Knitting For Profit

Posts Tagged ‘knitting niche ideas’

Quick and Easy Knitting Pattern Ideas

Monday, May 4th, 2009

This is just a quick post to show you some knitting pattern books that have small, fast or easy-to-knit projects.

Great for using up yarn, and music for the profitable knitters ears with many projects able to be completed in a day or less.

They may fit your niche already, or you could alter them slightly to make them suit using different yarns or colours, or adding decorative elements. All are great for ideas and inspiration.

This is by no means a definitive list of fast-to-knit knitting pattern books but it hopefully gives you some ideas and inspiration. I have contacted the authors and publishers to see if they are happy for the finished projects to be sold, but have not received responses yet, so please wait for an update here, or contact them yourself before going ahead and using these patterns for your knitting business!

I have used Amazon links for the pictures so you can get an idea of their price too.

Judith Durant has created a range of these great pattern books with knitting patterns that use only one skein of yarn.

This is very useful if you are Knitting For Profit because you don’t have to worry about dye lots or running out of yarn, and they are relatively small projects so they are fast to complete.

 "Speed Knitting" by Kris Percival has fast and easy to complete projects, easy for beginners and fast for experienced knitters. Part of the trick is using chunky yarns and big needles which makes the whole project come along a lot faster.

"Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson has a good range of easy projects all able to be completed in under 10 hours. She uses a wide range of colours and textures which will give you great ideas for making your products stand out. [UPDATE] – Joelle has let me know that you can’t sell pieces you knit from patterns in this book, but it might still be a good one to have a look at for ideas.

 "Weekend Knitting" by Melanie Falick is a popular book that includes projects designed to be knitted in a weekend or less. There are lots of unique designs such as a flower-shaped washcloth and little egg-cozies, plus projects covering a range of knitting difficulties too. [UPDATE] – The publishers replied and said that you can’t sell items you knit from Melanie’s book, but you could contact the designer of each item individually and ask for permission.

"One Skein" by Leigh Radford is another book of fast-to-knit projects that use only one skein of yarn, mostly patterns for fashion accessories and decorative pieces for homes. There are also projects designed to use up all those leftover bits from other projects.

I will hunt around for some free fast-knit patterns too, and include them in a future post!

Tags: easy knitting pattern, easy knitting patterns, fast knitting pattern, knitting niche, knitting niche ideas, knitting pattern, speed knitting
Posted in Knitting Patterns | 6 Comments »

Five Money-Making Knitting Niche Ideas

Friday, March 6th, 2009

If you want to make money knitting, my golden rule is to find a niche. No matter which of my Five Knitting For Profit strategies you choose to follow, in order to really make a profit from your knitting, you need to be a bit different, stand out from the crowd and fulfill a need in the marketplace.

So here are five more Money Making Niche Knitting Ideas (there’s a theme here if you’re looking…)

1. Knitted Wedding gifts – have a range of knitted pieces that would make a thoughtful and appreciated gift for a couple starting their married life. For example, ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ or names/initials knitted into scarves, hats, jumpers, pillows or blankets. Or his and hers versions of the same knitted item, like beanies knitted in complimentary or matching colours. You could also provide useful knitted household items like potholders or washclothes in silver or white.

Use wedding bell or heart motifs. Once you specialise like this, it is easier to find ways to sell your knitted products too. You can contact local wedding or bridal shops, go to bridal shows, find companies that specialise in wedding gifts or kitchen tea parties (there are lots online) and list your knitted products with them, or see if local gift shops would like to stock your knitted pieces. You can also sell your specialty range through one of the may online craft malls. It’s amazing how word spreads when you have something unique to offer!

2. Christmas Ornaments and Stockings – I know of knitters who have great success and more back-orders than they can handle for these knitted or crocheted products. You can either sell the finished items, or you could sell the patterns. It’s very seasonal but it’s a wonderful time of year to be selling knitting! For pattern ideas look up Christmas knitting patterns in your search engine.

3. Mother’s Day gifts – although it doesn’t have to be mothers day to give your mum something nice, if you have a themed range of ‘gifts for mothers’ it is easier for your customers to find you…usually fathers and children! There is a lovely little ‘treasure locket’ pattern on purlbee.com, and so many other lovely, thoughtful hand knitted things that you can create with mothers in mind.

If you chose this niche, I would label each knitted item with a tag that said ’special gifts for mum’ or something similar, to really show customers that’s who your products are designed for. And whether you choose to sell online or off, people will know right away that a gift purchased from you is a gift that is meant for their mum, and that she will enjoy receiving it.

4. Flag designs – people love to celebrate their heritage no matter what time of year it is, but on national days people want to show it even more! You can put flag designs and colours on almost any knitted product, from blankets, shawls, scarves and hats, to booties and baby wear, to potholders and washcloths. You then have a specialised range of knitted products that really appeal to people who love their country and are proud to display it.

5. Costumes for pets or children – unique and funny designs are the key here, because if you create something different, word will spread quickly and you’ll enjoy lots of sales! A couple of examples are the very successful baby viking hats from bellaknitting.com and the ‘Kritter Knits’ at ByMelissa.net. Themed costumes for Christmas, Easter, Halloween or Thanksgiving are always popular too, and a great way to get your knitted products and name known.

So there you are, five more niche knitting for profit ideas that are already making money for knitters around the world! If you have any more suggestions I’d love to hear them, so please leave a comment!

Tags: baby knitting, christmas knitting, costumes, knitted gifts, knitting niche ideas, Make Money Knitting
Posted in Make Money Knitting | No Comments »