Crafting and Frugality -- Playing Devil's Advocate

[Nada.Leona]

I'm in the middle of posting on my blog about the usefulness of crafts. And it spawned a question -- is it actually frugal to do crafts that don't serve a useful purpose? Things like macrame, beading, cross-stitch -- things that make a couple pretty trinkets and decorations, but don't actually create anything of actual day-to-day use.

On the other hand, how frugal are crafts like knitting, quilting, sewing -- things that you do that create useful day-to-day items, like blankets, clothes, scarves, mittens, etc.

Curious! Hehehe...

[valerian]

Well, crafting can be frugal in that it's entertainment and you're not out possibly spending on something more expensive. Also it's a stress reliever...so possibly fewer doctor's visits and less medication...hehehe.

Knitting is quite frugal for me because I make useful items for family and friends like scarves, gloves, hats, purses, belts, etc. and the majority of my yarn I got at the Dollar Tree or Big Lots or thrift stores...sometimes Wal-Mart and Michael's and once from an expensive yarn shop in town (only because that's the only place I could get the wool I needed for my ski hat). Some has been given to me by friends.

[YankeeMom]

While some balk at the idea of spending nearly $20 on one skein of sock yarn (they say "who wears $20 socks?!)...for that $20 I get not only a pair of socks for myself or as a gift for someone else, but I also get at least 2 weeks of entertainment! I don't think of it as paying $20 for a pair of socks. I pay $20 and for two weeks get to play with yarn and make something

Frugal or not, I ain't stoppin'! lol

[MandaRenee]

I don't think that crafting is necessarily that frugal. But you can do it as frugally as possible.

I mostly do sewing and crochet these days. I try to make mostly useful things either wearables, dishcloths or purses and toys for my dd. That's mostly just because I'm not a fan of knick knacks.

But I do plan on doing some cross stitch to hang in the new baby's room. I will have to buy pretty much everything for those so they won't be too frugal but I think it will still be cheaper than buying decorations to hang and I will get the satisfaction of making them.

I definitely think there are much less frugal hobbies. Hubby's hobbies for instance, are much more expensive than my crafting could ever be!

[2ndGenGranola]

IMO even the "nonsense" hobbies give you skills for repairs and creative decorating.

Today I had a strap on my handbag break. Instead of tossing it I decided to check out the craft shop. I found supplies for making handbags. Since I didn't need to make a whole new one, I purchased only the supplies to replace the straps on my bag.

[frugalfranny]

is it actually frugal to do crafts that don't serve a useful purpose? Things like macrame, beading, cross-stitch -- things that make a couple pretty trinkets and decorations, but don't actually create anything of actual day-to-day use.

On the other hand, how frugal are crafts like knitting, quilting, sewing -- things that you do that create useful day-to-day items, like blankets, clothes, scarves, mittens, etc.

Then - let me reverse the devil's advocate - to those people doing the craft it IS serving a useful purpose. And they could be creating something for day to day use - what else would you use for decoration if it wasn't the cross stitch piece on your wall? Would you go out and buy something?

That said, I don't think, that you can do very much 'cheaper' any more. I sew - but could certainly get the clothes cheaper - even new- with buying something from China that everyone else has and probably with 'questionable' quality.

BUT -This gives me not only the satisfaction of knowing I created it, the joy of making it, but one of a kind and probably made better and with better quality materials than I could buy.

Hobbies AREN'T cheap but they can be done cheaply and still have quality results!

I will probably be ADDING HOBBIES before I take any away!!

[Luv2BeFrugal]

I only get sewing or crochet/knitting supplies on sale (JoAnn's coupons). I use them to make practical things (scarves, dishcloths, etc.), to make repairs on clothing, or to make gifts that would otherwise cost more. So, they not only serve a purpose, but they give me entertainment. I'd say it's a good 'deal' all-in-all.

[Early Bird]

Good question. It's a bit like, "The Emperor has no clothes!"

My knitting is definitely NOT frugal.

Like some of the others, I think it has other benefits:

• Most important, it keeps me hanging out with DH while he's watching something boring-to-me on TV. Lately, I've come to appreciate time spent with family members, even if it's not 'quality' time. That's also why I drive my oldest teen to her school bus stop every morning -- time together. But, I digress ...
• Knitting is great for relieving frustration during waiting time. For example, I often work on a sock during DD's piano classes.
• It stretches my abilities. I have learned socks and cables; now I'm learning lace.
• It can be neuro-protective. (Saw an interview about activities that help forstall Alzheimer's.)
• Even if the item is not used, it can make the recipients feel loved. Think of the Weasley Sweaters in Harry Potter. I knit small Christmas gifts for some of my teens' friends.

But, it's not cheap. I can buy a sweater, even a fairly nice wool sweater, for a lot less than it would cost to make it.

There's a huge enjoyment factor though.

[Early Bird]

I'm in the middle of posting on my blog about the usefulness of crafts. .

Hey -- I wanted to read your blog entry, but I can't find it.

[Shelli_wnj]

I find that crafting keeps me sane. Seriously! Whenever I am stressed, I pick up a ball of yarn, some needles or a hook, and go to town. Sometimes there's not even a project in mind. I make swatches sometimes when I need to think or I just can't think enough to follow a pattern. Those either get ripped out (attributed to not being even or whatever) or tossed in a pile to make things out of. I have sometimes made an entire item on days when I am really stressed out!
Some of my stuff goes to charity, some of it as gifts, some of it I keep. Also, one of my hobbies is baking. My friends really appreciate that one - and that is one thing that is still cheaper than buying.
Anyway, to make a longer story short, it may not be entirely frugal in the sense that it would be less expensive to just not have a hobby, however having one sure saves me a lot of medical bills for psychotherapy!!!

[dcompton]

Frugality is a very high priority value to those on this site, but there is more to life than frugality. Hobbies serve other values - the prior posts have mentioned many. I could add one more - when my hands are busy and my mind is occupied, I eat less and that's definitely both frugal and healthy!

Some hobbies are more frugal than others. It will cost less to make little boxes out of toothpicks than to knit socks. But anything that brings joy into our humdrum day to day lives has value. In times of real financial hardship hobbies may have to be sacrificed, but some kind of entertainment and relaxtion is necessary too. "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy."

For me, the object produced, whether it is frugal and cost-effective in itself or not, is of less importance than the process of making it, because the doing has its own unique value and satisfaction.

Too many words to probably not even answer your question....

[Kitten20]

IMO, people choose to be frugal in some areas so that they can splurge a little in other areas.

[MissFancyPants]

Its not necessarily all about being frugal for me, doing crafts has helped tremendously with my inner ear problem and the stress caused by it. Crochet and Knitting has been my Zen. I can feel accomplished on days that I feel terrible, plus DH gets a bunch of scarves and hats, which we would otherwise have to buy.

[sinopa27]

it isn't costly like eating out in a restaurant, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. I do believe that the sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc should make stuff that are useful though. But some like things that just serve a purpose of just being cute.

[frugalfranny]

For me, the object produced, whether it is frugal and cost-effective in itself or not, is of less importance than the process of making it, because the doing has its own unique value and satisfaction.

AND HOW!!! I totally agree with that!! I haven't made one single shirt that is cost effective ---but I wouldn't give up the enjoyment of the process for anything! And seeing the thrill on the receivers face is-----priceless!