Morrigan Slayde ([info]morriganslayde) wrote in [info]knitting,
@ 2004-11-06 11:45:00
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enter rant mode here>

NO NO NO! I will not fucking hand-knit legwarmers for $5. I will not hand-knit you gloves, socks, hats or anything of the sort for ~$10!!! What the FUCK do you think knitting IS?! Don't get all f***ing stupid and say, "Well, if I give you a 5..." WTF?! I hope someone knits you legwarmers with holes in them made out of the cheapest acrylic yarn possible... and even THAT'S too much for a measly $5.

I can't believe people have the NERVE to think I can afford to knit something for pennies. I don't FUCKING CARE what Wal-Mart sells their knit shit for. ONE: I AM NOT A FUCKING MACHINE. HAND-KNIT MEANS JUST THAT... I KNIT IT WITH MY OWN FUCKING HANDS!!!! TWO: MY YARN IS NOT MASS PRODUCED BY MYSELF OR MIGRANT FARM WORKERS THAT I PAY $.40 AN HOUR TO! THREE: KNITTING TAKES HOURS/DAYS/WEEKS/MONTHS/YEARS!! I cannot just turn a magical crank in my rectum and pop out a brand knew pair of fucking mittens!

*huffhuffhuffhuff*

/endrant>

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[info]copperlegend
2004-11-06 07:48 am UTC (link)
Ahahahaha, the magical crank in my rectum line made me laugh out loud! I feel your pain though. I've had 4 or 5 people ask me in the last week to hand knit them something. I said no to everyone but my close friend. She was like "I know how long it takes to knit something even as simple as a scarf, but I don't just want one from the store, I want something from you! I'll give you money for the yarn and however much else you want for your time." Yeah, I'm just making her buy the yarn. She wants a fuzzy scarf and a cozy beanie type hat that matches. I love her to death and she's done so much for me that I can't justify charging her for my time. Other than that, I think the only other people I would gladly knit something for for just the cost of yarn is my mother, sister, boyfriend, and his mother. Everyone else, nuh uh. Good for you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 08:40 am UTC (link)
Heehee, only ONE person I said yes to: my mother! And all she wanted was a scarf. Albeit she wanted it out of eyelash yarn. Oiye-vey. I just can't believe complete strangers asking for shit, ARGH!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]valancystirling
2004-11-06 07:55 am UTC (link)
I want a t-shirt made with this on it. In red letters that look like blood.

Can you knit me one?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cimorenegal
2004-11-06 07:57 am UTC (link)
lol *dies*

(Reply to this) (Parent)
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-06 08:39 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]kimberlydawn, 2004-11-06 10:06 am UTC

[info]amarillys
2004-11-06 08:05 am UTC (link)
Your post made me laugh.

I have requests like that pretty often. I just say that it takes too much time but that I'd gladly teach them how to knit so they can make things themselves. They usually say no. :p

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 08:41 am UTC (link)
If you're not willing to learn the time and the effort into making yourself a beautiful product - you have no right buying it from someone else.

Just like hand-sewn items. I wanted a special shirt last week I know somebody sews. $50. I thought that was DAMN GOOD for all the work I know she puts in it.

But someone else would be like, "You paid $50 FOR A SHIRT?!"

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kitty_parade
2004-11-06 08:20 am UTC (link)
totally am with you ... i used to hand make patchwork bags. and people always tried to bargain me down by telling me that they can get a similar bag at a cheaper price from the flea-markets or road-side shops. i tell them if they wanted that bag they should just go buy that one. mine is different. definitely different. i think people are just spoilt because corporations have gotten away with their exploitations. people think they can exploit us too.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 08:43 am UTC (link)
Ugh, seriously! Some girl in another community was all, "I know some crafty people here knit... so where can I get some hand-made legwarmers for arount $5?"

