How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (2024)

How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (1)

How Much Do Crocheters Charge for Projects?

How much do you charge for a crochet project is one of the most asked questions. Is there a formula for figuring it out?

Many people have different opinions and they can be wildly different from each other:

  • We have crocheters, like me, who are happy to crochet and give away projects at no charge.
  • Those in a craft show that gladly crochet and use the day at the show to be social and it’s really not about the money. So their pricing may be reflective if a good time out eating the BBQ Hot Dog Stand and not worried about making money to eat at the fancy sit down meal restaurant.
  • Some crocheters gladly give stuff away but at times will put a price tag on an item if it’s requested.
  • Some crocheters only crochet with the mindset to sell.

None of the above are wrong but with crochet, being hobby-based, it can give the illusion that crochet is cheap and should be done for free. Technically, that’s wrong in every way. It’s hard to compete when so many essential items are imported into North America. It’s hard to compete against the chain retailers who can sell at the hat for $5 and you need at least $20 – $30 for a handmade hat.

How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (2)

Factors to Consider

Some crocheters only charge for the yarn itself. Many crocheters will charge the following:

  • Just the yarn costs, no extra play money and will donate the time.
  • Double or Triple the yarn costs which covers the expenses and throws a bit more extra so you can have some play money.
  • A cost per hour which may or may not include the cost of yarn.
How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (3)

Cost of Yarn Consideration

If a ball is $4.99. The yarn cost really isn’t $4.99. Don’t forget to include the following:

  • The tax.
  • Any additional items like pom poms.
  • If you gift wrapped it or bought something special to give it to the person at the end.
  • Mailing costs.
  • Chances are, you drove, had someone drive or even took the bus to the store to get the yarn. Factor approximately 45 cents per mile. Use Google Maps to figure out the mileage. If you are going out for other reasons or whatever, you may not want to consider that.
  • If you get it on sale, don’t use that price as it’s not always on sale. If you have to make it again or buy more yarn, use the real price. If you get it on sale, that’s more money in your pocket. Don’t tell anyone, it’s none of their business.
  • If someone wanted something specific for yarn and a particular colour. Something you may never finish using elsewhere, factor in the price of the complete ball even if you use just a portion of it.

Take the price and add your mark up. For those just charging for the yarn. It’s either 2 x or 3 x the costs. If you feel it’s not right… you know the basic costs for you. This will determine if your time is worth it for this.

How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (4)

Hourly Charge

The hourly charge isn’t set in stone. You have to factor in some things.

  • How much do you really think you are worth per hour.
  • Your crochet is a skill set that you have developed in time. Through practice, you have built up your skills.
  • Nova Scotia Minimum Wage is $12.55 CAD. That’s $9.00 hour USD.

How important is it to you that you are paid like it’s a regular job versus working on the project just for the fun of it. For example, if I do a simple adult hat that will take less than 1 hour and I factor in the cost of the yarn. $20 CAD seems reasonable.

However, in a larger project like an afghan could be 20 hours to make plus at least 7 balls of yarn at $40. That would be approximately $300 CDN or 215 USD to charge. The true question, is someone willing to pay for that price?

The larger projects are where the costs get skewed and when the donation of time comes into play.

So you have to factor in getting your expenses back plus add in extra for your time, even if not by the hour.

The True Sales Price

The real price is whatever someone is willing to pay for your creativity.

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  4. Crochet Skill Levels
How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (5)

What is A Customer

I’ve done the show circuit and been around long enough to know what a customer isn’t a customer. When a person is attempting to discount a person’s creativity for their own selfish reasons. Sorry, I’m not sugar coating tonight! It is exactly what it is! WRONG!

There are so many stories and I encourage you to share some of your stories in the blog comments below on your experiences.

