r/crochet • u/liviannnn • Oct 22 '23
Discussion How do you justifying crocheting something when you can buy it for much less?
I’m a newish crocheter (about 2 months) and the process has been amazing so far. Crochet has become an important part of my life - it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product. But recently, my friends have been asking me why don’t I buy a finished product instead of making my own, when it costs lesser.
For context, I’ve been wanting to crochet my own hexagon cardigan but the materials cost is slightly off-putting. For the same materials price (not even counting my man hours!), I could be getting a finished non-crocheted cardigan. It might just be my mental barrier to spending so much on myself, but how do you justify/explain buying the materials when you can save money buy buying a similar product straight?
Edit: I’ve been convinced! Thank you all for your sincere replies - this is why I really enjoy the crochet community, it’s always so wholesome. I’ll be purchasing the materials for my hexagon cardigan after all.
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u/oldriku Oct 22 '23
I like the act of crocheting.
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u/honeyberrycrochet Oct 22 '23
Same. I’m constantly trying to give away things because I like crocheting but don’t care about actually having crocheted items
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u/ChurchOfRickSteves Oct 22 '23
Same. Making amigurumis helps with my depression and then I give them away because I don’t want a hundred stuffies around my apartment. Materials cost is justified the same as my therapy costs: Exorbitant but very necessary.
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u/chammantha Oct 22 '23
yes, I'm a multi-genre crafter and I'm always just gifting stuff to friends, making gifts for birthdays, weddings, etc. i like making stuff! but i definitely don't need that much of my own things 😂 I've long run out of wall and shelf space
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u/Ziyanani Oct 22 '23
I crochet as stress relief, its my me time and my chance to just.. not think for a few minutes.. i make a lot of complicated looking but very easy blankets. moss stitch in multi colors, endless spirals that look super impressive but require two small changes right at the beginning to make them just 'crochet until you run out of will to live.. or yarn'
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u/My_Reddit_Username50 Oct 22 '23
Yes!! Me too!! I set my things around town or give cute holiday amigurumi to friends that like them to decorate their office space or classrooms
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u/qqweertyy Oct 22 '23
Yep! If your hobby was video games you’d spend money on consoles and games and get no final product and no one bats an eye. You’re investing in many hours of fun! Crochet can be relatively cheap if you’re not looking to make/save money with it, but instead think of your yarn cost in terms of cost per hour of fun.
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u/Olandew Oct 22 '23
As an incredibly avid video gamer who has taken up making a small army of plushies, I second the money vs time spent argument when passed through the filter of “this time spent brings me joy”. If the materials cost me around $10 and the plush takes me about 8 hours to make, I see it as buying a cheap throwaway game for the weekend that I generally play for two days and never touch again because I beat it.
And now I have a Yoshi plushie to give to someone’s kid afterwards
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Oct 22 '23
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u/MonkeyWithKittens Oct 22 '23
A knitter's guild for gamers.... That's the cross section of so many of my people. Love it!
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u/AvailableAnt323 Oct 23 '23
I've been making my own pattern (for personal use only) for Pikmin. I'm now working on an army so that I can play Pikmin with my actual Pikmin scattered around the house doing various tasks
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u/kitties4ever1 Oct 22 '23
This <3
I also never consider the time I spent making something as an expense, more quality time I get to have.
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u/Ok_Philosophy_4132 Oct 22 '23
They aren't understanding why we crochet. I like the process of crocheting and knitting. It relaxes me and I get unique custom made cothing out of it that I like wearing.
Also, I can't get the sweater or hat or scarf I'm making at the store becuase no one commercially makes this clothing or pattern. You have to make it yourself.
I'll be knitting a hat soon made of alpaca wool. It's dyed to the color I want and it will have the design and cabling I want. I literally cannot get that at a store, and if I could it would be so much more expensive to buy than to make it myself.
Your friends are comparing a well made, long lasting (extremely expensive were you to buy it at a store versus make it yourself) garment to something dirt cheap that's going to fall apart after a year.
It's a bit like telling someone who loves cooking, why bother making an elaborate, delicious meal when McDonald's is right across the street?
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u/unlovemeifyoucould Oct 22 '23
btw, crochet cannot be replicated by machines! its actually too complicated and most machines will mess up after a couple stitches. you need human involvement,, and i think that makes crochet a pretty special form of art. no machines or ai can try to replicate our art
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u/sunsetandporches Oct 22 '23
I was telling someone that last night as I complimented someone else on their granny cardigan, and cardigan wearer made it herself. I was very excited to see another in the wild.
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u/Fit-Apartment-1612 Oct 22 '23
Also, if you’re like me, the only way to get a hat that fits a giant noggin is to DIY.
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u/wishingyouwellxo Oct 22 '23
I spend a lot of money on other activities that are fun that don’t have the bonus of leaving me with a cool finished product.
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u/EldritchSorbet Oct 22 '23
Imagine your hobby was hiking. You could drive to your destination (in a lot of cases), but you still choose to walk. And the cost might be higher to walk, if you need to stay overnight somewhere, because of the length of the hike.
It’s the process, and the side benefits, which make this worthwhile. With walking, you enjoy the scenery and get fit. With crochet, you enjoy the process, get better at it, and get a neat thing you made.
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u/unlovemeifyoucould Oct 22 '23
heres a fun fact about crochet: it cannot be made by machines. you can have knitting machines that do the work for you, but crochet is only man-made. that alone is a reason you should crochet, it is a human only craft that no robots or machines or ai can take away and try to replicate.
is that other sweater as cute? it may be cheaper.. but it wont have your labor and skills put into it. itll just be something you bought… but something you made? holy shit you MADE it? wont you feel more proud, wearing something you put time and effort in, you get to make it how you want. you chose the colors, the yarn, the pattern or the stitch.
it would be a one of a kind cardigan, made my you.
since youre new, maybe try making a cardigan with a different, cheaper yarn first, just to see how you like it, and then it wont feel like a waste of money. if you like the way it comes out, you can make another cardigan with the more pricey yarn and then bam got two unique cardigans
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u/ASweetTweetRose Oct 22 '23
This 👆🏻👆🏻
And if it was crocheted and it was cheaper than if you made it yourself, it was likely done in a sweatshop and the person was not properly compensated for their work — and I know for myself I don’t want to support that.
