I live in Smalltown USA.
That fact really hit home the other day while I was mailing something at the post office.
The postal worker and another customer were admiring my Don’t Tread on Me purse that I made last year.
Customer: That is a really cool purse.
Postal worker: Yeah. I really like it.
Me: Thanks. I made it.
C&Pw: Really? How did you do it?
Me: I knit it really big then I tossed it into the washing machine with hot water and it shrunk to this size.
Customer: Did you mean to do that?
Me: Yes, so that it would be a smaller size.
Customer: Was it hard?
Me: Not really. The wool was a bit scratchy and that made it tough on my hands but it wasn’t that hard to knit.
Customer: Oh, you could sell those. I bet someone would buy it for $50.
Me: Well, I have $70 in yarn and $5 in the hardware so if I were to sell it, I’d charge $500. It was a lot of work and it’s lined, too.
Postal worker: If you decided to sell them, then she (customer) and I would quit our jobs and come and work for you!
Me: Or I could sell the pattern for $30 and wouldn’t have to do all that work.
Smalltown, USA
Knitting In Flashes 
So few understand the time and work involved in making something with a string of yarn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The 20 hours of time in knitting, felting, and sewing in the lining plus the cost of materials makes handmade beyond the reach of many. That’s one reason why I make things. Plus it keeps me out of trouble…sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Not that I live in a large.town but think it’s the same everywhere…..except where RICH people live….and that would.not be me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
People who make things understand better than those who don’t. There are rich people everywhere…I just don’t know them.
LikeLike
Hooray for Smalltown!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you love the “you could sell that” line of comments. But they mean well, and it’s a compliment they think our knitting is so nice. As to blocking wires I have a set that has both flexible and non. I love them for shawls!! And even use them for sweater pieces and get a clean edge for seaming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a compliment indeed and it was obvious that the one person had no idea what went into the project.
LikeLike
lol I note they didn’t say they would buy one. 🙂
I often hear that I could sell things, and I when I say I do, and they see the prices, they wonder why they cost so much. Really? They actually are dirt cheap for what they are. But no one knows how much time really goes into these lovely hand knits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not just the time but the quality of materials. One can’t felt the $1.98 ball of acrylic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true! Quality and skill in construction are worth a lot.
LikeLike