Knitting and crochet: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What knitting and crochet is

A maker knits or crochets items such as sweaters, blankets, hats, scarves and baby garments by hand, using yarn and patterns chosen with you. Custom work can match a size, a color, a fiber or a design you have in mind.

Signs you need it

  • You want a sweater, hat or scarf made to your size and in a fiber you choose
  • You want a blanket or baby item made as a gift
  • You want a design that is not sold in stores, such as a special stitch or motif
  • You have an old knitted or crocheted item that needs repair or re-making
  • You want a handmade piece that will last and can be washed according to a care plan

What the pro does

  • Asks about the item, the size, the fiber, the color and how it will be worn or used
  • Checks your measurements or the fit you want, and picks a pattern or design with you
  • Chooses yarn that suits the item and its care needs, and checks the gauge with a swatch
  • Knits or crochets the piece in sections, checking the size as the work grows
  • Blocks or finishes the piece to set the shape and the stitches
  • Gives you a care note with washing and drying steps for the yarn used

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The item type, such as a fitted sweater, a blanket or a small accessory
  • The yarn type, fiber and quantity needed for the piece
  • The stitch pattern and how much time the design takes
  • Whether the piece is a custom design or a standard pattern
  • Whether sizing, a gauge swatch or a fitting is included
  • Whether blocking, a label or a gift wrap is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • The item type, the size, the yarn and the color named in the quote
  • Whether a gauge swatch or a fitting is included
  • Whether blocking, finishing and a care note are included
  • The completion date and the pick-up or delivery terms
  • What happens if the item does not fit the size you asked for

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see finished pieces in the fiber and stitch pattern I want?
  • What yarn do you recommend for this item, and how should I wash it?
  • Will you make a gauge swatch before you start the full piece?
  • How do you check the size as you knit or crochet?
  • How long will the piece take, and what is the completion date?
  • What happens if the item does not fit when it is done?
  • Do you offer repair or re-making for an older item?

Red flags

  • Starts knitting the full piece without a gauge swatch or a size check
  • Will not say what fiber the yarn is or how it should be washed
  • Cannot show finished pieces in the style or size you want
  • Promises a complicated design in a very short time
  • Does not give you a care note for the finished piece

What you can do yourself

You can knit or crochet a simple scarf, hat or blanket from a beginner pattern, and check your gauge with a small swatch before the full piece. Keep your yarn labels so you know how to wash the item. Hire a maker for a fitted sweater, a complex stitch pattern, a heirloom blanket or a piece with a precise size that must be right the first time.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for knitting or crochet, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for a portfolio of finished pieces and proof of craft training or guild membership.

Knitting and crochet questions

How long does a sweater take?

It depends on the size, the yarn and the stitch pattern. A fitted sweater takes many hours of work. Ask the maker for a timeline that includes the swatch, the knitting and the finishing.

How do I know the size will be right?

Ask the maker to check your measurements against the pattern and to make a swatch. Ask for a fitting or a photo check during the work.

What is blocking?

Blocking is wetting or steaming the finished piece and shaping it to the right size so the stitches set evenly. Ask the maker how they block the yarn you chose.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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