Skip to main content

8 Ways to Make Money with Yarn & Crochet Right Now

Whether you’ve got a yarn stash overflowing or a passion for crochet that’s taking over your life—in the best way—there are so many ways to turn your love for fiber into a source of income. And no, it’s not all about opening a shop or going full-time. Let’s talk realistic, achievable ways you can make money from your yarn-related hobbies this year.


🎥 Want even more ideas? Check out my Business of Crochet playlist on YouTube where I’ve gathered all my videos about making money with yarn—from selling your stash to building a crochet-focused business! Or watch THIS VIDEO where I go into more detail on these 8 ways to make money with yarn and crochet.

1. Finished Projects for Sale

Let’s start with the most obvious: selling your finished crochet or knit pieces.

  • Craft Fairs: These are great, but can be hit-or-miss. You’ll often need to pay a booth fee and invest time and money into setup. Not for everyone!

  • Local Opportunities: Think: consignment shops, local boutiques, or seasonal stores. Especially if you live in a cold-weather area or somewhere with tourism, you can do really well.

  • Online Options: Etsy is the most well-known, but don’t sleep on niche platforms like Ravelry. Use great photos, write detailed descriptions, and understand basic SEO to help people find your work.

2. YouTube, Content Creation & Monetization

Yes, you can make money by talking about yarn!

  • YouTube: Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time, you’re eligible for monetization. It's not quick money, but it builds over time. Plus, if you’re posting regularly, your videos keep earning long after you hit upload.

  • Shorts & Reels: These help you grow and reach new people. They can also be monetized, depending on the platform.

  • Affiliate Links: Sign up for affiliate programs from yarn companies or even Amazon. You earn a commission when someone buys through your link.

  • Memberships & Exclusive Content: Offer behind-the-scenes videos, extra tutorials, or a monthly Q&A through YouTube memberships or Patreon.

3. Selling Patterns (PDFs & Print)

Pattern sales are one of the best forms of passive income for fiber artists.

  • PDF Sales: Sell them on Etsy or Ravelry. Ravelry is especially great for knitters and crocheters looking for specific patterns.

  • Print Books: You can self-publish using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Be cautious, though—there’s a learning curve. You’ll need to design the cover, choose the materials, and understand that profit margins are slim due to printing costs.

  • Tip: Add a QR code to your printed patterns that links to a private video tutorial or blog post!

4. Teaching Crochet or Knitting

If you love explaining how to yarn over and turn your work, this could be perfect for you.

  • In-Person Classes: Great for building community and getting started with people you already know. Check local yarn shops, libraries, quilt stores, or even coffee shops to host your class.

  • Online Courses: A bit more of a commitment, but you only create the course once and sell it over and over. You’ll need to do your research on platforms (like Teachable or Skillshare), learn basic marketing (think Facebook/Instagram ads), and promote your course online.

  • Tip: Use your free content (like YouTube videos) to build an audience, and offer more advanced classes as paid content.

5. Selling Yarn from Your Stash

Yes, your stash could actually make you money.

  • Sell Vintage or Discontinued Yarns: Some people are desperate to find a match for a discontinued yarn. Market these well with keywords and clear photos.

  • Curated Mystery Boxes: People love a surprise—especially if it’s tailored. Think themed boxes: baby projects, purple-only yarn, DK weight only, seasonal colors, or even project-ready sets.

  • Pro Tip: Don’t offload junk. Make sure the yarn is clean, appealing, and something you would be excited to receive.

6. Curating Yarn for Resale

If you love hunting down a good deal, this is for you.

  • Buy Clearance Yarns: Turn great deals into curated sets for others. You’ll need to sell them at a price that still feels like a deal for the buyer and earns you a profit.

  • Presentation Matters: Neat packaging, color coordination, and clear labeling go a long way.

7. Become a Yarn Distributor

This one’s more involved, but if you're serious about yarn—it’s an exciting option.

  • Work with Yarn Companies: Like Gia from Yarn Nut, who resells Ice Yarns, you can become a distributor for a brand and sell directly to customers who don’t want to order internationally.  Sadly, I believe this store has permanently closed, But I'll link the video of my experience shopping with her HERE.

  • What You’ll Need: Storage space, shipping supplies, a storefront (Etsy, Shopify, etc.), and a solid business plan.

8. Selling Handspun or Hand-Dyed Yarn

If you’re already spinning or dyeing yarn, this might be your moment. Read about something new I'm trying in THIS BLOG POST.

  • Hand-Dyed Yarns: Small batch, indie-dyed yarn is incredibly popular. Just be sure to calculate costs (dyes, water, time, base yarns, shipping).

  • Handspun Yarn: Especially great if you’re already spinning for yourself. You can offer unique fiber blends, art yarns, or naturally dyed options.

  • Tip: Start small, track your time, and price for profit.

Final Thoughts

No matter what direction you go in—do your market research. Every option comes with different time, energy, and financial requirements. You don’t have to do it all. Start small, pick one or two options that excite you, and go from there.

