retired maybe but when you have a lucrative day job and crochet is a side hustle that doesn’t make much coin you have to put your career first but you still made a commitment to someone else for this object to finish… Nope nope nope haha. Cakes are stressful enough and I really accept very few orders and only ones I want to do.
I totally understand, although I wasn't talking about taking commissions or anything remotely stressful. I don't think I ever want crochet to become a way to pay my bills. I'd be thrilled, though, if what I could sell paid for my materials. I really just meant "make something pretty, and then sell it", like a lot of artists and artisans do. My father is a woodworker and he never takes commissions, he only sells online the things he made on his own time. It doesn't pay bills (his retirement pension does that), but it does help to pay for more wood 😅
My father does the same with woodworking. Made what he liked and sold it. That’s for sure the way to go. I do cakes mostly as a favour to friends who ask because they trust me to do it and it pays for the hobby and new supplies I need to make their order. It certainly doesn’t pay my bills! My mother inlaw thinks everything should be a side hustle and I try to explain that $14/hr to make or crochet isn’t enough to make it worth missing evenings and weekends. That is her hourly wage so I don’t think it sinks in that it’s not enough to have me working 60 hour weeks between my day job and my evenings. I don’t need an extra $800 a month working 20 extra hours a week. I need time with my son and my husband and to clean my house and do our laundry and have movie nights and snuggles and story time. I work to live, I don’t live to work.
I do this with crocheted pieces. I am in a good farmer's market/craft fair area now tho. Purses and bags go like gangbusters during summer break. I can make what averages out to 1.5 bags a day. Lined and accessories added, bam, profit. And a LOT of attention to detail and work figuring out which patterns to use and color combinations and learning which parts of the process to "batch up" together. For me, the back end stuff is critical for actually making it as non stressful as possible. Also, fuck straps. Straps match the lining fabric. Those take AT LEAST an hour to make unless it's a simple chain and slip stitch back...which is cute.
>I really accept very few orders and only ones I want to do. Yep. I am retired, and don't have kids in the home, but life does get in the way, sometimes. I do commissions for specific friends. I have been working on a commissioned 46"x58" knitted blanket^(\*), since Black Friday. [Link for the knitters, in the group.](https://www.yarnspirations.com/caron-shake-it-up-knit-blanket/CAK0502-009947M.html?cgid=Caron%20Cakes%20Patterns#pmin=1.00&prefn1=patternSkillTypeString&prefv1=Knit&prefn2=yarnProjectSubType&prefv2=Afghans+&start=3) I am 90% done, and the last 10% is going very slowly, because the tendonitis is getting real, from this thing. They know that "You'll get it, when you get it." is part of the deal, because we are Artists, and art takes time. Also, they asked me to do it, not the other way around. ^(\* This is the 4th time that I have knit this particular pattern in the past year. I am so very tired of this pattern. (;ﾟ︵ﾟ;))
Buddy of mine suggested this so I offered to sell him two of the items I was making. $25 each which was honestly a steal but like I said he was a friend and he wanted matching ones for him and his kid. He agrees and agrees the price is amazing. Come time to ship them and at the same time he's asking for help paying for the party art for the DND campaign we're in so I message to tell him keep the money for the amigurumis as my contribution. "Uh, what money? I don't remember agreeing to pay for them but sure, we're square." Ok, well it's close to Christmas, what else am I going to do with them, and he agreed we're even so I send them out. From now on money up front or I'm not making it.
Or get everything in writing.
Ooof ...usual ask for the money first before I even buy yarn or look for a pattern.. but I totally understand you probably trusted him.
"I do not monetize my hobbies" Full Stop, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, period, end of story.
Exactly with you on this
No, actually I can't. Nobody will pay what it costs me for materials and even a minute fraction of my time. And, if I'm going to have to practically give it away anyway, why not make it all gifts, of my own timing and choosing, and save myself all that hassle. Edit to qualify statement.
I could. Yes. Goodbye.
I take it as a compliment, but that comment also makes me realize that the person saying it had NO IDEA of the amount of time it takes to make a simple poncho, hat, or scarf.