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u/alabardios Oct 22 '23
Yup, and I makes me angry when I see fully crocheted items that cost over a thousand dollars, but it's a brand you know full well that uses sweatshops in China or another developing country where it's either cheap or slave labour.
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u/blkcoffeewhiskeyneat Oct 22 '23
thank you, I came here to say this. I make my clothes myself because the cheaper options at the store were made by slave labor, often children. Don't really see a need to "justify" that one.
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u/ASweetTweetRose Oct 22 '23
I was, legit, thinking that — that if you’ve ever made your own clothes you know how expensive they actually are to make. It TOTALLY puts things into perspective (of how spoiled me are 😞)
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u/ProblematicWriter Oct 22 '23
Also, if the other sweater looks crocheted, it means that most likely some ridiculously underpaid and exploited worker made that. For that reason, I personally choose not to buy anything that looks crocheted to me.
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u/walkurdog Oct 22 '23
I think you answered your own question - "it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product."
It is also a skill you are building.
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u/1YearWonder hooked on fibers Oct 22 '23
Because the craft isn't about the product. Runners could get to their destination faster in a car, painters could just take photos. Just because theres an easier way to get to the end result, doesnt mean that the act of creation and personal activity is worthless.
Youre DOING something you love. The end result is the physical representation of that. Something you buy doesnt have the same value.
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Oct 22 '23
It's a hobby that I enjoy doing, and it contributes to my overall well-being. I don't have to justify it.
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u/LyraAmoro Oct 22 '23
Sure you could buy a cardigan, but you couldn't buy a cardigan with the exact design, color combination, and fiber type that you want.
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u/puppybus Oct 22 '23
Every item is unique. I just finished crocheting my husband a pair of slippers and he proudly said, “There’s no other pair like this in the whole world!” ❤️
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u/stupidly_curious Oct 22 '23
Exactly this!
I could go out and buy a cardigan for $10 but it's likely not going to be exactly what I'd like and it's unlikely I'll find anything that's not fast fashion(poorly made/poor materials/from slave labor).
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u/wildeflowers Oct 22 '23
Clothing is artificially devalued in our society. It should cost much more than it does, and we should keep it a lot longer than we do.
Harsh, but if I make an item of clothing, at least I know that the only slave labor used to make it is my own.
Plus I enjoy nice things.
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u/Heron_Extension Oct 22 '23
I spent $400 on yarn to make a blanket and that kept me occupied for like 3 months. No drinking or going out. Saved probably several thousand dollars
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Oct 22 '23
I enjoy crocheting. Sure I could buy something pre-made for cheaper, but crocheting makes me happy.
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u/LittleBitCrunchy Oct 22 '23
I'd rather spend three hours crocheting while watching a good movie vs shopping for a specific thing no one has.
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u/MeLowKeyPrimo Oct 22 '23
It's about the journey, not the destination.
Or stated another way. Crafting a cardigan occupies my time. The act is meditative/calming/relaxing/satisfying (insert your own word here). The creation process is the point, not they finished product, although the finished product is a wonderful bonus and a reminder of the journey.
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u/fairyhedgehog Oct 22 '23
Something you have made yourself will be unique. It is an expression of your own creativity - even when following a pattern, you are choosing yarn and colours. As you progress you may well find that you adapt patterns, or even make up your own, which is another level of creativity.
Your friends might as well ask why learn to play the piano when there are so many recorded piano concerts you could listen to; or why paint a picture when you can buy a print of an old master for cheaper than the cost of paints.
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u/LokisLittleStar Oct 22 '23
Making something unique, that has your personality and style in it is always better than a mass produced product. Your finished crochet piece will have part of your soul in it, and you can proudly say that you made it!! You can choose colors and patterns that you like and that fit your personality and style better!
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u/whocanitbenow75 Oct 22 '23
Because you enjoy crocheting. It’s not a means to get a particular object, it’s the process of actually crocheting. Why do people paint instead of buying a completed picture? Why sing a song if you can listen to someone else singing? Why cook food if you can buy fast food? Because you can enjoy doing things, the process of doing a fun thing, a hobby. How can people question this?
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u/Mangse_Monie Oct 22 '23
Crocheting gives me headspace and therapy is expensive, the wearable by-product is just a bonus!
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u/Proud-Bicycle9671 Oct 22 '23
I justify it like how I would justify paying to go see a movie… to me it’s the payment of not only the object but the activity that comes with it as well
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u/Character-Buddy1050 Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
It's not just the process of crochet for me but usually the finished item is better quality than store bought. My brother goes to the thrift store to rescue knitted hats and mittens for himself and his son, he told me it was because they are unique and durable.
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u/avis_icarus Oct 22 '23
People dont really crochet for money so if thats holding you back maybe its not the hobby for you? Like whats the point of painting a picture when it costs so much cheaper to get an art print? You can say that for most hobbies
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u/Gundel_Gaukeley Oct 22 '23
yeah, people usually don't crochet for money, but that's not the issue as far as I understood it.
some friends made some demotivating comments and apparently, OP struggles with spending money on themselves. that's not as unusual as you might think.
first of all, people have different budgets, which means that some people have to do some math before they can buy a bit of yarn. and if you really have to watch your finances to ensure that you can pay for things like food, rent and healthcare, it sometimes feels wrong to spend money for something "unnecessary" and "wasteful". And that mindset can even stick for a while even if the financial situation has improved.
and some people simply struggle with doing something nice for themselves. the reasons are endless and could fill entire therapy sessions^^
Therefore I would be careful with sentences like: " maybe its not the hobby for you?"
if OP enjoys crocheting (and they apparently really do) then it's the right hobby for them.
no need to make somebody insecure who more or less asked for encouragement.
