Apart from the fact that my grandmother taught me to crochet and every time I do it I feel like she is here with me, I love that a crocheted item is 100% handmade every time. It's truly an art that can't be taken away from us by a soulless machine. I could take a stack of crochet hats and tell you exactly which of my friends made each one. Every artist leaves our own signature in our work in subtle ways. Every item carries a piece of our hearts in it.
Thanks for sharing this video. I have been saying this to people for a long time. Those cheaply priced crochet store bought items are made at the cost of exploitation of the workers.
I have always wondered this!! I found it soooo hard to believe that TJ Maxx could have a crochet top for $10 and wondered how they did it. I suspected sweatshops but now I know. Loved this video, I am definitely going to share it around.
To be quite fair, while still not great, Tjmaxx is a basically a resale store but for unsold bulk clothing from other brands. So while still not great they function like a Nordstrom rack with over produced/unsold items.
$10 garment is $5 to the retailer. $3 at the port (with shipping/taxes/documentation). Leaving $1.50 for the yarn, labour, (on machines + programming) all trims (labels +++), all shipping supplies, washing (yards are waxed, and it needs to be removed). Yes, there are sweatshops involved along with child labour, but they are not crocheting.
I don’t think that all the “sweatshops” or whatever they are actually called are bad if they are allowed to quit. Those existing or not, the people still need money, bad working conditions are in all jobs in almost all countries in the world and if they can quit they can quit and get a better job. It’s like taking a massive amount of new shoes to a poor village will put the shoe shop out of work, sure the people get new shoes but a third of the people will be out of a job.
@@Animez4321 that's only true for certain items. a lot of the items at marshalls and tj maxx are actually produced specifically for those stores. for instance most of the food and homewares, as well as most of the no-name brand clothing on the racks, unless it's clearly from another store
I’m currently working on a lace bedspread as a wedding gift for a friend. It’s made with 4 ply yarn on a 3.5mm hook. A friend saw it and gushed about how lovely it was and that I should sell blankets like that. I asked her how much she thought it would sell for, and she said “£250 - £300, easy!” I then pointed out that the yarn cost over £100 and I’ve been working on it evenings and weekends since October. So probably 15-ish hours a week for 4 months, and if I sold it for that price I would be paying myself less than £1 an hour and undercutting people trying to make a living as fibre artists.
For this reason I don't sell my work. I give it to friends and family and donate the rest to an animal rescue to sell to support rehomeing animal abandoned by their owners. I love the craft, so nothing is wasted.
You hit the nail on the head!!! Buy small and/or local business. STOP SWEAT SHOPS!!! Thank you for sharing such an honest commentary! Absolutely adore you 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶💚
Great video. This is the first time I’ve seen a crocheter talk about the issues in the textile industry. I’d love to see a more comprehensive discussion of sweatshop labour and damage to the environment caused by textiles (and sadly, our beloved crochet)
The documentary The True Cost is a great start! I’ve watched it a ton since it came out years ago, just post Rana Plaza, and just recently saw it’s here on YT
@@AnonymousAmyMakes you’re so welcome! It’s really well done and I think sums up a good like starting knowledge of it without being condescending or making assumptions about the viewer which is really nice
I was talking about this the other day with my husband! We passed some crochet bikini tops in Target and I explained that someone had to make it by hand and since the top was only ten bucks, the person who made it probably didn’t get paid nearly enough for their work. And it’s frustrating, too, to think that something we can enjoy and do for our own pleasure is a necessity for someone else. That we could sell our work for a fair price and that they can’t. And whoever did those tops had really excellent, even stitches! I really appreciate that you made a video about that.
Thank you for touching on this topic. There are instances where not only the work is outsourced to poverty stricken countries, but also here within the USA. There are a great MANY products labled "Made in USA" but what theybfail to tell you is they were made by prison workers who are told "this is part of a work release program" and then many of those prisoners never actually getbreleased or if they do, those skills don't help them in any way because of that "felony" hanging over their heads they still find it incredibly difficult to find work on the outside. And getting paid 1/10 of a cent because "thats still a profit" to the prisoner, while the owners of the private prisons are getting money off the backs of "slave labor". I have a friend from India who was employed by a company similar to Darn Good Yarns, where the company says they help women find work. But theybdon't help them find work. They keep them employed with slave wages and they have to work (against their will) because they have to feed their family....and there is no childcare, so often their children are subject to being around machinery and sweat shop environments...its really sad. I was happy my friend got out of that situation, but not everyone is going to get get married and whisked away to another country. Thats just so incredibly uncommon. **also, I am saving this video for future reference every time I hear someone say "oh its probably done on machine and we do it by hand so its not the same quality" Because I hear that misinformation a LOT
You make an excellent point (My degree is in Criminology), slave labor happens right here in the US!! What greed makes people do to others. Its a shame.
Greetings from Texas! Thanks for this valuable information. As a crochet artist, I struggled with the transition from hobby to full-time business. Many friends/family do not support me as a business, but yet look for me to continually give away gifts or reduce my prices. I also appreciate this information because I know big companies can be our greatest competitions. I wish nothing but success for you and all the small business owners out there working diligently to stay afloat. Best wishes in 2022 and beyond!😊
I've learned that friends and family can be the best & worst supporters. If your family is anything like mine, they are used to getting free crochet items from grandparent or other relatives. These are gifts from the heart. They are unable to see the true value. & will have issues with you putting a price on it.
Fellow Texan here! I've found that, at least in my little western town, people are willing to pay me for my services. *However* I don't have many sales. My best commissions come from me crocheting in bars and people asking me to make things 😂
That is exactly why I love crochet. It can’t be done by machine. One item can look totally different by changing type of thread and fiber content, needle size, stitches, even the color of the yarn i.e. variegated, self striping, ombre, I could go on forever.
