Thinking about selling your crochet? How to Know If Crocheting For Profit Is Right For You

[@SpringBeeCrochet]

On a whim, I posted a blanket on my neighborhood FB page and within a few hours, I had two orders for blankets and three crochet classes set up. This video came at the perfect time! Thank you for putting all this information together!

[@oscarangelo9776]

Instablaster

[@judypenton4428]

Thank you for the tips, I have basically done all 4 of these things in the past. I will say this having a supportive family is key to all the options of selling. Without that you will face more obstacles than you would like. I know from personal experience not having the support leads to failed opportunities.

[@YarnandChai]

That is very true Judy!

[@jackiebombay6299]

I have grown my crochet business in the last 4 years by following all the things you described! I have never under sold my talent and my customers pay for my 20+ years of crochet experience. I rely heavily on Farmers markets through the summer and I have built up a customer base at those markets. Those customers buy winter items as well as summer items. I stay away from Etsy because of the saturated market and all the fees that come with having a shop there. My biggest pet peeve with being a fiber artist is the crocheters who under sell their talent. I have followed you for awhile and love all of your amazing patterns. I was super happy for you when I saw you teaming up with Hobby Lobby! Well done and your hard work deserved a sponsor! Keep on, sister!! ❤️

[@alwaysl8kg]

Thank you for the info and for your beautiful designs as well! I’m currently “hooked” on the pumpkins. I can’t stop making them! lol

[@jeaninedeichler1799]

I'm nearing this stage. I have a cousin with a stall in an antique mall, so I think I'll try dipping in a toe there. Thanks for the great info!

[@YarnandChai]

You're welcome, Jeanine!

[@jasminflower3814]

I am just beginning to learn crochet and I am finding your videos are inspiring me to learn how to sell my work one day, thank you

[@CraftyPhoenix]

This was just the thing for me at this time. Due to an ignorant driver, my housemate's van has been sidelined making getting to shows impossible. You've been very helpful to me with this article. The difficult thing for me has been defining my "ideal customer." Do you have any suggestions along that line.

[@karenn993]

I give away 98% of what I make. Everyone says I should sell my work, but I want to make what I'm inspired to make at any given time, not necessarily what people want to buy.

[@fletcher2355]

I sell my crochet stuff sometimes, but I also love to give gifts to my family members! I rarely make anything for myself, though

[@karenn993]

@@fletcher2355 You should start! I made 3 afghans for myself in the last year!

[@fletcher2355]

@@karenn993 I'm working on making a small throw blanket for myself for when I travel, but I have a hard time working up the patience to finish blankets

[@karenn993]

@@fletcher2355 I hear ya! It helps if you make small ones!

[@sissyleboux6374]

I know what you are talking about when you say bargain hunters. I have been in many craft shows. I usually do great but, there have been 2 or 3 shows where I could've done alot better. This was very helpful 😊 thank you.

[@marthazamoranoovalle5471]

Thank you for the great advice. My sister in law has an online clothing store and a small clothing boutique in a craft mall. She has been encouraging me to sell my goods in her stores and elsewhere but I have felt so lost as to where should I, who do I sell to, what do I make, how many and how much. Your video tutorial has really encouraged me and opened my eyes. Thank you for your help. May God bless you!

[@pngo1818]

I love how informative, straightforward and short to this video was. Thank you for sharing your knowledges with us.💜

[@marycato1361]

Great info.. patience and just keep doing what you enjoy .word of mouth, social media, look for Great craft shows that have large crowds

[@iwillstom]

I have a friend who sells another type of item at a farmer’s market and she said I wouldn’t make any money there because people want something for nothing. I started out wanting to learn as a hobby, now I’m finding I want to keep creating but don’t have a use for all the items myself. It would be nice to get paid but I’m not sure I’m at the point where I can or want to create a large inventory on the off chance I may be able to sell.

[@terriott8419]

And you for the tips I am going to be in my 1st craft fair next month.

[@marina_m11]

This is such helpful info, thank you for sharing! I hope you will make more posts on the various sub topics around selling our work!

[@nashlyepp5737]

This was perfect! Thank you! We will try it out and see where this goes!

[@zheta2]

You made very good points and I feel like I’m on the right track so far. Thank you!

[@angie9182]

Thank you so much! I was just wondering about my gift.

[@hildacid8282]

Thank you so much for the information you're sharing helps immensely.

[@denisascott]

Thank you for the information!! Very informative.

[@YarnandChai]

Thanks Denise!

[@maria000111tiger]

Thank you for your tips!!! I guess my question is at what point are you supposed to be considered a business and start claiming what you make?

[@irenenjoki4090]

Rebbeca thanks gal you are of great help en I love everything that you do

[@shannonoliver5414]

Nice video. Thank you sharing your experiences. 😊

[@piper_lori-williams-tudhope]

I have learned to knit now as well. I’m obsessed Lol.

[@nvioletlightnvioletlight8317]

Thanks Rebecca. Super informative!

[@YarnandChai]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@alohacrochetbynaomi156]

Thank you for the tips. Much needed info.

[@YarnandChai]

You've welcome Naomi!

