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btchwstix
Chatty Knitter
Canada
208 Posts |
 Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:17:56 PM
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| Does this happen to anyone else? I complete a project and people will say "Oh it's beautiful, make me one." Now, I don't really mind my children or husband saying this but it is starting to rub me the wrong way when someone that has no idea the work that is involved in some projects TELLS me it is okay for me to make something for THEM. I know similar discussions have been made on other threads, but I notice the "you can make me one" statement has been heard quite a bit lately. What is your "non confrontational" reply to this? |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:19:22 PM
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Smile, sigh, and say dramatically, "It is lovely, isn't it?"
Then walk away, still smiling.
“There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches." Ray Bradbury |
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fish
Chatty Knitter
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:28:09 PM
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I'm with you. I go to Curves (Exercise place) four mornings a week, take the bus and usually have to wait half an hour for the return bus so I knit hats while waiting for the bus. Almost every one who comes in comments on the knitting and either asks if I "can" (not would) knit one for them or "Oh, what are you knitting today?". Since most of the fellow suffers know I knit for Hats for Hope I do get tired of them asking the "what" question. I have learned to "just say NO" to the knit one for me question and just accept the second question as their being interested - those teeth are getting a workout.
Maybe we should just quote them an UnGodly price and they would stop asking - nah, they might agree. |
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SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:28:30 PM
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| My suggestion "I'll be glad to teach you so you can make it for yourself." A few people have actually taken me up on it. The others retreat :) |
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fish
Chatty Knitter
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:32:06 PM
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| Susan, I forgot to list the other question I get a lot - "Would you teach me to do that?" I usually say sure and have only had a couple of follow throughs. |
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jade
Permanent Resident
USA
1543 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 1:49:28 PM
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With some people I smile and say I wish I had the time. If they're more pushy or just plain rude I ask "what have you done for me lately?". That's not non-confrontational, but it usually stops them cold.
Cheryl |
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blazfglori
Permanent Resident
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 2:18:47 PM
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You could always say "Sure, I COULD make you one, but you will get so much more satisfaction from it if you learn to knit and make one for yourself". ;)
~Lori
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 2:28:08 PM
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I would love to but you'd have to pay me $10.00 an hour, or whatever your hourly wage at work is.
"I firmly believe the Bible is the misinterpreted word of God." Mokey
www.femiknits.blog-city.com |
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Roxanne
Seriously Hooked
Canada
714 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 3:00:23 PM
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"I would love to but I have a stack of unfinished projects still to do and in a few months/years I may get to it"...LOL
"Success is a Journey; not a Destination"
My Blog: http://knitnpurlzen.blogspot.com |
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chris
Permanent Resident
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 3:41:15 PM
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"My waiting list is about 4 years long right now, but I'll put you at the end of it...if you want to wait."
chris
Keep on knittin', mama, knittin' those blues away! |
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azknitter
Honorary Angel
5539 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 3:53:00 PM
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| I get this a lot too and, I say "Sure, if you pay for the materials and make something for me in return". Everyone wants something for nothing, you know how that goes. If they pursue it, I tell them I want something of equal value, if they still want to pursue it, I make a quick list of the yarns and send them shuffling off to the LYS by them selves(hey, it's part of the deal). They usually come back with sticker shock, if they go at all, and that's the end of that! I don't want to be mean to them but if I KNOW they don't have a clue about the time and money involved and they still want to pester me about it, I'm more than happy to send them on a wild goose chase. |
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homebodyknits
Seriously Hooked
USA
713 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 4:14:44 PM
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I think we all have heard that statement more often than we would care to count. If it is an aquaintance my answer is "How soon do you need it? I have about ___ weeks of orders to fill, but if you are really interested and can wait I'll be happy to. Let's see, ___hrs. work X $10 per hr., plus $____ for yarn. That would be $____ and I require 1/2 before I start making it for special orders." If it is a relative or close friend I let them know the # of hrs. the project takes to complete and the cost of the yarn and ask if they are still interested. You don't expect an accountant or hairdresser or any other profession to give free service or goods, why should they expect your handwork for free? If I really don't feel like making something, I put a very high price and sometimes I have gotten it. That makes it worth my while to do. My Christmas stockings take 40hrs to complete and everyone wants one, but nobody is willing to pay what they are worth.