  1. ‘So-called’ customers don’t honour their commitment or follow through with the items they requested. In the end, not wanting the item, leave you stuck with materials and a finished project you probably don’t need and cannot resell. If they are friends and they do this game, they really aren’t your friends, consider unfriending on Facebook. If they are family and do that, time to get that last rights will out and cross them off the list!
  2. Where the customer decided to give themselves a discount by not willing to pay the agreed amount. Next Christmas, give them a big fat lump of coal in their stocking! They deserve it! Better yet, run the stocking over with your car! That will make you feel better and they can kiss your tread!
  3. The customer received the goods and never followed through with the payment. I’m sure you know what to do. Social media is good at trashing people. Do your magic, they deserve it! Prepare for the feedback though… I recommend googling big words and smart comebacks for people who screw you over big time!

At craft shows, there is obvious behaviour in play:

  • Those who are kicking tires and wasting their own time because they are bored and thought a craft show would fill in time. Possibly licking ice cream cones and you secretly wish they would get brain freeze.
  • Other crafters who come in and are looking for ideas to go home and do it themselves. Basically, idea wannabes using others for inspiration so they can knock off the crafter. That’s just mean girl stuff… You know this type of customer when you see it. Either kill them with kindness or let yourself off the hook, it’s not you… ITS THEM! ALL THEM!
  • A person who likes what they see and determines the price isn’t right and pulls a cheapskate mode to start negotiations when there is nothing to negotiate. That’s my price… Like it or hit the road jack. Don’t come back no more no more… hit the road jack!

I’ve heard time and time again, “My prices were too high for my hats and I was losing customers!” You didn’t lose anything, the people who passed on by weren’t willing to compensate for your creativity. You are better to hold onto the item than to sell off the item cheap and be cranky about selling it cheap when re-sharing the stories. You made the decision.

So It’s Up To You:

I have found through the Creative Festival, charge a rate that makes sense for your time and materials. Come up with a sheet for your crochet journal that makes sense.

Sometimes you will win and other times you can claim you got your money back. Whatever you do, don’t sell it for less than you are willing to let it go for. If you do, just get some cheese to go with that wine!

Be true to yourself and stick to your guns… because you are worth it and so is your acquired skills and creativity!

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How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? (2024)

FAQs

How Do You Price Your Crochet Projects? ›

The strategy itself looks like this: Supplies + Hourly Wage + Business Expenses x Profit Margin = Wholesale Price x 2 = Retail Price.

What is the hourly rate for crocheting? ›

Knitting Crochet Yarn pays an average hourly rate of $48 and hourly wages range from a low of $42 to a high of $55.

What sells best from crochet items? ›

Accessories. Most of the crochet vendors that I see out and about are selling accessories. I would definitely count accessories among the crochet items that sell best at markets, because you really can't ever have enough. Plus, they are usually pretty quick to make and you don't really need to use any special yarns.

How do you crochet for profit? ›

One of the best ways to make money crocheting is by writing and selling your own patterns. If you've ever found yourself adjusting patterns or whipping up something on the fly, then you can design items. The next step is to learn how to write out your instructions in a clear, methodical way so that others can follow.

How to sell homemade crochet items? ›

Handmade crochet items can be sold on Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and personal websites. Platforms like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace have built in audiences that will search for your items on their own, but selling on a personal website means that you must market the products yourself.

Can you make a living selling crochet? ›

It's possible to make a living crocheting through digital marketing and content creation as a crochet designer. Taking commissions for finished objects and participating in craft fairs likely will yield some revenue, but not full time work from home income.

How do you calculate handmade prices? ›

In her Tips for Pricing your Handmade Goods blog on Craftsy, artesian entrepreneur Ashley Martineau suggests this formula:
  1. Cost of supplies + $10 per hour time spent = Price A.
  2. Cost of supplies x 3 = Price B.
  3. Price A + Price B divided by 2 (to get the average between these two prices) = Price C.
Dec 7, 2017

What is the price range of crochet? ›

Crocheting is a relatively inexpensive hobby on average, but can have a range of almost free to luxury. The starting cost of crocheting is around $20, and costs between $10 and $100 per project for yarn. Decreasing costs is possible by sourcing yarn for free from friends, yard sales, and through couponing.

