[River City Knitter]

I know this has probably been asked several times, but I need a guide line to go by. Today I was asked by my niece to knit a Baby Blanket for her brother and new wife, as they are expecting a new baby next April. Athough a pattern and type of yarn hasn't been discussed yet- -I had always thought that if you are going to make something to sell, it should be 3 times the amount of the yarn. I'm not sure is that still holds true or not. All your input will be greatly appreciated. Everyone, have a great day.....:0)

 

[kaixixang]

Let's see $3 USD for one skein times 3 (4,5) skeins

That's $9 ($12, $15) times 3 equals $27 ($36, $45).

Not a bad amount whichever you charge. Are you planning a baby hat, socks, bottom, Jacket?

 

[BeckyOH]

Let's see $3 USD for one skein times 3 (4,5) skeins

That's $9 ($12, $15) times 3 equals $27 ($36, $45).

Not a bad amount whichever you charge. Are you planning a baby hat, socks, bottom, Jacket?

Please let me know where you can buy yarn for $3? (Just kidding), but that is hard to find these days.

 

[IndigoSpinner]

I'm knitting a baby blanket right now from Knit Picks comfy yarn, and it's $3 per ball. It's mostly cotton, machine washable, and feels SO nice! It's available in fingering, sport, and worsted weights in many colors.

 

[BeckyOH]

Didn't mean to offend, I really, really was kidding! Sorry!

 

[RUSTYDANCER66]

Our group yarns for charity. To make money for yarn postage coffee and tea we have a sale each december. We sell mostly baby items. The blankets are priced by size. small ones used on a car carrier 24x24 are $12 and the largest/most intricate go for $20 We add a dollar for a hat, a dollar for booties. So if you add your yarn cost - say a pound of love @ $10 that might help!

 

[orcagrandma]

I don't know about you all but to me $27 seems awful cheap for a baby blanket unless it is a small one. What about the time. Just think of what people are paid even minimum page. I know it would take longer than three hours to make a blanket. When I see handmade baby blankets in stores they are a lot more than that. Just saying, your time is worth a lot more than that.

 

[kaixixang]

I don't know about you all but to me $27 seems awful cheap for a baby blanket unless it is a small one. What about the time. Just think of what people are paid even minimum page. I know it would take longer than three hours to make a blanket. When I see handmade baby blankets in stores they are a lot more than that. Just saying, your time is worth a lot more than that.

That's why I had the more expensive calculations...how many more items COULD be added to the project if you can find/match equivalent patterns to the baby hat, socks, jacket, bottom, blanket. I've successfully matched a feather-and-fan to all the above except for the bottom. Anyone with a draft for:

R4: P18
R3: (K2tog)3x,|O,K|6x, (K2tog)3x
R2: K18
R1: K18

To make the baby bottoms...please attach a pattern in their reply or reply to. Thanks in advance...I do have other drafts up to 24 or 36 that I've mapped out on paper.

 

[duckie43]

I'd check esty or ebay and see what their charging and use that for a guide. Make sure its for the item and not just the pattern. I was looking for a sock monkey hat and diaper cover and the cost of it was $30.00

 

[RUSTYDANCER66]

as i understand your original question you are doing a favor,not making something for a retail sale as on etsy, of course the person will pay for the yarn, but how much you charge for your labor should be relative to whether or not this is a labor of love or filling your wallet. I never have thought of charging a friend or relative for my labor, if i accept their desire it means i will do it, all i ask is reimbursement for the yarn and i try to coupon that for them too.
If i am wrong and you are into a profit making program than by all means compare size, intricacy and time in calculating what you will charge.
Be aware most people don't put as much value on the hand made as we who do work do!!

 

[customyarns]

Customers often ask me what to charge, and yes, the old rule of thumb has always been 3 times the price of the yarn. I think that's never enough and would add something for all your time.