Great video! I've been telling people this for years and I'm glad there isn't a machine that can crochet. I never understood why crochet takes a back seat to knit when knit is so easily replicated with machines? I'm in love with the hands on process of crocheting. It's calming and therapeutic for me and I hope they never crack the code to mass produce crochet. 😍
The thing that keeps me from knitting a lot is that it takes a long time compared to crochet and it could just be done by a machine so sometimes it feels therapeutic and sometimes it feels like a waste of time to me.
Since I started crocheting ten years ago, I've become keenly aware how often on TV/in movies, there are things like crocheted blankets on the couches of people who are, ahem, not well-off. It's a curious thing, sort of tying crochet into "poor" or "low-class".
@@yarnpenguin i was heart broken when I was watching "My little Ponies" with my daughter. I grew up on the original show, and I thinkmthe "friendship is magic" is over-all a really cute show, not too far off from the original. But in one episode Rarity tells SweetieBell that "Crochet is Knits UGLY COUSIN" and I just broke down. Even as a joke, that is an awful thing to say.
I love to crochet and I looked into making and selling my creations, I found that what most people are willing to pay often doesn't even cover the cost of the yarn. I now only gift my items to friends and family.
This information is very affirming Alysha. I've seen crochet hats, gloves and scarves that cost a fraction of what I would charge (if I was charging) for my hand crafted projects. How would I ever be able to compete with their price and intricate details? Wow! Just wow!
You can't compete with their price, however, they don't put the blood, sweat, tears and love you put into your projects. Every time I make something for someone I think of them and the fun times we've had, etc. The machines are unable to put the karma in a project that we can. I'll take hand made anytime!!
Loved the video. My Mom taught me how to crochet when I was 10 years old. It is a craft that I will always be grateful to her for teaching me. She passed away several years ago, but a part of her still lives on in the craft that she taught me.
Thank you for shining a light on this blight and giving a voice to the voiceless. My heart hurts for all these humans beings caught in an endless circle of abuse. It has always been valuable to me that no machine can replicate the beauty of crochet. Buy less, but buy local 🌞
Absolutely agree with every point! Great video! If only influencers stop promoting such sweat shops and start promoting real small businesses. Unfortunately it’s true! Please repost this video, everyone!!!! It’s very important for crochet community! Thank you, Alysha!
I fully love that this video went from Informative (fun) to Informative (you're gonna learn about sweatshops). Thank you so much for bringing this to people's attention! I knew it couldn't be done by machine and hate seeing crochet pieces in big chain stores!
Very informative, It's amazing to know that crocheting is to difficult for a machine, because it's so relaxing for me to do. It's a wonderful thing to support small business as well as crafters selling at local events. Sweat shops are a cruel environment.
I crochet grocery bags or market bags, but only for my family. I've taken them into stores like Trader Joe's and Aldi, where you generally bag for yourself and always get comments on how good they look, then typically something along the lines of you should sell them. No one understands the cost most people want to buy these for wouldn't even cover the cost of yarn, let alone the 5-10 hours it takes to make. So I never make things that I don't want to; it's too heartbreaking when people suggest that they will buy something I've made then cringe when I give them a price.
I am a crocheter - self-taught many years ago. I also have a circular knitting machine (new acquisition ) where I combine the two and make beautiful things! Thank you for this video to show people that crochet is indeed an art and cannot be duplicated by machine!
This is literally the perfect youtube video. Straightforward answer within the first minute, then the rest of it is absolutely packed with details and alternatives. I'm obsessed, thank you for making this!!
Great informative video! I've told people that crochet has to be handmade, unlike knitting, although working on the Addi (especially making different stitches and patterns) is still alot of handwork. Crochet is keeping me sane while working for an insane employer during these trying times.
YES! 🙌🏻 This video is so good and I hope it goes viral because this topic infuriates me and so many people don’t realize that this is what’s happening and there aren’t many resources about it. So thank you! And I’ll be sharing it to as many people as I can ❤️
I am new to crochet and new to your Channel. I want you to thank you for bringing attention to the problem of sweatshops. Thank you for also pointing out that crochet and other handcrafted items come not only from the hands but also from the heart of the crafter🥰
I had no idea crochet couldn't be made on machine! But it makes total sense now! I'm just now going to start getting into crocheting, my grandmother used to make beautiful throw blankets! 💚 And that's disgusting how big chains get their products. Wish we could all come together and change it!
Thank you Alisha for bringing the truth forward about sweat shops. I saw this in person 30 years ago and it's so hard to bring this to attention of the average person. God bless you. This is a worldwide problem.
Hey, thanks for making awareness to the sweatshops and child labor. It's a very sad situation, and you're absolutely right that 'feeding the beast' is not a good solution. Im a 38yo man in law enforcement, and I've seen some terrible things that kids go through to make money for someone else. Stay safe and your kiddos under your wing.
I only just started crocheting, I haven’t even finished my first project (a single stitch scarf) and you’ve already got me feeling pride in what I’m doing, the fact it can’t be done by machine just hyped me up lol. Thanks! Definitely getting my like and subscribe! Have a great day!!
Love the video! And I myself taught myself to knit first, but then I took up crochet. Why? Because I don’t think one is better than the other. I thoroughly believe that knitting and crochet are sisters in the crafting world. Both are beautiful and take just as much skill.
totally agree with all you said. I buy my Fair Trade items only from verifiable sources like the Leprosy Mission, which has been doing this kind of work for decades. And yes, I would love a video all about the Sweat Shop scourge - which not only damages those who work there, but also the small business person who wants to make a living from their work.
