A few years ago my German friend and I started organizing a Christmas Market locally (I know, I used the C-word, but let’s face it, we crafters realize that advance production is the essence of success). We had many and varied stalls and managed to create a cosy Continental style market in our local community hall. We ensured to have stalls by local people mostly. Delicious cakes, fun pottery and very many other things including some of my knitting. This year it was our intention to repeat the success of the last three years, but we have had to cancel due to illness – now in recovery, fortunately! However, it is our intention to come back next year with a vengeance!
The first year we held our market I was innocent enough and took orders on certain scarves, they were quick and easy to knit, but the pressure of having orders hanging over the head was very stressful, I thought. It took the joy out of creating for me. The more experienced crafter and particularly market stall holder would know better and leave greed to one side and just not take orders. I have since adopted that way of operating. I simply don’t take orders. Or, well, sort of…
A very dear friend sent me a picture the other day of the first snow this year, it was dated the 14th of September 2008 and there was a lot of snow and a very big snow plough. She asked me if I would knit herself and her daughter a hat each. One with ear flaps and one without, she mentioned a colourway preference of green hues and no itchy yarn, but those were the only criteria. How could I say no? I mean, I have the freedom to do whatever I like. I likes!
Now I just wonder if I have yarn that doesn’t itch, I mean, Kauni Effektgarn is not exactly known for it’s softness but the petrol coloured alpaca blend from the Avoca sale this spring might just prove handy…
I think there’s a big difference between knitting for friends and taking orders at a fair, which I agree is too damn stressful. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the two requests, but I have no doubt that it will be great!
oh taking orders, even for family… it can be a bit stressful can’t it.
i am starting to get orders for st. brigid… and i really don’t know what to say.
lovely yarn.
TeeWee, that’s it. Knitting is for fun. Friends and family are fun in my books …
Knititch, I rarely take orders for friends and family, but when I do it’s because I want to. The problem with exact orders like your ones is that ones hands are tied to do other fun stuff. Perhaps you should take the orders and then find a really good knitter in your area to do the knitting for you. Or start selling the pattern. That was the way it was always done, still is.