Crochet

[PTree15]

Your work is just beautiful, GingerFoxx! I don't blame you for keeping the asymmetrical poncho. It's gorgeous! I haven't been able to crochet much the past week or so. I had a lot of work to do, plus I had company, plus Thanksgiving, so I'm hoping to finish the virus stitch poncho this weekend.

 

[PTree15]

I finished the virus stitch poncho at my parents' house today. I'm really pleased with how it came out. Fingers crossed that somebody buys it next weekend at the craft fair.

 

[GingerFoxx]

Gorgeous! Nicely done!

 

[PTree15]

Gorgeous! Nicely done!

Thank you, GingerFoxx. I really love it, so I won't be super sad if no one buys it, because I would totally be fine with keeping this for myself.

 

[GingerFoxx]

Thank you, GingerFoxx. I really love it, so I won't be super sad if no one buys it, because I would totally be fine with keeping this for myself.

How much are you asking for it? I have a coworker who wanted to commission me for one just like it once she has her baby next month. Then another coworker volunteered to pay for it as a gift for her surprise baby shower. Pricing things is so challenging sometimes!

 

[PTree15]

How much are you asking for it? I have a coworker who wanted to commission me for one just like it once she has her baby next month. Then another coworker volunteered to pay for it as a gift for her surprise baby shower. Pricing things is so challenging sometimes!

It sure is. There are many factors, such as considering the clientele who will show up at these craft fairs. I looked at some acrylic ponchos at The Paper Store recently, and they were charging between $30 and $50 for machine-made ones. That seems a little low for me, given that I spent $18 on the yarn (parts of six skeins).

I'm not sure what to charge. I go by that formula to triple the cost of supplies, and then I add a little extra for my time depending on the difficulty/fanciness of the pattern. I think I'd like to charge $70 or $75. If someone offers me $65 or so, I'll probably take it, because I could really use the extra money. But I won't go under $60, given what I spent for the yarn.

 

[shyvas]

It sure is. There are many factors, such as considering the clientele who will show up at these craft fairs. I looked at some acrylic ponchos at The Paper Store recently, and they were charging between $30 and $50 for machine-made ones. That seems a little low for me, given that I spent $18 on the yarn (parts of six skeins).

I'm not sure what to charge. I go by that formula to triple the cost of supplies, and then I add a little extra for my time depending on the difficulty/fanciness of the pattern. I think I'd like to charge $70 or $75. If someone offers me $65 or so, I'll probably take it, because I could really use the extra money. But I won't go under $60, given what I spent for the yarn.

I'd be curious to know if you can sell it for the amount you wish. How many hours did it take you to crochet the poncho ?

Please do let us know.

Is there no way that you can buy wool/yarn via a wholesale store ?

 

[PTree15]

I'd be curious to know if you can sell it for the amount you wish. How many hours did it take you to crochet the poncho ?

Please do let us know.

Is there no way that you can buy wool/yarn via a wholesale store ?

I will be, too, haha. I actually got that yarn on sale. There aren't any wholesale stores that I am aware of, but that would be great. I rarely pay full price for yarn, though. I usually wait for sales or coupons. Sadly, yarn shops are disappearing, so that leaves craft stores like Joanne's and Michaels for yarn, or Walmart or Amazon. I also don't buy wool or any animal-based yarn, so anything I use is either plant-based or man-made.

Do you think the price is too high? I am not sure how many hours it took me. If I were to guess, I would say 12 to 15 hours.

 

[GingerFoxx]

I was going to charge $40-$45 for the one I will be making, but if I were selling to a stranger or at a fair like you are, I'd ask more than for a friend/coworker. Based on the yarn I plan to use, it will likely be 2-3 times the cost of materials. The unfortunate part about this hobby is there is no way to charge a fair hourly rate for your time and get paid what you are worth.

 

[PTree15]

I was going to charge $40-$45 for the one I will be making, but if I were selling to a stranger or at a fair like you are, I'd ask more than for a friend/coworker. Based on the yarn I plan to use, it will likely be 2-3 times the cost of materials. The unfortunate part about this hobby is there is no way to charge a fair hourly rate for your time and get paid what you are worth.

Agreed. And yes, if I were to make this for a friend who commissioned it, I would probably charge in the same range as you. I think a lot depends on the clientele and area of the craft fairs. People in more wealthy towns are willing to pay more.

 

[GingerFoxx]

I made this cowl neck V-stitch poncho throughout the last week. I just finished it up yesterday and I am testing it out now. So warm!

 

[PTree15]

I made this cowl neck V-stitch poncho throughout the last week. I just finished it up yesterday and I am testing it out now. So warm!

