How To Make Money Knitting (Even as a Beginner)

I have a friend who was so passionate about knitting that she monetized her talent by selling knitwear on Etsy. 

Her zeal and determination inspired me to break the barriers of conventional 9-5, which led me to discover this side hustle idea with limitless opportunities.

If you’d like to learn how to make money knitting, you’ve come to the right place. It’s high time you found the courage to turn your hobby into a money-making scheme. 

But what if you don’t know how to knit? Should you close this page and look for another article focusing on achieving something easier?

Well, the answer is no. When I was 16, my friend gifted me knitting needles, and it took me about three months to learn the craft. 

If I could do it, there’s no reason you can’t, either. Plus, you don’t need to go to school to learn to knit. You can utilize plenty of free resources to learn the craft and make money quickly. 

Ready to discover a fun, flexible, and convenient new side hustle? Read more for insights on earning a living as a knitter.

How To Make Money Knitting 

There are unlimited ways to make money knitting. It’s you and your knitting needles against the world. 

If you prefer online dealings without meeting customers, selling your knitting through platforms like Etsy is an excellent idea. 

However, if you enjoy engaging with people in person, I recommend selling your items at craft fairs or running knitting workshops in your neighborhood. 

Whether you’re an avid writer, blogger, social media influencer, or YouTuber, you can incorporate knitting into your day-to-day to make extra cash. 

1. Start an E-Commerce Store 

Selling knit items online is one of the most common ways to make money knitting. Etsy is especially popular in such crafts. 

The process is simple. You only need to sign up, add a few listings and product descriptions, and then you’ll be good to go. 

You can start and customize your Etsy storefront for free. Ensure to choose a theme that resonates with your brand and target audience. 

For instance, you can blend colors like pink and white if you’re targeting teenage girls and young ladies. However, blue and black may be handy to cater to the male audience.

Either way, individual preferences may vary, so conducting market research is essential before establishing your business. 

Creating listings on Etsy is also easy. Simply take clear photos of your knit products, add detailed descriptions and prices, and then post them on the platform.

It’s worth noting that Etsy charges a $0.20 fee per listing and a 6.5% transaction fee for every complete sale.

Some knit ideas that sell well on Etsy include:

• Baby outfits 
• Vests 
• Cardigans 
• Socks 
• Sweaters 
• Beanies 
• Knitting patterns 
• Knitting worksheets 

2. Start a Knitting Blog 

Are you a knitter who’s passionate about writing? If so, starting a knitting blog where you can share knowledge and insights about knitting is an excellent idea. 

The income potential of blogging is high, so it’s one of my favorite side hustles. There are several ways to monetize a blog, including:

• Affiliate marketing 
• Sponsored posts 
• Running ads 
• Selling knitting patterns 
• Selling your knit products 

While this is a fantastic way to make money knitting, starting a blog can be challenging initially. You need to invest capital into a good domain name and hosting platform. 

You must also invest time and effort into growing your blog through effective marketing strategies, such as social media and email marketing. 

Consider offering free patterns and tips on your blog to draw in more potential clients and grow your readership. 

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3. Freelance Write Knitting Articles 

If you’re passionate about knitting and writing but don’t want to invest time, money, and effort into starting a blog, freelance writing may be a good option.  

Knitting blogs, websites, and magazines always seek experienced writers to create captivating content. You can leverage your knowledge of knitting and writing experience to make money in this field. 

Fiverr and Upwork are the best places to begin because they have numerous job postings, including knitting articles. Furthermore, signing up on these platforms is free. 

Start by compiling several articles to create a portfolio. Then, sign up on these freelance platforms and submit your job pitch. 

As a freelance writer, you can make between $15 and $100 hourly, depending on the type of article. 

However, the disadvantage with sites like Upwork and Fiverr is that you may need to offer low prices to get noticed due to the competitive nature of the platforms.

If you don’t mind, you can work at the lower end and upgrade with experience and expertise. However, selling yourself too short may reduce your motivation. 

4. Sell Knitting Patterns 

Digital content will always be my go-to semi-passive source of income. I like digital products because you can resell them repeatedly without needing constant recreation. 

You only need to review them occasionally to ensure they align with current trends. Knitting patterns are the most common digital products. 

You can sell them as Printables on Etsy, eBay, Love Crafts, or your website. You can also sell them alongside knitting worksheets to provide a holistic approach to your clients. 

While this is a superb idea for making money knitting, making patterns is complex, and you must stand out to make money. 

Your designs must be unique because people will likely buy patterns with a unique touch. 

The best part is that selling knitting patterns is highly profitable. The Velvet Acorn store on Etsy has made over 430,000 sales from selling knitting patterns. 

You can grow your business to such numbers with the right strategies, motivation, and perseverance. 

5. Write a Knitting Book 

Knitting books are still common among knitters, even in the age of social media and technology. You can compile several patterns, stitch libraries, and tutorials to curate and publish a book. 

I’m sure you’re wondering how to do this without spending much money at a publishing house. 

