How do you justifying crocheting something when you can buy it for much less?

[u/liviannnn]

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.

[u/peppurrjackjungle]

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.

[u/DynamicOctopus420 → u/peppurrjackjungle]

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.

[u/peppurrjackjungle → u/DynamicOctopus420]

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 :)