Crocheting, once a simple pastime, has now grown into a popular hobby for many. With the rise of slow fashion, crocheting offers a creative outlet as well as a way to create unique, sustainable, handmade pieces of clothing and accessories. Whether you’re a new crocheter or a seasoned crafter, this change in public’s opinion on crochet might make you wonder – how can I turn my hobby into a business? Lucky for you, there are various ways to turn your passion into profit! This blog post will guide you through how to make money crocheting, covering topics from online business ventures to in-person markets.
How to Make Money Crocheting: In-Person Sales
In-Person Sales at Markets and Craft Fairs
Selling at craft markets and fairs is a great way to grow your crochet business. Meeting customers face-to-face helps build trust and lets you get instant feedback on your products. People love buying directly from the maker, and seeing your items in person can lead to more sales as customers appreciate the authenticity of a small business. These events also increase your visibility and can attract new customers. Plus, you can network with other crafters, leading to new opportunities! Overall, craft markets offer a fun and effective way to boost your business.
Finding Local Markets and Fairs
Research local events that focus on handmade or artisan goods. Farmers’ markets, holiday fairs, and craft shows are all great places to start. Check their vendor requirements and application processes early, as spaces can fill up quickly!
Remember to research the main demographic of your chosen event – this helps you plan your inventory. Will there be lots of kids at a holiday fair? Quick and easy holiday themed plushies and toys will probably go great at an event like this. Opting for patterns that take less than an hour to complete ensures you can offer affordable pricing, making the sale easier to commit to from the customer’s viewpoint.
Preparing for the Market
Ensure you have enough inventory to last the duration of the market – the more the merrier, really! If you have anything left over after the market, you can always look into other ways of selling your wares. It’s better to have more inventory than less, you don’t want to run out half way through the market and leave customers disappointed!
If you’re really worried about going overboard with your inventory, ask the event organiser what the foot traffic should be like at the event. You can then calculate the expected sales based on conversion rate – 1% conversion rate is a good, 3% is great, and 5% is excellent. This means that for every 100 people at the event, you expect to make 1 sale for 1% conversion rate, 3 sales for 3% and 5 sales for 5%.
You can calculate the items needed based on the following formulas:
Foot traffic x 0.01 = Items needed
Foot traffic x 0.03 = Items needed
Foot traffic x 0.05 = Items needed
For example, for an event with foot traffic of 5000, you’d want to prepare at least 50 items to sell – this prepares you to make sales at a 1% conversion rate.
You can also have the Craft Fair Inventory Calculator do the work for you.
Setting up at the Market
Create an attractive display that highlights your products and draws people in. Having products displayed at different heights makes your set up look more inviting so try to incorporate simple shelving units, hat and jewellery stands to draw attention to your product selection.
While cheaper items tend to be bestsellers at craft fairs, it’s always a good idea to have one big ticket item on display. This should be something eye catching to bring more people to your stall or booth. They will then most likely have a look at all your other products since they’re already there – this is where you encourage them to buy one of the more affordable items instead! For example, a £500 gigantic dinosaur plushie might not sell at a craft fair but it will definitely encourage people to take a step closer to check it out. You can then show them smaller versions of the same exact plushie and hopefully they will commit to a £15 cuddly friend instead!
Make sure you have your business’ name somewhere on your booth, whether it be a sign on the table or a backdrop. Even better if you have business cards with your information available for people to grab for free. Not everyone might not be looking to buy right there and then, but they might change their mind and contact you for a purchase later on. Make sure you’re the crafter they think of when they’re looking to purchase a crochet item!
Interacting with Customers
Engage with customers as they browse, be friendly and ready to answer questions about your items or have a little chat about your craft. Of course, you don’t want to be too pushy so keeping your hands busy can be a great option to make the customers feel welcome at your stall. Whenever you don’t have anyone chatting to your or asking questions, you can work on your latest crochet project instead! Not only will this make people interested in your craft as they want to see how you create your products, it will make them feel at ease as they browse your product selection.
Custom Orders and Commissions
Offering custom crochet items can set you apart from other sellers. With the rise of unique, handmade items, many people appreciate the opportunity to get something made specifically for them. Clear communication is crucial when taking custom orders, you don’t want the customer to expect a product that is impossible to create! Discuss the client’s requirements in detail, explain what can and can’t be made, what would work best for the specific project, and provide a timeline for completion. Regular updates will keep the client informed and satisfied throughout the process.
Custom items often require more time and effort, so remember to price them accordingly! You might even consider charging a premium for personalised items to reflect the extra work involved.
Teaching Crochet Classes and Workshops
Sharing your knowledge through classes and workshops is another great way to earn money with your hobby. As crocheting is becoming more popular, more and more people are looking to start crocheting themselves. Beginner classes can attract those looking to learn a new skill, while advanced workshops can cater to experienced crocheters wanting to expand their abilities. Look into offering classes at local craft stores, community centres, or even through online platforms like Zoom!