The best part about this option is you can self-publish your books if you don’t want to work with publishers or agents. 

That said, other advantages of self-publishing your books include low barriers to entry and higher profit margins.

If you’re considering this option, IngamSpark is an excellent platform. Once you’ve published your knitting book, you can sell it on Amazon or Kindle. 

Now that you’re choosing to self-publish instead of working with a publisher, you’re responsible for marketing, which can make or break your business.

Leverage social media, blogs, and podcasts to promote your book even before it hits the market. Once it’s out, you can improve sales through affiliate marketing. 

6. Sell Photos of Your Knitting  

Selling stock photos of your knitting is possible since most knitting blogs and websites use such pictures in their content. 

If you’re passionate about photography, combine it with your knitting talent to make extra cash. 

Start by making an item, like a scarf or beanie, and then stage it well for a photoshoot. Ensure your pictures are clear and high quality. Otherwise, no one will buy them. 

You’ll need to invest in a good camera and utilize natural lighting when taking photos. Once ready to showcase your work, upload your pictures to Shutterstock, Getty Images, and Adobe Stock to make extra cash. 

7. Create an Online Course 

Do you always look for ways to share your knowledge with others? If you enjoy teaching, creating an online course is better than selling patterns and books. 

Unlike a book, an online course would allow you to delve further into the content and address your students’ queries firsthand. 

I like this option because you can create your course anywhere: at home, in your favorite cafe, or on the beach. 

Furthermore, it’s an ideal passive income source. You can make money years after launching the course without additional effort. This aspect makes online courses the best digital products to sell online. 

For instance, I came across a knitting course by Lily Love on Udemy, which costs about $49.99. She last updated the course in 2021, and over 1,600 people have purchased it. You can make this your reality, too. 

8. Sell Knitting Supplies 

If you prefer hands-on activities to teaching, selling knitting supplies can be another way to leverage your creativity, empower others, and earn money.

You can sell knitting materials, like:

• Yarn 
• Needle sets  
• Needle organizers 
• Pattern books 
• Knitting looms 
• Tape measures 

You can provide unique products by dyeing yarn to produce unique colors. You can also customize knitting needles to your target audience’s taste. 

What you can do in this money-making venture is limitless. Feel free to harness the power of your creativity beyond the imaginable.   

Once your supplies are ready, you can make money online by setting up shop on Etsy or eBay. You can also set up a physical shop or sell your items at craft fairs. 

9. Become a Social Media Influencer 

The advent of social media has introduced a new avenue for earning an income: social media influencing.

But how can you leverage social media if you’ve never used it? Or perhaps you’ve only garnered 100 Instagram followers since you joined the platform years ago.  

Don’t be discouraged. Remember that even the most successful people were beginners at some point. Even Naztazia, one of the most followed knitters on Instagram, had to start from somewhere. 

Create accounts on Instagram, X, Pinterest, and Facebook to get started. To avoid getting overwhelmed, begin with one platform and move to the rest as you gain footing. 

From there, create high-quality content around knitting to attract your target audience. Don’t stop there. Consider partnering with other influencers to gain more followers. 

Once you have a sufficient fanbase, sign up for affiliate programs within the knitting niche and work with brands to promote finished products or knitting supplies. 

For instance, you can partner with a company that produces yarn, have them send free yarn, make an item, and sell it on your social media pages.

You can also use your social media influence to start your brand and establish yourself as a renowned knitter. 

10. Start a YouTube Channel 

Another way to make money knitting in 2024 is by creating a YouTube channel. It’s not uncommon to see people making millions annually from YouTube alone. 

The most significant challenge on YouTube is growing your fanbase. You can collaborate with other YouTubers to tap into their audiences. 

Unlike other side hustle ideas you can start for free, you must invest in high-quality equipment to attract potential customers on YouTube. 

How do you feel when you come across a low-quality video? You probably scroll right past them. In the same way, don’t subject your audience to that kind of torture. 

Once you gain substantial subscribers, you can monetize your YouTube channel through affiliate marketing, selling your knit products, and running ads. 

Here are some of the best YouTube knitting channels for inspiration:

• The Snugglery
• Hoop and Home
• PRDA Knitting

11. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a broad option on its own and worth considering if you want to make money knitting. 

It involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission on completed sales. Most commission rates range between 1% and 30%.

Many people believe affiliate marketing only works with blogs and social media, but you can also become an affiliate marketer through the following avenues:

• Online communities and forums
• Reviews on e-commerce platforms like Amazon 
• Webinars and workshops 
• Podcasts 
• Email marketing 
• YouTube 
• Offline avenues, like brochures and flyers 

Affiliate marketing is possible as long as you have an audience. It doesn’t matter which approach you use. You’ll still earn commissions if you make sales. 

If you’re interested in affiliate marketing within the knitting niche, search for relevant programs on Google. 

12. Become a Test Knitter 

If you’re interested in making money purely from knitting and avoiding the administrative and marketing duties associated with starting a business and running a social media account. 

