Yarn truth: an open letter

Dear people of Tumblr and beyond,

Your friend/coworker/relative that knits or crochets is NOT a way for you to get knitted/crocheted items at inexpensive prices.

Handmade custom pieces (even small ones) require planning and supplies and time, and our time and effort is worth something. Just because I “can knit real fast” (not my words) doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be compensated properly.

When you come to me asking how much I’d charge you for a particular piece, and before I answer, you start telling me that you’re asking because you don’t want to buy one at x store because “that’s just too high for that”, please don’t be offended when I laugh in your face. If you won’t pay for machine knitted, mass produced work, you’re certainly not willing to pay me.

Stop insulting craftspeople by asking us to spend our time and effort for basically nothing.

Conversely, please also be aware that if you are gifted with a handmade yarn item, hours of love and work and care went into it, regardless of its size. Show some gratitude. We apparently like you.