But then I started thinking about it in relation to this hat I've just made with my Toft goodies. Just like with The North Circular products, the yarn is local - from an alpaca farm in the Midlands - and it cost me £24 for one ball of DK weight alpaca and a pom pom. It took me about 10 hours to make, which if I paid myself minimum wage rate of £6.50 would amount to £65. So already the cost of this hat is £89! So, maybe the prices at the North Circular are just what it costs to produce something like this and pay everyone a fair wage.
If you want to make your own, here's the pattern.
Cast on 120 sts on 4mm circular needle.
Join for working in the round. Work K2 P2 rib for approximately 11cm.
Then work in st st for approximately 10cm.
Shape crown: *K8, K2tog. Repeat from *
to end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K7, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K6, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K5, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row Knit
Next row: *K4, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K3, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K2, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: Knit
Next row: *K1, K2tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Next row: *K2 tog. Repeat from * to
end.
Draw up remaining stitches with darning
needle and fasten off.
Attach pom pom.