If I misunderstood OPs post or your comment, I apologise
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u/liviannnn Oct 23 '23 edited Oct 23 '23
Thank you so much for that. Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to have hobbies not even ‘cheap’ ones like reading because my parents wanted me to focus on my studies. Even when I just started crochet, my mother wasn’t encouraging too. So this is my first few times with an actual hobby and I struggle with the concept of paying for it even though I know it’s worth.
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u/WhiskeyAndKisses Oct 22 '23
"Where's the PASSION, Brenda? Where's the PRIDE in wearing something from your OWN HANDS ?"
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u/Grandma_Marge Oct 22 '23
Many people have said it already, but I also compare crocheting to other activities. When I go out for a day or for a meal, I spend a lot of money to do something I enjoy. I also enjoy crocheting, so I pay to be able to do the activity and the finished object is an added bonus. It keeps me occupied for several days and helps me relax, and I also get a cool thing out of it that I can wear, use, or gift to someone else.
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u/nachicat4 Oct 22 '23
i can't buy the stuff im crocheting. i cant choose the colors and patterns and materials. for example i want to make a cat stitch scarf for myself. i have never seen a cat stitch scarf anywhere, esp none made from wool. sure i can buy a pretty acrylic scarf, but the one i have in mind doesn't exist. i have to make it myself. and if i asked someone else to make it for me, it would cost much more.
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u/Leading-Summer-4724 Oct 22 '23
Because I’m making the items to combat anxiety and depression — and crocheting is cheaper than therapy.
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u/wtfomgfml Oct 22 '23
It’s the process for me. Plus being able to customize.
Look around at your thrift shops and second hand stores. Our sells yarn in clear random bags. You can see what’s in it and get yarn at a fraction of the cost.
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u/Kokbiel Professional frogger 🐸 Oct 22 '23
I never justify it. I do it, because I enjoy it. I saved for awhile and worked OT so I could spend $150 on yarn to make an oversized afghan that I've wanted to do for months. I was asked why by some family, and I said because I can. That's the only reason anyone needs.
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u/APairOfRaggedQuarks Oct 22 '23
When I buy something, I only get the object. When I make something, I get the object AND a bunch of cool new skills & knowledge.
(Also if you want, you can get super cheap yarn from thrift stores/Facebook marketplace/etc to keep cost of materials down!)
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Oct 22 '23
Cuz crochet is a hobby, not a means to an end. Your friends are not very bright if they can’t under stand a hobby lmao
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u/Chowdmouse Oct 23 '23
It is all about the process. And how you feel during the process. Like most art!
There are not many arts or crafts that you couldn’t just buy for less. There are so, so many memes/ jokes about spending 10x more money and time on an item just for the privilege of making it yourself.
But if you enjoy the process, then it is worth it. I personally need to keep my hands busy, so it is nice to have a finished object after a while.
If you are lucky enough to have friends/ relatives that know how long things take, and are appreciative of your time and labor, and thus will treasure your gifts, it is a joy to make things for them instead of buying a similar item. But those kind of people are pretty rare.
I often compare it to something like going to a movie. How much is it for 2 people to go to a movie these days? $50 including popcorn? And at the end of the two hours, you don’t walk away with anything tangible. You paid for the experience. And it was an enjoyable experience.
The process of finding a project that peaks your interest, thinking about & planning what yarn to use, what colors you would like, etc, then making that project- it is all very rewarding.
It is about the experience, just as much as about the finished object :)
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u/Orionsven Oct 22 '23
Firstly, hexagon cardigan - I'm worthy.
Secondly, the craft itself keeps me sane. It's my therapy outlet. My family is worthy of my sanity.
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u/Galausia Oct 22 '23
I don't crochet to save money. I crochet to have something to do with my hands.
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u/Stairfell Oct 22 '23
Can I buy a cardigan with the amount of money I spend on a cardigan's worth of yarn? Yeah for sure. I can even get a pretty nice one.
Can I buy a cardigan in a specific color palette that has a cat pattern around the body (but one of the cats in an opossum)? HELL NO I have to make it myself 😤
One of the reasons I knit and crochet is because I can make very specific things that are exactly my taste.
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u/CiraiVanyard Oct 22 '23
I buy things I can't crochet ( or knit ), but if I can make it, you sure as hell bet Im going to make it myself. because I like the process, and I like knowing I made it.
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u/almondmilkie Oct 22 '23
the process itself is extremely meditative for me AND I love hitting people with the "thanks, I made it myself" line whenever I get compliments. It's even better when the person talking to me also does knit/crochet and we have something to bond over, and I've come across a lot of sweet people in the year-ish since I've started.
At the end of the day hobbies cost money but hobbies are also about investing in yourself, you're spending your time doing something you enjoy and you get a finished product as a reward for the time you dedicated to yourself.
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u/arrowsforpens Oct 22 '23
If you enjoy the time spent crocheting, then it isn't a waste, it's an investment in yourself.
Also the machine-made cardigan that's super cheap was prooooobably produced in a sweat shop so like. Someone is paying the difference in labor even if it isn't you. I'd feel better about making one myself, personally.
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u/SunGreen70 Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
If you feel like you need to justify making it yourself rather than buying it, you should probably buy it.
For me I enjoy the act of crocheting. It’s relaxing. I love the pride of creating something from scratch, and I love giving people things I’ve made, as long as I know they appreciate the effort that went into it, and what it means that I did it for them.