View attachment 19317

Another gorgeous piece! Well done, GingerFoxx! I love those colors, too.


I did not sell my poncho at the craft fair, but I did receive a lot of compliments on it. I think I probably should have charged in the $50 to $55 range. I did sell the black shawl, though, for $35, so I was happy about that. Overall, I made more than $200, which will really help me with the rest of my Christmas shopping. I was really pleased. I need to work on my web page next. A friend who is a graphic arts designer is working on a logo for me. I would have loved to have had cards and whatnot, but I did at least print up a price list and put my side business email on it. One person took a picture of it, so maybe I will get an order for something.

 

[GingerFoxx]

I decided to make a poncho for my Secret Santa recipient at the office. She is a fellow crocheter and shares a lot of my other interests. I know she will appreciate the effort I put into it. I started last night. Hoping to finish it over these next 3 days.

 

[GingerFoxx]

I finished my poncho for the office Secret Santa on Saturday. It's tricky to photograph because of the design of it. It's a "high-low" poncho, so when it's worn correctly, the front falls about at the hip, and the back is longer. Hopefully you can get the idea from looking at it:

 

[GingerFoxx]

Right now, I am working on a Doctor Who tardis-inspired winter hat for my boyfriend's father for Christmas/birthday (which is on New Year's Eve). I got the pattern from a coworker's girlfriend, but I don't think the instructions are written correctly, so I am going to modify the waffle stitch hat pattern I've had success with previously, and just make a tardis blue version with the little white "windows" like a police call box. Stay tuned for that, hopefully later this week.

Also on the short list... continuing to chip away at progress on my boyfriend's blanket. His grandmother requested a virus pattern poncho in purple, white and gold (for the women's suffrage movement) and I will be making another poncho for the baby shower commission I mentioned previously. Good golly, I feel busy!

My other coworker who recently got into crochet came into my office first thing this morning, eager to show me the latest blanket she is making, following the nautilus pattern available on YouTube. While showing off her progress, she mentioned how an experienced crocheter friend of hers always comments to her when she sees my posts on Facebook. Evidently, I have a mild celebrity status with her friend. How crazy is that?!

 

[PTree15]

Right now, I am working on a Doctor Who tardis-inspired winter hat for my boyfriend's father for Christmas/birthday (which is on New Year's Eve). I got the pattern from a coworker's girlfriend, but I don't think the instructions are written correctly, so I am going to modify the waffle stitch hat pattern I've had success with previously, and just make a tardis blue version with the little white "windows" like a police call box. Stay tuned for that, hopefully later this week.

Also on the short list... continuing to chip away at progress on my boyfriend's blanket. His grandmother requested a virus pattern poncho in purple, white and gold (for the women's suffrage movement) and I will be making another poncho for the baby shower commission I mentioned previously. Good golly, I feel busy!

My other coworker who recently got into crochet came into my office first thing this morning, eager to show me the latest blanket she is making, following the nautilus pattern available on YouTube. While showing off her progress, she mentioned how an experienced crocheter friend of hers always comments to her when she sees my posts on Facebook. Evidently, I have a mild celebrity status with her friend. How crazy is that?!

That is so cool!
Also, way cool on the Dr. Who hat. I've been wanting to do a Harry Potter one for my nephew's girlfriend, as she is a huge Harry Potter fan.
I haven't worked on anything since the craft fair, but I'm itching start on the beach bags I want to make for the summer craft fair at the beach. Here is a link to the pattern that I found on Ravelry.com:

Classic Beach Bag pattern by Rebecca Langford

A confident beginner could make this bag, easily, and yet it still looks like something you could buy at the surf shop. It has a very classic nautical-style pattern, but with really fun color options thanks to the yarn (Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton). The grommets and rope handles give it strength...

www.ravelry.com

 

[PTree15]

I finished my poncho for the office Secret Santa on Saturday. It's tricky to photograph because of the design of it. It's a "high-low" poncho, so when it's worn correctly, the front fall about at the hip, and the back is longer. Hopefully you can get the idea from looking at it:
View attachment 19351

What a cool pattern! Great work as always! Love the colors as well.

 

[shyvas]

What a cool pattern! Great work as always! Love the colors as well.

You two (GF) seem hooked ! Apparently crochet is making a huge comeback.

 

[KLS52]

@GF and PTree...love the secret Santa poncho and that beach bag is so cool!

 

[GingerFoxx]

I modified the waffle stitch hat pattern I used previously to make this Doctor Who TARDIS inspired hat for my boyfriend's father:

Last night I started on the purple, white and gold virus pattern poncho for my boyfriend's grandmother's birthday on the 24th. Hoping to still have time to bang out a couple more hats before Christmas for his mother, my mother and my brother...