What crochet items are trending 2023? ›

23 New Things for Crocheters to Try in 2023
  • Explore African Flower Blocks. Have you ever made a project using African Flower Blocks? ...
  • Conquer Cables. ...
  • Give Tapestry Crochet a Try. ...
  • Add a Little Appliqué ...
  • Make It Personal. ...
  • Try Your Hand at Tunisian. ...
  • Corner to Corner. ...
  • Watch & Learn.
Nov 4, 2022

Is it worth selling crochet items? ›

In this post, we'll cover whether or not selling crochet patterns is really worth your time and effort and how you can get started. The answer is yes! Selling crochet patterns is definitely worth it.

What are the hardest things to make with crochet? ›

What's the hardest crochet stitch? Typically, the Jasmine Stitch is considered by crocheters to be the hardest stitch to learn. It is certainly a beautiful stitch, but it uses a very unconventional technique that doesn't always come naturally to people.

What does a beginner crocheter make? ›

At the very least, you need yarn and a hook to crochet. If you're a crochet beginner, scarves, washcloths and small blankets are among the easiest projects requiring the fewest crocheting tools. Of course, before long you'll want to crochet a coaster or make cozy slippers, and things will be a bit more complicated.

Can I turn crochet into a business? ›

With crocheting, you can turn your creative hobby into cash by making various trendy products for customers to enjoy. A crochet business is a flexible venture that'd be an excellent choice to start from home. But if you've never started a business before, you may not know where to begin.

Do crochet items sell at craft fairs? ›

Make Your Craft Show Booth Stand Out

Hand-knit and crochet items are already in many storefronts in craft fairs. Many sellers will tell you that the market is too saturated to try to sell your hats or scarves at a local show.

What app can I sell crochet items? ›

  • Etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling handmade, vintage, and unique goods. ...
  • Ravelry. Ravelry is an online community and marketplace for knitters and crocheters.. ...
  • LoveCrafts. ...
  • Ko-fi.

What is a professional crocheter called? ›

Definition of a Crochet Master.

Where is the best place to sell crochet items? ›

The best places to sell crochet items are on digital marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Amazon Handmade, Facebook Marketplace, or Shopify and locally at craft fairs or farmers markets. Several of these options come with their own audiences that are already looking specifically for handmade crochet items to purchase.

What is the disadvantage of crochet business? ›

As a crochet business, the amount of work assigned to you and schedule tends to be more inconsistent, which may make your income less stable. It's important to set boundaries and budget accordingly based on the amount of work you plan to have.

How much does it cost to sell a $10 item on Etsy? ›

Listing fees are a flat $0.20 fee that's charged when you publish your product for sale on Etsy.

Is the crochet market saturated? ›

Crochet is a saturated market but if you excel at it you have a good chance of getting orders.

How popular is crochet on Etsy? ›

The crochet market is saturated on Etsy.

When I searched “crochet” on Etsy, I came up with almost 2 MILLION hits!

What is the pricing formula? ›

Here are the three most important basic retail price formulas: Retail Price = Cost of Goods + Markup. Markup = Retail Price – Cost of Goods. Cost of Goods = Retail Price – Markup.

How do you set crafts prices? ›

Here's the Craft Pricing Formula
  1. Cost of Supplies + Labor + 10-15% Overhead = Total Costs.
  2. Total Costs x 2 = Wholesale Price.
  3. Wholesale Price x 2 = Retail Price.
Jul 13, 2017

How do you price items you are selling? ›

What factors should be considered when pricing a product?
  1. The total costs of running your business including fixed and variable costs.
  2. Competitors' pricing.
  3. Market demand.
  4. Target customers spending power.
  5. The value of your product.
Oct 10, 2022

What is the most popular crochet size? ›

What is The Most Commonly Used Crochet Hook Size? The most common size is a H/8 5 mm crochet hook. It is the perfect size to make blankets, scarves and more since it is not too small and not too large.

