Is there a difference in home-made and hand-made? When I began crocheting and knitting again I often had angst about small mistakes and imperfections. I remember an instructor saying that it was okay to have small imperfections that was part of hand-made garments. Okay I’ll accept that. But I think something looking home-made is not the same thing.  I don’t sew but I remember being in grammar school and high school and knowing when someone made what they had on because it looked home-made. Poor hemming, seaming,  construction. Sometimes cheap material. This is versus professionally made garments.

I believe the same thing applies to our knit, crochet  and  felt work. It needs to be the best that we can produce. Sure there are those hats and sweaters that only our loved ones will wear but in general I think that we should strive for improvements that make our garments look hand-made. For me this means learning to sew seams well, mastering the kitcheners stitch, learning and using proper cast ons and bind offs, crocheting even stitches. All of these things will make a garment that you are happy to wear or give or sell.

I don’t mean to be anal about work and I do believe that some level of imperfection is okay. I just think that with time we should get better. I’m still learning how to make socks well and every time I say that I’m giving up I try again. My goal is to have some one say to me that’s beautiful where did you get it. Soon I hope.