I WAS ALL ARRRRRGH!!!!!!!! O_O Make your goddamn own or go to Wal-Mart to buy mass-produced serged knitting done YARDS AT A TIME. O_O

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]geekling, 2004-11-06 10:05 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-06 10:17 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]geekling, 2004-11-06 10:19 am UTC

[info]kittenlid
2004-11-06 08:41 am UTC (link)
i feel your pain. i was working on a project at work and someone came up to me and asked if i was going to make one for everyone there (about 130 people).
i don't remember exactly what i said, but it was along the lines of "fuck no, you're an idiot, please don't ever ask me that again."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 08:43 am UTC (link)
Geebus!! O_o How annoying.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]kittenlid, 2004-11-06 08:51 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-06 08:56 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]trebyl, 2004-11-06 11:51 am UTC

[info]mendoza
2004-11-06 08:41 am UTC (link)
*applauds wildly* A-freakin'-men!

(Reply to this)


[info]kathy823
2004-11-06 08:46 am UTC (link)
Mind if I link your rant from my web site?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 08:54 am UTC (link)
*giggle* Sure if you'd like! :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]kathy823, 2004-11-06 09:13 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-06 09:32 am UTC

[info]wiseneedle
2004-11-06 09:43 am UTC (link)
When people ask me to knit something I tell them I only have one rate for my time regardless of what I'm doing - what I charge for professional consulting services*.

If they press me for hand-knitted socks, I tell them, "You sound like a charity case. For non-profits and charitable causes, I discount down to $80 per hour. This pair of socks took 8 hours. If you order three or more pairs just like it, I'll round the $640 per pair down to $600 each."

That usually shuts them up quite effectively.

*Note that you needn't stick with accurate per hour figures here. Make something up. I did.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 10:18 am UTC (link)
*giggles* Hahaha, that's so great. :) I was going to knit myself some knee-high socks and some girl is all "Ooo, I'd love me some of those!"

"Then buy your own goddamn shit and LEARN TO KNIT"

(Reply to this) (Parent)
(no subject) - [info]stimps, 2004-11-06 12:38 pm UTC

[info]starcrossedlady
2004-11-06 10:10 am UTC (link)
I think having a magical crank would be wonderful... of course, having them churn out mittens on the spot may solve our problems of having people asking for free stuff ;)

I think my favorite is when I'm working on something, someone comes over, and starts complimenting me on how lovely it is, etc, etc... then...

Someone: (wistfully) You know, I think I would really like something like this...

Me: (not about to commit to any more projects, knitting along) mmm-hmmm....

Someone: I don't think I've ever had anyone knit anything for me...

Me: (bright sunny smile, looking up from knitting) Well, I taught myself, and it wasn't that hard once I got the hang of it!

that usually shuts them up :D

But what gets me is that complete strangers will pull this crap on me, not just people who I happen to be in a class with or anything! Do people actually think knitters have no life except to make things for people?

I and some friends also do ren faire costumes... and people are always thinking they can pay us next to nothing for custom-fitted outfits. Um.... no. Unless you've done knitting/sewing/whatever yourself, you don't understand the time and sweat (and yes, money) that goes into our projects. Trust me, once you've done what we do... you'll never think you can get hand-knit legwarmers for five dollars evah again!!!!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 10:20 am UTC (link)
Mmm, would you WANT a magical crank THERE though? A nice rectal one? :) I'd love to shove it in some questioner's rectum and have it shoot the knit item out of their mouth like a meat-grinder.

It was odd because once I did that and they were totally interested!! Hahaha, I ended up spending the next hour or so trying to teach someone something I didn't want to. Hahaha.

OMG REN FAIRE! O_O Since I have been sewing I have added a bajillion things on my list as to why they are god/ess 'es of sewing and hard work. That stuff IS NOT EASY and is CUSTOM. You will not find another anywhere nohow noway. O_o The end.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]thatgirljj, 2004-11-06 11:00 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-06 11:02 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]copperlegend, 2004-11-06 04:29 pm UTC

[info]catsjournal
2004-11-06 10:44 am UTC (link)
Grrr, I hate people like this. I mean, I don't mind knitting for other people, but I HATE the way some people ask. For example, I was sitting around with some friends one night knitting a glove. I was trying the glove on to see if the finger I was working on was long enough, and I SWEAR the following conversation took place with one of the guys there:

