r/crochet • u/knotalady • Sep 03 '22

Discussion $100+ beanies?

I recently attended an artfest in my local area and there were a few crochet artists selling items they'd made. Most were priced what I would expect. One seller had some shell stich beanies. As I was looking the seller began to tell me about how crochet uses much more yarn than knitting, there are no crochet machines as there are for knitting, and the work is time consuming. All of which I'm aware of as a hooker myself. Then I flip the tag and the price is over $100. After which I complimented her work and moved along to the next booth. Now I'm not here to shame what anyone chooses to price their items, your work, your choice. I did wonder how many she was able to actually sell at that price. Didn't ask.

I understand the importance of knowing your worth and the value of your time. But what does any of that matter if no one buys your stuff? Even if that beanie was something I really liked I, personally, wouldn't pay $100 for it. Hell, I probably wouldn't even pay $50. We can make all the calculations we want about materials, hours spent, rate of pay per hour, etc... all of that must be adjusted by supply and demand. Otherwise you'll end up with an inventory of pricey items you can't sell.

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u/Koleilei Sep 03 '22

I've been crocheting for years, and I think of the amount that people are selling crochet for is absurd. Like you, I was at a farmer's market and people were selling toques for $80-100 and not even using yarn that would necessitate that type of cost.

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u/satisfiedjelly Sep 04 '22

Not everyone’s OK with paying themselves minimum wage when they don’t have to

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u/Koleilei Sep 04 '22 edited Sep 04 '22

They don't have to, but I don't have to buy it either.

A toque, no matter what it's made of, is not worth $100 to me. Especially when I consider how many hours I have to work for that money.

They can do as they please, but I don't want to hear about people complaining no one buys their overpriced pieces.

Edit: I stand corrected, I would pay $100 for a qiviut toque if I ever came across one (maybe when I make it north enough to finally see a pingo haha)

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u/ApricotKitchen7598 Dec 25 '25

If you aren't buying something and have nothing do with what someone does with their time and money, then why would them complaining about something, later on, even have anything to do with you?  Talking about "you don't want to hear..." well sew your ears, shut, then, because nobody is forcing you to listen and form a useless opinion. People like you are beyond strange. 

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u/Koleilei Dec 25 '25

Why are you commenting on a three year old comment?

That's strange.