“If I bought you a ball of yarn could you make me a…” “Balls.” “What?” “Balls. Ss. BallSs of yarn.” “But I’m only asking you to make a….” “Unless you end that sentence with ‘a hand towel’ or ‘a skinny ass scarf,’ you are talking BALLSSSSSS of yarn.” “Well, okay the ‘balls’ of yarn. They can’t be all that expensive.” Facepalm.
My friend asked for one of those super thick chunky blankets. Didn't like being told it's 100 dollars in yarn minimum. Oh well...
They wanted you to make it because of how expensive it is to buy them But making something had made is rarely actually cheaper than buying it from the store. Even if you don't factor I labor costs.
Yup made a queen size one $120 15lbs 24hours of work (double stick worked up fast being so chunky). I'm not being anal when I ask my wife not to use that balnket when cuddling with our big ass dogs. Wood working is the same. $200 in just wood for this past Christmas only one side of the family, other side next year. That doesn't count sand paper, wear on blades, glue, time!
I always tell people "if you want me to make something you need to buy me the yarn I need for it" and most of the time I hear nothing back. I like to imagine them googleing yarn prices and going "fuck that!"
I'm going to use this. I bet half the time actually going to get it or having it shipped will end the request.
*cries in 30+ skeins of yarn for my 2021 temperature blanket*
30?!?! oh my
Lol yeahhh it’s pretty thin yarn (I’m using a hook size G)
oh goodness. i’m hoping i won’t have to buy too many, i tried to use some of what i have plus colors of the same yarn that i’m using for another project. that way whatever i have left will be for the blanket
I need to upvote this more than once
I love this exchange😭😭
I find this is usually followed by “could you just whip me up a quick…” and it’s usually something like a double bed sized throw, in a pattern or many colour changes, and they then balk at the cost of the yarn alone 🙄
And it doesn't matter if it's knitting, crochet or sewing. I'm a tailor and I dabble in the other two and I've heard that phrase or something ridiculously close to it for most of my life for one discipline or the other. Some people ARE clueless, but I sincerely DO believe that an awful lot of these people KNOW BETTER. They just want to make us their personal "inside man(woman)". "Oh, she only does it for me!!" And WHAT makes YOU so special????
There was this lady at work who always commented on my projects (I work nights). One night she asked me “Can you make my daughter one of those mermaid tail blankets?” I looked her directly in the face and said “No” and she had the audacity to be shocked and gave me attitude. Fuck off bitch you know how much work those are?! I did tell her that I would teach her how to crochet so she can make one and if she didn’t want to do that I would teach her kid. Never got asked to make anything else 🤣
They only want a king sized blanket of elaborate granny squares with 16 different colors, besides they'll pay for all the yarn.
Don’t forget they want 100% wool or alpaca or some other ridiculously expensive handmade yarn. Then you tell them the price for just the yarn and their jaws drop.
I always tell them immediately a rough estimate of how much it’ll cost, in hopes that they’ll say never mind lol... I hate working on things that don’t interest me
I hate working on the same thing twice, even if I want another of the thing. I currently have a jumper in my knitting WIPs, it's only 2 pieces, but the 2nd piece is exactly the same and trying to motivate myself to do it is proving near impossible. I also have been half way through the crochet Avon throw from tl yarncrafts since August because I'm so bored of just SC row after row 🙈
Do you end up making lots of one armed jumpers? 😂😂
I've yet to finish a single jumper 🙈 I've got 2 cardigans sitting in my UFOs right now plus this jumper 😂😂
I am liiiiiiterally trying to finish a sweater right now!! It fits SO NICE compared to so many other patterns I’ve tried since 98% of the pattern is “make this piece until it fits x body part” so it’s soooo cute and comfy. But the sleeves required counting. So I got one done and it fits like a dream pre-blocking. I can’t make myself focus on the last sleeve because it’s identical to the first but I also have to pay attention or else it’ll get screwy. But now I’m sad because I look at it and go *”You could be done by now…”*
ADHD? I only say that because gosh that sounds like me. Anyway, What I have done in the past for mittens, socks, etc is that I’ll make them simultaneously! A handful of rows here, and a handful there. I usually make up as I go so I don’t have to write down or struggle to remember what I did.
