Nice post Kavitha. I think one could write a book about how differently we humans think about handmade items. We are all over the map as to how we regard them! One person looks at say, an Irish knit cardigan and loves it and wears it for years, Another person has no interest in it at all. This is also true for high-end machine knits. Some people love them when they buy them, but do little to care for them. While others give these garments a good deal of love and attention to keep them looking their best. I have often smiled at the very American style of jeans with holes top with an ultra beautiful knit!
Along time ago, in a land far away, I made many art sweaters. Big hand knit sweaters were VERY popular! Everyone including big name celebrities were wearing them. Mine were usually commissioned for individuals with agreed upon designs and costs. Yarn was much less costly then and as the sweaters were each unique and in demand, I could charge a good bit. It was quite different from today. when the cost of yarn impacts the overall cost of any hand-made knit. I would suggest to anyone thinking of making handcrafts for sale, to stick to smaller items initially. Things like hats, scarves and Christmas stockings. Where you live will determine what is popular. In a warm climate you might do better making handbags! It is important to have your buyer in mind for whatever you are creating. You need to know your market. It could be baby
items and children's clothes!?! Otherwise, your items may not be seen no matter how beautiful they turn out. An interesting side business if you like finishing knits, is to offer to put other knitter's sweaters together for them. Always good to have pieces you have done as examples. And give yourself plenty of time. It is okay to pay yourself well. You are working with someone else's knit pieces which can be challenging.
Thank you Sandy! And thank you for that lovely compilation of great advice for aspiring sellers. You are right, in my own family I have people are oblivious to lovely handmades passing under their noses everyday :)))
Lol!! for the ultra beautiful knit atop holey jeans.. individual tastes for things is a very complex matter.
Wow, never realized you had your handmade selling years. Such great advice indeed. And I have done that bit of "working on others handmades". For a while I (machine) sewed lining onto crochet and knit bags for a commission. :)
Kavitha, isn't it amazing where an interest in knitting can take you. I once was offered a job of sewing labels and tags into a line of cashmeres. I didn't do it, but it made me realize that 'somebody' has to sew those labels into each garment, just like the lining in those purses you did! :-) Adding linings to sweaters is a unique skill that is appreciated by people who love knits but need a lining to wear them. A side note for anyone looking for a market for hand knit sweaters, is to get to know shop owners in your local ski resorts! :-)
I knit and make mostly for me, not for sale, very VERY rarely to order (it tends to be when it's a pattern I'd like to do for me so I'm effectively doing a test knit for someone else 😂)
In summer 2020, I made a blanket for a friend. It is her comfort, her safety; it goes with her when she travels to visit family. Everyone in the family loves it but it is absolutely hers. I used a lot of stash, but also bought several balls to get the effect I wanted. Yes: I knitted a super chunky blanket in the warm summer of 2020 when we were largely isolated and stuck indoors 😂🤦🏻♀️ But the love in every stitch brings me so much delight whenever my friend says "I'm going under my blanket", whether that's for comfort, solace, or warmth on a cold day. The best investment is in love, whether for ourselves or those we love.
To those of you who craft as art of your living, career or income, I salute what you do!
When I see knit items, I think oh I can make that for less $. SPOILER ALERT: It is never less expensive! But I enjoy the knitting part so I call it even 🙂
I have never kept anything I've knitted. When I start a new project it's usually because I want to play with a particular yarn. I've made blankets, hats, scarves, mitts, baby booties, shawls, and baby sweaters. Several pieces lately have gone to family members but I usually have no idea where the things I make may end up.
Nice post Kavitha. I think one could write a book about how differently we humans think about handmade items. We are all over the map as to how we regard them! One person looks at say, an Irish knit cardigan and loves it and wears it for years, Another person has no interest in it at all. This is also true for high-end machine knits. Some people love them when they buy them, but do little to care for them. While others give these garments a good deal of love and attention to keep them looking their best. I have often smiled at the very American style of jeans with holes top with an ultra beautiful knit!
