Do you know how to knit but you lack ideas on creative ways to make money off it? If YES, here are 10 best ways on how to make money crocheting and knitting.
Crocheting and Knitting are becoming very popular even though they’ve been around for a few hundred years. Starting a Crocheting and Knitting business is all about creating beautiful and unique hand-knitted products, from sweaters to a clothing line for stuffed animals.
Research has shown that the opportunities in this market are enormous; all you need is a creative spirit, knitting needles, some yarn and you’re ready to go. Crocheting and Knitting is generally a craft that needs creativity.
Many people in this age know how to knit, but they may lack the creativity to transform that knowledge into a lucrative business. They may also be ignorant of how to make a profit from it. There are varieties of easy items you can produce through knitting.
The easiest and the one that most people begin with when they first start to knit is the scarf. Immediately you’ve mastered the scarf, you can move onto bags, cushion covers and blankets, with just a few rectangles stitched together and a button here and there; they’re very easy and convenient to make.
Who Can Start This Business?
It’s also important to state that this business can be started from home. Nursing mothers or stay at home wives can start and run this business comfortably. To succeed in this business, you will need to create unique designs for yourself.
You can also look at other peoples’ designs, then add two or more creativity into it and that makes it your own style. It’s also a good idea to try and cut the cost of your materials as much as possible, so any profit made will not be part of your running cost.
Even if you’re just a beginner, you don’t have to spend a fortune on the tools and materials you’ll need. Do not forget to compare the price of your products with similar goods in the market. If you’re charging much less than others, you could consider increasing your price.
You should also consider displaying your pieces at a mini shop. Once you’re more established, you can then set up a standard shop. Note that the location you choose will affect your business success. Making the right location decision will go a long way in dictating the life and profitability of your business.
Have it in mind that a crochet business doesn’t have to cost you anything to get started. Depending on how you want to make the money, you might already have everything you need to get started. Here are 10 ways to make money Crocheting and Knitting may include;
10 Best Ways on How to Make Money Crocheting and Knitting
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Sell Patterns
If you are creative enough to create and design your own patterns, then selling your patterns is one of the easiest ways to earn money with crochet. The advent of the internet has made business and communication very easy, as you can now publish crochet patterns in downloadable pdf files.
These files can be attached to automatic emails or placed at a special url to give buyers immediate access once payment has been made.
The beauty of selling crochet patterns is that you do the work once and get paid over and over again. You still have to advertise and market the pattern if you want it to keep selling. The minute you stop marketing is the minute your earnings will begin to reduce.
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Craft Fairs
This is a place where you meet and interact with your customers face to face to find out what they love and what they’re willing to spend money on. Have it in mind that you will sell better at Fall/Winter fairs than Spring and Summer ones, but some entrepreneurs in this business have built their entire business around summer crochet fashions or home decor product lines.
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Brick and Mortar Store
If you are considering starting a brickyard mortar store that sells your products, you will need to have start-up funds. This is also very risky as you could end up losing it all if your business doesn’t pick up. It’s advisable that you create an online presence, doing craft shows before opening up a brick and mortar shop.
You can use them to support your endeavours when things are not panning out fine. Things to sell in your shop include yarn, pattern books, crochet hooks and other crochet supplies.
You can also sell your finished items as well as allow others to bring in their items and you would then keep a small percentage of the profit. One unique benefit of owning your own brick and mortar shop is that you can purchase your yarn at wholesale prices.
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Selling in Consignment stores
Selling your crocheted and knitted products in consignment stores is a convenient, cost effective way of getting your product into the hands of your customers. When selling on consignment, don’t forget that the store owner will take a cut of the profits, the more reason you have to price your items accordingly.
You should also consider selling on consignment at local boutiques, second hand stores, ski shops, hospitals and other gift shops, shops known to sell handcrafted items, artisan co-ops, and anywhere your target market may be frequenting.
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Free Patterns and Sell Advertisements
One great way to make money in this industry is to offer your patterns for free and then make your money by selling advertising space.
Note that it’s not hard to get advertisers. Google Adsense, Chitika, Info Links and many other advertising companies have advertisers willing to buy your space. But have it in mind that it takes a long time to get enough traffic to make this type of advertising worth your while.
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Subscription Box/Membership
You need to understand that the subscription box has also infiltrated the handmade industry. This is a creative and amazing way to set yourself up for recurring monthly income that is (somewhat) predictable. It’s a win-win when you get to delight your subscribers with a new product each month.
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Be a Pattern Tester
In this business, a lot of designers will pay to have their patterns tested. Every quality designer needs pattern testers and while many simply offer the pattern or pattern plus supplies as payment for testing, there is such a thing as a professional pattern tester.
This business idea would be ideal if you enjoy sitting back and crochet and not have to worry about the design or anything. All you do is keep your eyes open for problem areas and report them back to the designer. The pay can actually be quite lucrative if you can get in with someone who pays well.