In a way, I'm glad a machine can't crochet it makes what we do special. I'm glad you confirmed what I already knew. I word at a store and every time I see someone come in with a crochet item I ask them who made it and compliment the workmanship of the person who made it. It is usually a mother or grandmother of the person.
You are correct when it comes to the sweatshops. When is done out of the US is very difficult to physically see and audit. For a few years, I make sure I get all the crochet or knitting items from small business.
Yes! It is such a shame that us crocheters start trends and get recognition on social media...Then big brands trying to capitalize on the trend, wind up supporting sweatshops.
Thank you, Dear Sister for taking the time to care by doing a very unselfish and informative video! You are truly blessed! And may the LORD JESUS continue to bless you, your family and business!
Thank you for speaking about how mass produced crochet relies on exploitative labor practices! I just finished making a granny square jacket for a friend. It took 40 hours of my time. To buy a jacket like that for even $100 or $200 with a modest 4x cost price, we're talking labor of less than 70¢ an hour. We know many of these sweatshops pay far less than that in many cases.
After working with only tubes and flat panels which makes a not so large piece of fabric I have upped my “STEEK” game where all things are now possible. Steeked flat panels are made from tubes but are full size minus 3 rows that takes up the steeking and cut leaving a full 15” of width. You can create actual yardage and you can do curves, cool necklines, add zips or open up a sweater so it’s a cardigan. Using tunisian crochet knit stitch is handy for rubbings and collars etc. I agree with the commercial sale of sweat labor items but we’ve become so dependent on other countries to feed our need to over consume that sweatshops will never disappear. If there was no demand there would be no sweatshops.
@@LittlejohnsYarn I don’t know how to knit either. Just me and my knitting machines until someone has the patience to teach me. And that probably won’t happen hahaha!
absolutely loved your videos on crochet and sweatshop labor. As some one who has been crocheting over 6 years I know how much goes into a single piece. I am sending these videos to all my friends especially those who recently have made purchases from fast fashion brands.
i saw a crochet hat in target and my mouth literally dropped ! i’m a SAHM with a very small crochet business, something like a mass produced hat could put me out of business faster than i could yarn over. definitely gave me a fright
I was just having this conversation with my daughter yesterday about the "machine crochet", but then I said; " I wonder if like 50 different people piece together one garment like an assembly line?. I was thinking like a couple people start the chain ⛓️ then they pass it to the others who may do the front panels while others work back panels and lastly they put it together or something. I swear we just spoke this up... you just read our minds.
This is an important and informative video. Yes. Littljohn you did a fabulous job on this video. Hi five for educating the public on these subjects which I’m also very passionate about. Crochet can only be hand made and the dangers in consuming fast fashion.
Accidentally run into this video,! so excited to hear this, I listened twice ! Amen to you..I hope this goes out to everyone. Never really thought about it like this!!! yes I crochet, since I was 20 a young mother. I'm so pleased to have listen to you!!! I subscribed..and 👍 give you a big thumbs up!
Thank you so, so much for this video, Alysha. I don't know how many times over the past decade I've had people--generally, acquaintances, but not always--ask me how much I'd charge for something. Even though I wouldn't be making anything close to minimum wage for what I would quote them, they'd be *furious*, saying they could get a scarf at Walmart or whatever for like $10, instead of $30 which I know, I know, is too low! It's really disheartening.
@@LittlejohnsYarn Exactly. The time, the skill, the sore wrists... they just don't get what goes into what we make. I do have some loved ones who understand, and they absolutely love what I make and treat the finished pieces with respect and care. But someone shouldn't have had to know us for decades, or entire lives, to grasp the time and care of this passion of ours.
I would explain to them just why hand made things cost more. "JUST the yarn costs $x. Plus it took me x hours to make it, even if I only pay myself minimum wage, that would be $x... Even the cheapest acrylic yarn and 1 hour's work is more than $10!"
@@lji_btrfly Oh, I know, and I've *done* that. They just don't care. That $10 price tag is just way more important to them than my time, materials, and wrists. 🙃
$30 barely even pays for the yarn at retail prices, much less all your hours of labor. Or PROFIT, which is the whole point of a business and is added after paying for labor. It's so hard to ask prices that reflect the true cost of making an item when people are so used to sweatshop fast fashion prices.
Great video. That’s the reason why I don’t buy crochet items from the store. I’ve watched too many videos where they exploit people to line their pockets with huge profits. If I do buy a crochet item, it’s either made by me or bought from someone who make handcraft items. And Yes you should definitely dedicate a video to this. Happy New Year !!
Crochet is the only needlecraft that cannot be machine duplicated whatsoever. I find that amazing and quite special aa what you see crocheted is done all by hand just for you!
Just started following you. I have bought some repurchased Sari skirts from Darn Good Yarn. They help families from India and are open about it on their website. Anyways, I have a couple of sweaters I wonder about. Pretty sure its crocheted but purchased years ago before I educated myself more. Definitely more conscience about what I purchase.
I absolutely love that crochet cannot be automated. I actually stopped going further with my knitting because once the knitting machines started getting more affordable my knitting time lost that special feel.
Yes! Please do the dedicated video! Thank you sooo much for bringing up sweatshops so more can wake up to reality and rethink their purchasing habits. You're the first yarn channel i've come across to highlight this issue. Big like and absolutely subbing you now! x
FIRST OF ALL!!! thank you for answering the question and not dragging the answer out (for people who want to know!) SECOND OF ALL I love everything you talked about in this video THIRD OF ALL I'VE WATCHED A LOT OF YOUR VIDEOS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SEEING YOUR FACE! YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS OMG 🤩
Thank you. I show my face every once in awhile. I hate when you have to wait to the video to find the answer. Give the answer first then tell the why 😉
Thank you! SWEAT SHOP! "People don't crochet free" followed by your subtle pause, Bless You! It breaks my heart when I see handmade or hand assembled items selling for One Dollar. I tell my friends the only way these were shipped here to USA for that price, from China, is slave labor by "political prisoners". Please share more about the true manner in which these helpless people are treated.
