The Knitters Thread

Keiss_21

Morning all, gearing myself up to ringing the lady about knitting this coat and skirt.



I have been advised to quote a total cost, rather than an hourly rate. So going to charge £250 excluding materials (:eek:, I know, but ii will take ages to knit!). It is a 1970s pattern from an unknown magazine and the yarns are now unavailable, so will need to source different ones. I will charge more if I need to this as well.

What do you seasoned knitters think?

I am off now to write down all the statements and questions I want to say/ask, so I don't get muddled. After all she can alway say "no"!! It would be a great income if I get it though!

Plan on ringing her this afternoon, so if anyone can give me any advice beforehand, that would be great.

Have a great day everyone x

euronorris

I joined up to ravelry and have had a nose through some of the patterns. Is there any way to figure out how long (roughly) and item will take to make?

Merry_Wanderer

Hi Keiss, I like that! If she thinks £250 is too much then she has no idea how much work is involved. For both coat and skirt it is very very reasonable, but then you don't want to price yourself out of a job by going higher I understand. Hope the phonecall goes well!

Is she local to you so that you can show her work in progress? Or are you getting some money upfront? It might be worth also typing up some kind of order sheet, showing terms of job undertaken, to act as a loose kind of contract. Just an idea. Do you have to knit a few swatches using different yarns to show her before going ahead?

I knitted scarves for a friend to give as gifts last year, and cringed a bit at how much I had to charge her each one for labour (I worked at about £10ph) but then she could afford it, and I had to remind myself of my skills and time) - she was thrilled with them and wrapped them in tissue with little cards saying handknitted in Scotland, blah blah .. she was American and so loved this aspect.

Merry_Wanderer

euronorris wrote: »

I joined up to ravelry and have had a nose through some of the patterns. Is there any way to figure out how long (roughly) and item will take to make?

Generally chunky yarn will knit up alot quicker than DK or thinner, and then it depends on your own personal speed too, and the complexity of pattern, - so this is going to vary for everyone. I tend to estimate time by my past knitting experience, and yarn type.

euronorris

Thanks Merry. Bit of a novice here, so no idea how fast and capable I currently am, and don't want to start on something I cannot handle (IYSWIM). Also wary of picking something too complicated in case I get bored/frustrated with it and then don't finish it! lol

[Deleted User]

Keiss_21 wrote: »

...
So going to charge £250 excluding materials...

I think this may be a bit on the low side. The coat is not only very long, but it has a hood and large pockets too and this will increase the time taken to make the garment.

Also, don't forget if you are using different coloured yarn, as in the photograph, you will need to factor in the time for sewing in all the ends of yarn after you have finished knitting.

Good luck.

OrkneyStar

Keiss_21 wrote: »

Morning all, gearing myself up to ringing the lady about knitting this coat and skirt.



I have been advised to quote a total cost, rather than an hourly rate. So going to charge £250 excluding materials (:eek:, I know, but ii will take ages to knit!). It is a 1970s pattern from an unknown magazine and the yarns are now unavailable, so will need to source different ones. I will charge more if I need to this as well.

What do you seasoned knitters think?

I am off now to write down all the statements and questions I want to say/ask, so I don't get muddled. After all she can alway say "no"!! It would be a great income if I get it though!

Plan on ringing her this afternoon, so if anyone can give me any advice beforehand, that would be great.

Have a great day everyone x

I would maybe seek out the possible new yarns first and then quote price, you could always contact her meantime to explain this and that you would get back to her. Maybe even source more than one option price-wise ? Don't underestimate the cost of your time and knowledge either .
Anyway, I have been knitting away, loads of WIP's but just finished these....only took a few hours but they were spread out hours lol:

Merry_Wanderer

euronorris wrote: »

Thanks Merry. Bit of a novice here, so no idea how fast and capable I currently am, and don't want to start on something I cannot handle (IYSWIM). Also wary of picking something too complicated in case I get bored/frustrated with it and then don't finish it! lol

Maybe you want to begin with things that are going to be quite quick and easy, and help you build skills. Wrist-warmers, hats, scarves, mats, type of thing. Personally, I love things that knit quite quick.

OrkneyStar

Here is the matching ear-warmer, whipped up with yarn left over from the mittens. Still have a teeny bit of yarn left so maybe crochet a small heart or something for mum's stocking at Christmas ?

babyblooz

OOOoooohhhh my daughter would love one of these! Where did you get the pattern from?