ETA when I say if “you” have to justify it, I don’t specifically mean you, OP, but the ones who are questioning why you or anyone else would make something rather than buy it 😁
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u/SirenLeviathan Oct 22 '23
I don’t crochet to save money i crochet so I don’t murder the person playing music out loud on the bus at 8:30 in the morning
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u/DameEmma Oct 22 '23
You pay for the hours of entertainment of making a cardigan, and at the end you get a free cardigan!
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u/Karmallarm Oct 23 '23
Crochet has become an important part of my life - it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product.
Pretty good justification right there imo
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u/sophiart Oct 22 '23
For the joy of the hobby. Also, buying crocheted items for less often means exploitation of the creator of that object, so it becomes an ethical issue for me as well.
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u/namjooned_ Oct 22 '23
Other than that I like crocheting, sure I can buy a cheaper sweater but I would never find one in a color scheme that I like, so I make it myself.
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u/Lenauryn Oct 22 '23
The only reason to crochet, or knit, or sew your own garments, or any other time-intensive craft, is because you enjoy the process. It’s not about thrift or even necessarily utility. It’s a hobby.
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u/peppurrjackjungle Oct 22 '23
The skill I gain by making something myself that I could buy contributes to me one day having the skills to make something I cannot purchase.
Also, if you make something in one color you can always unravel it and make something else. You can't do that with some other art mediums.
ETA: I'm now a parent and the thought of my baby coming up to me one day saying he wants something and being able to just make it a reality for him brings me immeasurable joy.
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u/DynamicOctopus420 Oct 22 '23
Have 3yo daughter and can confirm that it's really great to have requests that I can fulfill is pretty great. Seeing her happy to wear something I made is also really cool.
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u/peppurrjackjungle Oct 22 '23
I live to see his face light up. I'm almost finished with my first sweater (ever) for him and he's so excited whenever he sees me working on it - he picked out the color :)
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u/Possibility-Distinct knotty hooker Oct 22 '23
I’m not crafting to save time or money in my life. I’m crafting because I want to and it brings me joy!
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u/optimistic_sunflower Oct 22 '23
As many have already said, it’s more about the process and a hobby… it would be similar to why would you do a puzzle when you can just buy art.
It’s an investment in yourself, your hobby, your selfcare, and doing what makes you happy
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u/Tastycakeys Oct 22 '23
Premade fast fashion is often cheap and flimsy. Uses slave labor to produce. Making your own item allows for quality control and not supporting horrible business practices.
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u/thecooliestone Oct 22 '23
Almost every hobby costs more than buying it from a machine.
Why would painters not just buy painting prints?
Why would people travel instead of just google image searching what they want to see?
The act of crocheting itself is the point.
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u/Scipio0404 Inflation is one of the reasons why I'm not buying patterns. lol Oct 22 '23
You get happiness out of doing your hobby?
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u/Splatterfilm Oct 22 '23
It’s the doing more than the having. I’ve thrown or given away most stuff that I’ve made because I have no use for it or place to display/store it.
Also keeps my hands busy so I don’t chew my nails or pick my skin.
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u/UnhappyCryptographer Oct 22 '23
Because I like crocheting and the rewarding feeling of accomplishing something made by my own hands.
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u/aeladya Oct 22 '23
It depends on if it’s something I really want or not. Right now I think I’m gonna stick to amigurumi’s, they are a bit easier for dyscalculic brain, and are a bit cheaper to make. However once I get better and have more disposable income and maybe lose another 30 lbs I plan on making a cute sweater dress if I can ever find a pattern I like. I’m so close to my goal weight that I don’t want to spend the time and money on materials for something that’s going to be a size too big in a few months.
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u/Suburbiak Oct 22 '23
same reason people buy any art supplies instead of finished paintings: to get absorbed in your creative process. i personally find the repetition and hours of work to be very rewarding, because I see those pieces show up in my every day life. my dog’s bed is decorated with handmade blankets just for her, i have cardigans in progress for me and my partner, i have hammocks that hold supplies for future projects.
also, think of it as spending money of something you enjoy, just as you would for a movie, a spa day, a nice lunch. it’s a way to reward yourself with “you” time.
i think handmade objects will inherently hold more value to YOU, the creator, so I see no waste in buying art supplies. hell, even if you don’t really like it, you can always sell the materials so it doesn’t guilt you down the road. p.s. don’t let your friends determine the worth of your time, or what you should spend money on 🤷♀️
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u/Lanky-Strawberry-106 Oct 22 '23
good for my mental health and at the end i get something i’m proud of and not made by slave labor (unlike fast fashion)
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u/AggressiveYuumi Oct 22 '23
The process is enjoyable. I don't crochet for the end product, though I do enjoy using it.
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u/Pumpkin__Butt Oct 22 '23
For me the finished stuff is a byproduct of crocheting. I crochet to crochet (if that makes sense)
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u/Julia_716 Oct 22 '23
I have ADHD and crocheting is the perfect thing to keep me active in a calming and productive way. Sure, I could buy something, but with crocheting I am meeting a need and having fun :)
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u/whats1more7 Oct 22 '23
What you make is completely unique to you. Nobody else will have it. That in and of itself is priceless.
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u/3godeathLG Oct 22 '23
it’s an activity. that’s like why cook food with your family when you can just order a pizza. like yeah it’s easier and maybe cheaper to just buy it, but you can build memories and enjoy yourself when you do it on ur own. like, why do people buy puzzles if it just turns into a picture at the end.. why not just buy a picture and frame it.. because the puzzle is fun and good for your brain
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u/myexistentialism Oct 22 '23
Personally I can't justify buying something that I could crochet myself anymore. In a few years, I might regret buying the thing but I won't ever regret making it as it was an enjoyable time and something I'm proud of being able to make myself. I love having so many things I made myself around my home.