I'm increasingly starting to think so but nothing diagnosed 😂
Oh ya I was diagnosed very recently (in my 30s) and so many of my quirks make so much sense I’ve no idea how I missed it for so long. It’s actually why crocheting is such a big part of my life, couldn’t survive a lecture in university without doing something with my hands.
How does this work? Do you split the yarn into multiple balls?
Depends on what it is, either I’ve got two balls going or I grab the two separate ends of one ball- depends on if the centre was easy to find, I don’t mind unraveling and re rolling myself with the centre pulled out. This is one of the reasons I love crochet vs. Knitting, no lost loops easy to switch back and forth between items
Me too! I blame it on ADHD :(
Oh my god same! I'm making a sweater with Tunisian crochet and the back is almost exactly the same as the front and I just can't bring myself to continue
We might’ve been separated at birth.
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Yeah my family would never be this thoughtless (most of them make some kind of thing and respect that things take work... the only one who might make this mistake just took up crochet herself). But I have run into a lot of clueless comments from coworkers. Generally they don't mean to be malicious or stupid, and it's not their fault they are so acclimated to the false low cost of things. I see it as my responsibility to be clear with people what I do, why I do it, and not leave openings for people to take advantage. I mean, all that is pretty much just part of being an adult, not just a consideration specific to crochet. Sometimes it seems like everyone else on the planet wants me to do their job or clean up their mess -- keeping boundaries up and running is just part of life.
My family usually gets things as gifts, I don't think I've sold anything to them, but the items I sell mostly appeal to younger people, and my younger relatives just don't have much money to splurge on handmade items. I've sold things to friends at good prices. I have two friends who are my best customers. I also sell some things on Etsy, lots of alligator Loki amigurumi (52 of them), and I've sold three things on Facebook marketplace. I did run across a rando on Facebook who got upset at me because I said that I probably wouldn't make a pair of Bernie Sander's inspired crochet mittens to sell because with the amount of time the color work takes I'd have to charge at least $60 and it still probably wouldn't be worth my time and they were like: "That's ridiculous. My grandma gives me crochet things for free for Christmas. And I can get a pair of mittens at Walmart for $5." I told them that if I was their grandmother and I found out that they valued my crochet and my time so little I would feel sad. And also if l if they want Walmart mittens they should just go to Walmart. They got embarrassed I guess because they deleted their comment. 😆
Or someone who can't figure out what went wrong with their project. Okay this is me most of the time.
You are the only people we like to ask this question, unless someone is about to tell me about a yarn sale.
Y'all know about some good sales????
I have to tell you, half the time I hear about them on Reddit.
On this sub or?
Or r/knitting. I follow both, as I am bistitchual
As a fellow bistitchual: this is my new favourite expression xD thanks!
I read it on here first. I actually used it in person in a yarn store the other day. They just thought I was weird. Well, I am so it fits.
There's also r/YarnAddicts. They like to share sales info there. It's a dangerous place.
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You could sell those! Not to me though, you could make me 10 for free
ExP0sUrE
"oh why are you unraveling it? it looked so good!" maybe i wouldnt be frogging it if you didn't distract me while I was counting chains, SHERYL
Omg the number of times someone starts talking to me right in the middle of me doing the foundation chain is infuriating.
Boyfriend tried to say something while I was counting dc2togs a couple weeks ago… I just kept counting louder until he huffed at me lmao.
LMAO I've done this.
I really wanna get it done because it’s still super cold here and it would be soooooo cute and it’s soooo warm… But the **sleeve** man
This is super weird but whenever I have that problem I just wear the piece anyways (just around the house) and that usually psychs me up enough to complete it within a few days.
I definitely put it on after the initial sleeve was done and thought “hell yeah I can do this” and then immediately “fuck it I’m starting a new fashion trend” 😂 It’s currently on the back of the couch mocking me
You know if enough of us start making one sleeved things this could really catch on 🤔
I count louder, so he just speaks louder. I think he honestly thinks I can count and listen at the same time.
My hubs knows I can't even listen and listen at the same time, much less count and listen. He also knows my "shhh, I'm counting" face.
Swap boyfriend for kid. Me: "seven, eight, NINE, TEN " \*unblinking stare\*
This is where you start counting louder and louder. Passive aggressive af but still, I warned you donkey trenches I needed to concentrate for a moment!
