If you’ve been crocheting for a while and are anything like me, you’ve probably accumulated a massive pile of things you’ve crocheted and have started thinking about selling them to make space for more crochet. Or maybe you need to earn some extra money and you figure you may aswell put the crochet skills you have to good use. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own crochet small business, this post should hopefully help you figure out how to get started. Please be aware that I live in the UK, so the advice given here is UK specific and may be different in your country.
When I first started my crochet small business, my two eldest children had just started nursery and I found myself at a loose end. I really needed to find something worthwhile to occupy my time and I decided that doing something that would earn money instead of costing it could only be a good thing. A word of warning though, don’t take that to mean that I did not need to spend money on setting up a crochet small business. I absolutely did, but I knew that I would at least earn it back and I was able to buy the things I needed gradually instead of all at once. A lot of the things you need you will already have if you have been crocheting for a while but there are a few additional things to think of.
First of all, you need to decide whether you want to sell online or in person. For me, I sell a lot better at markets and craft fairs than I do online, but it definitely depends on what you sell. I mainly sell crochet wearables and I find that people buy a lot more when they are able to see the things I’ve made and try them on. I started online first with Etsy, then added on markets and craft fairs as I built up my inventory and became more confident in my craft.
How to Sell Crochet Online
- 1. Decide what you want to sell. I mainly make crochet wearables and have never ventured into amigurumi, except for my own children. You probably already have a preference if you have been crocheting for a while. I prefer making wearables so that is what I decided to sell, but I do add in some other things aswell. A lot of the patterns I have available on my blog are things I make for markets.
- 2. Decide which platform you want to use. I started with Etsy and actually still use Etsy, because I love how beginner and user friendly it is and how good they are at driving traffic to your shop. Of course, you still need to drive some traffic there yourself but nothing like you would have to if you had your own website like Shopify. For a beginner, that is a godsend because you will still be trying to figure out the logistics of everything, and using a platform like Etsy really takes some of the pressure off. If you decided to use Etsy, open and set up your account with your shop name. If it is something that may already be taken on other platforms, I like to do a quick social media check to see if the name is available. If someone already has the social media handle, I move on to my next name choice until I find something I can use on my shop and also on my social media accounts.
- 3. Open up social media accounts and an email account with your chosen shop name, and link them on your Etsy account. Make sure you also link your Etsy shop on your social media accounts. I tend to stick with Instagram and Facebook because I am on them the most. I would recommend using the social media platform you are most comfortable with to get started and just have your information linked on other social media accounts so people know where to find you. Follow some other crochet accounts because networking is really important.
- 4. Decide on what will be your first item and how much you will charge for it. To figure out prices for my makes, I like to time myself making one, then multiply that by how much money I like to make per hour. Then I weigh my finished item and calculate how much the yarn cost. These two numbers added together make the base price, and you can add profit on as you wish to cover some of your Etsy fees and other overheads. Prices are very subjective and so quite difficult to advise on, because people in different areas and with different income levels will pay very differently for something. I try to make it as fair as possible for my customer, but also fair for me and worth my time. Don’t forget to add shipping profiles onto Etsy because those post and packaging prices really build up. You may already have tons of envelopes, mailing boxes or address labels, but when they run out you’ll have to buy more. Make sure you are considering that in your prices.
- 5. Decide if you’re going to make to order or if you’d rather just sell what you already have in stock. I do a bit of both, I sell the things I already have but I also make it clear that I am able to do custom orders, and the timing on my listings reflects that. Custom orders need longer processing times than ready made orders, and your listings need to explain this so your customers know what to expect.
- 6. Take some pretty photos of your first item. List it, following the instructions on Etsy, then tell as many people as possible about it, using your new social media accounts.
- 7. When someone orders your item, make sure you give your customer excellent communication and post it off in good time. Until those good reviews start to come in, you need to put a lot of effort into proving that you are trustworthy and a good seller to buy from.
How to Sell Crochet In Person at Markets and Craft Fairs
- 1. Decide what you want to sell. By the time you decide to sell at craft fairs and markets, you have probably been selling online for some time but if not, you need to decide what your product range will be. I prefer making crochet wearables so that is what I decided to sell.
- 2. Research markets and craft fairs in your area. I like to use social media for this and have had good success with the markets and craft fairs that I have found on Facebook. If possible, go and have a look around the market or craft fair before you commit to it. You will be able to get a really good idea of whether the location is a good fit for you and your business, and whether the traffic is high enough for you to be able to make a profit there. If so, find out who the co-ordinator is and email or DM them to ask if they have any spaces available.
- 3. You will be required to have business insurance if the market or craft fair is legit. When you enquire about having a stall, you will be told which insurance you need to buy so do some research and pick one that best suits your needs and budget.
- 4. If you do not already have a decent inventory to get started with, you will need to make some stuff to fill your table or stall. A lot of craft fairs offer a 6ft table, and the last thing you want is your table to look bare. You should already have an idea of what you plan to sell so decide on colours and sizes and make a few of each. I make crochet wearables to fit from newborn to adult so I make beanies, baby booties, headbands and wristwarmers, plus seasonal stuff like pumpkins and mini stuffed christmas trees. A lot of the patterns I have available on my blog are things I make for markets.
- 5. When you’re getting ready for your first market or craft fair, it is worth it to do a practice set up at home first. This will show you if you have any gaps in your inventory, and will also mean that if you are missing any essential display items, you can buy them in advance and save yourself unnecessary stress on market day.
- 6. I always recommend having everything individually priced at markets. I made some little tags with my logo, size, price and care information on, then I print that onto some card, hole punch the top corner and tie onto my wearable with a piece of yarn. To figure out prices for my makes, I like to time myself making one, then multiply that by how much money I like to make per hour. Then I weigh my finished item and calculate how much the yarn cost. These two numbers added together make the base price, and you can add profit on as you wish to cover some of your market fees and other overheads. Prices are very subjective and so quite difficult to advise on, because people in different areas and with different income levels will pay very differently for something. I try to make it as fair as possible for my customer, but also fair for me and worth my time.
- 7. This is not crucial for selling in person but definitely something to consider. I like to have at least an email account in my business name, so that I can hand out business cards to people who show an interest but are maybe not quite ready to buy. If you don’t have social media accounts or an email set up for your business, you could be missing out on sales. Open up social media accounts and an email account with your chosen shop name. Make sure you tell your followers when you are at markets or craft fairs so they can come and see you. I tend to stick with Instagram and Facebook because I am on them the most. I would recommend mainly using the social media platform you are most comfortable with to get started and just have your information linked on other social media accounts so people know where to find you. Follow some other crochet accounts aswell as the other people who trade alongside you, because networking is really important.
I hope this has been helpful and has encouraged you to start selling your crochet. It can be so much fun and is so rewarding to see how much people love the things you have put so much time and effort into making. Happy crocheting and happy selling!
Adele Uyan Crochet 