Knitting information, ideas and success stories from women who create real cash flow from their knitting and crochet.
Posts Tagged ‘Make Money Knitting’
Machine Knitting Success Story From Linda
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
Linda's story is another great example of finding a niche and creating a successful knitting business that has grown and developed over her lifetime. In this interview, she gives some valuable tips and advice about knitting jobs and how to make your knitting and crochet business a success.
How long have you been knitting and crocheting?
I have been knitting and crocheting for over 40 years now. I started designing about 20 years ago but didn’t get serious until about 5 years ago and created a loom knitting pattern book. “Looney for Looms”
Can you give a brief description of your knitting business?
I have recently retired from my knitting business as far as producing products, but they included everything from slippers to afghans. Mostly though I made personalized knitwear for both individuals and schools and such. The meat and potatoes of the business were personalized knitted ski caps. These were made to order so it wasn’t something you could make up ahead of time and keep in stock. Now I am more into helping others learn the ropes so to speak. (Linda's website is www.knitting-n-crochet.com)
When did you decide to start your knitting business and what gave you the idea?
I have always enjoyed making and creating knitted items and sales is just a natural outlet. In my early 20s I first saw an ad for a knitting machine and couldn’t get it out of my head – I just had to have one! Before that everything was done by hand and very limited to how much I could produce. The knitting machine opened up a whole new world for me.
I also learned a lot from a neighbor, who had had a successful knitting business. She knitted all sorts of things including hats, sweaters and dog sweaters that she sold all over the world. They were beautiful items and were made in no time flat. There was no Internet back then so she sold through ads in magazines and a sales rep.
I had always dreamed of my own home based business but thought it was only for the rich. Then here was my neighbour running a successful knitting business, and she was an a stay-home-Mom, just like me.
She sold me her old Brother 260, she encouraged me and shared her knitting patterns. She was the one who showed me how to make a personalized ski cap. When she moved away I taught myself with books and a mad desire to open my own knitting business.
Since 1986 I have learned machine knitting, loom knitting and hand knitting along with the crocheting I already knew. You can make money and work at home with these crafts. It takes persistence, determination, a little imagination and a bit of guidance, but you can do it!
Did you have any business experience when you started?
My mother was always selling something by party plan when I was growing up, but other than that I had to learn everything on my own. Books became your best friend back than but now you have the internet and so many more opportunities available.
Were there any challenges when you started out?
There were many challenges from finding supplies, to finding customers to finding time and lets not forget finding start up money. Yes you will have many bumps in the road, but if you are willing to do the research and put in the time, you can make it.
Is there anything you have learned that you wish you had known from the start?
Yes, I wish I had not tried every get rich scheme that came down the pike. I should have chosen my niche and learned all there was about it and stuck with it.
What are your hours like? Do you work from home?
When I first started I spent many more hours working than if I had a traditional job, but this is just what you do to get started. Than I gradually would work during the day when the kids were in school. With the internet it is even better because you can work a couple of hours here or there when ever you want. You can create knitwear and ship 24 hours a day now.
Do you still enjoy knitting now that it is your business as well as your hobby, and whats the best part of knitting for a living?
Yes I still enjoy it and always will. I love working with the yarns, patterns and colors. It is fun just to see it all come together into a beautiful article. The best part of knitting for a living is I can choose my own hours, it doesn’t matter if I am working at 12:00 noon or 12:00 midnight. My family was always first for me and this made it so much easier to have both family and income.
What's the hardest part?
I know this sounds contradictory but it is that you have times and seasons when the orders flood you and you HAVE to work long into the night. Especially with my product the holidays were extremely busy and the phone rang non-stop with more orders. When I choose to work at midnight I didn’t mind, but I hated to disappoint people and say “Sorry I just can’t get that done in the time you want it”
Do you have any tips for someone who is just starting out?
First you have to have a product people like and want – if you don’t have that than you need to find one. Than you have to get it out in the public’s eye, you need the product and you need the customers to buy it. And you need to take your knitting business seriously – give it 150% if you want to succeed. With all the sales avenues available now, you have a better chance of success today than I did 20 some years ago – you have the Internet and that is a tremendous advantage alone. If you want your own business and are willing to work at it, you can do it.
