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 would pay that for a handmade hat. I wouldn’t buy the hats in the photos though - the style/colours are too plain for what i like.

If you want support the exploitation of people in sweatshops in other countries by buying a cheap hat to save a couple of quid, you’re part of the problem.

Personally I’d rather pay a little more and support someone in the UK crafting quality goods.

I love the colours and style. And I adore alpaca wool - it's the only kind that doesn't bobble after 5 minutes. Premium-quality handmade stuff demands premium prices.

I wouldn't flinch at charging a fair price, but absolutely make sure you emphasise the quality of wool and labour. With some arty, rural backdrops they will photograph even better.

Well done OP - hats off to you.

Have you thought about doing cloth nappy covers? There is a definite market for these.

I'm sure there is a market for these hats, but it's quite niche, as most can't afford/won't pay that much for a baby hat. As others said you need to target that market, maybe on Etsy, or at craft fairs.

Handmade crafts are a tough market and so is being self-employed. I'm not so sure that anyone can be decently profitable and set up a new business either with just a few hours in the evenings or during the daytime around children, particularly in the current economic climate.

You aren't asking too much for a hand made item. If you sell on Etsy, they will take their cut, and expect you to include postage as well, so you'd probably need to set the price a bit higher. Nevertheless selling online and at local craft fairs is probably the way forward. Boutiques would expect an even lower trade price from you, so that they can make their (routine) 100% markup. (Never do sale or return. They don't value what they haven't paid for.) I have a friend who makes and sells fabulous hand knitting at high prices mostly at fairs - hats, bootees, gorgeous shawls, tea-cosies, baby things. You need to find good yarn (not acrylic - that's the Primark market!) and you can often find it online - Facebook, eBay - and even in charity shops where you can find spare balls of really good yarn. Some online companies offer mystery boxes of good stuff - ends of ranges etc. Quality yarn is one of your selling points. Get Kraft labels (good but cheap) and hand write your name, the yarn etc. Pack in tissue paper - again you can buy in bulk, cheaply on eBay or Amazon. Treat yourself as a micro business. You need to build up some stock if you're going to do fairs. Similarly, the more you list on Etsy, the more people will find you. Currently, I think I'd be going for brighter colours, if I were you. Hand knitting is popular at the moment and although many of us are struggling (me too! ) there is a lot of cash out there still. You might not make a living, but it would be a good supplement for very little outlay. Good luck!

@LuckySantangelo35 don't think so scroll down to the reviews and pics!

Wasn't really a comment to say op won't be able to sell hers that price more just a suggestion to check out the competition and see what similar designs/ material sell for

She already is.

Yep unfortunately loom knit dont really have the same appeal as handknitted and are fast to make. it's not really skilled, you just turn a handle, so I don't really think you can justify £15 for a loom knitted hat as that's pretty much what the cheaper stores sell.
Handknitted fair isle or cable I would pay £15+ for because of the work and skill that goes into it.

So sorry I’ve upset you.

Can you make alpaca hats? That look like alpacas?

If you make them from cashmere, you could probably charge much more, covering your materials and hours and still be cheaper than shops!

They are lovely!

how about trying hand knitted baby clothes? My SIL does this and sells on Facebook and does really well from it, cover wool costs and make enough to cover effort. Hand knitted baby clothes are gorgeous and not something you can easily buy.

I sell on Etsy, the product I sell you could get two of for a pound in Poundland but I sell for £4.50 each. I get a good amount of sales especially around Christmas, have regular customers and do up gift boxes. I would happily pay £15 for a handmade hat but I think your designs need to stand out more, look on Etsy what is selling really well baby clothes, things that can be personalise,
colours and shapes that people can't get in the shop and think about what you make really well. A lot of people will go for cheap stuff and that's fine but find your people who hold value in the fact that your items are handmade and push this on social media to drive people to your Etsy shop or website.

I don’t think £15 is too much for a handmade hat. I think £15 is too much for OP’s hats as they’re particularly plain and there’s nothing about them that would entice me to buy. Happy to pay good money for quality handmade items and often do.

Doesn't eveyone have an elderly granny/aunt that knits this stufd?

I have two and too many hats

I'm guessing they're kid size coz that's the size of knitting loom the op has.

I don’t think £15 is too much for a handmade hat. I think £15 is too much for OP’s hats as they’re particularly plain and there’s nothing about them that would entice me to buy. Happy to pay good money for quality handmade items and often do.

This. I’d happily pay £15 for something beautifully made and a little bit different, but the OP ones look like the sort you’d buy for £4 in Primark.

Hand knitted is absolutely worth £15!

I don’t think £15 is too much for a handmade wool hat. I wonder if creating some minimalist hats in colours that match trending wool style coats would help. So maybe try plain colours like navy in a cable knit pattern (timeless) rather than plain knit and market them as high end/ forever hats. So people see them as an investment piece to match a wool coat they may have invested in.

I think you need to find your customers, if your friend won’t spread that on a hat then they are not your target market.

Real fur pompoms!
This is 2023 figs.

Just an idea; but have you tried making knitted items for craft fairs/farmers markets etc; like hats/scarfs/mittens adults/children toys for children (the sort that have multi parts like butcher; policeman; dr etc) I know these things always sell well around the area I live; at Christmas time things like Christmas decorations always appeal to people as well x

But yes I would pay £15 for a hat; I prefer to support smaller businesses.

I bought an Alpaca jumper last year. I haven't washed it yet and it is very bobbled. I paid approx 70pounds for it so I guess not 'premium' alpaca if there is such a thing.
It has not worn well at all.

PomPoms are cute for kids but real fur?

And adults really don't want hats with pompoms regardless of what the pompoms are made from.

Muted neutral plain colours in soft cashmere is the way to go OP and you can sell for a lot more than 15 pounds.