Tuesday 12 January 2016

To Make or To Buy?

If you are a bit of a crafter and a maker, you might find yourself seeing things in the shops and thinking 'I could make that myself'.  This happens to me all the time - so much so that I often don't buy the item, or actually feel a bit guilty if I do.  



For ages I'd been thinking of making myself a lovely soft grey cowl.  Then I spotted the above cowl in the Cologne Christmas markets, on a trip with my family at the end of November.  It is made from such soft snuggly alpaca yarn that I really couldn't resist it, despite thinking I should instead find some wool of equal scrumptiousness and make one myself.  It's not like it would be difficult, it's just a long strip sewn into a circle...



But, there would be the challenge of finding the ideal yarn and then the hours I would need to spend making it, and would I ever actually get round to it?  (So many craft ideas, so little time!)  Sometimes, when the perfect item presents itself to you, ready made and just waiting to be used and enjoyed... it's hard to say no.

I have made cowls in the past - a knitted one and a crocheted one - but they were small ones designed to go once around my neck.  I can choose to have this new one wrapped once, twice or three times around and it is so warm and cosy!





What do you think?  Do you ever have this dilemma and the guilt of buying something you know you could make yourself?  Surely, just because we CAN make it, doesn't mean we HAVE to..?  I say we should cut ourselves a little slack!




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12 comments:

  1. I think as a crafter we often forget to buy ourselves nice things. A small purchase now & then is surely a good thing to do - frees up time for making for others. It's a lovely buy x

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    1. Thanks Jo - that is a good point - it's meant I've had time to make gloves for someone else! x

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    2. Your cowl is absolutely gorgeous. I can see why you bought it. Also buying it from another craftworker has probably made their day too! Emma

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    3. Thanks Emma - I agree it's good to support other crafters! Better than buying mass-produced.

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  2. I am so guilty of this too! You are right, sometimes it is good to buy, it supports the makers, and the sellers and sometimes it is just more time and cost effective isn't it, plus we all need a treat every now and then! Your new cowl is beautiful by the way! xx

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    1. Thanks Amy. It's true that it's good to support other makers - and yes, we do all need a treat! x

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  3. I generally say I can make this and that myself, but then I don't. I think you did the right thing - factoring in finding yarn, pattern and making it - sometimes you should just go for what is infront of you. And remember this supports a fellow crafter - very important. ( I knew it would be an absolutely lovely cowl when you described it - great buy!) Anna xx

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    1. I knew you'd love it Anna - and it is sooo soft to touch! Yeah, I'm sure it was the right decision!

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  4. All the time. I refrain from buying it with all intentions of making it, then never do! Hands up, I'm guilty. this year I really want to get more creative and start making things again, I've missed it x x x

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    1. This is it - we never get round to making them, so it's good to buy every now and then. You should definitely get back to being creative - it's so rewarding. I'm trying to get myself making more again too. x

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  5. Do you remember the skull hat I knitted years ago? Probably something like 4 years ago at this stage. Well I had every intention of knitting one for myself this year so I have deprived myself of buying a hat. It's now quite cold, and I don't have a hat. But you have enough wool and guilt to knit one for yourself! Silly girl. Tisk, tisk.

    The same with scarves - I started ONE LINE of a scarf using such incredible thick and soft wool. And it is still sitting in a canvas bag, waiting to be put out of its misery.

    Buying gets my vote. I wish I bought a hat this winter (and I'm still working on cutting myself some slack). Welp.

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    1. I do remember the skull hat you knitted! Argh, you need a hat! Time just goes, and things don't get made... we are all guilty of it. That scarf in the thick soft wool sounds amazing, though - you should get on it! It'll be quick if it's thick wool... easy for me to say with my lazy bought cowl! ;) x

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