Read more about Linda and her knitting business on her website at www.knitting-n-crochet.com, where you'll also find her books, patterns and some great information about starting a machine knitting business.
Machine Knitting Success Story – Diana from Wizardknits
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Diana learned to knit from her great grandmother, and although she didn't realise it at the time, the skills she developed put her on the path to becoming a true “knitterpreneur”.
Like so many knitting businesses, it started as a hobby and grew over time into a full-time occupation. Now Diana enjoys spending her days doing what she loves to do. Read on to find how she has created a fantastic niche knitting business that grows and grows, with an advertising budget of zero!
Diana's knitterpreneur journey started back in 1975 when her daughter was born. After learning from her great grandmother how to knit complete garments for her dolls, she started doing the same for her daughter. Neighbors noticed her creations and started asking her to knit for their children too.
Diana offered a very personalised service, with her customers able to choose colours and adjust styles and sizing, and very soon she could hardly keep up with demand. Even after moving interstate and starting her knitting business over, her customer base quickly grew as word spread about her unique and high quality creations including children's clothes and layettes. Even today she knits for the same customers, but now it's for their grandchildren!
The Switch To Machine Knitting
It was at this point in her business that she realised she just couldn't keep up with hand knitting alone, so Diana invested in a knitting machine and hasn't looked back. After figuring out how to use the machine herself, she also began teaching others. This included demonstrations in yarn-stores, craft shows, school events and adult education classes.
Throughout her knitting career, Diana has used every one of the five “Knitting For Profit” strategies. She has done contract knitting for designers to test patterns and correct mistakes, she taught others how to knit, she has re-created vintage knitwear for a Parisian couturier, she has designed knitting patterns of her own, and also created unique made-to-order garments for theatre, vintage and historical costuming. She never tires of knitting, because something new and interesting is always available!
How Diana's Son Changed Her Whole Business…
Diana's knitting business now includes a great niche market and whole new marketing strategy, all because her son wanted to go to a convention dressed as Harry Potter in a Hogwarts uniform. She knitted up a woollen scarf and school sweater for him, and suddenly there were requests from friends and other fans for the same. Her son posted the items on the internet, and they got more orders than they could fill – the scarves selling out in just 3 hours!
Diana's knitting service had always been so personalised she hadn't thought that she would be able to sell online, but after the success of the scarves and sweaters she created wizardknits.com and found that her high quality garments and personalised service were a winning formula online as well as off.
She has not spent a cent on advertising – all her traffic and orders come from word of mouth and referrals. People from around the world now know her name and will seek her out to get their knitted wizarding garments.
The secret she says, is authenticity. When you buy from wizardknits, you get a quality product of 100% wool that has the most authentic design and colours available. And the second most important factors are customisation and service. She tailors each sweater to suit her customers and always maintains communication with them. She will answer each and every email because “If you want to get a sale, you need to act like you are interested and respond to questions. Working on the internet is not the same as being live in front of someone, but you still need to communicate with people!”
The Problem Of Pricing?
Every knitterpreneur has to contend with the issue of pricing – valuing your time and skills can be hard – and Diana was no different. “I have spent sleepless nights trying to figure out what is a fair price for me, but also working out how much someone would be willing to spend, and I know I would pay almost any price to get something that fit me and looked great. In the end, you need to look at it that way, get the best materials and make it as something you would buy yourself”.
She has found that her most expensive products actually sell just as well (if not better) than her lower priced ones, which shows that people are willing to pay more when they are getting a high quality niche product that they won't find anywhere else.
Stock Control And Minimising Costs
Diana has some great advice for keeping costs down. Once you find your niche and know what knitted products you are going to provide you'll be able to order your yarns in bulk and from yarn wholesalers rather than retail. Diana has found that by knitting to order (and having virtually no stock) she can order only the yarn she needs, so she doesn't have costly leftovers lying around and she doesn't need lots of space to store stock.
Diana's Advice For Starting Out?
“The first thing you need to do is decide whether you are ready to spend the time to make your knitting into a business. You can be knitting furiously all day but it doesn't make a knitting business, there are a lot of things that go with it. If you spend the hours to start the right way, and if you set it up correctly then it pretty much runs itself.”