"Friend": You know, those look like something a bag lady would wear.
Me: What?
"Friend": Will you make me some gloves?
Me: You want to look like a bag lady?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 10:47 am UTC (link)
Eeeee!!! Evil, rude, vile people! O_O AGGGGHHH! O_O

(Reply to this) (Parent)
(no subject) - [info]stimps, 2004-11-06 12:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]catsjournal, 2004-11-07 12:55 pm UTC

[info]_coelacanth_
2004-11-06 11:10 am UTC (link)
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know! People have their heads up their asses. Thats so a common reaction if you tell someone you knit "Hey knit me a sweater." The worst is when u cave in and make someone something and they barely ever use it. I am VERY picky about whom I knit for. My best friend sews. So in general if I knit her something, she sews me something (ha in exchange for the purse i am knitting her, she is sweing me the knitting bag from SnB) People suck. Yes they do. And no matter how cliched this is:NEVER KNIT A SWEATER FOR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, unless you've been together for eons......its a breakup waiting to happen....

Weird thing is the person who taught me how to knit, had been knitting since she was like 8. And she would do that for people. They'd be like I want an afghan, or a sweater and she would just do it for them. And only sometimes charge them for the yarn, she always said "Well I knit all the time anyways, what does it matter what or for whom I am knitting?" Bless her heart. But that makes no fucking sense to me!

Anyways thanks for your rant, it made me smile, and I think every knitter can relate to it....

p.s. can u knit me sweater?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-06 11:16 am UTC (link)
Sure. Reach up my ass and grab the crank and rotate! :P

Hmm, I was thinking of knitting a hat for my husband whom I've been with for 4 years (married 1).... can I escape that HORRID fate?! He needs it for working on the boat in the Mil-ih-tair-ey! :D

Dude, I would NOT KNIT JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE WANTED ME TO! o_o

Doesn't that make your value go down? :(

(Reply to this) (Parent)
(no subject) - [info]danmakine, 2004-11-06 12:35 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dragoncrafter, 2004-11-06 01:29 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]danmakine, 2004-11-06 01:31 pm UTC

[info]extraneousrooot
2004-11-06 11:28 am UTC (link)
If it's for a very close friend and I'm not doing anything else at the time I just take said friend to yarn store, make friend pick yarn, and knit away.

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[info]fleur
2004-11-06 11:40 am UTC (link)
I think that's a lovely idea ... let them pick out exactly what they want AND enlighten them as to how much quality yarn costs.

Most folks are in utter disbelief that you can easily spend 100 bucks on yarn for one sweater sometimes. Non-crafters have no concept of what supplies cost; I think that's part of the reason they are so shocked at what we want to charge for somemthing!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]extraneousrooot, 2004-11-06 11:58 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]fleur, 2004-11-06 12:10 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]stimps, 2004-11-06 12:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]velvetdahlia, 2004-11-06 12:34 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]extraneousrooot, 2004-11-06 12:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]madeyou_look, 2004-11-07 12:23 pm UTC

[info]annabianca
2004-11-06 11:59 am UTC (link)
I bring my knitting at work for the lunch break and a couple of my coworkers (ladies in their early 50's) knit too. So, when we are sharing tips and comparing our works while sipping coffee, people stop and are surprised that I (31 y.o.) knit too.
I've been asked once for a hand-knitted scarf. I told this person that I taught myself just a few month ago with Internet and that knitting a scarf was really simple. Her reply was : "Oh, but I don't remember my Internet access codes and I don't have DSL at home".
Since I'm the one who creates those codes for the whole company, my answer gave a good laugh to my work-knitting-buddies...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:22 pm UTC (link)
Hahaha, great. :D

I'm an 18 year old knitter. Imagine the looks I get!! I have pink hair, wear bright clothing and sit at a bus stop or voting booth (during elections) just knitting away. I got SO many appreciative looks from older grandmotherly types. :) They seemed to just reminisce and feel like something from their generation is being passed on.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]trebyl
2004-11-06 12:04 pm UTC (link)
I think that I am a little outside the range of people who knit. Like many of you, I'm picky about who I knit for but if I see yarn that would be perfect for someone, or a project I pick it up for a birthday or whatnot.

