Let’s Build a Crochet Business - Together!

So, you love to crochet. You’ve made gifts for friends, posted a few things online, maybe even sold an item or two, but when it comes to starting a business, something gets in the way right? doubt, overwhelm, or just not knowing where to begin.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’re going to build a crochet business together, step-by-step, in real time. I’ll walk you through each decision as if we’re sitting down over a cuppa, dreaming up your future. You’ll get to see how I’d think through everything: from choosing what to sell, to how to name it, to where the money might come from, and how to keep it simple and sustainable.

Sound good? Let’s start with the very first question:

Step 1: What Kind of Crochet Business Do You Want?
Crochet businesses come in all shapes and textures. Some people love making physical items, such as plush toys, hats, scarves, home décor. Others are happiest designing patterns. Some teach workshops or run memberships. Others thrive on YouTube, TikTok, or Patreon.

There’s no “right” path, only the one that feels most like you. 

Let’s build an example together so you can see the process.

Meet Our Imaginary Business Owner..


Let’s call her Lila. Lila recently lost her job. She’s overwhelmed, unsure of what’s next, but she knows one thing: crochet calms her. It’s something she’s good at, something that brings her a sense of peace in the chaos. Her friends have always said, “You should sell these!” and now, maybe it’s time to try.

Lila doesn’t have a lot of money to invest. She’s got a stash of yarn, a phone with a camera, and a deep need to make this work.

Now, let’s walk through the key questions Lila asks herself

Do I want to sell finished items, patterns, or both?
→ Lila decides she’ll start with finished items, things she already knows how to make well. She needs to bring in income sooner rather than later, and it feels less intimidating than writing patterns right now.

Do I want to teach or build a community?
→ Maybe someday, but for now, she needs to focus on the basics. Simple products, clear pricing, and a place to sell them.

What’s my main goal right now: income, creativity, connection?
→ Income. Stability. She’s looking for a way to survive, but if she can do it through something that brings her comfort and pride, even better.

Take a moment and reflect
Are you in a situation like Lila’s, trying to turn a lifeline into a living?
Or are you building slowly, out of joy and curiosity? Either way, you belong here.

Step 2: Choosing a Niche and First Products
Now that Lila’s made the brave decision to start a crochet business, it’s time to get specific. One of the most powerful things you can do early on is choose a niche, a small, clear focus for what you’ll sell. It helps customers remember you, makes marketing easier, and lets you build confidence without spreading yourself too thin.

What Is a Niche, Really?
Think of it as your crochet “lane.” Instead of trying to sell everything you know how to make, you pick one area to specialise in, at least to start.



It might be:
- Amigurumi (stuffed toys)
- Baby items (booties, hats, blankets)
- Home décor (baskets, coasters, wall hangings)
- Wearables (scarves, mittens, headbands)
- Seasonal/holiday gifts
- Or even a theme, like “cottage-core animals” or “gothic plushies”

You’re not stuck with it forever, but starting with a clear, focused offer builds trust.

Let’s Help Lila Find Her Niche
Lila thinks about what she’s made in the past:
- A lot of cute animals, her fox and octopus are always a hit
- A few baby hats and rattles, but she didn’t love making them
- Some scrappy yarn baskets, but they were a bit messy
- She loves HappyBerry crochet patterns as they are FREE and she can sell the finished items she makes without any legal issues

She asks herself:
- What do people seem to love most? → Her animal toys
- What do I actually enjoy making? → Definitely the plushies
- Could I make a few variations that feel like a “collection”? → Yes!

🎯 Lila chooses: Handmade amigurumi animals in a soft, earthy color palette. She’ll start with just three: a fox, a bunny, and a sleepy bear.

What About You?
Here’s a quick way to find your niche:
- List 3-5 things you enjoy making
- Circle the ones people have complimented or bought
- Pick 1 to focus on for your first product or collection
You can always expand later, but choosing a clear starting point gives you direction.

Step 3: Pricing and Profit Without Panic
Pricing is one of the most stressful parts of starting a handmade business. You want your work to be valued, but you also don’t want to scare people away. Let’s walk Lila through this step with kindness and realism.

Lila’s Challenge: "How do I price my plushies?"
She’s making three animals: a fox, a bunny, and a bear. Each one takes her about 3 hours to make, plus stuffing, safety eyes, and yarn.
Let’s look at a simple pricing method she can use... 

The Basic Pricing Formula: Materials + Time + Profit = Price

Let’s break it down
Materials:
- Yarn: £2
- Stuffing: £0.50
- Safety eyes: £0.50
→ Total = £3

Time: 3 hours x £8/hour (a modest starting wage) = £24
Profit Margin: Add 20% to cover overhead (tools, packaging, etc.) = £5.40

So Lila’s plushie would cost: £3 + £24 + £5.40 = £32.40
She could round this to £32 or £35, depending on her target market.
But then Lila wonders: "What If That Feels Too High?" Lila panics a little. "Would anyone pay that much for a toy?"

Here’s the truth: not everyone will, but some people absolutely will.
Handmade isn’t for bargain hunters, it’s for people who value the story, the care, and the uniqueness.

Still, if Lila feels unsure, she has options:
- Make smaller plushies that take less time
- Streamline her process (batching, simpler designs)
- Offer limited releases or bundles
- Create a lower-priced item to sit alongside the higher ones (like a key-chain version!)

Your Turn: How Can You Price Confidently?
Start by asking:
- How much time do my items take?
- How much do I want to earn per hour?
- What do similar makers charge?
- Can I offer variations at different price points?
Write it down. Play with the numbers. Don’t be afraid to charge what your time is worth.

Step 4: Naming and Getting Ready to Launch
Now that Lila knows what she wants to make and how she’ll price it, it’s time to make things feel real.
A name. A tiny launch plan. Something that says: This is happening!

