A $90 pair of socks?!
One of my many hobbies is knitting. I love spending an afternoon curled up on my couch with a hot mug of tea, a pair of knitting needles, and some lovely soft yarn. To me, that is the best way for me to spend a day. I love making things, and most of the time the recipients love what I make them. I’m trying to come up with some ideas of things to knit people for Christmas. I want to find things that don’t take forever to make, and the yarn won’t cost me an arm and a leg to buy. It’s a common misconception that knitting things always saves money. It may not save money to make some things yourself, but knitting gifts (like dish cloths!) can be frugal.
One of my favorite things to knit is socks. They are really fun to make, and I love all the different yarn colors available. Plus, it’s really cool that I can wear the socks when I am done making them! I can show off many people my crafty creations. When I finished my first pair of socks, Mr. Money was so jealous that I knew I’d have to make him a pair. After a trip to Michaels, I now had enough yarn to craft him some socks. After approximately 8 hours collectively I had crafted his beautiful new pair or socks. Then I got to thinking. I spent $10 on yarn and about 8 hours making them. If I value my time at $10 an hour, these socks are now worth $90! What a crazy thought. At least I had fun making them!
What’s your favorite hobby that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to do?
Those are some beautiful socks and I am envious of your talent! I have only managed to knit one sock. I can do baby sweaters, hats and other things, but socks intimidate me. I don’t find them relaxing, to say the least. :-) I know that practice makes perfect. Also, my current stash doesn’t contain any sock yarn and I’m on a pretty strict yarn diet right now. I’m only allowed to buy from thrift stores and I’ve never seen sock yarn from a thrift store. :-)
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 30th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Thanks! I do have a single sock that I knit that doesn’t have a mate. You should come visit and I’ll help you knit socks!
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Unfortunately, my hobby is expensive too, turning wood bowls, platters and vases. When I bought my first lathe and turned a single bowl I went into the house to share my $800 bowl with my wife!
7 years later they have gotten cheaper, I’ve made about 200 pieces so the last one only cost about $4!
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Baking. I love to bake. It can cost a lot depending on ingredients, but it can also be a wonderfully frugal activity. LOVE IT!
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Have you ever bought an old sweater from a thrift store that was “blah” on style, but fabulous on it’s wool?
I’ve known knitters who buy those nice old sweaters, unravel them, and then re-knit them into something they could really use.
Maybe that would be a fun project?
Hope you are having a great thanksgiving month.
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