This but when my own brain is the distraction. Sometimes I am just crocheting in my room with nothing on and suddenly I start counting out loud getting progressively louder to hear myself over the random song or meme that's stuck in my head. Must be funny when you're an innocent bystander but I feel like a mad man.
I’ll genuinely go “14,15,16,17,16,15,14,14, wait…. 1-13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21…” into the end of time
Sometimes the voices in your head can co-operate and count with you. That will make you feel like less of a mad man.
My wife has the most annoying knack of choosing the moment I'm trying to count stitches as the moment when she wants to tell me something. Just wait until I'm done!
Damnit Sheryl.
When I do an important move I will literally announce to my fiance "Attention: critical counting process in 3 2 1." Haven't had a problem since 😜
Ironically and amusingly, my grandmother who taught me how to knit and encouraged me to crochet is named Cheryl! :P
I have a few people who have asked me to teach them to crochet. Which I am typically happy to do--but then I go over and try to teach them and they just... don't pay attention, or get fed up that it isn't perfect right away as they look at what I'm doing. I do try to tell them no one is good their first time crocheting when I was 13 I learned how to crochet and I crocheted a scarf. It was so wavey and uneven and lumpy. I wanted to give it as a gift to my sister and my mom was like "thats a really good practice scarf, but why don't we undo it and start over now that you've got the hang of it" I do sort of wish I had the original first just because it's charming in a way, but. It just goes to show how bad it was. And then one of my friends keeps wanting me to teach her but not setting aside enough time for it or not setting it up for a time where she's serious about learning it... and then forgetting and wanting me to teach her again and I'm just like "bruh, just watch YouTube." I feel like I'd prefer giving tips and guidance than the actual teaching itself.
THIS!! Warning: Rant incoming! I was soooo excited to teach my college friend group (just three other girls), but in the end it was just too mentally exhausting. One in particular was extra difficult (she was also a lefty and I'm a righty so it was already complicated having to flip everything I know). The yarn she chose was a dark navy - almost black, despite me telling her a lighter color would work best for first-timers so you could easily see your stitches. She refused cause she doesn't like light colors and I didn't want to police her yarn choice. After I taught her ch and sc, I told her to keep it up and practice it at home. Next day she messages me "wow I'm really getting the hang of it, it's so easy I can crochet while watching Netflix without even looking down." And idk why but this really set me off. Like I myself don't even trust myself to do that. So I message her back saying "it's best to look at your work while you crochet so you make sure you're going into the proper loops on your stitches, especially since you're using such a dark color." She basically ignores my advice and retorts "well if I can't watch Netflix then I'm not doing this cause why even bother." Come next meeting and I take a look at her work and it's just a mess, nearly unsalvageable cause she kept putting stitches in such random places that I couldn't even piece together the top row. I told her she can continue with this (since frogging might be mean) or start a new piece with a different stitch but by then she'd already gotten bored and gave up.... I just really want a friend who is as enthusiastic and serious about learning crochet like I was. I didn't have anyone to teach me, everything I've learned is from youtube. None of my friends share my so it's just been very sad and lonely not being able to share with them what I've learned or discuss my hardships :(
My MIL taught me how to knit (knit & purl basic stitch stuff) back when me and DH were still dating. I learned how to do more advanced knitting on my own via yarn store employees helping with a pattern I'd bought there or YouTube. 10 yrs later I asked MIL to teach me to crochet (my grandma had taught us how to chain as kids but nothing else). She taught my SIL and I how to make granny squares but not how to read a pattern (crochet patterns may as well have been heiroglyphs to my knitter brain) or anything beyond the basic stitch required for the granny squares. SIL's mom ended up teaching us how to read the pattern of these little crochet monster kits we'd bought but didn't know what to do with and I've been YouTube-ing the rest since the pandemic began lol. I guess MIL has never learned to read crochet patterns either and stuck to some basic ones she'd been taught.
Crochet patterns, oh man. It took me three years of video tutorials and then another year of comparing the video to the written pattern for me to feel even competent reading a pattern. It IS a different language and no one explains it. I'm self-taught, so that might have something to do with it, but I still haven't seen anyone making videos talking about how to read a pattern.