Very informative... I really wish this was said more so that people do a silent protest by not buying at all... I also have a crochet business and I always wondered how those big shops did it... Shame on them.
Thanks so much for sharing. I wrote a few reports in my business management class regarding sweatshops. Sweatshops are full of exploitation and horrid working conditions. Yes! Let’s support our small businesses for our handmade, hand crafted items. 🥰❤️
what a great informative video. Hats off to you for putting it out there. There is no machine out there that can replace our "Golden Hands". All items that are made by hand are our labors of love in my opinion.
The idea to mix knitting machine with crocheting is great. I'm a slow crocheter and don't enjoy knitting anymore. Knitting machine work would probably also make sleeves for garments well.
Wow, I had no idea crochet could not be machine-produced. Just like you said in the video, I always just assumed it could be done since there's so much cheap crochet stuff out there...thanks for bringing it to light. Will definitely be avoiding any crocheted pieces in stores.
I bought my great niece a pair of little unicorn booties from Target a few years ago. They had crochet bottoms and knitted top/sides. I feel so bad for buying them now, after knowing that someone was probably forced to make those and paid nothing. I know sometimes we have to purchase items from places we really don't care to support. But I'll never buy a crochet item from a "store." I crochet myself but I like to buy from local makers in my area also. ❣️
I hope to one day make the crochet machine to conquer yet another art with souless machines 🙏 perhaps even it will know many different techniques and can leave complex "signatures" and can pretend to put love into the sweater too
No matter if people actually want a fast fashion video, I think you should make it. It's a very important topic not only in crochet but in general. Many people simply have no idea, what happens in those fast fashion companies.
I always thought about that!! I couldn’t understand how stores could mass produce and sell for a fraction of what I sell my crochet products for.. I always just assumed there was some kind of machine. I’m so glad you put this video out!! Now I can help make people aware that it’s better to spend the money and buy from small businesses that make their own pieces that buying cheap and supporting sweatshops.
i love to crochet and when i found out it cannot be done by machine, i loved it even more! thank you for making this great fact known to educate/remind people of! tfs!
Thanks for your informative view. Here in America, my father would bring home sewing from a name brand manufacturer for me as a 9 year old to sew. I would come home from school at 3:15pm and work from 3:30 pm 'til 2am or until I completed sewing a dozen blouses... The pay was $1.30 - $1.50 for the dozen.
I've only been crocheting for a few months and my friends want me to sell them items. It's intimidating to price things at their value when you know they can be bought for much cheaper. For now I think this will stay in the hobby category.
Apart from the fact that my grandmother taught me to crochet and every time I do it I feel like she is here with me, I love that a crocheted item is 100% handmade every time. It's truly an art that can't be taken away from us by a soulless machine. I could take a stack of crochet hats and tell you exactly which of my friends made each one. Every artist leaves our own signature in our work in subtle ways. Every item carries a piece of our hearts in it.
I feel the same. Every time I crochet I feel closer to my grandmother. It's a beautiful Craft
My grandmother taught me to walk as a baby and to chrochet
Walking and Chrochet are irreplaceable activities. When I see a little child wearing one of my pumpkin hats my heart sings.
@@LittlejohnsYarn .
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Thanks for sharing this video. I have been saying this to people for a long time. Those cheaply priced crochet store bought items are made at the cost of exploitation of the workers.
You're welcome... OMG fan-girling over here😍😍😍😍!!!!
@@LittlejohnsYarn6 n
Or it's machine knit that's pretending to be crochet.
I have always wondered this!! I found it soooo hard to believe that TJ Maxx could have a crochet top for $10 and wondered how they did it. I suspected sweatshops but now I know. Loved this video, I am definitely going to share it around.
Glad it was helpful!
To be quite fair, while still not great, Tjmaxx is a basically a resale store but for unsold bulk clothing from other brands. So while still not great they function like a Nordstrom rack with over produced/unsold items.
$10 garment is $5 to the retailer. $3 at the port (with shipping/taxes/documentation). Leaving $1.50 for the yarn, labour, (on machines + programming) all trims (labels +++), all shipping supplies, washing (yards are waxed, and it needs to be removed). Yes, there are sweatshops involved along with child labour, but they are not crocheting.
I don’t think that all the “sweatshops” or whatever they are actually called are bad if they are allowed to quit. Those existing or not, the people still need money, bad working conditions are in all jobs in almost all countries in the world and if they can quit they can quit and get a better job. It’s like taking a massive amount of new shoes to a poor village will put the shoe shop out of work, sure the people get new shoes but a third of the people will be out of a job.
@@Animez4321 that's only true for certain items. a lot of the items at marshalls and tj maxx are actually produced specifically for those stores. for instance most of the food and homewares, as well as most of the no-name brand clothing on the racks, unless it's clearly from another store
I’m currently working on a lace bedspread as a wedding gift for a friend. It’s made with 4 ply yarn on a 3.5mm hook. A friend saw it and gushed about how lovely it was and that I should sell blankets like that. I asked her how much she thought it would sell for, and she said “£250 - £300, easy!” I then pointed out that the yarn cost over £100 and I’ve been working on it evenings and weekends since October. So probably 15-ish hours a week for 4 months, and if I sold it for that price I would be paying myself less than £1 an hour and undercutting people trying to make a living as fibre artists.
For this reason I don't sell my work. I give it to friends and family and donate the rest to an animal rescue to sell to support rehomeing animal abandoned by their owners. I love the craft, so nothing is wasted.