And Her Advice For Starting Machine Knitting…
“There's a big learning curve with a knitting machine, in my opinion you need to spend the money and get a good quality machine. So you need to decide if your knitting business is ready for it – do you have enough orders and business to warrant it? A knitting machine is an investment, I take it off in my tax return, and my business did not warrant one in the beginning, but it came to a point where I just couldn't keep up with demand and it really helped.”
“There are many different kinds of knitting machine so you need one that suits your business and the kind of knitwear you produce. Stay away from plastic machines, and get one with accessories because once you have achieved the learning curve and are comfortable with it, you want your knitting machine to be able to grow with you as you are able to do more complex designs.”
“Remember its a learning experience, you shouldn't assume that you can buy a knitting machine and instantly have a sweater, even the knitting on a machine takes a long time to learn. It will speed things up in the end, and if you are knitting the same things over and over again then its perfect”
Her Favourite Part Of Knitting For Profit?
“I just enjoy the knitting, and knowing that the person on the other end just can't wait to get what I'm making for them. You would think I would get tired of knitting these, but they are all different – different sizes and colours. I knit hundreds of sweaters and scarves a year, so you can't do that without really loving it!
And it's the unsolicited testimonials and that they are always pleasantly surprised when they open their package from me, that's what I enjoy hearing”
Visit Diana's website at www.wizardknits.com and if you would like to know more or ask any questions you can contact her by clicking here.
Make Money From Knitting – The Top 5 Questions
Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Here are the answers to the 5 most common questions I get about Knitting For Profit. If you have another to add to the list, feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to include the answers in another post, perhaps titled "A whole lot more questions about Knitting and Crocheting for Profit!"
Do I need lots of money to start up a knitting or crochet business?
The great news for knitters is…NO! Having a big idea and goal is great, but the best way to start a business is small, and you really don't need much money to begin with. In fact, most of the successful knitters I have found started out with very little money – many were work-at-home mothers or students.
Knitting Business Start-up Tip…
One of the secrets to business success is to test your markets, so you can provide what the market really wants, rather than what you think they want. To do this, you don't need to knit or crochet a huge range all at once. Start out with one or two knitted products at a time, see how well they sell, and focus on the ones that do well. There's an old rule that 80% of your profits will come from 20% of your products, so that's what you need to try and find. The actual costs of starting up a business vary around the world, but these are the main things you will need to allow for in your start-up budget:
1. Your knitting supplies and yarn
2. Some promotional material like business cards and brochures
3. Business registration or license
4. Insurance
5. Some advertising like a website, craft shows, local paper or yellow pages etc.
Do I need to have business experience to start knitting or crocheting for profit?
If you read the knitting success stories here on this blog and in my Knitting for Profit book, you'll see that most of these knitter women had absolutely no business experience when they first started out. And when you think about it, every successful business person had to start somewhere. Most of them admit they just jumped in and learned things as they went along! If you would like help from the start, there are lots of government and not-for-profit organisations that offer start-up support and advice. My Knitting for Profit book has a step-by-step guide to starting a knitting business, and links to these resources in many countries around the world. And I think it's really interesting that the most common piece of advice that successful business people give to newbies is not about complex business strategies or start-up budgets, it is simply…. 'Just do it!'
Knitting for $$$ – Can it really be done?
Absolutely!! In my extensive worldwide research I have found many examples of successful knitters making money from their passion. One of my main reasons for writing this blog and my book 'Knitting for Profit' was to share these amazing and inspirational stories of knitter women who have achieved their dream of making money from knitting or crochet. You can read some of their stories here on this blog. When you do, you will realise that they started out just like you, some with no money, some with no business experience, some with small children and mortgages. Anything is possible, especially when you have the right information and resources to start with.
What if I'm not a good salesperson, or I don't think I would enjoy trying to sell my knitted products?
Selling your products is just as achievable as knitting or crocheting your products, it may be new to you and feel a bit strange at first, but once you learn the three simple rules of selling (see my blog article 'Three Essential Rules For Selling Your Knitting'), you'll see that sales is much more about genuinely helping your customers choose what's best for them, rather than pushing them into something they don't really want. Besides, there are many ways to sell your knitted products without ever having to talk to the buyer, and if you make a great product that appeals to a niche market then you won't have to sell it, because it will sell itself!