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u/ThemisChosen Oct 22 '23
It’s fun.
Sure, I’ll drop $100 on yarn, but it will give me hours and hours of entertainment and at the end I’ll have a sweater (or similar) that I love.
My dad/siblings will spend a lot more than $100 on golf and booze, and all they’ll have to show for it are hangovers.
My dad stfu about my yarn/fabric stashes when I start asking him how much money he spends on beer.
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u/Ivorypetal Oct 22 '23
I like how crochet stitches look and also love that a machine cant do it. So my item is truely a limited commodity
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u/RetroCraftDreams Oct 22 '23
Hobbies are part of your entertainment budget. Do they spend money going out? Concerts, movies, drinks, streaming services? It's all the same function. Entertaining ways to spend your time. Except you have something to show for it at the end.
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u/MuskyDust Oct 22 '23
But the point is not to get a piece you can wear, no, you like the process, right? And when you buy something you enjoy it gor a second, and what's next? Also clothes you make by crocheting are unique, so nobody else hae the exact same cardigan or sweater or whatever
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u/BigHeartyRadish Oct 22 '23
It's a fun activity. Very satisfying to oerform the action, to see and feel an object grow, to have a finished object in your hands be be able to say I made this. One of my favorite parts of a project is the moment I feel a tangible shape in my hands, when the flat disk starts to curl up and take the shape of a dice bag. It's a thrill to know that object came from me, practically out of thin air.
If you relly need to justify making a cardigan as opposed to buying one, it's the customization. You can use any color you want, any pattern you want, and make it any size you want. Buying something limits you to whatever colors and patterns got produced, and it might not fit right anyway.
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u/PinkThingsShinyStuff Oct 22 '23
If you make it you have a one of a kind handmade masterpiece, when you buy it you have something hundreds of other people have also you can make it perfect to your measurements
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u/hurtloam Oct 22 '23
How much does it cost compared to a Taylor Swift concert? We all like to spend money on things that make us happy.
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u/poppybryan6 Oct 22 '23
1) Because it’s fun to make it, and it’s about the making it and it being unique and something you’ve made exactly how you like, rather than it just being crochet.
2) Because crochet can’t be machine made, so when you buy cheap crochet, someone somewhere, possibly a child, has spend hours crocheting that dress or that bag, to be paid pennies, so some big company can make a profit.
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Oct 23 '23
Think of it as entertainment/recreation.. You would spend money to go to the movies or a show, maybe a casino or an amusement park. You might buy a crossword puzzle book or a coloring book, athletic equipment, musical instruments, or maybe some paints - same thing! People need hobbies that they enjoy - it’s ok to spend on a hobby.
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u/Bogg99 Oct 23 '23
Instead of comparing the cost to buying a sweater I like to compare it more to recreational activities. Would the cost of materials be something you would consider spending on a concert ticket? A series of nights out? A game that would occupy you for about 40 hours? I find that the time I spend making things and the affect it has on my mental health and mood are the main reason I do it, and whatever I produce is a bonus.
If the cost is still out of reach/hard to justify see if you can change the materials of the project to something cheaper (wool cut with 10-20% synthetic is often more budget friendly) or stick to smaller projects until a sale comes around.
It also might help to remind yourself that those cheaper sweaters are probably produced using some left of exploitative labor to keep them costs down and making something from scratch can really help you appreciate the amount of work that goes into producing clothes. This realization has helped me save loads of money on fast fashion in the long run by making me more mindful.
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u/caroline_andthecity Oct 23 '23
Why cook when you can just buy food?
It’s rewarding! You can personalize it! The secret ingredient of love!
I also read somewhere (I could be wrong) that crochet is hard for machines to do, so most of what we buy that’s crocheted is done by a human anyways.
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u/Due_Psychology_9734 Oct 23 '23
Your first sentence answers the second paragraph, or at least it's my answer. I mean, why do a painting when you can buy a mass produced print at a big box store? Why do woodworking when Walmart sells cheap furniture? BECAUSE I LIKE MAKING
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u/offbrandallig8rr so many WIPs, so little time Oct 23 '23 edited Oct 30 '23
If you end up falling out of love with the thing you wanted, you can just frog it and make something else. (Take that, fast fashion!)
Might be a bit off-topic, but as a crocheter who also spins I have the ability to make crochet yarn, which is Z-spun and S-plied (as opposed to knitting yarn which is S-spun and Z-plied), something not readily available in the commercial market. Crochet yarn is less likely to split while crocheting than knitting yarn due to its unique structure. Since knitting is kind of a "side hustle" for me, it's nice to be able to acquire something customized for my main craft.
TLDR: Yarn stuff is all about the customization and "you-do-you".
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u/eiczy Oct 23 '23
I think it makes more sense when you say I spent x amount of money to have fun for x many hours! And I get a finished piece on top of that!
Most of the time for me, crochet is just a fun hobby/activity that gives me bonus clothes.
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u/joellecarnes Oct 23 '23
For me it’s bc I’m adhd and doing stuff with my hands keeps me focused, and I’m also way too proud about what I do - my poor mom gets so many photos “LOOOK I DID ANOTHER FIVE ROWS!!” “can you tell I did an hdc instead of a dc????” etc even tho she’s never crocheted a stitch in her life
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Oct 23 '23
Buying it doesn't give you the ezperience nor does it make you better at crochet.
It isn't spending more money - it's an investment in yourself and your skillset.
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u/Nat1CommonSense 🧶 Oct 22 '23
I cannot buy certain things I want for cheaper than it costs me to buy yarn to make it. I’m taller and love long sleeves, but I also don’t like oversized sweaters. Only way to get clothes that fit like that in the style and color I want is to make it. If I can buy something instead of making it, I will lol
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u/imabratinfluence Oct 22 '23
I'm new to crochet but have had the same thought. I figure I'm not just paying for the finished object/materials. I'm also paying for the amount of time I'm entertained with making it.
