People often ask if they can pay me to crochet a blanket for them

[MissMillie]

(I got to thinking about the question this morning as it took me 2 hours to complete ONE row of the border of the blanket I am currently making.)

So the answer is: "Sure, but I don't think you'll want to come up with that much money for a blanket."

I've got 70 hrs into my current project. At the uber-low rate of $4/hour, we're looking at close to $300 for labor alone.

When I bring this sort of math into the equation, it's a real eye-opener for some people

I have no problem w/ giving my work as a gift. People who know me understand how much of my time (and HEART) go into it.

[usaf-vet]

1. My wife quilts. I tie flys. Same thing here on both counts. We both give away the products we "manufacture" while...

...watching TV in the evening hours.

[ALBliberal]

2. I crochet. Absolutely love this craft.🤍

I have been asked to crochet for $. I always answer I only crochet for those I love. Friends and family. Really can’t put a price on something like crocheting and many other crafts.

[FalloutShelter]

3. I feel you.

The cost calculation can’t match the love and attention. I often gift my knitted blankets too.
My mom was my inspiration for fiber arts. She and her friends at the senior center started a club called the “ Happy Hookers” (LOL) they donated all of their work to servicemen and women overseas ( watch caps and gloves) and children’s hospital units.
A wonderful legacy.

[Srkdqltr]

4. I quilt. The quilts i make go to charity or for gifts.

MY husband's friend wanted one of my quilts to give as a gift to someone else. I told him $200. He didn't buy it.
Between fabric, which is not cheap, and time $200 is base price.
I make quilts because I like to. I like the process, the colors, the time it takes. It fills the time I would be in front of the TV.

[pioche4]

5. I quilt, and have been asked same

Did so once or twice, but it wasn’t very satisfying. Quilting for those you love is what I like to do. The creative spark is brighter and the heart energy stronger. ?️

[mopinko]

6. all artists deal w this.

i have a friend who has a small farm and raises sheep. she makes such lovely crochet w the wool, which she spins herself. she sells them so cheap, she barely makes any money. she has an etsy shop, and does markets.
she was asking about photographing her stuff on fb recently, and i told her she needed a pro, and that it wd b worth it, since she wd sell more. she- i literally cant afford a pro. me- u cant afford not to. invest in yourself.

but she just cant. she knows a couple photogs, and i suggested she try to get 1 to work on spec. i hate that idea, too, but i know it wd pay off.
she also sells yarn. here’s her etsy shop- https://www.etsy.com/shop/VidenovichFarms



i was a painter, and never sold a painting. my style is simple. ppl wd ask- how long did that take?
me- all my life. that’s me on that paper.

[lastlib]

7. WOW!

Many years before she died, my grandmother crocheted two wall hangings of the Statue of Liberty, and two of the Lord's Prayer. Rough guess, they're each 3ft x 3ft. At that kind of labor rate, each one of those would be worth multiple thousands of $$. I have both of the Statue of Liberty ones, my sister has one of the Lord's Prayer, and I think my brother has the other one. They are truly beautiful works.
I also have a bed-spread that she crocheted. It's amazing in its own right--I don't even put it on a bed, so it doesn't get dirty.

[zeusdogmom]

8. If the request comes from a person I like (I'm mighty picky 😁)

And if the pattern or item is something I really want to make again I might say yes providing they pay for the yarn - I am really picky about yarn, too. I may or may not be a yarn snob. 😁 Generally the dollar amount is waaay more than said person thought it might be. Good, nice yarn ain’t cheap sister 😄. Ditto a quilt. That $$$ really sends the requester for a loop especially if larger than a baby quilt.

I will offer to teach them to knit or crochet - had a few takers on that offer. They are now happily making beautiful items for themselves and loved ones. Time well spent.

[HeartsCanHope]

9. I crocheted some booties for one of my husband's nieces for her baby shower.

Her husband said to me, "How long to crochet these?" I said, "I can crochet a couple of pairs a day, got too much else to do." Then he proceeded to mansplain to me that I could make a bunch of pairs and make a killing on Etsy. I looked at him and said, ""You couldn't pay me to do that!" Then I laughed and walked away. I decide to whom I gift my crochet. I do it for love, not money. You could never make back what you put into any project anyway!

[KarenS]

10. I used to quilt and I am an active crocheter,,,,

If they ask/offer, in lieu of money, I ask for a $20 gift certificate to Joann's to replace the yarn or fabric,,,, It doesn't cover the cost but it also allows me to shop