Is it too expensive?

[miniandmestudios]

Not sure if it is entirely the right thread but I’ve started making hats by hand to try make some money - I’m a stay at home mum of 2, can’t afford childcare to go to work but can’t afford to not work. So I’m a bit stuck (DP works) and there is no one else I have to watch the kids.

My friend told me she would never pay £15 for a hat but it costs me £5 in materials and 3 hours roughly to make so it’s £3.33 ish an hour. I really don’t want less than that as working for £2 an hour is stupidly low.

I’ve attatched images of the hats so if I could get everyone’s opinions I’ll lower the price or keep as they are!

YANBU - the prices are okay
YABU - the prices are too expensive

Post edited by MNHQ

I've paid £20 for a locally made beanie hat. The place that makes them does a roaring trade.

I’m sorry but no op, I can buy then much cheaper, if I knew you I would, as a favour, but if nit, no of course not

I don't really understand what was wrong with that comment?

I didn't notice at first but after @georgiegherkin mentioned it, I looked back and I agree.

The baby blue one is gorgeous 😍

I understand homemade goods are generally going to be more expensive than mass produced ones so you need a unique selling point. Sorry but going from your picture grey look like run of the mill hats. Not quirky, quality or bespoke....you need a USP

When I needed to make a bit of money after my first baby I found knitting/crocheting dolls clothes was the most profitable. Don't know if it would be the same now but you don't need much wool, they don't take long and the shop ones were expensive.

Wow, was that really necessary?
Don't be daft. She doesn't just want a load of 'ohh hun they are amaze-balls' comments. She's looking for actual feedback and help.

The OP literally says she is on Etsy already.

OP £15 is fine. I would definitely pay that. There are loads of people who would. They look beautifully made!

Have you tried making babies hats out of either organic cotton or bamboo? Smaller so less materials and less time to make. Some people do seem to be more willing to pay more for something special as a new baby gift etc.

I think it’s always a struggle to sell hand made products to people who aren’t prepared to pay handmade prices. They just aren’t your market. The problem is breaking into the market you need to be in. (Probably not helpful as you probably already know this)

Depending on where you live you may be able to find a shop that sells special goods from local makers. They usually have an eco twist to them.

I'm not sure online platform’s like Etsy are the way forward because of the fees and people can’t touch to see the quality of the yarn. Farmers markets might work although with your family set up, it may be difficult for you to attend.

But I think the standard of your work is marvellous!

I paid £45 for a beanie from & Other Stories so yeah I think £15 is fine.

Are they adult sized or baby sized?

You're undercharging. They are handmade items made from premium yarns. If you aren't charging what is cost plus fair labour they don't appear special enough on Etsy to attract attention. I buy premium handmade items on Etsy regularly, you have a niche target audience rather than mass appeal, you need to market to those people.

You maybe on the wrong forum. Lying isn’t what this one is about. Try net mums.

I have a vintage craft book* which suggests avoiding smaller knitted items if knitting to sell as lots of people can knit a little and could make the item themselves. And that limits your potential market. It suggested going for larger items people would pay a premium for.

Is there a different product you could knit with ease with a potentially greater market? For example I've seen knitted face cloths/dish cloths which would knit up quite quickly. You could price them individually and in packs of three or five. As a variation you could knit mini makeup remover ones etc.

*Mind you the same craft book also suggests saving old nylon tights to crochet into a pram cover, which seems a bit of a fire risk.

Don't listen to your friend! She's probably not your demographic.
Yes I'd pay £15 for a beautiful hand made hat... but I'd need it to be special. Can you get some cute designs too? It's all about marketing really op.

I agree with other posters about the USP. I see your insta handle is “mini and me”

What about a set, so matchy matchy mum and little one hats? So the little one can have a just like mummy? (It’s not my thing, but looking at the matching family Christmas pj pics I’ve seen, it might be a thing?)

the hats would need to be fairly distinct though in order for the “matchiness” to be obvious , so the stripe ones…

or just ignore me, just musing out loud!

This.

Are they selling well on Etsy atm?

Afraid I wouldn’t pay that sorry.

The hats are lovely, and I would think that a lot of people would be prepared to pay a premium if they were knitted in top quality yarn like something with some silk or cashmere blended in to give them a luxurious feel. I know would happily pay more than the equivalent of £15 for them for a treat. A hat and scarf in something lovely would make a great Christmas present.

However, I have no idea of the cost of yarns, so that might not be feasible.

I love handmade items, and I know that £15 is probably the minimum it's worth knitting these for, but I wouldn't pay it generally.

I've taken a quick look on ebay (don't do etsy) and there's heaps of handknitted hats for £5. Now yours might be nicer, but actually for buying for me, I couldn't justify paying 3x the price.

I might buy one from you as a present for someone if I knew you or saw you at a fair, but I wouldn't risk £15 for that sort of thing online. You can't tell what the finishings like and things like that.

Sorry.

its irrelevant what you charge because you need to sell them in bulk to make any money and that’s unlikely to happen . You would be better off getting a job in a pub on the evenings when your husband is off .

Who knots a face cloth ffs?!!

£15? No chance. Not when I can get one at a store for a fraction of the price.
It is the reason custom sellers aren't big business winners. Unless you can bash them out in an hour each and charge a tenner, no chance. £10 is on the max end for me.

I love knitted hats, and probably have 15 or so, from all sorts of places, including hobby/business knitters like yourself. Knitted hats is a crowded marketplace! The hand knitted hats I have are pattered, fair Isle or cable knit etc and no more than £20 (pure new wool, Arran knit, lovely). £15 is a lot for plain hats.

Sorry, no I wouldn't pay that.