How much does it cost to crochet a blanket? ›

It costs between $20-$100 to crochet a blanket. Baby blankets are cheapest and king size blankets are the most expensive, since a larger blanket takes more yarn. Purchasing yarn that is the most cost effective also decreases total cost, since there is more yardage per dollar spent. Crochet blankets take a lot of yarn.

What is the biggest crocheted item? ›

Daphne O'Connor took two years to crochet the world's largest blanket, completing the work in 2007. The blanket is 38 feet across and 81 feet in length. If you were going to try to break one of these records, which one would you go for?

What is the fastest growing crochet? ›

The crochet stitch that works up the fastest is the treble crochet stitch, followed closely by the front loop only treble crochet. After that, granny squares come in as third fastest to work up, followed by the v stitch, and then the double crochet stitch.

What is the most popular material used to crochet? ›

You can crochet with everything from baby alpaca yarn to banana silk yarn. However, the three most common yarn choices for beginners are wool, cotton, and acrylic yarn. There are pros and cons to each, although any will be suitable for beginner crocheters.

Do people buy crochet on Etsy? ›

Based on my research, the 7 crochet categories that I think would sell well on Etsy are women's swimwear, amigurumi, women's clothing, home & living, baby accessories, toys and patterns. These categories have items that you can make that are popular with buyers and have lower competition.

Why is crochet so expensive? ›

Crochet projects tend to use more yarn than knitting projects, making them more expensive in the long run. Crochet patterns tend to be more difficult to find than knitting patterns.

Is crochet cheaper than buying? ›

The good news is crochet is about as cost effective as you make it. An inexpensive ball of acrylic yarn will set you back maybe $3 (I'm Australian – we don't get yarn much cheaper than that round these parts so cost effective crochet is a bit harder for us!) and the cheapest bamboo hook will be about $3 too.

What is the least wasteful crochet stitch? ›

One of the most “yarn saving” stitches is the Solomon Stitch, which is one of my personal favorites, it works up quickly, uses less yarn, and has a super cool pattern. This stitch can be used in scarves, cardigans, blankets, you name it, it's super versatile. This is by far the best stitch to use for yarn thriftiness!

What is the strongest crochet pattern? ›

The Waistcoat crochet stitch (also known as the Knit Stitch) is a super sturdy, dense crochet stitch.

What are two most important things that a crocheter must have? ›

The two most essential, can't-do-without crochet tools are the hook and yarn. Without these, you can't crochet anything. There are also a number of other tools that are useful and should be part of your toolkit.

What should every crocheter have? ›

7 Crochet Essentials to have in your collection
  • Crochet Hook. Crochet requires the basic crochet hook. ...
  • Yarn. The yarn craft of crochet requires a basic understanding of the yarn you will be using. ...
  • Stitch markers. ...
  • Wool or Darning needles. ...
  • A measuring tape. ...
  • Scissors. ...
  • Blocking Tools.
Jun 28, 2022

What is the average age of a crocheter? ›

What's The Average Age Of Crocheters? The average age of crocheters – 34% are 18-34, 36% are 35-54, and 30% are 55.

What is the most wanted thing on Etsy? ›

As such, the most popular items on the platform are handmade home décor, art prints, handmade bags and purses, custom and handmade wedding accessories, personalized gifts, craft supplies, pet gifts and accessories, vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, and other handmade accessories.

What is a good money maker on Etsy? ›

10 Most Profitable Things You Can Sell on Etsy
  • Handmade Jewelry. Since ancient times, Jewelry has been a symbol of social status and wealth. ...
  • Stickers and Personalized Cards. ...
  • Collectibles. ...
  • Photography. ...
  • Paintings. ...
  • Custom Made T-Shirts. ...
  • Custom Mugs. ...
  • Digital Art.

