How much would you charge?

[Ladybug Lady]

I've been asked to knit some baby afghans, starting with a car seat sized blanket.

I'm not charging this lady much since it's my first time knitting "for hire".

She is providing the yarn, so that's not a factor in the cost. All of the patterns we're looking at are simple, i.e., no cables, no colorwork beyond simple stripes, no overly intracate patterns that would require stitch markers, row counters and the inability to watch TV while knitting.

So, I'm curious, what would you charge to knit a car seat, standard, and crib sized baby afghan?

I've already got a price in mind for this first time around, but it got me curious as to what other knitters think their time and talents are worth.

[kellee0302]

I normally take the cost of materials and double it. So it depends on the cost of the yarn. Since they are providing the yarn do you have a general idea of how much that type of yarn costs? That is my guideline, but everyone has their own ideas.

[Debkcs]

Since this is sweet and cuddly, not haute couture, I think I'd charge about $15.00. But then, you know these people and what your time is worth.

[Braden]

I would charge about $20-$30 for the entire set, or less if they're good friends.

[vaknitter]

That's a tough one. I knit for friends all the time at no charge if they provide the yarn. I think the most I've ever done was when someone asked me to get the yarn I ballparked it and told them a price and we agreed I would keep the balance if I was able to get the yarn cheaper.
I guess it depends on how friendly you guys are...maybe charge her $5 for the small and $10 for each of the larger ones. What were you initially thinking?

[BobbiKnits]

I would probably charge $5-10, $15 at the most, but then, I'm not the most experienced knitter...

[cacunn]

Maybe it's the accountant in me (and I have not knitted for others - too new) but on July 24, 2008 the minimum wage (MW) will be $6.55 per hour here in the US. How many hours will it take you to knit the afghans? Are you at least worth MW? Is this a friend or a prject you want to do and wouldn't if it were not for someelse, maybe I would go below MW.

You are worth a reasonable "wage" even if it is only that they will keep you supplied with coffee and donuts until you are finished.

[KnittinMitchie]

I knit things for friends i do not charge very much. I normally take what it cost me to mail and buy the yarn and double it. LOL I have one friend who ususally fights me on the price. He feels i don't charge him enough. and normally give me $30-$40 no matter what I knit. it could be a 4 dish cloths for his mom and I think he gave me $25 for those.

[italianchildhood]

I think I would try to figure out how much of it you're doing because you enjoy knitting, which may be some, and how much to get paid, and then assign a rate per hour to the "to get paid" part.
So if it takes 4 hours, and maybe half of it is for fun, while the last two hours are a slog, then charge $8-10 per hour for the two hours.

That made sense before I started typing, now it seems a little convoluted, but there you go...

[jpenguin]

I agree with kelle0302 in that I take the cost of my yarn & double it. I usually use very baby friendly yarns such as Red Heart Baby Soft or the Bernat Baby Yarns since these are soft but yet can be washed in a washer & dried in a dryer. The cost of these aren't much but yet in the patterns I use I am now fetching $35 to $45 a blanket & haven't had any complaints on that price. I keep a stash in the closet so that when someone calls at the last minute I have them there. I am very lucky that the ladies I sell to you know the value of a hand made item.