Any one else like to get as much info as possible? Watch this DEEP DIVE VIDEO for more ways to monetize your yarn hobby.



✨ Ready to dive deeper? Watch the full Business of Crochet YouTube playlist here for real-life examples, behind-the-scenes insight, and more tips on how to make yarn work for you.


If you're ready to start taking action, use this checklist to get started and watch THIS VIDEO!

✅ Crochet Business Startup Checklist

🧠 Mindset & Intentions

  • Decide if turning your hobby into a business will still bring you joy.

  • Be honest about your goals: side hustle, full-time business, or passion project?

📚 Education & Research

  • Watch the video on crochet business ideas if you’re unsure which path to take.

  • Research how businesses are structured in your country/state.

🏗️ Business Structure & Legal Setup

  • Decide on a business structure (e.g., Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation).

  • Choose and register a business name.

  • File the necessary paperwork with your state (or country).

  • Consider using a service like LegalZoom if you don’t have an attorney.

  • Speak with a tax professional to understand your specific tax situation.

💵 Financial Foundation

  • Open a separate business bank account.

  • Never mix personal and business finances.

  • Start tracking all income and expenses from day one.

  • Keep meticulous records of purchases, income, and receipts.

🧶 Inventory Considerations

  • Track inventory if you’re selling finished pieces or products.

  • Don’t use your business as an excuse to overbuy yarn unnecessarily.

  • Make intentional purchases that support your business goals.

💰 Start-Up Capital & Expenses

  • List out expected startup costs (e.g., registration fees, materials, tools).

  • Consider using part of your tax return or savings to fund startup costs.

  • Plan ahead for website hosting, domain names, tools like Canva or Google Workspace.

🧾 Ongoing Business Expenses

  • Research marketplace fees (e.g., Etsy, website platforms).

  • Track web hosting, email services, and design tools as deductions.

  • Keep receipts and records for market fees, travel, meals, and hotel stays if applicable.

  • Write clear descriptions of expenses (avoid vague entries like “supplies”).

📈 Taking It Seriously

  • Operate like a real business from day one to build self-confidence and customer trust.

  • Treat even small income and expenses with professionalism and care.

  • Know that the first year may not be highly profitable—but it's foundational.

Popular posts from this blog

Don't Panic! Here's An Alternative Yarn

Perfect Replacement for Big Twist If you’ve been a fan of yarn brands like Big Twist and K&C but are now worried about finding suitable replacements, I have great news for you! While these brands may not be as easily accessible as before, there’s a fantastic alternative that offers an incredible variety of yarns at competitive prices— Herrschners . Why Herrschners? Herrschners is a well-known name in the crafting world, and while they have only one physical location in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, they ship nationwide and even internationally! Whether you’ve shopped from them before or are completely new to their selection, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the yarns you love from Joann’s can be found through Herrschners, often at similar or even better prices. Exploring Herrschners Yarn Selection Herrschners offers an extensive range of yarns, including well-known brands like Premier, Lion Brand, Yarnspirations, and Red Heart. They also carry their own house brands, which can ...
Read more

How I Modified A Hexagon Cardi for Mid & Plus Size

Hexagon Cardigan Modifications Hey yarn lovers! If you're a midsize or plus-size crocheter looking for ways to customize your hexagon cardigan for a more flattering and comfortable fit, I’ve got some great tips for you. I recently finished my second hexagon cardi and made a few modifications that helped me feel more confident wearing it. Here’s what I learned! The Inspiration Behind My Second Hexagon Cardi A while back, I made a basic hexagon cardigan using Red Heart Super Saver yarn. While I loved the pattern and even won a blue ribbon at my county fair, I wasn’t sure I would actually wear it. It felt a bit too boxy and oversized for my liking. This time, I decided to use Herrschners Witches Brew yarn for a fun Halloween-inspired version. Get the yarn HERE . Since I wanted to ensure I would love wearing it, I made a few tweaks to improve the fit and feel. Key Modifications for a Better Fit 1. Adjusting the Shoulder Fit Instead of making the panels overly large, I measured my sho...
Read more

All The Details On This Popular Crochet Border

  Perfect Border for Your Blanket Recently, one of my older YouTube Shorts started gaining a lot of attention. It featured a beautiful crochet border, but I didn’t go into much detail about it in the short. Since many viewers found it through searches for crochet borders, I wanted to take a moment to discuss it in more depth. The Inspiration Behind the Border The border I used in that video comes from the YouTube channel Hectanooga1, created by Emmy. She demonstrated the border on a small square, but I adapted it for my blanket. One key difference between my version and hers is that I used it on fleece rather than a crocheted piece. To prepare the fleece, I used a rotary cutter with a skip blade to create holes along the edge. Then, I worked a foundation row with Red Heart Super Saver yarn before adding the decorative border. If you want to use this border on a non-fleece blanket, you can simply crochet a round of double crochets before starting the decorative edge. My Favorite Bla...
Read more