Do you have to copyright a crochet pattern? ›

U.S. Copyright Office state that crochet is a “Works of Visual Arts” which means they are copyright protection as a visual work. In the United States, as soon as you put pen to paper (type) it is already copyrighted. You don't need to hop through extravagant hoops just to have your crochet pattern copyrighted.

Who is the target market of crochet business? ›

For Crochet bloggers, target audiences can range anywhere from those looking for crochet tips to free patterns. Some do a combo of the two and provide patterns along with crochet business or design tips. If you love creating and sharing free crochet patterns, then focus your crochet blog on creating those.

What sells the most with crochet items? ›

Jewelry. Jewelry is another one of those things that you really can never have enough of. It's a hot commodity at markets everywhere, so why not create crochet versions of all the most popular items like earrings, bracelets, and necklaces!

What crochet uses the most yarn? ›

The single crochet swatch used the most yarn. On this small sample of 2″ x 6″ swatches, the half double crochet used 13″ less yarn than the single crochet. In turn, the double crochet used 38″ less yarn than the half double crochet. However, the treble crochet only used 2″ less yarn than the double crochet.

How do I sell my crochet stuff? ›

WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WITH CROCHET
  1. Craft Fairs – Craft fairs are a great place to meet with your customers face to face, to find out what they love and what they're willing to spend money on. ...
  2. Consignment – Selling on consignment is a convenient, cost-effective way of getting your product into the hands of buyers.
Nov 22, 2022

Can you make good money selling crochet items? ›

With proper marketing, custom orders, pattern design & blogging, you can build a substantial income each month. Crochet can be more than a hobby, you can make crochet your career. I don't have to get dressed for work. I don't have a commute to a job.

How to start a business selling crochet items? ›

How do I start my own Crochet Business?
  1. Step 1 – Brand Identity. This is definitely your first step and doesn't need to be complicated. ...
  2. Step 2 – Product Development. ...
  3. Step 3 - Photography. ...
  4. Step 4 – Marketing. ...
  5. Step 5 – Pricing. ...
  6. Step 6 – Sustainability. ...
  7. Step 7 - Legal. ...
  8. Step 8 – Customer Service.
Dec 12, 2019

How much do crocheters make an hour? ›

Knitting Crochet Yarn pays an average hourly rate of $48 and hourly wages range from a low of $42 to a high of $55.

How much do crocheters make a year? ›

The salaries of Crocheters in the US range from $18,520 to $41,390 , with a median salary of $25,830 . The middle 60% of Crocheters makes $25,830, with the top 80% making $41,390.

Is there a career for crocheting? ›

Selling Finished Projects: This is where most crocheters start professionally because it's a very natural progression to take from hobby. If you love to crochet (a lot), and you're often asked to sell your work from friends, family and strangers, this can be a great crochet career!

How much should I sell a crochet pattern for? ›

How much should I charge for a crochet pattern? Digital crochet patterns should be priced between $3-7 each. Pricing should be based on the complexity of the pattern and amount of time spent writing the pattern, as well as the experience and brand recognition of the designer.

What is the hardest crochet thing to make? ›

What's the hardest crochet stitch? Typically, the Jasmine Stitch is considered by crocheters to be the hardest stitch to learn. It is certainly a beautiful stitch, but it uses a very unconventional technique that doesn't always come naturally to people.

Is it legal to sell crochet items? ›

As a general rule, it is legal to sell crochet items made from any crochet pattern. Copyright law only applies to the distribution of the pattern itself, not to any items made from the pattern. Despite any language to the contrary, there are no legal repercussions for selling crochet items.

How much does Etsy take from a $25 sale? ›

Etsy collects a 6.5% transaction fee in your indicated listing currency for every sale you make. Once a customer purchases from your store, the transaction fee will automatically process for Etsy Payments users. Etsy's transaction fees are a percentage of the total cost of the product, shipping, and gift wrapping.