From Crochet 101 to Advanced Granny Squares and Crochet Lace Motifs, there are so many different classes and workshops you could offer based on your skill level, as well as the demand in your area. Price your classes based on the duration and skill level required, remember to take into account any supplies and tools used by your students. You can promote your classes through social media, local bulletin boards, and craft stores. Don’t forget that positive reviews and word-of-mouth do wonders when it comes to filling your classes quickly!
How to Make Money Crocheting: Online Sales
Selling Crochet Patterns
One of the most sustainable ways to make money crocheting is by selling your unique patterns online. Designing your patterns allows you to reach a global audience without the ongoing effort of making each item by hand. Ensure that your patterns are clear, well-written, and include detailed instructions with high-quality photos. Beginners and advanced crocheters alike appreciate patterns that are easy to follow and visually appealing. And don’t forget to get them tested before jumping into selling!
Platforms to Sell Patterns
Several platforms cater specifically to selling crochet patterns. Etsy and Ravelry are popular choices, providing a large audience of crafters looking for new patterns. Additionally, setting up a personal website or blog can be beneficial if you’re planning to market your patterns elsewhere. When directing customers to a professional looking website that offers great quality patterns, you’re building a trustworthy brand that will both save you money on fees and keep the customers coming back for more!
Selling Finished Crochet Items Online
If creating patterns isn’t your forte, selling finished crochet items online is another option. Many customers prefer to buy handmade items rather than making them themselves. Selling online also allows you to sell to a whole new demographic of customers who don’t usually go to in-person markets or craft fairs! But how do you go about selling crochet items online?
Identify Best-Selling Items
Research to find which crochet items are in demand. Common best-sellers include hats, scarves, blankets, and home decor items like cushions and wall hangings. Trendy items, such as crochet tops, bucket hats, and bandanas, can also attract buyers when marketed to the right demographic.
Finding your best-sellers can be a lot of trial and error. You can find inspiration by looking at other crocheters’ shops (Remember – do NOT copy their products! There’s a difference between being inspired by something and blatantly copying someone), browsing platforms such as Etsy, and doing keyword research to see what potential customers are looking for.
Setting Up an Online Store
Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce make it simple to set up an online store. Each platform has its pros and cons, so do you research and consider your needs before making a choice. For example, Etsy is user-friendly and has a built-in audience, while Shopify offers more control over your store’s branding but requires you to market and drive traffic to your website. Both platforms have different fees for setting up a shop through them, so it’s absolutely necessary you know your chosen platform’s terms and fees before fully committing to it.
Photography and Descriptions
High-quality photos are essential for selling online. As your customers can’t see the item in person, they rely entirely on your photography when making deciding whether they should buy your product.Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles to showcase your items, include closeups of important details and ensure the background is clean and professional looking.
Write detailed descriptions, including size, materials used, and care instructions – the more information, the better! Be honest about your products to set proper expectations, you don’t want your customers thinking they’re buying a life sized dinosaur plushie for £15 only to receive a small cuddly frog toy instead. Reviews can make or break you so do your best to make everything as clear and informative as possible!
How to Make Money Crocheting: Product Safety Testing
When selling finished crochet plushies and kids clothing, it’s important to do your research when it comes to local safety testing laws. Ensuring your products meet safety standards protects children from potential hazards like choking or allergic reactions, builds trust with parents and caregivers, and keeps you out of legal trouble. To comply, research the specific regulations in your target market, such as those set by the European Union or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. For example, UKCA & CE Self Assessments require you to use supplies and tools (such as yarns and safety eyes) that comply with the safety standards. You also have to complete physical tests, such as a flammability test, in order to safely sell your finished crochet items.
Testing often involves checking for small parts, sharp edges, and harmful substances. You can work with certified laboratories to conduct these tests, or opt to do self assessments. When choosing the self assessment route, it’s important to follow all guidelines set by your local authority. While safety testing can be an intimidating task, it not only safeguards your customers but also protects your business from legal issues and recalls, which could damage your brand and ruin your business.
How to Make Money Crocheting: Pricing
Pricing your crochet items accurately is crucial for running a successful business. You want to find a balance between pricing the items low enough so you get a good amount of sales, and high enough to cover your costs and make a profit.
Start by calculating the cost of materials, including yarn and any embellishments. Add the value of your time by setting an hourly rate and multiplying it by the hours spent on each piece. For example, if a hat takes 3 hours to make and your hourly rate is £10, the labour cost is £30. Don’t forget to include overhead costs like tools and utilities, and then add a profit margin, typically 20-30%, to ensure your business remains sustainable.
If you’re not a maths wiz or simply don’t have the time to spend on figuring out pricing for tens of different products, a Crochet Pricing Calculator can do the work for you. The calculator determines a fair price based on a few key metrics such as material costs, time spent crocheting, and a desired profit margin. This ensures consistency and accuracy, making managing your small business quicker, easier, and simpler!
Conclusion
Making money from crocheting is entirely possible with creativity and dedication. Whether you prefer designing patterns, creating finished items, or teaching others, multiple avenues are available to turn your hobby into a profitable venture. Explore different options, find what works best for you, and enjoy the journey of building your crochet business. Happy crocheting!