Along time ago, in a land far away, I made many art sweaters. Big hand knit sweaters were VERY popular! Everyone including big name celebrities were wearing them. Mine were usually commissioned for individuals with agreed upon designs and costs. Yarn was much less costly then and as the sweaters were each unique and in demand, I could charge a good bit. It was quite different from today. when the cost of yarn impacts the overall cost of any hand-made knit. I would suggest to anyone thinking of making handcrafts for sale, to stick to smaller items initially. Things like hats, scarves and Christmas stockings. Where you live will determine what is popular. In a warm climate you might do better making handbags! It is important to have your buyer in mind for whatever you are creating. You need to know your market. It could be baby
items and children's clothes!?! Otherwise, your items may not be seen no matter how beautiful they turn out. An interesting side business if you like finishing knits, is to offer to put other knitter's sweaters together for them. Always good to have pieces you have done as examples. And give yourself plenty of time. It is okay to pay yourself well. You are working with someone else's knit pieces which can be challenging.
Thank you Sandy! And thank you for that lovely compilation of great advice for aspiring sellers. You are right, in my own family I have people are oblivious to lovely handmades passing under their noses everyday :)))
Lol!! for the ultra beautiful knit atop holey jeans.. individual tastes for things is a very complex matter.
Wow, never realized you had your handmade selling years. Such great advice indeed. And I have done that bit of "working on others handmades". For a while I (machine) sewed lining onto crochet and knit bags for a commission. :)
Kavitha, isn't it amazing where an interest in knitting can take you. I once was offered a job of sewing labels and tags into a line of cashmeres. I didn't do it, but it made me realize that 'somebody' has to sew those labels into each garment, just like the lining in those purses you did! :-) Adding linings to sweaters is a unique skill that is appreciated by people who love knits but need a lining to wear them. A side note for anyone looking for a market for hand knit sweaters, is to get to know shop owners in your local ski resorts! :-)
So true! Once you start realizing the possibilities, the feeling of amazement NEVER goes away. Ski stores is a brilliant piece of advice. 🤍
I knit and make mostly for me, not for sale, very VERY rarely to order (it tends to be when it's a pattern I'd like to do for me so I'm effectively doing a test knit for someone else 😂)
In summer 2020, I made a blanket for a friend. It is her comfort, her safety; it goes with her when she travels to visit family. Everyone in the family loves it but it is absolutely hers. I used a lot of stash, but also bought several balls to get the effect I wanted. Yes: I knitted a super chunky blanket in the warm summer of 2020 when we were largely isolated and stuck indoors 😂🤦🏻♀️ But the love in every stitch brings me so much delight whenever my friend says "I'm going under my blanket", whether that's for comfort, solace, or warmth on a cold day. The best investment is in love, whether for ourselves or those we love.
To those of you who craft as art of your living, career or income, I salute what you do!
Thank you Lisa for sharing your beautiful story. You are right about the best investment being love. I hope more people realize and appreciate it.
When I see knit items, I think oh I can make that for less $. SPOILER ALERT: It is never less expensive! But I enjoy the knitting part so I call it even 🙂
Absolutely! How money fits into the equation can be very tricky and subjective :))
What a lovely thoughtful post. It made me feel hopeful for the future of our handmade crafts
Thank you Elaine. I am so glad it resonated at some level.
O I g your writing on hand mades I’ve recently crocheted a few seaters for myself and love the individuality of them
Thank you! You are right - the individuality about them. It seems to only grow with time. :)
I bought a handmade necklace as a gift for a friend. It is absolutely beautiful and unique and special. Thank you for highlighting all handmades
Yay for that thoughtful gifting. Thank you. I am so glad it resonated with you.
I have never kept anything I've knitted. When I start a new project it's usually because I want to play with a particular yarn. I've made blankets, hats, scarves, mitts, baby booties, shawls, and baby sweaters. Several pieces lately have gone to family members but I usually have no idea where the things I make may end up.
Sounds like another beautiful way of spreading the love. ❤️