@@maried3717 @maried3717 That's lovely. You're a very kind and generous person!
You hit the nail on the head!!! Buy small and/or local business. STOP SWEAT SHOPS!!! Thank you for sharing such an honest commentary! Absolutely adore you 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶💚
Thank you so much!
Great video. This is the first time I’ve seen a crocheter talk about the issues in the textile industry. I’d love to see a more comprehensive discussion of sweatshop labour and damage to the environment caused by textiles (and sadly, our beloved crochet)
Thank you. I'm glad you like the video
@@LittlejohnsYarn What Colby said!!!! I'd love to see a more in depth video also! Thanks for getting my wheels turning this morning 😁
The documentary The True Cost is a great start! I’ve watched it a ton since it came out years ago, just post Rana Plaza, and just recently saw it’s here on YT
@@E42545 Thank you Emily!!! I'm going to check that out!
@@AnonymousAmyMakes you’re so welcome! It’s really well done and I think sums up a good like starting knowledge of it without being condescending or making assumptions about the viewer which is really nice
I was talking about this the other day with my husband! We passed some crochet bikini tops in Target and I explained that someone had to make it by hand and since the top was only ten bucks, the person who made it probably didn’t get paid nearly enough for their work. And it’s frustrating, too, to think that something we can enjoy and do for our own pleasure is a necessity for someone else. That we could sell our work for a fair price and that they can’t. And whoever did those tops had really excellent, even stitches! I really appreciate that you made a video about that.
Thank you for touching on this topic.
There are instances where not only the work is outsourced to poverty stricken countries, but also here within the USA. There are a great MANY products labled "Made in USA" but what theybfail to tell you is they were made by prison workers who are told "this is part of a work release program" and then many of those prisoners never actually getbreleased or if they do, those skills don't help them in any way because of that "felony" hanging over their heads they still find it incredibly difficult to find work on the outside. And getting paid 1/10 of a cent because "thats still a profit" to the prisoner, while the owners of the private prisons are getting money off the backs of "slave labor".
I have a friend from India who was employed by a company similar to Darn Good Yarns, where the company says they help women find work. But theybdon't help them find work. They keep them employed with slave wages and they have to work (against their will) because they have to feed their family....and there is no childcare, so often their children are subject to being around machinery and sweat shop environments...its really sad.
I was happy my friend got out of that situation, but not everyone is going to get get married and whisked away to another country. Thats just so incredibly uncommon.
**also, I am saving this video for future reference every time I hear someone say "oh its probably done on machine and we do it by hand so its not the same quality" Because I hear that misinformation a LOT
You make an excellent point (My degree is in Criminology), slave labor happens right here in the US!! What greed makes people do to others. Its a shame.
"Made in the USA" is one of the most incredibly misleading things that people feel good about buying, it's really appalling.
Greetings from Texas! Thanks for this valuable information. As a crochet artist, I struggled with the transition from hobby to full-time business. Many friends/family do not support me as a business, but yet look for me to continually give away gifts or reduce my prices. I also appreciate this information because I know big companies can be our greatest competitions. I wish nothing but success for you and all the small business owners out there working diligently to stay afloat. Best wishes in 2022 and beyond!😊
I've learned that friends and family can be the best & worst supporters. If your family is anything like mine, they are used to getting free crochet items from grandparent or other relatives. These are gifts from the heart. They are unable to see the true value. & will have issues with you putting a price on it.
Fellow Texan here! I've found that, at least in my little western town, people are willing to pay me for my services. *However* I don't have many sales. My best commissions come from me crocheting in bars and people asking me to make things 😂
That is exactly why I love crochet. It can’t be done by machine. One item can look totally different by changing type of thread and fiber content, needle size, stitches, even the color of the yarn i.e. variegated, self striping, ombre, I could go on forever.
That is so true
I agree. I’ve made 2 baby cocoons using the exact same yarn and hook. They turned out different. I like to call it “unique” lol
Great video! I've been telling people this for years and I'm glad there isn't a machine that can crochet. I never understood why crochet takes a back seat to knit when knit is so easily replicated with machines? I'm in love with the hands on process of crocheting. It's calming and therapeutic for me and I hope they never crack the code to mass produce crochet. 😍
Thank you. I hope they never crack the code either.
Personally, I can't stand it when people put crochet down like it's an inferior craft. There are extremely beautiful pieces created using crochet.
The thing that keeps me from knitting a lot is that it takes a long time compared to crochet and it could just be done by a machine so sometimes it feels therapeutic and sometimes it feels like a waste of time to me.
Since I started crocheting ten years ago, I've become keenly aware how often on TV/in movies, there are things like crocheted blankets on the couches of people who are, ahem, not well-off. It's a curious thing, sort of tying crochet into "poor" or "low-class".
@@yarnpenguin i was heart broken when I was watching "My little Ponies" with my daughter. I grew up on the original show, and I thinkmthe "friendship is magic" is over-all a really cute show, not too far off from the original. But in one episode Rarity tells SweetieBell that "Crochet is Knits UGLY COUSIN" and I just broke down. Even as a joke, that is an awful thing to say.
I love to crochet and I looked into making and selling my creations, I found that what most people are willing to pay often doesn't even cover the cost of the yarn. I now only gift my items to friends and family.
This information is very affirming Alysha. I've seen crochet hats, gloves and scarves that cost a fraction of what I would charge (if I was charging) for my hand crafted projects. How would I ever be able to compete with their price and intricate details? Wow! Just wow!
It's so upsetting to see such low prices. It's one thing to give it away for free(love), not to take advantage of someone.
You can't compete with their price, however, they don't put the blood, sweat, tears and love you put into your projects. Every time I make something for someone I think of them and the fun times we've had, etc. The machines are unable to put the karma in a project that we can. I'll take hand made anytime!!