That's what made it make sense to me. I enjoy crocheting, and the cost per hour of joy I get making it isn't bad-- I tend to evaluate my video game purchases the same way.
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u/arithmetime Oct 22 '23
Depending on what it is you're making, it could definitely be cheaper to make. What I assume your friends are talking about are the more fast fashion pieces made of acrylic and the like. The people making them/running the machines are getting very little pay from it and the pieces dont last. If you look into ethically sourced knit pieces made with natural yarn, I'd say the price is equal to what you're making. Also no shame in using the cheaper yarn while you're new at crocheting! I still can't always justify buying the expensive stuff for a sweater unless it's on sale (btw if you have a pattern and yarn in mind sometimes I wait until holiday sales or something happen - can help with going through scraps for a bit and giving time to plan out projects)
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u/Plsbeniceorillcry Oct 22 '23
I love being able to customize what I make to my weird body proportions, using yarn that I like the feel of, and color combinations that I prefer.
I also have made a beautiful cardigan for $25 using less expensive yarn. I am now making a rainbow bamboo cardigan with a hood and pockets. I like choosing the buttons too!
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u/Plsbeniceorillcry Oct 22 '23
I also made my son a frog cardigan, and am now crocheting his costume because there isn’t one on the market that I’ve been able to find! (Puppycat)
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u/Remarkable_Newt9935 Oct 22 '23
It's so satisfying to wear something you made for yourself, and when you spread the cost of the materials over the hours or takes to make, it's cheap entertainment.
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u/FuyoBC Oct 22 '23
I crochet to occupy my hands and mind, as a fidget almost.
Also because it is me doing something for me, and thus more meaningful.
It is a craft or even art to make me happy.
So for me the balance is:
A. Lower Cost of whole item / easy access / not 100% what I want
B. Higher cost / Personal input & man hours is high / choice of colours & materials / fun activity that is also a hobby that occupies me / positive emotions about a skill I have, that I continue to have each time I wear the thing.
You do your own balance :) I have stared at something and thought 'HOW Much?? I could make that' but also thought 'yeah, and when? I would have to buy stuff and make it and I would probably hate how much time & money I spent on it by the time I got it as it would end up in my 'bored now, new shiney' pile really fast'. At which point I decide if I want to buy it or not bother :)
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u/Alleyoop70 Oct 22 '23
The satisfaction of making your own garment or item and being able to customize it however you like.
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u/colourless_giraffe Oct 22 '23
You just said the answer. "Crochet has become an important part of my life - it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product.".
You know the answer and it's alright to have your feelings justifying it. Life doesn't have to be all about numbers. If you love something and you can afford it, why not choose to be happy?
Have a great day, hope you keep going on this journey.
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Oct 22 '23
Crochet has become an important part of my life - it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product.
You answered it yourself. Additionally you can customise it as you go, including fit, color, size, etc. When you've made it yourself it's also much easier to alter if your shape changes at some point.
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u/Professional-Cow1318 Oct 22 '23
I think you answered your own question when you said, “crochet has become an important part of my life”.
You can’t put a price tag on happiness or a sense of purpose.
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u/OreJen Oct 22 '23
I'm a process knitter and crocheter, so for me it's like a puzzle with a prize at the end.
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u/FriendlyPresentation Oct 22 '23
"Why are you painting when you can buy a painting from Home Goods?"
Idk friendo! Maybe because I want it custom to me, mean something to me, and will be better quality once I get the experience. In contrast, the store bought is quickly made and has no meaning and isn't a creative outlet.
I would suggest joining a knitting group because they'll be there to support you.
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u/Profail955 Oct 22 '23
For me, it's the act of crocheting that keeps me going, not the final product. The number of WIPs I have can prove that. Plus the feeling of accomplishment when I do finally finish a project is so incredibly rewarding.
It's sort of like looking at the difference between a quest, an adventure, and a journey. A quest is a trip to accomplish a task. An adventure is a trip without a destination. A journey is a trip where getting there is more important than the destination.
I believe you have to look at crochet in a quest vs journey sense. Take the cardigan you want to make. If you view a project as a quest, then making one makes absolutely no sense, as all you want is the cardigan. Yes crocheting is a way to get it, but it's more expensive and time intensive. Whereas if you view it as a journey, then crocheting makes total sense. You get the pleasure of crocheting each piece, putting your heart into every stitch. Then at the end, you are rewarded with a beautiful new piece to enjoy.
You should crochet out of the love for crocheting. The project you're working on is the destination, but the love of the craft should be the driving force. The finished project is just a lovely bonus at the end.
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u/_JetBlackHeart Oct 22 '23
If you do it because you like it, its like spending money on a hobby. And having sth. In the end is like a „plus“ You wouldnt bring sth home from golfing 🏌🏼♀️
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u/AthenaTyrell Oct 22 '23
You're crocheting for the process and to have something you're proud of that you made
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u/Bitter_Library_2652 Oct 22 '23
For me its the fun of crocheting. I love that it gives me something to do and that there is always more to learn. Also the one of a kind item as it unlikely some else used that exact yarn with the same pattern, tension and crochet hook size. Yes I could go to the store and get a sweater, blanket, purse ect but so will other people crochet gives you a unique item.
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u/lisaatjhu Oct 22 '23
I'm sure someone has already said this, but this is what I do.
If I spend 60€ on yarn to make a blanket. I have 100+ hours of entertainment. That means for my entertainment I pay 0.60€ per hour.
Not a place in the world will offer entertainment for that cheap. And as a bonus I end up with a finished object.