How do I price my crafts on Etsy? ›

Decide what you want your hourly rate to be (please, at least pay yourself more than minimum wage!), and determine how long it took you to make the product. Labor cost should equal Time x Wage, so if you're paying yourself $10 an hour and it took you half an hour to make it, pay yourself $5 for that product.

Why is crochet trending now? ›

Unlike when it was just a pastime, crochet is now a fashion trend. Since fashion is always changing, crochet fashion seems just right because it can be colourful and unique if you take the time to make your own pieces and/or make a business out of it. If you know how to stitch, you'll find it easy to crochet clothes.

What is the weaknesses of crochet business? ›

As a crochet business, the amount of work assigned to you and schedule tends to be more inconsistent, which may make your income less stable. It's important to set boundaries and budget accordingly based on the amount of work you plan to have.

Is crochet still trending? ›

And the finished items are bold, customisable, and unique – making them increasingly popular and trendy. Crochet fashion was a defining look last year, with its retro-throwback quality and boho aesthetic. And it's only going to get more popular in 2023.

What is the hourly rate for handmade crafts? ›

Many professional crafters use a rate of $12.00 to $20.00 per hour to calculate their labor costs in more depth. When you determine you own labor rate, use a wage that allows you to grow your business and accounts for the skill required to make your product.

How much does it take to crochet a blanket? ›

It takes over 20 hours on average to crochet a blanket. Casual crocheters can finish an average blanket in a month or two, but time frames change depending on how intricate the pattern is and how thick the yarn is, ranging from a week to a year.

How long does it take to crochet a person? ›

The most basic amigurumi usually take 1-2 hours to crochet, while multi-part amigurumi (such as teddy bears) without embellishments will take around 6. Check out some other commonly asked questions: How Long Does It Take to Learn to Crochet Amigurumi?

What is the most profitable at home craft business? ›

1 – Jewelry

The jewelry industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, so there's room for every business. The good news is, people spend money on jewelry. The bad news is, it makes it a competitive industry. Consumers spending money on your product is the first step in profitability.

Can you make a living selling handmade crafts? ›

Can you make a living selling crafts? Yes, you can make a living selling crafts and you don't have to go into a lot of debt to start a craft business. Startup costs can be kept low because you don't need a retail space or loads of inventory, and most crafts don't require expensive equipment or tools.

How do you price items for a craft fair? ›

Market Research

Take note of the prices and see where yours might fit in. If your items cost significantly more than others, consider lowering your price. If this isn't feasible, then think about selling lower-cost items at lower-end craft fairs and reserving your higher-price products for other venues.

What is the most economical crochet stitch? ›

One of the most “yarn saving” stitches is the Solomon Stitch, which is one of my personal favorites, it works up quickly, uses less yarn, and has a super cool pattern. This stitch can be used in scarves, cardigans, blankets, you name it, it's super versatile. This is by far the best stitch to use for yarn thriftiness!

Is crocheting an expensive hobby? ›

Crochet is a wonderful hobby. It is only as expensive as you want it to be - hooks are cheap and you can splurge on fancy yarn, or not, depending on what you want to make. You can easily take it with you and work on it during odd moments.

What do crocheters call themselves? ›

Many people call themselves “hookers” because of the classic crochet hook (that is NOT a needle and is NOT sharp, may I clarify😉)

What is a group of crocheters called? ›

A kit of knitters. A cache of crocheters.

What is the hardest thing to crochet? ›

What's the hardest crochet stitch? Typically, the Jasmine Stitch is considered by crocheters to be the hardest stitch to learn. It is certainly a beautiful stitch, but it uses a very unconventional technique that doesn't always come naturally to people.

What percentage of people crochet? ›

And 66% of respondents said they both knit and crochet, while 22% said they crochet only and 13% said they knit only.

Is it OK to crochet all day? ›

But for many of us who spend long hours working on our knitting or crochet the physical side effects are well known and can include: 1) Repetitive Strain Injury (or RSI) including Carpal Tunnel and Tendonitus. repetitive actions and poor posture. shoulders.

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