[@carolinesmith2201]

How do you determine how much to ask for your items , like afghans ?

[@YarnandChai]

There are a LOT of opinions about this. Many people use the formula 3x materials, but that's not a hard and fast rule and I never followed it. Honestly, I used to price mine at whatever I felt made it worth it for me to make it. :)

[@bonnielincicome8055]

Nailed it! 😆

[@YarnandChai]

Haha thanks!

[@TheNyntje]

Can you sell items that you make from pattern that you didn’t designed yourself?

[@YarnandChai]

The legal answer is "Yes". However you will occasionally come across a designer who specifically states that you cannot sell what you make with her pattern... and even though you legally can, I strongly recommend following the wishes of designers so that they keep putting their beautiful designs out into the world :) So if you come across that, just find something else out there that's a similar stye.

[@kahleesaangelofthenight2895]

@@YarnandChai how do u sell im just learning crochet but I doubt I can create patterns so what do u do ? I want to follow a pattern not good enough to create onen

[@YarnandChai]

@@kahleesaangelofthenight2895 You don't have to write your own patterns. Most designers don't care if you sell the finished items you make from their patterns.

[@lilapeterson]

Thank you for the informative info.

[@YarnandChai]

You're very welcome!

[@mrsdiehardninja]

The problem for me is not the selling but the pricing. How do you price an item?

[@YarnandChai]

To be honest, I just decide how much money would make it worth my time. :) A lot of people have rules such as "3x the cost of materials" but that's arbitrary and certainly not how other industries price their sellables. I'll work on a post about pricing, but overall, that's my philosophy.

[@fletcher2355]

Usually, what I price depends on where I'm selling. Most of my costumers are students, so I sell for 35% of minimum wage plus material cost. If I were to sell at a con or an art fair, I would charge 50% of minimum wage or more, spending on how much the booth costs.

[@christiefaldoni4148]

This is the question I am always asking myself! Sometimes I feel like I should charge more!

[@ourfamilyvideos7283]

Thank you! DD crochets for HOURS a day, in the 9th grade...would love for this to be a career..any words of advice? Yard sales ,FB MP were a busts....with C19 the craft fairs were not happening....any help would be appreciated

[@tammi67able]

Great video

[@barbaragaskins3921]

Thanks for the info. Do you sell by seasons

[@angelacarriere4471]

Hello and thank you for that great information. My question is, What is the formula for selling a crocheted item? Some say I sell too low and some say I sell too High. Help please

[@YarnandChai]

Hi Angela! There is no formula. Some people say there is, but it's totally arbitrary. (The fact that some people tell you that you sell too low and others that you sell too high is proof of that!) When I sold my work, I would ask these questions to myself: What is the audience, and will they pay me enough to make it worth my time? I sold on Etsy and priced my items higher than when I did craft fairs, because it's simply a different market. But I never priced so low that the project was a waste of my time. And no matter what, there will ALWAYS be someone who says your prices are too high. Sometimes you just have to say to yourself, "fine... she's not my ideal customer." And move on. :) I hope that helps!

[@AccrochezVosAiguilles]

Thank you!

[@paulafox30]

Facebook!!?? I never thought of facebook, I was thinking eBay or trade me. Maybe advertise on the Facebook page with a link to ur ebay/trade me/etsy listing.

[@courtneysaunders1035]

Like I say to everyone if it’s handmade it should be paid up front as personally I aren’t going to make a product with out payment upfront if you aren’t able to resell it

[@altheasimpson4467]

Hi.. I live in Jamaica in the Caribbean. Is it possible for me to sell on etsy

[@angelasmith4374]

Here’s a question. Do you have to have a business license to sell on Facebook or Etsy? I don’t really want to get into trouble for illegal

[@YarnandChai]

Hi Angela! I'm not a tax/legal person and I don't want to give you the wrong advice. I would say, check your local laws :)

[@Julie-oj5xm]

Thanks for the info. I would like to sell what I make but I am not a designer so I don’t know if this can work for me. Thanks again for sharing this information.🇨🇦🙂

[@YarnandChai]

It definitely can! You don't need to be a designer to sell. :)

[@aloeli3824]

how about your history in developing this big business?

[@FACESCrochet]

Can I use your video tutorial and make it?and also can I use it for selling?.thank you.

[@YarnandChai]

You are welcome to sell what you make with any of my patterns. :)

[@FACESCrochet]

Yarn and Chai thank you very much. Watching from Philippines :)

[@MsDee1129]

Hmmm this is something I've been thinking about ... I seen this video just in time

[@callmeodd1527]

“Think about how many of your friends have started a home business over the past decade” Me: “Uhm... no one? I’m 14...” Also, most people who go to craft fairs where I live are: 1) Grandmas 2) Bisexual moms 3) Lesbians 4) Cat people Which... is exactly my targeted audience. The grandmas because they will buy stuff , the bisexual moms because they are the nicest people, the lesbians because I might find myself a girlfriend and the cat people because I might get to see some cute pictures

[@crochetdethuongsaigon2989]

💐💐🇻🇳

[@pomcloset2871]

Thanks for sharing. I have been in this market for awhile but there are still things to learn 🌹