I've done the same as you wendy. They've paid for the wool but as they were family I didn't charge for the labour. I really don't know how you would work out a price, its a hard one.
The last one I did my sister sent it to Sweden to a friend who had a baby, The friend was originally an exchange student who came to stay with them many years go. So I felt quite proud to be asked to make the baby blanket.

The Driver makes furniture and sells it. He and other woodwork club members work on a formula of charging 3 times the cost of the materials. He reckons that's what I should do. 30 balls at even $2 a ball = $60 x 3 = $180. I think not.

Rosie - my Hardanger is like that. Heaps of hours in even a small item. But I have never done that for other people, except as gifts. $2 an hour - last job I did I was paid $35 an hour!

Think it is going to be a rather token charge.

Having sold my craft before I would say don't make your fee to cheap as they might want you to make heaps of them and that certainly won't be worth it to you.  Personally I didn't think $180 for a crocheted blanket the size you mentioned was too bad.  If you wanted to lower it then don't go any lower than $150 otherwise you really are underselling yourself.  I hope that helps. Let us know how you get on.

Michelle

Have seen those crocheted rugs for sale at free camps along the way for about $60 - like a knee rug size - don't know if they were "wool" or sythetic - baby booties were $5 pair (wool) - scarves round $10 - mostly synthetic - that new twirly stuff - cushion covers about $20 - just for some comparisons for you. These are not in shops - people do the work on the road travelling, set up a table at free camps or whatever - have seen people selling cards, wind things (you know birds and the wings go round), jewelly (mostly beading), knitted slippers - doing haircuts, massages, a signwriter -have seen people over the years selling paintings of the local areas, even some reading tarot cards.

Another lady was selling novels - she had bought them new, and was selling them for around the $5 mark.

Just for what it is worth.

if its a hobby and you have time do it for free karma will look after you.

Rip and Rosie wrote:

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Yes, it may be a hobby, but when you are asked to make something, I.e. not a gift, it is reasonable to be paid.

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 I totally agree Rosie.  If someone asks you to make something then you need to charge accordingly.

Michelle

we went to the wood show Gerty, on Friday and again Sat morning, hubby is into woodwork on the coast here.  I saw the beutiful cardigans, jumpers etc, talked to the lady selling them, she said they were all hand knitted and that the one I was admiring was close to $500.....no I didn't purchase it, even though it was practically snowing outside!   cheers capricorn

It's the eternal question - how much do we charge for what we enjoy doing anyway? Three times sounds good - but wise to check out if she really wants you to do it before she buys the wool. Often when they add up the cost of the wool then add your charge they suddenly change their minds! I have charged $10/hr for making curtains, $100 for completing the quilting on a quilt (and they gave me an extra $50) and other times just accepted what they have given me - as long as it hasn't taken too much of my time. If you really don't wnat to do the job, give a steep price, and that often deters.

Thanks for the suggestions, all.
Because this person is kind of a family member, I have decided to charge only $35 for my work. She is paying for the wool. But I have made it clear that if it was outside the family, it would be heaps more.
The rug actually measures about 3'8" x 4'8". It is very "different". The baby's mother chose 7 different pattern blocks from a crochet block book I have. She then chose 5 different colour wools. Two of the block patterns are multi coloured and use all 5 colours in small and large sections. The other blocks use a different colour for each of the other patterns. It is a much more solid and heavy blanket than a traditional sort of afghan, because most of the pattern blocks are pretty dense.
I don't have a photo of the finished one but will get one at some later date and post it for those of you who are "crafty"