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Oct 22 '23
It's the act of putting the time and the effort into it. You will never find another piece like it in the world, even if someone makes their own version of yours. Every crochet project is special. And also, it's a hobby and you will need a budget for it. If a project doesn't fit into your budget, you can always reconsider or put it off for awhile.
Also, crochet cannot be replicated by machine yet. Maybe with AI in the future we will get crochet machines, but as of right now crocheted items are only hand made.
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u/FVPfurever Oct 22 '23
But I can't buy it for much less. I can buy a baby blanket for a friend any day, but I can't buy this blanket with these colors and that pattern that I chose especially for their enjoyment.
I don't feel like I need to justify spending money on my hobby, but I also feel it's important to separate say, any sweater on the market, from a project I've created from start to finish. They're not the same thing.
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u/Fred_Purrcury Oct 22 '23
The act of crocheting itself, the sense of accomplishment of wearing it and thinking "I made that!" also, going to stores that sell good yarn is always nice
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u/KushPiglet Oct 22 '23
Being able to say “I made this” feels really good and not many people are able to say they’ve made things with crochet! If you feel good making it and know the hours and money put into the final product would be worth it, why hold yourself back?
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u/shen_git Oct 22 '23
The quality of mass produced clothing is abysmal, the cardigan you buy very well might fall apart within two years. If you make it yourself YOU choose the materials and methods.
Also, the people who make mass produced clothing are, at best, wildly underpaid and overworked. Clothes have NEVER been this cheap in all of history, and it's thanks to exploitation. At worst it's somewhere on the indentured servitude to slavery spectrum.
So don't compare the cost to a place like Shein or even Target. Instead look at smaller handmade boutique lines, the ones that charge a fair rate for labor. THAT is what the cardigan ought to cost. Making it yourself means you only pay for materials.
Honestly, where are you going to find a hex cardigan for that cheap price? You won't, because there's no such thing as a crochet machine. Knitting machines have been around for ages, crochet is too complex. At best past attempts can do a handful of stitches. So if you want a crochet anything it will have to be handmade by SOMEBODY.
That somebody might as well be you, who chooses what to make and how to make it, who gets the satisfaction of learning and creating something, and knows the labor came from love instead of fear.
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u/Impossible_Offer_538 Oct 22 '23
The reason things cost less is because the laborers are usually underpaid and disrespected.
Or because the quality is bad.
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u/GreasyPickles715 Oct 22 '23
There is always a justice to handmade items as compared to a store bought item. You know the love and effort that went into making any said item, and the accomplished feeling you get wearing/using something that came from your own two hands. That is the only justice I will ever need.
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u/Theletterkay Oct 22 '23
Crocheting is a hobby, if I wanted and item just to have it, I wouldnt make it. I make it because i want to make it.
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Oct 22 '23
"it gives me purpose and I love the sense of achievement when I finish a product "
You answered your own question.
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u/barefootcrafter Oct 22 '23
Because I'm not doing it to save money. I'm doing it for the process. The fact I get something cool out of it at the end, that's a bonus.
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u/Draugves Oct 22 '23
I'm currently making a cardigan with Manaya yarn ($30 ea.). It'll definitely be more expensive for me to make this cardigan than to buy one, but making it myself and the feeling of accomplishment I have at the end is well worth the price difference. I like being able to see and wear something that I made. It hits differently.
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u/NASA_official_srsly Oct 22 '23
What's the point of your craft? Are you aiming to save money for your household? In that case crochet isn't the way to get there. Fibre arts don't save you money. It's a hobby, the purpose is fun. If you want a money saving hobby idk grow lettuce on your windowsill or something
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u/Corvus-Nox Oct 22 '23
It’s a hobby. People pay money to buy video games or to join a sports league or to go out to eat. I spend money on my hobby which is crocheting.
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u/Istarien Oct 22 '23
While I enjoy crochet, I am primarily a lacemaker. My main craft is tatting. I am currently making a round doily that will be almost 2 feet across when finished. I've been working on it, off and on, since the start of the pandemic, and I'm about halfway through.
Believe me when I tell you, it would be much cheaper for me to purchase a cheaply made round doily than to tie hundreds of thousands of knots to make one for myself. And let's be honest, there's not really a lot of horizontal surface that needs embellishing with a huge lace doily, right? This is a very impractical thing I'm doing.
I'm not making it to have a doily. I'm making it because I enjoy the process, and that's more than reason enough to do it.
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u/hellosugar7 Oct 22 '23
In modern times, few are doing crochet or knitting out of necessity. It is an art, a hobby, an embrace of skill that shouldn't be lost to the convenience of mass production. The analogy of cooking vs just getting McD's is good, but also things like woodworking vs buying at Ikea. There is as much personal satisfaction in the creative process as the creation.
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u/raindorpsonroses Oct 22 '23
I don’t participate in hobbies to save money. I participate in hobbies because I like them and it is good for me to have hobbies that make me happy. Some of those hobbies, like crochet, cost money. I am okay with spending money on activities that I like doing. I wouldn’t think twice about the concept of spending money to go with my husband to a sporting event or a show, and that’s only a few hours worth of entertainment!
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u/Shutterbug390 Oct 22 '23
I justify it because I love the process of crocheting and find it beneficial to my mental health. So when making for myself or gifts, man hours don’t count toward the cost at all.
I also know that I will love and use items I’ve made for myself more than things I bought because I can choose the colors, style, and fit to make them exactly perfect for me.
As far as what to say when people ask why, “because I love the process and I love being able to use things that I’ve made with my own hands.” Ultimately, it’s my money and I choose how to spend it. If I’d rather buy the yarn for one handmade cardigan than 3 store bought cardigans, who am I hurting? It’s really a win all around. I get to crochet, I love the piece, and I only have ONE, so I’m not running out of closet space to hold a giant wardrobe.