Part 1: Naming the Business
A good name doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to feel like you. Some people get stuck here for weeks, so let’s keep it simple for Lila.

She asks herself:
- What kind of vibe do I want: whimsical, earthy, elegant?
- What kind of items do I make?
- Do I want my name in it?
- She’s going for soft, cute animals in natural colours. She loves nature and peaceful things.

A few ideas she scribbles down:
- Moss & Moon Crochet
- Lila Loops
- Little Burrow Studio
- Quiet Stitches
- The Soft Forest

She checks that the .com or Instagram handle is available for her favourite (you can do this with tools like Namecheckr or just a quick search).

🎉 She chooses: Little Burrow Studio
It feels cozy, animal-y, and gentle, just like her creations. She uses chatGPT to generate a free logo based on her vision.



Part 2: Getting Ready to Launch
Lila doesn’t need a big launch. She just needs a plan that fits her energy and goals. Here’s what she sketches out:



📦 What will she sell?
3 plushies: the fox, bunny, and bear. She’ll make 2 of each = 6 total.

🗓️ When will she launch?
In two weeks. She sets a gentle deadline to stay motivated.

📸 How will she show them off?
She’ll use her phone, natural light, and take cozy photos on a wooden table with a plant nearby.

🌐 Where will she sell?
Here’s what Lila considers when choosing where to sell:
- Low upfront cost
- Easy to set up
- Professional enough to earn trust
- Gives her control over her brand

Here are some great options she can explore:
(Links are not sponsored or affiliated in any way.)

🛒 Ko-fi Shop (ko-fi.com)
Perfect for: Digital or physical products, “soft launch” shops
- No upfront fees
- Easy to set up a shop in minutes
- Great for makers who also want to accept tips or donations
- Can sell physical items, patterns, memberships, or commissions
- Customisable link (ko-fi.com/yourname)
- Lila can post updates, share her story, and sell a small batch without feeling “too official.”

🌿 Shopify Starter Plan (shopify.com)
Perfect for: Selling via social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
- Free for 3 days, no credit card required. Then choose a plan that suits the size and stage of your business.
- Lets you create a simple product catalog and “buy now” links
- Great if you want to sell through DMs or Stories
- Scales easily if your business grows
- Lila can post photos to Instagram and drop a “buy” link in her bio, clean and easy.

🌼 Big Cartel (bigcartel.com)
Perfect for: Artists and makers who want a simple online store
- Free plan for up to 5 products
- Clean, minimal layout
- No listing fees or commissions
- Fully your own space, no “marketplace” vibe
- Lila gets her own storefront without monthly fees, and no competition sitting right next to her.

🧡 Your Own Website (Later On)
Great for: Long-term control and brand building
- Best if you already have a domain and want full ownership
- Tools like Squarespace, Shopify (full plan), or WordPress + WooCommerce give total freedom
- Takes more time to build, but ideal as you grow
- Not urgent for Lila now, but a good future goal.

What Will Lila Choose?
She decides to start with Ko-fi. It feels warm and approachable, and she can write little blog-style updates, like a mini journal. Plus, no upfront cost is perfect for her tight budget.

📣 How will she tell people?
She’ll post behind-the-scenes pics on Instagram, and tell her friends via Facebook and WhatsApp. No pressure, just sharing the story.

💡 Her simple message:
“After losing my job, I turned to crochet to keep my hands moving and my heart calm. Now, I’m opening a tiny handmade shop called Little Burrow Studio. These soft animal friends are my first collection. I hope they bring you comfort like they brought me.”

You Can Do This, Too!
You don’t need a logo, a website, or a giant following to begin. You just need a plan that fits your pace.
What could your first “mini launch” look like? Even if it’s one product, one post, one moment of bravery, that’s more than enough.

Step 5: Growing Without Burning Out
You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to post every day. You don’t need to turn your crochet into a factory. You just need a rhythm that feels good and sustainable.

Let’s check in on Lila one last time.
Lila’s launch was small, but it mattered. She sold four of her six plushies. A friend she hadn’t spoken to in years bought one. Someone messaged her just to say, “Your story gave me hope.” She cried a little. In a good way, but then… she felt it creeping in: “I have to make more. I need to keep up. I should grow faster!” Here’s what Lila reminds herself (and what you can too):

🧵 Rest is part of the business plan.
If you burn out, the business burns out with you. Schedule rest like you’d schedule a product drop.

📅 Slow growth is still growth.
She decides to release one small collection per month. That gives her time to make, rest, photograph, and enjoy the process.

💌 She starts an email list.
Just a free MailerLite account. She offers early access to new drops. Now she’s building a cozy corner of the internet that isn’t controlled by an algorithm.

🧶 She stays connected to joy.
Every now and then, she makes something just for her. No selling. No posting. Just yarn and peace.

What Does Gentle Growth Look Like for You?
You don’t need to do it all at once. Just one honest step at a time: 
- One product
- One photo
- One post
- One launch
Celebrate every small win. They stack up. The business you dream of is not a race, it’s a garden. You water it a little each day.

💬 Final Words - You’re More Ready Than You Think
Lila didn’t wait for everything to be perfect. She started small. She stayed kind to herself. And she built something beautiful from a difficult place. You can too. Whether you're facing a life shift, seeking more meaning, or just wondering what if, your crochet can be more than a hobby. It can be a source of income, healing, connection… even joy. 

So take one step. Choose one item. Share one story. The business you’re dreaming of? It starts with this moment.You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to begin. Just like Lila!

If this article resonated with you, let me know in the comments below. And if you, like Lila, begin your own crochet business journey then let me know and I'll be delighted to share your story right here on HappyBerry!