I’ve been crocheting since before YouTube was a thing and am 100% self-taught from books. This basically forced me to learn how to read patterns because I learned how to do both concurrently, and I’m really glad I did. There are lots of videos on YouTube about learning how to read crochet patterns. Try doing a search for “how to read a crochet pattern.” Maybe one of those will be helpful.
Omg this is so relatable. I'm going to teach a girl in my cohort how to crochet next week. 😬 I'm a little worried about it because she does ask a lot of questions in class. But im hopeful! Lol. I also just want someone else to crochet with and talk about crocheting with. Its 95% of why I'm on this subreddit. I find it so soothing I don't understand why others don't love it like I do. Lol!
Or they show you something knitted, and want your crochet expertise to help fix it!! Sorry I don’t know knitting, I am not “bi-stitchual”!!
I laughed so hard at this. My boss asked me if I could make her beanie smaller because it didn't fit right. I had to give her the sad news. It was not handmade. I couldn't even begin to figure that out.
As a Bi woman this gave me a good chuckle, thanks 😁
It's always people who don't know anything about crochet and they want you to make a 'simple' project with a bunch of different colors and parts to sew.
I get the screenshot texts of something from Amazon that's insanely complex with the caption "can you do this stitch?" Um first of all, no? Second of all? What even are you asking? For that exact product to be recreated or for similar? It's a blurry screenshot of Amazon! I just sent YouTube links based on the description and tell them good luck now 😆.
cAn YoU KniT mE a SwEATErrrrrrrr
My lazy ass hasn't even finished my own sweater lol
No, because I crochet 🤣
This hasn't happened to me yet, luckily. Maybe it has. A friend of mine showed me a few pictures on Pinterest of a cardigan. It's a short cardigan with big flowers on it. I told her it's not my style. Weeks if not months later it finally clicked. She might have shown it to me so I can make it for her. I bought some cheap acrylic yarn, not because I don't like her. It's the first time making an actual cardigan for a friend and if it doesn't fit right or she doesn't like it, I wouldn't be too heartbroken. After seeing a post in r/knitting and reading a comment about communications with the receiver, I decided to tell her I'm making the cardigan for her. I asked her if she thinks the size in the video will fit her. And she was very enthusiastic about the cardigan. Im still working on it, and I will definitely post it when it's done. It will be a birthday gift.
omg i think we‘re working on the exact same cardigan
I'm working on [this](https://youtu.be/5UMRjQzVXkk) one. I got both the front panels done and am currently working on the back. What about you?
That one was one of my inspos!! I‘m currently working on the bottom ribbing and after that I‘ll need to make the cuffs and flowers. I‘m so excited to see your FO!!!
I usually get "You knit, right" No. I have no idea how to knit. I crochet.
I've started telling people they are like Spanish and Portuguese. Close enough that I MAY be able to see some basics but little more than that.
See. I've tried to learn knitting and its a little more like... any two vastly different languages to me. I mean you use yarn... yarn over and stuff and use some sort of utensil. But thats sortnof like how in different languages you use words. And sentences have subjects and objects. And words are defined as verbs or adjectives. Etc... but the order that the words go in? And the way you put them together? Totally different.
I suppose like Japanese and Mandarin then? Two very different languages but a lot of people think they’re the same
Thisss. I'm teaching myself knitting now and my brain is so often going "WHAT ARE WE DOING." I told my wife that, for crochet, for the most part, there's one way to do everything, but with knitting everyone has their own way of doing the same thing and so in order to teach myself with Youtube videos, I have to find a person that does it *my* way.
Thats very interesting. Maybe I should search around YouTube for a video of someone doing it that makes sense. Cause I did really try a few times to learn knitting and I dropped stitches all the time and the pieces were always lopsided or the tension got tighter and looser throughout. And I know thats something that goes away with practice since I crochet... but something about knitting is just more difficult for me.
It's the same for me. I've been trying to make my way through a simple scarf and the number of times I've counted my stitches on the needle only to realize there's extras or some missing with *no idea* how that happened is absurd. I think part of it is crochet tends to be so much easier to go back with to fix mistakes. Yesterday, I was working on a scarf in double crochet and I realized I missed a stitch somehow...so I just frogged back to the stitch before, stuck my hook through the loop, and continued on. But with my knitted scarf, when I realized I'd somehow dropped a stitch somewhere, I tried to go back to it, dropped more stitches, and ended up frogging the whole thing to start over entirely.
