caftan

[u/cherry_bunnies]

Location: Sydney, Australia
Budget: AUD$150 excluding materials

I saw this caftan on instagram a while back and I kept thinking about it ;)

I would like it in black with matte black sequins (or shiny black sequins, I just haven’t been able to source that as yet)

https://imgur.com/a/3F12Y4W

Size; adult, full length. pattern comes in 2 sizes, I would like size 2 which has a width of 55 inches. I’d maybe like it 2 inches wider to make it flowier

Timeline; delivered by late November (?) which is probably ok if someone in Australia can do it, but probably not so much if you’re an overseas knitting genius

I will buy the pattern, looking at the yarn it looks like it will cost around US$250 (?) the pattern says “experienced” but as someone who is anything but experienced haha, I have no idea how many hours would be involved - so I’m open to fair pricing (the automod made me put a price in!)

Yarn Preference; black Rauma Alpakka Lin 300 (400g) and black Wollehalle Sequin Yarn 200 (400g)

thank you ;)** **

[u/k80k80k80]

My friend- this is an over 1k plus materials job. An “experienced” pattern means it’s tricky and most likely uses uncommon techniques. Also, you want to add sequins. That is a lot of work and the timeline is unrealistic. To put it into perspective: you’re asking for a couture gown at off-the-rack sweater pricing to be made and delivered in a month.

[u/Knitsune → u/k80k80k80]

in BLACK no less!

[u/cherry_bunnies → u/k80k80k80]

I’m very sorry I really didn’t know! I found the Rauma Alpakka Lin 2325 Black in 50g for US$17 per 50g and I found Wollehalle Sequin Yarn on Etsy for various prices which is why I estimated US$250 in yarn. I also said I didn’t know how long it would take someone to make it, because I don’t know anything about the sorcery of knitting!! and that I would pay whatever was fair. if I got it all wrong then I sincerely apologise and I’ll delete my post

[u/k80k80k80 → u/cherry_bunnies]

That’s ok. You didn’t know. It’s not the yarn that’s being underpriced, it’s the labor. Judging by the size and experience level, it looks like a ton of work. If you’re willing to wait 4-6 months and pay around $1200-1600 plus materials and shipping, you’ll have a better time finding someone. This is the worst time of year to ask for a knit request because we are all knitting for holiday fairs and gifts for our families. You might want to ask after the new year. If you can budge on the color, that would help too. Very dark colors, such as black, are hard to knit with because it’s difficult to see the stitches. You’re basically knitting blind. Good luck!

[u/knittingneedles]

As others have said, this is a much more expensive job. I’d see if a crocheter would be willing to take this on. The texture won’t be the same and the yarn needs may be differnt, but crochet typically works up faster than knitting.

[u/cherry_bunnies → u/knittingneedles]

thank you ;) that could be a good idea. I really had no idea it was such a labour intensive project but I guess I understand why she sells patterns and not finished garments now!

[u/knittingneedles → u/cherry_bunnies]

I saw you thought about learning to knit in another comment! You should 1000% do it!

[u/Valkyriemome]

4-6 months if knitting was your full-time job! A decent bulky cardigan, which is substantially faster to knit, takes me 8-10 weeks, as I’m working around my “real” job. A lace shawl takes about 6-8 months. Something like this would easily be over a year.

[u/kat_is_good]

Your budget and timeline are way under, but probably not as much as everyone is estimating. The pattern is Oh My Kaftan for those who haven't seen it already - it's knit on 12mm needles with drop stitches so it's not as much actual knitting as it appears.

I don't take commissions but I am in Australia and if I was making this I would probably charge around $400-500 for labour and a timeframe of 2 months (although not at the end of the year since people are usually doing their Christmas projects)

[u/k80k80k80 → u/kat_is_good]

Do you realize how hard it is for the yarn not to knot those drop stitches?

[u/kat_is_good → u/k80k80k80]

what do you mean? that the caftan will wear faster and snag on things? of course it will, but that has nothing to do with commissioning it.