Loved the video. My Mom taught me how to crochet when I was 10 years old. It is a craft that I will always be grateful to her for teaching me. She passed away several years ago, but a part of her still lives on in the craft that she taught me.
I'm so sorry for your lost. But I am thankful that she bless you with the gift of crochet.
Great video. These companies selling crocheted items for super cheap are DISGUSTING!! Thank you for making this video to spread awareness. ❤❤❤❤
You're welcome ☺️
Thank you for shining a light on this blight and giving a voice to the voiceless. My heart hurts for all these humans
beings caught in an endless circle of abuse. It has always been valuable to me that no machine can replicate the beauty of crochet. Buy less, but buy local 🌞
Thank you. That's another great point, buy less!
Absolutely agree with every point! Great video! If only influencers stop promoting such sweat shops and start promoting real small businesses. Unfortunately it’s true!
Please repost this video, everyone!!!!
It’s very important for crochet community! Thank you, Alysha!
I fully love that this video went from Informative (fun) to Informative (you're gonna learn about sweatshops). Thank you so much for bringing this to people's attention! I knew it couldn't be done by machine and hate seeing crochet pieces in big chain stores!
Very informative, It's amazing to know that crocheting is to difficult for a machine, because it's so relaxing for me to do. It's a wonderful thing to support small business as well as crafters selling at local events. Sweat shops are a cruel environment.
Thank you. I don't know what I would do without the relaxation of crochet.
I crochet grocery bags or market bags, but only for my family. I've taken them into stores like Trader Joe's and Aldi, where you generally bag for yourself and always get comments on how good they look, then typically something along the lines of you should sell them. No one understands the cost most people want to buy these for wouldn't even cover the cost of yarn, let alone the 5-10 hours it takes to make. So I never make things that I don't want to; it's too heartbreaking when people suggest that they will buy something I've made then cringe when I give them a price.
I am a crocheter - self-taught many years ago. I also have a circular knitting machine (new acquisition ) where I combine the two and make beautiful things! Thank you for this video to show people that crochet is indeed an art and cannot be duplicated by machine!
This is literally the perfect youtube video. Straightforward answer within the first minute, then the rest of it is absolutely packed with details and alternatives. I'm obsessed, thank you for making this!!
Thank you so much ❤️
Great informative video! I've told people that crochet has to be handmade, unlike knitting, although working on the Addi (especially making different stitches and patterns) is still alot of handwork. Crochet is keeping me sane while working for an insane employer during these trying times.
Crocheting is my safe place too. Without it I may go crazy.
YES! 🙌🏻 This video is so good and I hope it goes viral because this topic infuriates me and so many people don’t realize that this is what’s happening and there aren’t many resources about it. So thank you! And I’ll be sharing it to as many people as I can ❤️
I am new to crochet and new to your Channel. I want you to thank you for bringing attention to the problem of sweatshops. Thank you for also pointing out that crochet and other handcrafted items come not only from the hands but also from the heart of the crafter🥰
Yes do support these individuals that work on these items with love and integrity (which is having good work ethics)!
I had no idea crochet couldn't be made on machine! But it makes total sense now! I'm just now going to start getting into crocheting, my grandmother used to make beautiful throw blankets! 💚 And that's disgusting how big chains get their products. Wish we could all come together and change it!
Thank you Alisha for bringing the truth forward about sweat shops. I saw this in person 30 years ago and it's so hard to bring this to attention of the average person. God bless you. This is a worldwide problem.
Hey, thanks for making awareness to the sweatshops and child labor. It's a very sad situation, and you're absolutely right that 'feeding the beast' is not a good solution. Im a 38yo man in law enforcement, and I've seen some terrible things that kids go through to make money for someone else. Stay safe and your kiddos under your wing.
Thanks for creating & sharing this important information, LittleJohn’s Yarn ☮️ educate the people
Thank you for this video! It breaks my heart every time I see a crocheted item in a store!
I only just started crocheting, I haven’t even finished my first project (a single stitch scarf) and you’ve already got me feeling pride in what I’m doing, the fact it can’t be done by machine just hyped me up lol. Thanks! Definitely getting my like and subscribe! Have a great day!!
Thank you for pointing out the existence of sweatshops and the connection between low cost/high profits and exploited labor.
Love the video! And I myself taught myself to knit first, but then I took up crochet. Why?
Because I don’t think one is better than the other. I thoroughly believe that knitting and crochet are sisters in the crafting world. Both are beautiful and take just as much skill.
totally agree with all you said.
I buy my Fair Trade items only from verifiable sources like the Leprosy Mission, which has been doing this kind of work for decades.
And yes, I would love a video all about the Sweat Shop scourge - which not only damages those who work there, but also the small business person who wants to make a living from their work.
Its great that you do the research. The more I research, the more I realize how ignorant I have been. It opens your eyes.
I wish I could hit the thumbs-up button a dozen times! Thank you for this reality check.
Short, sweet, and spicy. Perfect kick in the head for 2022. Love!
😁thank you
In a way, I'm glad a machine can't crochet it makes what we do special. I'm glad you confirmed what I already knew. I word at a store and every time I see someone come in with a crochet item I ask them who made it and compliment the workmanship of the person who made it. It is usually a mother or grandmother of the person.
I knit and crochet to relax, not to hurry! No machine needed here ❤❤❤
You are correct when it comes to the sweatshops. When is done out of the US is very difficult to physically see and audit. For a few years, I make sure I get all the crochet or knitting items from small business.
Yes! It is such a shame that us crocheters start trends and get recognition on social media...Then big brands trying to capitalize on the trend, wind up supporting sweatshops.