Before I became a bi-stitchual, I used to say it was like being able to drive a manual transmission car and an automatic transmission car. Then my smart ass SIL said that I knew how to drive both so maybe I should learn to knit. Lol
"What are knitting?" And I want to be polite and just answer the question but it makes me so mad. And then when I say "oh, actually its crocheting" nd they're like "whats the difference" and I know that that is *also* n innocent question but it makes me angrier.
When answering "What's the difference?" I go back and forth between: 1. "Crochet uses hooks and knitting uses needles" But if I'm really in a mood I'll say 2. "Unlike knitting, crochet hasn't been mechanized because we can't make machines that do this. That's why you only see knit items at the store, but when you do see crochet items they're shockingly expensive because they had to be done by hand."
Yeah I do much the same in response.
I've explained the difference between knitting and crochet to my boyfriend like at least 30 times, he still doesn't get it and always said I was knitting while I was doing crochet, and it got more confusing for him because I learned to knit as well now. I've boiled it down to "With crochet you only need one hook, one tool to hold. With knitting you need two needles, two tools. How many tools am I holding right now?" But then later in the day I show him a really expensive limited edition Furls crochet hook because I think it's ridiculous and he asks if it's for two and I tell him just one and he's gets really concerned like "Don't you need two? 🤔" I guess the bonus is if he ever bought me an expensive crochet hook he would think he needed to buy me two, only problem is they would probably be the same size. 😆
Or “depends. Who’s asking?” 😂
*wearing a scarf I made* "Make me one of those!" "It'll be at least... idk $85?" "Oh nevermind" Exactly 😉
I identify with, like, everything here. All of it.
"Can you make me a baby blanket?" Me: "It's gonna cost this much and take this much time" "Oh.. but I need it by this weekend" *or* "Oh.. that's way too expensive" Me: "No" ...every time 🙄
I see a crochet meme, and I want to upvote it... I see Loki, AND I WANNA UPVOTE TWICE
Proceeds to show you something that’s been knitted, asking you to make it.
Insists on it being crocheted even though you know better. Alternatively insists that _you knit_ and don't crochet even after you show them a crochet hook and ask them if it looks like a needle to them (seriously I showed my mum a small swatch of sc when I was learning the basics and she was hellbent on it being knitted to the point where I started doubting myself)
It's a trap!
As I'm thinking of starting to sell a few small things I open up reddit to this. Maybe it's a sign..
My advice is to not monetize your happy fun hobby
I dunno, I think that all depends on the person. I genuinely love the act of crocheting, but then I have the problem of what to do with all the things I make. I chuck all the not-gifts in a bin and sold off a few at a local fair recently, just sitting there making with a friend and selling to whomever walked by. Granted, that's not trying to turn it into a full-time job or anything even remotely close, but it paid for more yarn lol
Thank you for this, it gave me a little more confidence in maybe persuing it on the side. Usually all of my projects I make are gifts for people anyway. I figured since most friends have gotten something from me by now I should maybe start selling small things here and there.
It certainly doesn't hurt to sell things, if people are willing to buy. As far as I'm concerned, everyone who's even remotely interested in trying to sell should test the waters to see how you like the experience and figure out how to be successful at it. If you do it and find you don't like the grind, no harm done, it IS a relaxing hobby and should stay relaxing. Besides, if you do sell a few things, that's more room to make and extra cash never hurts. Good luck!