In that case, test knitting might work for you.

Your duties as a test knitter would be to knit samples and test the accuracy and adaptability of knitting patterns made by other designers. 

The only disadvantage of test knitting is that it has a lower income potential than the other options on this list. 

It may not replace your day job, but you can work on multiple projects to maximize your income. 

Furthermore, the industry is competitive as designers constantly seek the most experienced people to trust with their products. Therefore, you must ensure your portfolio is up to standard. 

13. Become a Technical Editor 

A technical editor is like a proofreader but for knitting patterns. Your job as a technical editor would be to review knitting patterns and confirm the accuracy of the math behind them.

Simply put, you must ensure the pattern corresponds to the pattern photo. Most technical editors quote a flat rate fee, depending on the project’s complexity. 

You can find knitting technical gigs on Upwork, Indeed, or Fiverr. 

Tips for Making Money Knitting

Now that you have a few ideas on how to make money knitting, here are some bonus tips to ensure you get ahead of the competition.

Make Unique Products 

Knitwear is an excellent idea, but the market is competitive because it’s among the most common knit products. 

You can gain a competitive edge by adding a unique touch to your products by creating custom designs, using unique stitching patterns, or incorporating creative color combinations. 

Another option is going for exclusive products outside the conventional scarves, beanies, and blankets. For instance, you can knit the following products:

• Tech accessories, like phone cases and laptop sleeves
• Food replicas 
• Kitchen linen
• Art sculptures 
• Pet accessories 

Price Your Knitting Right 

It’s tempting to underprice your items and services as you enter the market niche, but this isn’t always a good idea. Some people associate cheap with low quality, so you may lose potential customers. 

On the other hand, overpricing your items isn’t a good idea, especially if you’re yet to establish your brand. 

My advice? 

Conduct market research to determine how knitters price similar products and services. If you want to start an Etsy store, scout the platform to get inspiration from well-established knitters.

There are many online testimonials from knitters who have made it in the field, either through blogging, YouTube, or affiliate marketing. Check them out to find the direction that works for you. 

Focus on Establishing Your Brand 

Laying a firm foundation for your brand from the beginning helps you build lasting connections with clients. 

Don’t wait until you have 10k Instagram followers to establish your brand. Ensure anyone interacting with you associates quality with your brand, even in the initial steps. 

How can you achieve that?

Firstly, choose a unique theme and style that resonates with your knitting business and target audience. Have a signature that reminds people of your brand every time they see it. 

Let everything in your business, from packaging to storefront and service delivery, reflect your brand. In other words, give your brand the power to speak for itself.

For instance, you can include a forget-me-not, like a small thank-you card,  in your packaging to encourage customers to make subsequent purchases. 

Leverage Social Media 

Social media is an invaluable tool for a knitting business. With a well-run account, you can tap into the world market. 

You don’t need to hire a social media manager if you can’t afford it. Simply create high-quality, captivating content that resonates with your audience and post consistently to keep your followers engaged. 

Also, engaging with followers in the comments section, live streams, and direct messages makes them feel appreciated and encourages them to purchase your products and interact with your content.

Working with social media influencers to market your brand is also an excellent way to put your business on the world map.

Don’t Compromise on Quality 

The quality of your products and service delivery speaks volumes about your brand. Therefore, this isn’t an area you want to compromise. 

Ensure you find reputable suppliers offering high-quality materials at the best prices. They must also be reliable, especially during peak seasons.

Also, cross all your Ts and dot all your Is before delivering a finished product to your clients. Furthermore, meeting deadlines portrays you as a reputable seller. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Knitting a Profitable Business?

Knitting is a profitable business if you play your cards right. You can expand your reach and gain more clients by leveraging effective marketing skills like social media and email marketing. 

You can also increase profits by delving into best-selling products, offering competitive prices, and investing in building brand recognition. 

How Do I Start My Own Knitting Business?

You can start a knitting business by following the following steps:

• Refine your skills 
• Choose a niche, e.g., knitwear, accessories, or pet items 
• Outline your goals and strategies in a business plan 
• Review state laws and get relevant licenses 
• Set up your shop, online or physical
• Source inventory from reputable suppliers
• Market your business 
• Expand your network 
• Deliver products 

What Knitting Sells Best? 

Some of the best-selling knit items on Etsy include:

• Knitwear like beanies, sweaters, and blankets 
• Knitted baby clothes 
• Supplies like yarn 
• Home Decor 
• Knitting patterns 
• Accessories like bags 

Final Thoughts

If you were wondering how to make money knitting, I hope you’ve spotted several ideas worth trying by now. 

Starting a business is challenging, and you may never start if you wait until the right time. Learning and doing can take place simultaneously, so just get started!

Remember to research the best way forward and choose an option that best suits your needs and aligns with your passions and interests.

Looking for other ways to make money? Check out these posts:

• How To Make Money Dropshipping
• How To Make Money Drawing
• How To Make Money on Etsy