How to Price Your Crochet Without Undervaluing Yourself

If you've ever hesitated before quoting a price, nervously lowered it mid-sentence, or felt guilty for charging “too much” for your work, you're not alone. Pricing handmade crochet is one of the trickiest parts of turning your craft into a business.

I know, because I’ve been there too, whether I was selling finished makes at markets or patterns online. Now, after over 16 years of running my crochet business, I’ve learned a lot about pricing... about numbers, yes, but also about mindset. Here’s what I wish I’d known from the start.

1. Undervaluing Yourself Is Surprisingly Easy
Have any of these thoughts ever run through your mind?

- "My work just isn't professional enough."
- "It's just a hobby, who am I to charge real money for that?"
- "Maybe I'll charge more when I'm more established."
- "People won’t pay a premium for handmade items."
- "I feel embarrassed to ask for more."

Sound familiar? These doubts often get reinforced by things other people say:

- "That's way too much for my budget."
- "How do you get away with charging so much?"
- "I could just make this myself."
- "It's just a hobby, dear. Don't take it so seriously."
- "You're actually trying to make a living off this? Is that wise?"

It’s disheartening, especially when it comes from people close to you. This kind of feedback can sneak into your thinking and convince you to lower your prices just to be liked or to stay “affordable.”

But here’s the thing: your time, skill, and creativity are valuable. You’re not just selling stitches, you’re selling years of practice, problem-solving, and passion. If you're not careful, you’ll end up earning less than minimum wage for double the work. It’s exhausting, unsustainable, and ironically, low prices can even make your work seem less valuable.

Let me tell you a story about a woman and a fridge...

Once, my mum tried to give away a perfectly good fridge because she’d bought a new one. She advertised it as “free to a good home.” Nobody responded. Not one call. She couldn’t understand why, there was nothing wrong with it.

I told her, “People don’t think that way. If something’s free, they assume there’s a catch.”

So she re-listed the fridge for £10.

It was gone the same day.

Pricing isn’t just about covering costs, it’s about perception. If you price too low, people may assume it’s low quality and skip over it. If you price too high, it might push away the wrong audience. The key is finding a confident, sustainable middle ground.

2. What Goes Into a Fair Price (It’s Not Just Yarn!)
If you're only charging for materials, you're missing the real cost of your work. A fair price should include:

- Materials: Yarn, stuffing, eyes, packaging, even printer ink for pattern inserts
- Time: Yes, track how long it takes you to make something. Your hours matter
- Skill & Experience: The better and faster you are, the more your work is worth
- Overheads: Tools, platform fees, electricity, stall hire, petrol, website costs
- Profit: Yes, actual, intentional profit, not just leftovers.

💡 Simple formula: (Hours × Hourly Rate) + Materials + Overheads + Profit = Final Price

For context: as of April 2025, UK minimum wage is £12.21/hr (21+), and £10.00/hr (ages 18–20). You can use this as your hourly baseline, or more, depending on experience.

But What If It Seems Too High?
If your calculated price feels “too much,” that’s a reflection of how long crochet actually takes, not that your pricing is wrong. Don’t undervalue yourself just because handmade is slow. That’s the nature of craft. People aren’t just paying for your yarn, they’re paying for the handmade process.

And remember: It’s easier to price high and offer sales or discounts later than to start low and raise prices later (which can feel awkward or lose trust).

3. Signs You Might Be Undercharging
Not sure if your pricing needs a rethink? Watch out for these red flags:

- You’re constantly busy but barely making any money
- You dread quoting prices
- You feel resentful after finishing a project
- You avoid custom orders out of fear of pricing
- You haven’t raised your rates even though your skills have improved

If this sounds like you, it’s time to restructure your pricing, starting with the confidence that you deserve to be paid fairly.

Consider preparing a cost breakdown sheet or small leaflet. If someone questions your price, you can hand it over with calm professionalism, no need to be defensive.

4. But Will People Actually Pay That Much?
Yes! the right people will.

The ones who compare your handmade items to Amazon or Temu aren’t your customers, and that’s okay. Your real customers value artistry, uniqueness, and the story behind what they’re buying.

When you price fairly and present your work with pride (think: good photography, clear branding, quality materials), people will see the value. They’re not just buying crochet, they’re buying you, they're buying a story.

5. Offer Value Without Undercutting Yourself
Sharing free content doesn’t mean you’re giving away your worth. I offer free patterns, helpful blog posts, and YouTube tutorials, but it all connects back to something sustainable (and that's not surviving on adverts!).

Here are some value-adding ideas that don’t burn you out:

- Free blog patterns with paid ad-free PDFs
- Lower-cost key-chains alongside high-ticket plushies at markets
- Limited custom slots at a fair price
- Magazine designs, book deals, or eBooks
- Paid collaborations and industry partnerships
- Teach locally or online
- Sell ad space in your newsletters
- Try Patreon or Skillshare
- Diversify with sewing, kits, or digital downloads

There are so many ways to offer value without devaluing your time.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Earn from Your Craft
Fair pricing isn’t greedy, it’s respectful. Respect for your time. Your talent. Your journey.

If you truly want a sustainable business, not just a stressful side hustle, then price like someone who knows their worth. Because you do have worth and a lot of it.

And the people who truly love your work? They’ll want to pay you well for it.