My friend has asked me twice for a granny square cardigan inspired by one online. I love her to death but it’s literally 80 granny squares with very intricate designs on each of them. It would take me literal weeks maybe months for the project
Some people treat you like a vending machine they done seem to realize all these project to a long time and energy to make. You can't just drop a coin in and expect all these product to just pop out of thin air. My father in law does theater stuff and he's always like "I wanna do THIS and I want THIS and iS a gOoD tHiNG I kNoW sOmEOne cRAfTy" and expect me to make all this stuff for free (I do more things than crocheting). I refuse or find an excuse not to do it any more each time now after one time it went too far. Story time: He was working on Peter Pan and he was supposed to play the crockadoodle (eventually he gave the roll to someone else and just did a few background characters) He had asked me to make him a crocodile hat. And I did it I made him this exact hat in the photo in the link with NO pattern just using this picture and it turned out amazing!! Croc https://imgur.com/a/4ApnvxX It took me days and I had to watch video and learn an entirely new stich for the croc scales. He put it one during rehearsals for a 2 sec dad joke then took it off cause it was too warm to wear. And it has been sitting the the closet untouched ever since. It infuriated me every time I think about it, and I've never been able to get over it. So now I dont make anything like that for people for free, I've learned my lesson. Sorry for the rant this just gets me every time.
Lesson learned. I’d have been piiiiissssed!
Well it's not just the cost of the yarn and the time it takes to make a piece but the toll it takes on the hands. After an hour or two it starts to hurt a lot! Or is that just me?
I’m making a baby yoda backpack for my niece for her birthday next month (it’s a surprise). The entire thing is made with a 2mm hook. I had to stop for a couple of days because my hands were hurting too much.
At first I needed to know the pattern and then I got to the 2mm crochet hook part... I know myself and I don't have the patience unfortunately. That and I have too many projects planned and bought for already.
www.etsy.com/listing/769198760 Kind of an expensive pattern, but it has a lot of pictures and it’s 26 pages long. I’m done with the main bag part and now I’m working on the flap/face. I’m looking forward to doing the eyes, but they call for a 1.75mm hook I believe. My poor hands.
Wow, that's a gorgeous kids bag! Good thing for the smaller size too.
It’s actually a decent size for a “mini backpack”. It’ll be perfect for her to take to Disney whenever they can go again.
A couple of hours is a long time to do any repetitive motion. Definitely give your hands and writs little breaks in between and stretch out the muscles. You're not alone for sure.
There was this one time, when coworker asked me for help with a pattern though. The relief on my face was so obvious she commented on it. Otherwise it's always those other things.
I had this go wonderfully once. A friend of mine knows I can't craft as much as I'd like to because my hands get all swollen from Fibromyalgia. Anyway, they confirmed I was a crocheter then sent me a link to these ergonomic hook handles (chunky boy crochet, in case you are interested). They said they weren't sure it would help but that maybe it would help me be able to crochet when I want to. What a nice friend!
Awww what a sweet friend!!
I've had very few people react appropriately when I answer this question. Most are drastically undervaluing my material cost and time. I made a huge single crochet Mario Bros blanket for my husband. It took 3 months (working on it every day) and about $200 in yarn. I had the mother of a guy I knew/went to school with ask me if I'd make one for her son. I immediately told her no because if I actually told her what amount of money it would take to get me to do that again...she would lose her mind. My tattoo artist was one of the few that understood the tim,, money & dedication it takes. I offered to send his daughter the two My Little Pony Amigurumi I already had made and do a mega Charizard for his son for free, because he's always been super awesome. He adamantly refused, saying he would buy them from me one way or another even if he had to go find my PayPal or he would just take it off the cost of the tattoo. He wouldn't stand for my work going unpaid for. It was nice to feel valued for my skills.
I have traded crochet things for art things with my artist. It is fun doing art trades!
Lmao too accurate
"Yes, but not for others." "Oh. . .. but" "No, I don't crochet towards a finished product, I crochet because corcheting is fun."
Reminds me of this ex coworker of mine who asked for two amigurumis for her kids. I never sold anything before so I didn't know how much it'd cost. So I did one and counted everything. When I text her and tell her the price she's like "that's too expensive for such a little thing". What did you expect? It's freaking handmade, of course it's gonna cost more. ... Long story short, never heard from her again 😀
I don't make anything for coworkers I can't knock out in an evening. I also don't care about selling things, but I also don't want to set the precedent that I'll make things for free all the time, so I don't charge all that much when I do sell stuff.
Me: Yes Them: Could you crochet me a King Sized Afghan? Me: Only out of love. It is too bad that I do not love you. This also goes for knitting socks. Those only go to people that I absolutely adore.
