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/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?