SMALL STITCHES, BIG BUSINESS

Turn your crochet skills into cash with our guide to selling your favourite creations online

- Sophie Tarrant

The UK craft industry is booming, so why not make the most of the trend – and the extra time many of us have had this year to practise our hobby – by launching a creative business? We caught up with some of our favourite crochet designers to find out how to get started.

PICK YOUR PASSION

The first step in launching any successful business is to think about what you’re most passionate about, and what you want to achieve – do you want to make items to order, or are you looking to sell things that you’ve already made? Will this business be a side-hustle, or will it be your full-time career? Working on something you truly love is a sure-fire way to stay inspired by your work – and if you can fill a gap in the market whilst you’re at it, that’s even better.

Designer Lisa Sturmey first launched her business Ellie’s Craft Boutique two years ago, after her daughter (who the business is named after) asked her to make an amigurumi unicorn – which to this day is still her most popular design. “Selling my designs started with friends and family asking if I could make something for them after seeing my crocheted toys,” she explains. “Then their friends would get in touch too, so I decided to try and branch out. I still sell my toys, but I’m now trying to focus more on the design side of things because it’s my absolute passion.”