I'm really only inclined to do that for super close friends, family & people who have given me hundreds of dollars in food. :D

I tend not to knit on demand but if someone really wants a handmade scarf BY ME or a pair of mittens or hat, as long as they pay for the yarn, I have no problem with it.

I put a lot of love into my knitting. So it only goes to people who will take care of it and love it. Although, my sister has disappointed me in the past by asking for something handknit and then not using it or wearing it. If she doesn't wear the sweater I'm making her for Christmas (To Dye For, from SnB) I'm never going to knit something for her again.

I forget what else I was going to say here, so I'm going to go this way *points to stage left* now. :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:24 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I found some camoflauge yarn once I thought would be PERFECT for this military-baby I know... HAD to get it. Also found some Neon-green and neon-pink yarn I HAD to get for this raver girl friend of mine... but those are instances.

To Dye for?! My friend LOVED that sweater and wanted it sooooo bad herself! She said it looked like the bet ever sweater. Hahaha. :) I'd feel so bad if I had made it for her and she had never worn it!

You're so adorable. I want to own you.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]trebyl, 2004-11-07 04:40 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-07 04:53 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]trebyl, 2004-11-07 05:00 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]calling_to_deep, 2004-11-07 11:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]trebyl, 2004-11-08 02:04 pm UTC

[info]crackerbaby
2004-11-06 12:31 pm UTC (link)
HAHAHHAA i love you. That was great. Thanks for the laugh. I so identify. Now when I mention my new FO's to my non-knitting friends I also brag about how long it took me to make. "Check out my new scarf.... Oooo and it only took me 6 hours to make!" Gives them an idea of how much is involved, I think, since no one's asked me to make them stuff lately.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:20 pm UTC (link)
Good idea! "legwarmers... yeah... only 30 hours!!!"

I'm so glad I made you laugh. I'm going to start putting a timestamp on my work. Haha.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]velvetdahlia
2004-11-06 12:37 pm UTC (link)
It's amazing to me how little people think (women's) skill and time is worth. If you are pissed, imagine how the women who handknit products for Wal Mart feel-- only getting pennies a day. It's totally fucked.

I only knit for people who know how long it takes, and how hard it can be to do well. The others who ask, I tell them, Oh here (mock hand-over of the needles) I'll teach you and you can knit me something.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:20 pm UTC (link)
Oh my, seriously. Women's time is apparantly worth so goddamn little. I hate it, dispise it, etc. :(

I wouldn't mind teaching someone to knit for themselves. It's a good trade. Ad if anything, you can buy some cheap acrylic and spend time making a scarf or cat toy when you'd otherwise have nervous fingers because something's going on.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]aiofe
2004-11-06 03:00 pm UTC (link)
I totally agree with you.

I just bought christmas present yarn yesterday - 180$, thank you. However, the recipients should be very appreciative - I knit in their faces all the time, so they're aware of how long it takes me to do howevermany inches.


I've had friends say "oo, pretty. Can I have some?" My usual respons is "Sure. Here's a spare ball, here's some spare needles, this is how you cast on..." Some of my really good friends (the ones I now knit for) actually gave it a go. Some others went "Errr....Um...sorrygottago" and they're the ones that I don't knit for. I also knit for some of my friends who have admired what I've done, said stuff like "Ooo, that must be sooo hard!" and such things - but *not* asked for anything.

At the moment, I've probably got about 9 people to knit for this christmas. Fortunately I knit a lot :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:18 pm UTC (link)
Wow!!! I knit only for myself right now because I'm too greedy to share just yet! :D But I'd SOOOO be willing to teach people how to knit if they didn't try to buy shit from me for $5. I can teach them to make their own pretties and they can know the value of a good handknit job! :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]zette
2004-11-06 03:10 pm UTC (link)
"I cannot just turn a magical crank in my rectum and pop out a brand knew pair of fucking mittens!"

Good God, that made me laugh like a lunatic.

