Sales price for throw-size afghan

[wjcalderon]

I took an afghan that I had crocheted to work to show to someone.
Another lady saw it and said "Those colors would look great in my house. Do you ever make and sell them?"
To be perfectly honest, I don't really need the one I made. (I only made it so I wouldn't feel so useless and guilty while watching mindless TV!)
I would be willing to sell it to her, but I have no idea of a price. It cost about $15 for the yarn. It's kind of hard to factor in my labor because I worked on it off and on for a about a week and a half. But if I hadn't been crocheting, I just would have been wasting the time anyway.

Any suggestions??

[Uniwolf]

I usually charge a min of double the $ amount of supplies, depending on the pattern it can go higher.

[sunshine]

I usually charge a min of double the $ amount of supplies, depending on the pattern it can go higher.

That's always been my rule of thumb too -- at least double the materials.

[Contrary Housewife]

Look for a comparable one on etsy.com.

[Ceashels]

I would go for double the cost of materials (and tax) and then add for your labor. You could make the cost of your labor something fun like a latte or $5-$10 gift card to a place of your choice.

[nuisance26]

~I agree with double for a simple pattern up to quadruple if it was particularly complex.
It costs $20 in store for a low-quality, machine made throw so I don't think $30-60 for handmade is unreasonable at all.~

[frugalfranny]

Any suggestions??

Have a price in mind but I might even ask her what she would
be willing to pay.

Unless she does the craft many people HAVE NO CLUE what is involved in it...............BTDT with quilting. (got a whole new respect for
quilting when I started doing them myself!)

Good luck.............and hope you get what you hoped for.

[wjcalderon]

Thanks for the replies.
The first number that came to mind was $40.
I think that sounds very reasonable.
I'll start with that, but absolutely won't take a penny less than $30.

[wjcalderon]

I sold the afghan for $40!!

I'm thinking about crocheting a bunch of scarves in various colors and taking those to work to see if anyone wants to buy one (or more) to use themselves or for Christmas presents.
If I use Red Heart yarn, I can make them for about $1.50 each.
I would probably sell them for $5 each, or 2 for $8.
I'm thinking that if they don't sell at work, I would donate them to the local homeless shelter.

What do you think?

[Ceashels]

WTG on the afghan sale. WooHoo!

As for the scarves.... I would be looking for something a step up than just a rectangle, so I think a pattern, cable or accent yarn that I couldn't find in a scarf at Kmart would sell better. I used some ribbon yarn as an accent to a homespun yarn scarf and it turned out really well. I think the "home craft" shopper would be looking for something to stand out. kwim?

I do think its a great idea and well worth the effort to pursue as long as you ENJOY what you are doing. I wouldn't take advanced orders because it can become a chore so quickly. So one scarf at a time.

[ladytoysdream]

It is really hard to price handcrafted items sometimes.

I have quite the stash so pricing to me currently is mainly my time. If I had a order to do, I would have to price it figuring what new yarn would cost.

I been selling hats this summer at a farmer's market. Most of my adult hats are $ 10 each. I do have some at $ 5 but they are mainly the smaller sizes for children. My plan next year includes doing a big 2 day craft show in the fall. I have to have inventory ready to go for that one.

I had 2 people ask for a afghan this summer. Neither one returned with a deposit so I did not make them.

I don't make scarfs. I have had very few requests for them.

I do plan on making mittens . Not sure of the price yet.

I don't normally ask for any money down. But if it would be a pricey yarn they would be wanting, then customer would have to either furnish the yarn, or a decent deposit.

One customer needed a special order hat. I ended up repairing his orginal one. Then I made 3 more and would have been happy if he bought 1 or 2 of them. He bought all 3.

Another customer needed his mittens repaired. Heavy ones with a lining. I made a new outer mitten, and then sewed his liners back in. He was happy with the final price, and even gave me a tip

So I guess my advice would be....don't short yourself on your pricing for the labor. Check out etsy for ideas and prices.
You'll be surprised.

[homemaker66]

I understand that the scoodie scarf sells quick. I have not made one yet but I am going to once I get caught up on my other projects. Good luck.