just knitting a handy guide for all hand knitters!
Why am I knitting?
The answer is of course for yourself, if you enjoy knitting! It’s great to make something for yourself or someone in the family who appreciates it. I made jumpers for my son when he was little and he loved them. However when he reached 12 or 13, all he wanted were hoodie tops from high street shops so I had to look for other outlets.
CHARITY KNITTING
There are two ways of going about this. Either you can knit what you want and offer it to your favourite local charity shop. Do try to make something that will sell, though. I’m afraid I’ve seen some beautifully knitted but rather old-fashioned handknits which hang around the shelves for months. And mittens in summer are not a good idea!
A little while ago, Oxfam produced some patterns for stylish hats which they thought would be popular, and gave away the leaflets free in their shops. I made many of these and was told they sold ‘like hot cakes’. Even if this scheme is no longer running, it would be a good idea to have a word with a charity shop manager about what to make before you start.
The other way is to look at websites like ukhandknitting.com which lists current charity needs. These usually include items for premature babies in hospitals - which are of course quick to make, although very soft yarn is preferred which may cost a little more than cheap wool or acrylic. You won’t need to use much, though!
Other charities collect knitted garments and send them out to countries where they work with disadvantaged children. For charities outside your local area you may have to post the items.
Very often I have found that charities working abroad ask for baby items NOT to be knitted in white as in many countries this is a colour of mourning.
KNITTING FOR SALE
This is an area I have explored, through my own website www.jollyfineknits.com and other outlets.
Craft stalls at a craft fair or other type of market can be great - if they attract the right clientele. I recently sold 3 big items at an indoor fair despite being placed in an out of the way room - which more than paid my stall costs - and I had many encouraging comments from browsers. On another occasion, though, I sold nothing yet had paid far more for my pitch’ at a fair which attracted few spenders.
CHARITY KNITTING
There are two ways of going about this. Either you can knit what you want and offer it to your favourite local charity shop. Do try to make something that will sell, though. I’m afraid I’ve seen some beautifully knitted but rather old-fashioned handknits which hang around the shelves for months. And mittens in summer are not a good idea!
A little while ago, Oxfam produced some patterns for stylish hats which they thought would be popular, and gave away the leaflets free in their shops. I made many of these and was told they sold ‘like hot cakes’. Even if this scheme is no longer running, it would be a good idea to have a word with a charity shop manager about what to make before you start.
The other way is to look at websites like ukhandknitting.com which lists current charity needs. These usually include items for premature babies in hospitals - which are of course quick to make, although very soft yarn is preferred which may cost a little more than cheap wool or acrylic. You won’t need to use much, though!
Other charities collect knitted garments and send them out to countries where they work with disadvantaged children. For charities outside your local area you may have to post the items.
Very often I have found that charities working abroad ask for baby items NOT to be knitted in white as in many countries this is a colour of mourning.
KNITTING FOR SALE
This is an area I have explored, through my own website www.jollyfineknits.com and other outlets.
Craft stalls at a craft fair or other type of market can be great - if they attract the right clientele. I recently sold 3 big items at an indoor fair despite being placed in an out of the way room - which more than paid my stall costs - and I had many encouraging comments from browsers. On another occasion, though, I sold nothing yet had paid far more for my pitch’ at a fair which attracted few spenders.
There is an online trade in craft items. Try eBay, but bear in mind this is a flooded market and people are looking here for rock-bottom bargains (look out for the occasional days when eBay has no listing fees). Better bets are craft websites like Folksy (www.folksy.com) and Misi (www.misi.co.uk) which are UK based, Etsy which is American, and DaWanda based in Europe. Make sure you examine the listing fees and any final sale fees before joining these - and take very good photos of your items!
TOP TIP: UK listings on DaWanda are currently free of listing charges
TOP TIP: UK listings on DaWanda are currently free of listing charges