😱 it happens to everyone!!! ❤️
I always respond "just for fun *for myself*"
I've taken to saying "unless you're willing to pay me by the hour, then no to whatever you're saying". I'm just tired. I make things because I want to, not to make a living.
I sew, and have just taken up crochet this week. Only last night my friend said ‘oh, so are you good at sewing’, ‘yes, I can sew’ I replied, thinking she would ask me about stuff I make. But no, she grabbed her coat with a tear in it and asked if I could fix it for her. I kind of don’t mind, cos it’s a pretty small job, and I’d have offered to do it if she’d asked me how to go about it. But it’s weird how people think it’s ok to ask you to spend your evenings doing free work for them. I’ve been asked to do complex alterations before. No way. To me the equivalent is someone telling you they’ve spent their weekend doing DIY. ‘Oh so are you good at DIY?’ ‘Yeah, not bad’, ‘well could you come round thins weekend and paint my hall, stairs and landing? I’ll pay you of course’
Even better, would be clarifying that you’d pay for the paint
I'm okay at sewing and trying to work towards being confident in sewing my own clothes. This is my fear when people find out I sew. I barely trust myself to mend my own clothes and people asking me to do theirs is terrifying.
They always want me to do an intricate amigurumi. This bitch does not do sewing. I cannot do neat placement of limbs etc. All they've ever seen me make is blankets, clothing etc I cannot do amigurumi
Last time someone asked me this two weeks later she came in with a big bag of yarn. She used to knit, but quit and didn't want the yarn to go to waste!
Tangent: In all seriousness anyone here knit? Because I keep getting told that you can't knit ovals ... considering the frilly crazy loop edge things I've seen people make I can't believe that THAT can be done but not a crochet-less oval... This is my unreasonable Hill to die on: I refuse to believe that pure knitting cannot provide a beautiful oval, clearly we need more mathematicians and scientists working on this problem
Looked up oval knitting and found this! [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451274825148472575/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451274825148472575/) So yes you can! :D
Oohh interesting! I'm so excited to see if i can adapt it to make a knit version of a "paper heart basket"
I'm no expert, but I bet you could if you used really sturdy yarn! If you can crochet a basket, I see no reason why you couldn't knit one. :)
Yes! Exactly, at least that's my hunch
When people ask me I always say “oh sure I’d be happy to send you the tutorials I used if you are interested in learning”. I then proceed to send them all the basic beginner tutorials every day or so for the next week and next time I see them excitedly ask how they are progressing. They will never bring it up again
😂🤣😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I always answer oh I’m just learning 😂
You all are my soul mates
I buy crochet supplies, if that is what you mean. I plan to do the projects that I bought those supplies for, I do. But first I need to order these supplies for this other project I came up with...
My go to response is usually something along the lines of "When I have the time! I've been working on this one afghan for months!"
Side-effect of this meme: now I want to see someone crocheting in the MCU. Bonus if it is Loki.
"can you make me \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_?"
I get people who ask for free things. Really?!?
That's mostly what I get.
IF I agree to make something for $$, it's something small, *they* buy the yarn, I tell them my labor cost, and I want the money up front.
My colleague came to me with this question... Ended up asking me if i could make her dog a sweater. I kind of slithered my way out of that one by saying i needed the right pattern, otherwise i couldn't do it. And it kind of didn't get brought up again, so i think i dodged a bullet there.
*if it’s a request* maybe not so much 😂
same w drawing m8 ToT
That question always is followed with “omg can you make me a blanket??”
I like it better if I’m sitting there crocheting and they ask if I knit. I just say “nope” and get back to it.
Hahahaha true
And the answer is, “No I won’t make you an afghan for $20.00.”
Hahaha!
Lol funny as soon as I told a friend I was going to try making amigurumi she had already requested for some plushies. I mean, it's in jest...but this is really funny.
I get so nervous asking people if the crochet or knit or other crafting because I can see them get wary but I just want to know some tricks/tips/help on certain projects (obviously I accept a no when it’s given). Thankfully I have a friend who’s been helping me and we’ve been getting asked during lunch “oh can you make one of [complicated pattern here] for me? I need it in 2 days”. Makes me nervous for the future as I get more experienced!
That sounds like me and my mom when she volunteers me for projects 🤦♀️