My First Serious Commission!

 Commission!

The test pumpkins

So, I got a commission to make some pumpkins. Although it was way before fall, I was excited to make them. I'd never worked extensively back-and-forth with a client(aside for my mom), with a commission. The first thing I did was send her a pattern suggestion. I was familiar with the designer already and I knew they would turn out well. I chose MJ's Off the Hook Designs' Crochet Harvest Pumpkin Pattern on Etsy. It's a very affordable pattern and it has 5 sizes of pumpkins, so it was perfect for what I was looking for. 

As a rule of thumb, unless you already know exactly how a pattern is going to work out, it's a very good idea to make a test version. I was so glad that I made the test version first because they did not turn out as expected. Thankfully, it was just user error and not at fault to the designer or the pattern. 

In progress

For the final product, I used these three colors. The dark brown color was actually a chunky size 5 yarn and the small one was size 3 yarn, but they still turned out a good size because I sized down for the chunky yarn and sized up for the dk yarn. I'm so glad I did. The medium size and the xs size were a little smaller than the pattern stated, but I just chalked that up to user error and she didn't mind either. I don't remember exactly how long they took to make, but it wasn't too long. 

(from left) Chunky Brown, Linen from HL, and tanTan 

For the stems, I made a magic ring and did 5, 6, and 7 stitches around for each respective size. I stuffed them firmly and sewed them onto the top of each pumpkin. I would've used something like skewers or dowels, but because I was shipping them, I didn't want the dowels to break or anything. 

Finishing up the large pumpkin

Speaking of shipping, I mailed them off in a used poly mailer that I got from amazon. I also put them in a plastic zipper bag to keep them from moisture. They got there not too long after and the shipping was about 11 dollars. I offered to pay shipping this time, but on my online shop, I did add $5-$10 for shipping on each individual price. 

Because the test pumpkins were taking up too much space in my room, I decided to take them to my table at the coffee shop and sell them there. I sold the smallest one already and I need to bring the largest one to the coffee shop. The small is $7, the medium is $10, and the large is going to be $15.

The only picture of them finished