That's exactly what happens.
Thank you, Dear Sister for taking the time to care by doing a very unselfish and informative video! You are truly blessed! And may the LORD JESUS continue to bless you, your family and business!
Thank you so much ❤️ God bless you.
Thank you for speaking about how mass produced crochet relies on exploitative labor practices! I just finished making a granny square jacket for a friend. It took 40 hours of my time. To buy a jacket like that for even $100 or $200 with a modest 4x cost price, we're talking labor of less than 70¢ an hour. We know many of these sweatshops pay far less than that in many cases.
People need to appreciate other's work and talent and support them.
After working with only tubes and flat panels which makes a not so large piece of fabric I have upped my “STEEK” game where all things are now possible. Steeked flat panels are made from tubes but are full size minus 3 rows that takes up the steeking and cut leaving a full 15” of width. You can create actual yardage and you can do curves, cool necklines, add zips or open up a sweater so it’s a cardigan. Using tunisian crochet knit stitch is handy for rubbings and collars etc. I agree with the commercial sale of sweat labor items but we’ve become so dependent on other countries to feed our need to over consume that sweatshops will never disappear. If there was no demand there would be no sweatshops.
I need to learn a thing or 2 about knitting. I'm such a one trick pony.
@@LittlejohnsYarn I don’t know how to knit either. Just me and my knitting machines until someone has the patience to teach me. And that probably won’t happen hahaha!
absolutely loved your videos on crochet and sweatshop labor. As some one who has been crocheting over 6 years I know how much goes into a single piece. I am sending these videos to all my friends especially those who recently have made purchases from fast fashion brands.
I love to crochet! It's like therapy to me and I'm glad it can't be done by machine. Now I feel like it's a bit more worth. Thank you!
It's definitely worth more than people think.
I knew this but thanks for telling us. People need to understand this for many reasons.
Glad I found your channel. This video is really informative. Love seeing other Black women doing art crafts. I knit and crochet.
That's one of the things I love about Crochet, that you know it was hand made.
me too! It can't be replicated.
Thank you for making us aware of the conditions and poor countries and for doing something about it in your way
You had me at 'Every like goes to feeding my own dirty habits'.
So glad I found your channel!
I’ve been becoming more aware of those things and I have been loving small business and homemade items 🥺✨🙏🏼❤️🔥
I LOVE crocheting. It's my therapy. I can pretend to be counting stitches so my husband knows to "shut up" 🤣🤣Thanks for the interesting video. 🥰🥰
Pretend counting! That's a great idea. I may have to try that with my husband, lol.
i saw a crochet hat in target and my mouth literally dropped ! i’m a SAHM with a very small crochet business, something like a mass produced hat could put me out of business faster than i could yarn over. definitely gave me a fright
I was just having this conversation with my daughter yesterday about the "machine crochet", but then I said; " I wonder if like 50 different people piece together one garment like an assembly line?. I was thinking like a couple people start the chain ⛓️ then they pass it to the others who may do the front panels while others work back panels and lastly they put it together or something. I swear we just spoke this up... you just read our minds.
I wonder how it works also.... I have been known to read minds, lol
This is an important and informative video. Yes. Littljohn you did a fabulous job on this video. Hi five for educating the public on these subjects which I’m also very passionate about. Crochet can only be hand made and the dangers in consuming fast fashion.
Accidentally run into this video,! so excited to hear this, I listened twice ! Amen to you..I hope this goes out to everyone. Never really thought about it like this!!! yes I crochet, since I was 20 a young mother. I'm so pleased to have listen to you!!! I subscribed..and 👍 give you a big thumbs up!
Thank you for talking about this important question!
Super interesting this topic !!
I knew it, a machine doesn't can make crochet !!
Crochet is unique, is an art !!!
Thank you so, so much for this video, Alysha. I don't know how many times over the past decade I've had people--generally, acquaintances, but not always--ask me how much I'd charge for something. Even though I wouldn't be making anything close to minimum wage for what I would quote them, they'd be *furious*, saying they could get a scarf at Walmart or whatever for like $10, instead of $30 which I know, I know, is too low! It's really disheartening.
This world is so used to quick manufactured good. They don't understand the time that goes into crochet.
@@LittlejohnsYarn Exactly. The time, the skill, the sore wrists... they just don't get what goes into what we make. I do have some loved ones who understand, and they absolutely love what I make and treat the finished pieces with respect and care. But someone shouldn't have had to know us for decades, or entire lives, to grasp the time and care of this passion of ours.
I would explain to them just why hand made things cost more. "JUST the yarn costs $x. Plus it took me x hours to make it, even if I only pay myself minimum wage, that would be $x... Even the cheapest acrylic yarn and 1 hour's work is more than $10!"
@@lji_btrfly Oh, I know, and I've *done* that. They just don't care. That $10 price tag is just way more important to them than my time, materials, and wrists. 🙃
$30 barely even pays for the yarn at retail prices, much less all your hours of labor. Or PROFIT, which is the whole point of a business and is added after paying for labor. It's so hard to ask prices that reflect the true cost of making an item when people are so used to sweatshop fast fashion prices.
Very interesting video! And to be honest, I'm glad crochet can't be done by a machine. It makes crocheting the more special.
Great video. That’s the reason why I don’t buy crochet items from the store. I’ve watched too many videos where they exploit people to line their pockets with huge profits. If I do buy a crochet item, it’s either made by me or bought from someone who make handcraft items. And Yes you should definitely dedicate a video to this. Happy New Year !!
Even though I crochet. I still buy crochet from small businesses. Never a big business
Crochet is the only needlecraft that cannot be machine duplicated whatsoever. I find that amazing and quite special aa what you see crocheted is done all by hand just for you!
