Crochet business income streams
Turning my hobby into income!
Running a crochet business can be more than just the stitches. This side hustle is always evolving for me, and I love to see it grow.
However, I can only crochet a certain amount each day! So it is important to me to maximize what I can and monetize when possible. I am a stay-at-home mom with two kids running around, so I currently do not put full-time hours into this business. I do what I can while they are at school or sleeping, but I want to be realistic about my business goals.
When I started, I was only selling physical products that I crocheted. Which was amazing, but can be overwhelming at times. So I thought about what passive income ideas are for makers. Passive income from a creative outlet has shifted everything for me! Designing my own patterns now has opened up new opportunities and has been great for my work-life balance.
There are so many amazing crafters out there juggling real life and pursuing a handmade business. Let’s take advantage of revenue options together!
Different ways I make money every month for my crochet side hustle:
Etsy digital download pattern sales
Etsy makes selling digital files pretty dang easy. The listing setup and details are very user-friendly and quick. They, of course, take fees from each sale you make, but honestly, everywhere has fees that can’t be avoided. I believe the fees are still worth it for the customer base they provide.
To open your own Etsy shop, click here!
ShopMy
This platform is a way to link and earn commission for just about anything and everything. Yarn, hooks, patterns, your outfit, your favorite Target finds, a new book, and more! To apply, click here!
Consignment/wholesale
I currently have consignment items in a local baby boutique. I have loved my partnership with them over the years. I make items, drop them off, and the store keeps a portion of each sale. That is the arrangement that has worked out well for us.
Some storefronts might ask for a wholesale order. Usually, they order a certain item(s) at a discounted price for them to put into their inventory and sell at their price point. Consignment and wholesale both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Custom orders
Selling physical crochet items is an amazing way to earn money. Family and friends love to give my creations as gifts. It is so special to gift a unique, handmade piece! This part of my business is the hardest to balance. I try not to take too many orders, because I am also a stay-at-home mom with other responsibilities that come first.
I use Square to send invoices for upfront payments and can easily transfer that to my bank account. I also use Square at my markets to take credit card payments easily. For more info on using Square, click here!
Amazon affiliate
This is usually my lowest paycheck each month. However, it is helpful to be able to link items in patterns since everyone uses Amazon regularly.
In-person craft markets
I try to do a few markets or pop-ups per year. Selling in person is such a great experience. Seeing customers feel and hold your products to gain feedback and see what they gravitate towards.
I make a variety of items from blankets, wearables, loveys, and stuffies. Market prepping takes a lot of time, so I am very selective about which events to attend.
Social Media content
I post content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Currently, I only receive monetization status from Facebook. Since you can recycle and reuse content across all platforms, I feel like it’s worth the time and great for reaching lots of different audiences.
I know social media and affiliate linking isn’t everyone's cup of tea, but in today’s world, if you are running any type of business, you’ve got to be posting on socials. It can be a game-changer if taken seriously.
Etsy creator co
This is basically another affiliate program, but it works through your Etsy shop. Etsy pays me to send people to their platform. I get paid for my own shop sales and linking to any other products on Etsy. It’s worth it since I am marketing my own products anyway!
Hope this helped someone learn a new way to make some extra money! Happy creating!
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission when you purchase through one of these links at no additional cost to you.
LETS CONNECT!