You’ve seen this picture before. Let me tell you a little more about it.

All four embellishments are constructed from the same pattern with essentially the same number of stitches. The pattern is simple – chain four and join to a ring. Work twelve single-crochet into the ring. Sc-dc-tc into the first stitch, tc-dc-sc into the next stitch around for a total of six petals. Very, very simple. Easily varied to five or seven petals – use a five-stitch ring for seven petals.

The flower in the top left is crocheted from size 30 crochet thread using a size 10 (1.15mm) crochet hook. I’ve also been using a size 7 (1.65mm) hook on this size thread for slightly larger embellishments.

The flower in the top right is crocheted from size 3 thread using a size 3 (2.1mm) hook. I also use a size C (2.75) mm hook with this thread. The 3/2 weaving thread I’m using (not pictured) is a similar size and can be worked with either hook as well.

The two flowes on the bottom are worked with a size 3 hook and number 10 thread. The colored center is achieved by switching color after the round into the ring. I use the size 7 hook with this size thread for slightly smaller embellishments.

Which brings up the question I asked earlier – should I charge the same amount for the large ones as for the small ones?

First factor is perception – and I work retail so I ought to know to respect perception. Perception says the little ones are smaller and therefore not worth nearly as much. I know I have to deal with this perception in pricing the embellishments.

Second factor is cost. Anyone who has ever used a size 10 hook on size 30 thread can tell you tiny stitches are not easy. The tiny embellishments are more difficult and slower than the larger ones. By the reasoning of labor costs, I should charge more for the smaller embellishments – or at very least I should be able to charge the same amount.

My target market for these items is scrapbookers. Scrapbookers, for the most part, are paper crafters not fiber artists. They will understand and appreciate handmade aspects. This makes them a good audience to sell handmade items to because they understand the effort and value. However, they’re not likely to appreciate the additional effort involved in tiny stitches. Based on various input, even my relatively stitch-conscious audience is reacting to size rather than pattern similarity. This tells me I have to respect the perception side of pricing.

I’m still not sure what I’m going to charge, but I know I have to think about perception.