Wow, I feel so much more connected to the women in my ancestry knowing that as of yet it’s impossible to crochet using machinery.
Just started following you. I have bought some repurchased Sari skirts from Darn Good Yarn. They help families from India and are open about it on their website. Anyways, I have a couple of sweaters I wonder about. Pretty sure its crocheted but purchased years ago before I educated myself more. Definitely more conscience about what I purchase.
Thank you for following me. I've purchased cheap crochet from stores before also. I didn't know any better then.
I absolutely love that crochet cannot be automated. I actually stopped going further with my knitting because once the knitting machines started getting more affordable my knitting time lost that special feel.
Yes, support small business. I hope to grow this year. Thank you!
I wish you the craftiest of luck!
Crochet have always be special to me because it is handmade items only. Thanks for the information
awesome video, you hit all the right points when you got to talking about sweatshops and exploitative labour
Yes! Please do the dedicated video! Thank you sooo much for bringing up sweatshops so more can wake up to reality and rethink their purchasing habits. You're the first yarn channel i've come across to highlight this issue. Big like and absolutely subbing you now! x
Incredible video, thank you for talking on this subject
Fantastic informative video, great job! Thanks for showing the real side of the sweatshops. Love the hair.
FIRST OF ALL!!! thank you for answering the question and not dragging the answer out (for people who want to know!)
SECOND OF ALL I love everything you talked about in this video
THIRD OF ALL I'VE WATCHED A LOT OF YOUR VIDEOS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SEEING YOUR FACE! YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS OMG 🤩
Thank you. I show my face every once in awhile. I hate when you have to wait to the video to find the answer. Give the answer first then tell the why 😉
Thank you! SWEAT SHOP! "People don't crochet free" followed by your subtle pause, Bless You! It breaks my heart when I see handmade or hand assembled items selling for One Dollar. I tell my friends the only way these were shipped here to USA for that price, from China, is slave labor by "political prisoners".
Please share more about the true manner in which these helpless people are treated.
Ok everyone share this ! Make this go Viral !
Thank you so much. I always wish to have a video go viral, lol.
This was really informative! I had no idea it couldn’t be done by machine.
Amen! Let's expose them for what they REALLY are. Sad, but true! Thx, sister! 👍🏻🧶
Very informative... I really wish this was said more so that people do a silent protest by not buying at all... I also have a crochet business and I always wondered how those big shops did it... Shame on them.
Thanks so much for sharing. I wrote a few reports in my business management class regarding sweatshops. Sweatshops are full of exploitation and horrid working conditions. Yes! Let’s support our small businesses for our handmade, hand crafted items. 🥰❤️
Wow ! Thank you for sharing this information
what a great informative video. Hats off to you for putting it out there. There is no machine out there that can replace our "Golden Hands". All items that are made by hand are our labors of love in my opinion.
Thank you. It is definitely a labor of love.
So glad to hear you're calling out big box stores with their ruthless business practices! Shop local, shop handmade in USA🥰 🇺🇸
The idea to mix knitting machine with crocheting is great. I'm a slow crocheter and don't enjoy knitting anymore. Knitting machine work would probably also make sleeves for garments well.
Wow, I had no idea crochet could not be machine-produced. Just like you said in the video, I always just assumed it could be done since there's so much cheap crochet stuff out there...thanks for bringing it to light. Will definitely be avoiding any crocheted pieces in stores.
I bought my great niece a pair of little unicorn booties from Target a few years ago. They had crochet bottoms and knitted top/sides. I feel so bad for buying them now, after knowing that someone was probably forced to make those and paid nothing. I know sometimes we have to purchase items from places we really don't care to support. But I'll never buy a crochet item from a "store." I crochet myself but I like to buy from local makers in my area also. ❣️
I so appreciate that you gave a moral lesson out of an interesting question! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I hope to one day make the crochet machine to conquer yet another art with souless machines 🙏 perhaps even it will know many different techniques and can leave complex "signatures" and can pretend to put love into the sweater too
Thanks for another question answered & thanks for advocating against sweatshops
No matter if people actually want a fast fashion video, I think you should make it. It's a very important topic not only in crochet but in general. Many people simply have no idea, what happens in those fast fashion companies.
Thank you for this post not only informative but entertaining.
Love you & this vid Alysha. So informative. I'm definitely sharing this. Happy Prosperous New Year. Love, Peace, & Crochet Be safe and well 💌🥀😘
I always thought about that!! I couldn’t understand how stores could mass produce and sell for a fraction of what I sell my crochet products for.. I always just assumed there was some kind of machine. I’m so glad you put this video out!! Now I can help make people aware that it’s better to spend the money and buy from small businesses that make their own pieces that buying cheap and supporting sweatshops.
I have known any crochet machine. If they had a crochet machine they would be selling them just like the knitting machines. Great video!!!😁😁
i love to crochet and when i found out it cannot be done by machine, i loved it even more! thank you for making this great fact known to educate/remind people of! tfs!
I am so glad that CROCHET can't be done on a machine. I love making items by hand. I can knit and LOOM KNIT. But CROCHET is my passion
I am so happy you made this video! I shared it on my FB and I will share it elsewhere!
Thank you so much 🥰
Thanks for your informative view. Here in America, my father would bring home sewing from a name brand manufacturer for me as a 9 year old to sew. I would come home from school at 3:15pm and work from 3:30 pm 'til 2am or until I completed sewing a dozen blouses... The pay was $1.30 - $1.50 for the dozen.
I've only been crocheting for a few months and my friends want me to sell them items. It's intimidating to price things at their value when you know they can be bought for much cheaper. For now I think this will stay in the hobby category.
Great video, kudos on the expose of these sweatshops. Congratulations on over 2,000 likes on this!