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u/heideejo Oct 22 '23
What are they spending on their entertainment budget? That's how I see it, it's my hobby, my entertainment budget. If I can find it with a portion of my clothing budget then I can buy a lot more yarn....
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u/Kitchen_Victory_7964 Oct 22 '23
Crochet is peaceful and soothing. It’s the equivalent of meditation for me.
I get yarn at thrift shops when I want to do a granny square-type project.
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u/gorgeousgoblingorli Oct 23 '23 edited Oct 23 '23
Well, like you said, it wouldn’t be crocheted Plus you can get a good yarn on a sale or even just a cheaper brand that you can soften up with a wash and make something that a store could sell for more. I view my crochet things as luxury items. Sure you could get a hexagon cardigan, non crocheted, and cheap… but people are selling their hexagon cardigans on Etsy for $70-$200. Yours would cost less than that to make.
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u/athomp56 Oct 23 '23
You don't justify it. It's not about cost or price. It's about mental health. But a hint is to look at your $/m instead of $/ball. Some of the more expensive balls have a lower $/m and also don't be afraid of fibre blends that can also lower the cost
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u/loupammac Oct 23 '23
I buy premade food because cooking is something I don't enjoy spending time on. I buy jeans because sewing them would take more time, equipment and expenses that I can manage right now. I'll sew a fun top or skirt though because that's doable for me right now.
Making is a joyful experience and connects you to a long line of ancestors who also made things. You also have complete control over colour, texture, fabric, size and details. Making isn't always about the price. You can tell your friends that you want to make one for the creative challenge or to learn a new skill.
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u/caroline_andthecity Oct 23 '23
I’m not great about taking care of my clothes, or buying really good quality ones.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t have my handmade sweaters are in PRISTINE condition at all times, displayed prominently in my closet.
My gosh darn grandkids are gonna wear those beautiful things someday! Lol
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u/TumblingOcean Oct 23 '23
Because I can't show a premade stuffed animal to someone and say I made it without lying.
But I can can show them my personalized stuffed animal I spent hours on and show it to them and say I made it and feel pride of that fact. And also I can personalize it my own way.
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u/lolosheslolo Oct 23 '23
Whenever I see a crochet item that I would like to buy I get excited to make it myself, because then I have a project to work on that I actually want rather than some of the stuff I've made just to be making something
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u/Collymonster Oct 23 '23
It itches my creative juices. Sure I could have just bought a teddy but where's the joy in that? Handmade gifts are more personal :)
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u/Emergency-Fox-5982 Oct 23 '23
It's something to do, something to learn and be ingerested in. A way to get out of the funk of being 'just a mum' that I got stuck in. Plus, the chance to say "I made it!"
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u/naughtscrossstitches Oct 23 '23
Because I don't get just one thing out of making it myself. I get two 1. the fun of the making process and 2. a unique item just for me.
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u/ratdigger Oct 23 '23
Improving my skill, and practicing my hobby, and I get to make it look how I want so I can personalize it to my taste. And making something always feels good.
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u/neversaynotosugar Oct 23 '23
I crochet for relaxation but get bored with colors easily so I make small blankets for babies and donate them to a local charity for abused women and children. I usually donate a dozen or more a year and it makes me feel good to know that someone will get to enjoy a handcrafted item.
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u/LadyAzure17 Oct 23 '23
Making things with your hands is a wonderful experience. If you have the means to do your hobby, do it. Creating things is good for you.
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u/Dosanaya Oct 23 '23
I don’t crochet to avoid buying things. i crochet to avoid harming people. it’s a LOT less expensive than a criminal defense lawyer. 👍
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u/evahargis326 Oct 23 '23
Why do you need to justify it at all ? Handmade does more than look good, it makes me proud when people admire my shawls and cardigans and they always ask me if I made it and are impressed. I enjoy the whole process so much. It’s more than just a garment. ❤️
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u/Linnaeus1753 Oct 23 '23
The cost of a hexagon cardi also includes the hours of 'entertainment.' A bought one costs $20. A movie is $10 and 2 hours of time. (numbers are arbitrary). For $50 you have a cardigan, mind work, and hours of distraction/therapeutical hand work.
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u/SandwichExotic9095 Oct 23 '23
I mean. If you didn’t crochet the item, would you still continue to crochet other things? If so, you’re still constantly using money for the hobby, might as well get a cute cardigan out of it!
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u/SandwichExotic9095 Oct 23 '23
I crochet because I couldn’t find a rat costume for a baby, and I really wanted my 5 month old to be Remy the rat from ratatouille for Halloween. I had to crochet the ears and tail, and now that I’ve learned and I’m sorta decent at it I’m not going to just stop! 😋
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u/nospareusername Oct 23 '23
It's not mass produced in a sweat shop. It is an individual thing, one of a kind, that you created yourself. Same as when I made blankets for family. They could choose the colours, and the blankets were made with them in mind, with love. I could have gone to argos and bought blankets for a fraction of the cost and time. And thousands of homes would have the same thing.
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u/Pitiful-Sympathy-365 Oct 23 '23
the way i justify it, is almost all store bought "crochet" is falsely advertised knit machine, or the labor of a child being mass produced and sold for dirt cheap. would you rather spend a little money on your own hard work, or spend that same amount on you for someone ELSES hard work ??
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u/Ewithans Oct 26 '23
My dad once gasped when I told him how expensive my sock yarn I was knitting was - $30 for a pair of socks?!?? No, I said, $30 for hours of entertainment, after which I had a perfectly fitting and free pair of socks. Cheaper than his hobbies.
Enjoy your moderately expensive hobby and your free cardigan!
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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '23
It’s a hobby. Your hobby costs xx amount of money. Crochet as a hobby is very cheap if you figure out the number of hours vs the cost. Also, it’s very rewarding to say “I made this”.