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Sell Finished Items Online
The Internet is without doubt a huge and lucrative market that is yet to be tapped to its fullest potential. The internet makes things, especially business dealings, easy and accessible. There are many sites like EBay and Etsy that will allow you to list your finished crocheted items for a small fee.
Note that when the item sells, you simply ship it and wait for the customer to give you a good review. The only downfall of this is that you have to crochet fast in order to make decent money.
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Teach Crochet Classes
You can also make money with crochet and Knitting by teaching people the skills you already possess in the field. You can teach from your own home, or at a craft store. You can do individual lessons or group lessons to make an even greater return for your time.
If you decide that you’d prefer to offer a service to make money with crochet, rather than a product, teaching may be right up your alley. Some things to consider are the ages you’d like to teach, your curriculum, your prices and where you will teach. You can also teach online or using YouTube videos. You can also publish knitting books and create tutorial videos.
- Photo Props
A lot of photographers are looking for handcrafted items to use in photo props – baby items, novelty outfits, diaper sets, and cocoons are all popular crochet props. One unique benefit of this idea is that your products practically sell themselves.
If a photographer takes a photo featuring your prop, ask them to tag you on social media postings and give your business card to their customers along with the photos.
7 Tips to Successfully Make Money Crocheting and Knitting
There are a lot of avenues to make money Crocheting and Knitting, but it doesn’t mean that achieving success in this business is easy. You have to be prepared to find your niche, market yourself and do your best. With some hard work, you can turn your passion into profit. Below are few tips to help you achieve success in this business.
a. Choose a specific niche
To be more successful in this business, you need to specialize in creating and selling what you truly enjoy working on. Some of your options may include:
- Your own finished craft items. If you like to crochet baby booties or knit blankets, then this is what you’ll want to sell.
- Customized finished craft items. This is where you take orders for what other people want you to make and create those items on demand.
- Your own original patterns. Perhaps you like to always design something new and you really just want to sell patterns, instead of finished items.
- Supplies for crafters, like hand-dyed yarn, custom crochet hooks or knitting needle organizers. You can use your own skills to market to the yarn crafting niche.
b. Choose a suitable place to sell
You will need to choose the best place that suits your visions and ideas for your business. They may include;
- Selling your finished craft items online, through channels like Etsy.
- Selling your patterns online, which you can do on Craftsy.
- Selling your finished craft items in person through your own store, craft fairs, fibre expos, commissions in local stores, etc.
- Selling your patterns to websites and magazines.
- Selling your skills as a craft teacher, either online or in person.
c. Know how to snap
If you plan to sell things online or through any type of print media, then you need to take good photos. A lot of individuals want to be inspired, whether you’re selling them hand-knit finished items or a pattern to create their own project.
d. Package your brand
As a business owner in this industry, you need to go the extra mile to make your items look like they belong on the shelf of a fancy boutique store. You should add a personalized sales tag with a pretty font, washing information and your website.
When it comes to your website, you need to ensure that it has a professional, easy-to-navigate design. Also when shipping items, wrap them in lovely packaging so that the recipient feels like they are receiving a gift.
e. Provide all valuable information
A lot of individuals are allergic to different types of yarn, while other people only want to buy things that are made locally.
Others are concerned about buying ethically sourced yarns or vegan yarns. Always provide all the information about your materials (including how to wash and care for them) on a tag or a flier insert that goes with the product. If you are making sales online, the information should be on your website as well.
f. Create your own signature style
You may not actualize this when you start, but with time and dedication and creativity you will sure figure out what’s unique about you, but it’s worth it to find that thing. This style might be yarn choice or the characters you crochet or the colour palette that appeals to you or a stitch pattern that’s always present in your patterns.
g. Network
This business can be very exciting but you don’t have to do this all alone. Below are some of the ways that you can collaborate to assist you in sales of your craft arts:
- Join craft groups on sites like Facebook and Ravelry to ask questions.
- Connect with your local yarn and fabric stores to see if you can help each other out.
- Employ tech editors and pattern testers.
- Buddy up to share a booth with someone else at a craft fair.
h. Stay flexible and innovative
Crocheting and Knitting is an art where innovation and creativity will take you far. It’s a business you should feel relaxed and happy doing. If you’re not having fun after a while, stop and ask yourself what’s wrong. There’s a lot to learn, but you can start small and you’ll figure it all out as you go.
To stand the test of time, you need to get flexible and adapt to find your needs, realizing that those needs might change over time. You might love selling finished items for one year and then decide you would rather sell patterns. Always stay in touch with your own heart and be in good communication with your clients.
In conclusion, this business is ideal for anyone who loves Crocheting and Knitting, and would want to turn their hobby into a profitable venture. An aspiring crochet knitter with a creative mind can start this business from a home location with low capital investment. Its very crucial that you know how to market your product.
You also need to have updated knowledge about the current trend of the fashion industry. Having a creative pattern and design will make your product unique and attractive. Also note that you can have training from knitting classes or can have training from online tutorials available free on the internet.