In response to those yahoos, I usually say "Sure! Now hold your breath and wait- I'll be done in no time at all!"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:16 pm UTC (link)
Hahahaha!!! ♥ 1. Glad I amused you. 2. You amused me right back. Now I want to do that.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kightp
2004-11-06 06:07 pm UTC (link)
Heh. She couldn't even knit them herself for $5 unless she used the most cheap-ass yarn available.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:16 pm UTC (link)
That's what I said. o_o ANd she's all, "But I'm a poor college student".... it's like, well, I'm a fucking housewife and I make money off my crafts (sewing mainly)... and with you, I'd be LOSING money.. so eff off bitch!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]emmasee100
2004-11-06 06:24 pm UTC (link)
I think I've posted this before.

In a moment of vast nobility (the lass involved in this and I have had issues) I agreed to knit a pair of baby socks for a "friend". to give to her friend who had just had a bub.

I took the eight hours to make these little socks and bought the yarn with my own hard earnt money. The conversation was interesting when I handed them over...

Her : Do you have my socks!
Me: Hello. How are you? I am very well. Here they are.
Her : They are too big!

Well. The lass failed to thank me, pay me or give the freaking things back. She also wants me to knit a scarf. No bloody way. To the best of my very limited knowledge of children and babie, they do grow. And the items were proper little socks. Not booties.

Argh.

I'm not bitter, really...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:15 pm UTC (link)
Geeze!! How totally rude!! Hand-knit baby items are like the goal of every new mother to own! HOw mean. :( Bitch.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]emmasee100, 2004-11-07 09:39 pm UTC

[info]bastiality
2004-11-06 10:56 pm UTC (link)
Word!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Your username scares me a little.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]bastiality, 2004-11-07 05:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]morriganslayde, 2004-11-07 06:03 pm UTC

[info]ladypixel
2004-11-06 11:39 pm UTC (link)
The only people who will get, without question, something knit by my hands are myself, my 11-year-old daughter, and my husband.

Anyone else is welcome to ask, but they will be put on my "someday" list. A few people have actually gotten things from that "someday" list, but the vast majority have not, will not, and can't complain about it, because it's my "someday" list, which means I'll get to it 'when I can'.

If someone asks me nicely, their position on the "someday" list rises. If they ask me rudely, their position on the "someday" list immediately falls after everyone else.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Hahaha, I need a someday list. :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]naelany
2004-11-07 04:10 pm UTC (link)
I actually asked one friend if I could make her something, though she had to buy the yarn (being flat broke sucks!). She'd been saying how much she liked the poncho's that are out but that she thought they were too spendy for being what they were (you know the ones I'm talking about, the cheapo looking acrylic cranked out by the mile type poncho's). She liked the one I'd made for myself (granted, this is crocheted, not knitted but it still goes). So we went yarn shopping and a week later she had not only a poncho, but a hat and a scarf too.
She came back last week and told me that her students (she's studying to be a teacher) were crazy about it and that some of the teachers had asked her where she'd gotten it from and that they wanted one too.
A girl from my Sunday School class had seen my poncho as well and "casually" asked how long it took to make and if it was hard to do and "if I could make one for her just like the one I'd made for myself". She also asked me what I'd need in order to make one. I told her yarn'd be a good place to start, and that she could learn how to make it herself, as it was a very simple one to crochet.

A third friend of mine saw the stuff I'd made and asked if I could pretty please make her a hat and scarf set. I told her absolutely yes because she and her hubby always do stuff for us, so this is my way of giving something back.

Everyone else though I tell no for the most part. I make stuff for myself or to give away, at times I'll try selling them at a craft fair, but no commission work.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]morriganslayde
2004-11-07 04:13 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, seriously. It's fine to make something for someone when it's special... but it's so annoying when somebody just WANTS something without care to it's value nor any relation to you whatsoever. :(

I'm making my husband a nice warm hat soon for the cold winter where he'll be working outside on a boat... so that's fine. A blanket for the baby named after me... so that's fine. Legwarmers for a girl who posts on her journal totally insulting the quality of handknit items? NO!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]naelany, 2004-11-08 01:22 pm UTC

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