Handmade vs Mass Produced

[OldSkool]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if there's a way to tell if a knit hat (for instance) in a shop or street vendor is handmade or mass produced? Also, how fundamentalist are you in purchasing the two? Do you even buy stuff you didn't make?

Old Skool

P.S. I'm "Ribbing the Cuff!!" *Puts on my Proud face!*

[Jan in CA]

I do buy stuff I didn't make. I wouldn't make a sweater with lace or even fingering weight for instance. Too much work on tiny needles so I'd buy that for sure. I probably wouldn't buy a hat or scarf though because those area easier.