 

[dirgni]

It depends which thickness of yarn is used. If it is Knitting worsted you could charge 5.00 Dollars for a 50 gr ball. This will take 2 hours to knit. Crocheting is faster.
Don't forget to add the price of the yarn.

 

[River City Knitter]

Just planning on knitting a Baby Blanket. I saw that JoAnn Fabric had their Bernat Satin on Sale for $2.50 a skein- -marked down from $3.49. So, you can buy yarn for less than $3.00. This yarn is used for the "Baby Blocks" pattern in Debbie Macomber's, "The Shop on Blossom Street." Thanks for your input- -it was greatly appreciated.

 

[River City Knitter]

Thank You Custom Yarns! Yes, I still believe that this is a good rule of thumb. My husband is retired from Masonary, and he was told a long time back, not to give his trade away. I guess I sort of feel the same way about my knitting. It takes alot of time, and I feel that it is a "special" talent that I have. Even though this blanket is to be knit for my Niece to give as a gift, (she is also a niece from a first marriage, and we are not not close.) Nevertheless, I feel that I just can't knit this for nothing because she is my niece, rand was a part of my family when she was small.

 

[Alta Grama]

I know this has probably been asked several times, but I need a guide line to go by. Today I was asked by my niece to knit a Baby Blanket for her brother and new wife, as they are expecting a new baby next April. Athough a pattern and type of yarn hasn't been discussed yet- -I had always thought that if you are going to make something to sell, it should be 3 times the amount of the yarn. I'm not sure is that still holds true or not. All your input will be greatly appreciated. Everyone, have a great day.....:0)

You are not making this blanket as a gift for your niece. She is asking you to make something that SHE can give as a gift to someone else. In that case IMO she should be prepared to pay a fair price for your work plus materials.

 

[ann-other-knitter]

Last year I priced out some baby items at the local Farmers Market and it seemed that for a 36" square blanket they were charging $36CDN. I haven't had any luck selling any of my "one-of-a-kind" sweaters. It seems that most people are of a "dozens of the same" mentality. Mine are "one-offs", and my own design. Probably too modern. Ann

 

[orcagrandma]

Thought I would clear something up, I have never charged for any of my work. I have done nothing but give all my knitting away as gifts. I especially crochet heirloom long newborn dresses for ones to keep forever and pass down. I have been asked to do it for money but there is no amount I could charge that would make it worth my time, it would be too expensive. So I give them away. I have given some as far away as Norway, however, in return I also got a beautiful handmade boat from this ladies father. I was one of the last ones he did because they were made using an old trade that was handed down from father to son. Now there is no one to hand it down to and it will be a lost art. The boat with oars is magnificent and I will cherish it as she said she will cherish her baby dress. All I have asked is a picture of the baby wearing my garments and I love each and every picture. Now if my daughter wants a certain shawl with a certain yarn, she buys the yarn and I knit or crochet it. I of course give my granddaughters cowl scarves, hats and mittens etc. but I just love making things for people, especially if I know they really wants something and will love it. Enjoy what you do.

 

[k2p3-knit on]

Womens' work is undervalued. You won't get rich knitting by hand. Even a top-notch skilled knitter isn't likely to earn minimum wage per hour.

 

[River City Knitter]

Hello K2P3- -You are so right! Don't really like to knit anything that people want to know what I would charge money for. I would much rather knit for myself- -and gifts to people I love and care about. I'll make the offer for the Baby Blanket- -but won't hurt my feelings if it doesn't work out. I have WAY too many patterns and yarn that I want to knit myself.

 

[Larkster]

I made a car seat size baby blanket for a friend to give to someone as a baby shower gift. I did not charge her. I NEVER CHARGE. Then about 3 weeks later, she gave me a beautiful thank you card with a gift card for $75 for Teavana (my favorite tea store) and told me to PLEASE accept it but she thought after watching me make it, it was work even more!!!! You just never know. It is actually the first time anyone has given me anything for the knitting I give away freely. I was stunned!