Homebody Knits
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes.
http://www.picturetrail.com/knitsbykathy |
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celia
Permanent Resident
Australia
2454 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 4:24:44 PM
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I have offered to teach, and that offer is normally met by a lot more whining ("but you're so good at it..." "but i don't have time", "but...")
Now when I am told "you can make one of those for me too" or something similar, I just smile and say "I could, couldn't i" or something similar. It's not a promise to do it.. just reaffirming that I could. The unspoken part is "but I won't"
celia
My blog is here
http://celiaknits.blogspot.com |
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sdallenhou
New Pal
43 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 4:52:03 PM
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I tell them either (1) "You will have to get in line" or (2) "I earn about $50 per hour, and it takes 100 hours to knit a sweater, so I'd be happy to for $5,000 plus the cost of the yarn." They don't usually have a comeback.
Steve in Houston
"If you can knit and purl, you can knit anything in unlimited colors." |
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AstridOHara
New Pal
43 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 5:11:51 PM
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I just say "sure, I *could*, and YOU *COULD* fix the fence all around my property, it will take you the same amount of time and effort" and then I never hear another thing about it.
Jill
Lost: one mind. Last seen in open position. |
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ozknitter
Permanent Resident
Australia
3248 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 5:16:43 PM
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Hi Lisa,
Yes, it happens to me all the time and I have only just got the courage to say no.
I do offer to show them how to knit, but usually you are met with a turned up nose and a 'err I think not sweetie'.
Or I tell them how much the wool will cost plus the labour, before I learned to say no I used to make things for people and pay for the wool.
I learned to say NO!!! from all the people here.
Knit in peace and harmony.
Rose. |
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kimmiebear
Gabber Extraordinaire
359 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 5:45:30 PM
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MY roommate often says,( after I have finished something), "Is that for me?" I just laugh and put the item away. She think that because we share the same apartment, that and that I knit, that she has the right to own everything that comes off the needles and not pay for materials.
So I understand how you and any other knitter feels. |
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btchwstix
Chatty Knitter
Canada
208 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 5:50:40 PM
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Celia:
I love the "I could, couldn't I?" And the unspoken part as well. I may be ready now (almost completed a felted bag and I can hear the comments already).
Thanks guys
btchwstix
http://btchwstix.blogspot.com/ |
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sanity101
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
594 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 7:11:58 PM
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I like to assume the best of people, and simply assume that it's a social compliment and not meant seriously. (Much like the 'come again soon' offered to the backs of stressful houseguests). Of course, that isn't always the case, but it's better than being snarky to someone who didn't intend offense.
A friendly discussion of the time & backlog, or offers to teach tend to discourage the greedy and direct the converstation elsewhere with the well-intentioned...as many have mentioned, most people won't follow up, if they do, bring up costs then.
And if it's just a habitually bothersome person, brute ignoring of people can be very valuble and effective.
-C |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 7:36:35 PM
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| How about simply a smile and "No, Thank you." That stops it short. |
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dedtired
Chatty Knitter
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2005 : 06:08:43 AM
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When I first started knitting, I was at a staff meeting with some needles and a new skein of yarn just about to start a new scarf. One of the women who I work with, whom I am friends with, asked if I was knitting the scarf for her. I smiled, stuck the needles in the center of the skein, tossed it to her and said "Yes. Here's your scarf. Some assembly required." Now she was just kidding around with me, but I like the answer. Get some cheap yarn, and some cheap needles for people who won't stop hassling you.
Kimmie: You should tell your roommate that you made two and then do that to her, telling her the ball of yarn is hers. Either that, or you should tell her straight up that if she keeps taking your handmade items without permission, then you'll sick the Knitting Mafia on her. And with Addi Turbos, we can take care of business twice as fast.
-Justin
On the needles:
--Bias Scarf using TLC Amore
--Ribbed Scarf using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick |
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