What do I do first?
The very first steps for starting your knitting business are actually the easiest and most exciting ones! This is the part where you get to shop around for ideas and inspiration, decide on your path and begin your journey.
Step 1: Research your market and assess your knitting skills and desires. One of my goals in writing the Knitting for Profit book was to make this process easy for you. I have uncovered and developed five main strategies that you can use to make money from knitting and crochet (in the Knitting For Profit book I go into great detail about these five strategies). You need to choose one of these paths based on your knitting skills and what you are attracted to.
Step 2: Find your niche market and decide how you will make your knitted products stand out. This is absolutely essential for your success.
Step 3: Write a business plan. This will be your map to guide you on your 'knitterpreneur' journey. It will help you decide who your customers will be, what knitted products you will sell, where and how you will sell them, and what knitter resources you will need to start out. There are lots of standard business plan templates available for free online (have a look on the US small business site, it has a fantastic range of resources for new businesses at www.sba.gov), or you can use the specialised Knitting Business Plan Template that comes as an extra bonus with the Knitting For Profit book.
At the risk of sounding repetitive… 
if you would like to know more about these steps and how you can easily achieve them, read more about my new Knitting for Profit book at www.KnittingForProfit.com
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!
What is Knitting For Profit? And What Is A Knitterpreneur?
Friday, March 6th, 2009
“Knitting for Profit” means you are making money from your knitting skills (yay!!). This can be achieved in a variety of ways, but how do you become a true "Knitterpreneur"??
Knitting For Profit could mean you are selling the pieces you knit, or it could mean you are getting paid to teach other people how to knit, or you could be earning money from your knitting designs or knitting patterns. Whichever way you earn, you are being paid for your knitting skills and talents, and you have become a ‘business owner’, no matter how much or little money you are making, or whether you officially call yourself a business or not!
You see, there are many different levels of ‘business’. You may think of a knitting empire. A large fashion-knit design company, or popular knitting or crochet magazine, or perhaps a large established knitting pattern design company or yarn manufacturer. Million dollar turnovers, worldwide distribution and teams of staff. This is a big vision, but entirely possible as shown by the large knitting companies that already exist.
Or you might be thinking of a smaller knitting business. Based at home or in a retail shop, one or two employees and creating enough income for you to live your knitting passion and be surrounded by the things and people you love. Lots of knitters live this vision by owning yarn-stores.
Or what about just a bit of extra income for the family? Not getting rich, but having enough to be able to stay at home and care for your children. Enough to keep your family comfortable, and let you keep on expressing your creative spirit.
Or perhaps you just think of knitting. A micro-business that lets you buy all the yarn you desire, and makes enough so you can knit for free!
No matter what your goal or vision, if you make money from your knitting, you are knitting for profit, and you are what we call a ‘Knitterpreneur’.
We believe anyone who starts a business, no matter how big or small, must have some entrepreneurial spirit in them! So we created the word ‘Knitterpreneur’ to describe all of the amazing people who go on that journey using knitting or crochet.
Get some inspiration and ideas from the real live stories of Knitterpreneurs on this blog – have a look in the ‘Success Stories’ category for them. They are well worth the few minutes it takes to read! There are also more in depth interviews in my book "Knitting For Profit".
I hope you’ll join us in the Knitterpreneur community, by learning all the tips and tricks to Knitting for Profit found here and in my book. My book is designed to be a step by step guide to helping you become a successful knitterpreneur. And if you would like to share your own story with us all, please contact me at liz@knittingforprofit.com, I’d love to hear from you!
Welcome to the Knitting For Profit Blog!
Friday, February 27th, 2009
Welcome to the Knitting For Profit Blog. Here you will find lots of great information and ideas about how you can make money from knitting. You will find stories of real women who successfully knit for profit, and lots of great information about setting up and running a home based business. I hope you enjoy the Knitting For Profit Blog, if you have any questions about making money from knitting, please contact me at liz@knittingforprofit.com. Enjoy!
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About Liz
Welcome! My name is Liz and I am a work at home mother of two. I am also the author of the new book “Knitting for Profit”. I have created this blog to give you more great information, ideas and resources for making money from your knitting passion! [more]
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