I love knitting. It’s relaxing, creative, and fun. But did you know you can also make money from it? If you enjoy knitting, you can turn it into a side hustle or even a full-time job.

You don’t need a big business plan to start. There are simple ways to earn from your skills.  You can sell handmade items online or at craft fairs. Custom orders are another great option. People love getting unique, hand-knit gifts.

Teaching knitting is another way to earn. Many beginners are eager to learn, and you can share your skills with them.  

Making money from knitting takes time, but it’s possible. You just need the right approach. In this guide, I’ll share different ways to turn your knitting into income.

Let’s get started and find the best way to earn from what you love.

Is It Possible to Make a Living from Knitting?

Many people wonder if knitting can be a reliable source of income. The answer is yes, but it takes time, effort, and planning.

Pros of Making Money from Knitting

• You get to do something you love.
• You can work from home.
• There are different ways to earn money (selling, teaching, designing, etc.).
• Handmade products are always in demand.

Challenges of Earning from Knitting

• Knitting takes time, so it’s hard to produce items in bulk.
• Finding customers can take effort.
• Pricing handmade items fairly can be tricky.

By planning well and choosing the right methods, you can overcome these challenges and turn your knitting skills into income.

The Best Ways to Make Money Knitting

1. Sell Your Knitted Items

One of the most direct ways to make money knitting is by selling your finished projects. People love handmade items because they are special and one-of-a-kind.

What Can You Knit and Sell?

Not all knitted items sell well. Some are more popular than others. Here are the best items to make and sell:

• Hats and Beanies: Quick to make and always in demand.
• Scarves and Cowls: Great for beginners and easy to sell.
• Socks: Many people love soft, hand-knit socks.
• Baby Blankets and Clothes: Parents often look for unique, soft baby items.
• Sweaters and Cardigans: These take more time but sell for higher prices.
• Mittens and Gloves: Great for colder months, and people love warm, hand-knit gloves.
• Dishcloths and Coasters: Small, useful items that are easy to sell in bundles.
• Pet Sweaters and Accessories: Pet owners love dressing up their furry friends.

Where to Sell Your Knitted Creations

Now that you know what to sell, let’s talk about where to sell:

• Etsy: One of the best online marketplaces for handmade goods.
• eBay: Great for selling one-of-a-kind items.
• Facebook Marketplace: Easy way to sell locally or ship items.
• Instagram and TikTok: Show off your work and sell directly to followers.
• Local Craft Fairs: Many people love shopping for handmade goods in person.
• Boutiques and Gift Shops: Some stores will sell handmade items on consignment.

To be successful, take high-quality photos, write clear descriptions, and set fair prices that cover your costs and time.

2. Take Custom Orders

Selling ready-made items is great, but taking custom orders can be even better. Many customers want something personalized and are willing to pay more for it.

How to Get Custom Knitting Orders

• Offer Customization: Let customers choose colors, patterns, and sizes.
• Promote on Social Media: Post your work on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok and mention you take custom orders.
• Ask for Word-of-Mouth Referrals: Friends and family can help spread the word.
• Join Knitting Groups: Facebook groups and online forums often have people looking for knitters.
• Sell on Etsy or Ravelry: Both platforms allow buyers to request custom-made items.

Custom orders take more time but can be priced higher, making them a profitable way to sell knitting.

3. Teach Knitting Classes

Do you love sharing your knitting skills? Teaching others can be a great way to make money while helping beginners learn.

Ways to Teach Knitting

• In-Person Classes: Offer lessons at community centers, libraries, or craft stores.
• One-on-One Lessons: Teach beginners in person or online.
• YouTube Tutorials: Start a YouTube channel and earn money from ads.
• Online Courses: Create courses and sell them on Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable.

If you love interacting with people, teaching knitting is a great way to earn money while doing something you enjoy.

4. Sell Knitting Patterns

Instead of selling finished items, you can sell the patterns for others to knit themselves. This is a great way to make passive income since you can sell the same pattern multiple times.

Where to Sell Knitting Patterns

• Etsy: Many knitters buy digital patterns on Etsy.
• Ravelry: A popular platform for selling and buying knitting patterns.
• Your Own Website: Selling patterns on your website gives you full control.
• Knitting Magazines: Submit patterns to knitting magazines for publication.

Selling patterns takes less time than knitting the actual item, and once you create a pattern, it can keep earning money for years.

5. Start a Knitting Blog

If you enjoy writing, starting a knitting blog can be another way to make money. A blog allows you to share knitting tips, tutorials, and patterns while earning income.

Ways to Make Money from a Knitting Blog

• Ads: Place ads on your blog and earn money from views and clicks.
• Affiliate Marketing: Recommend knitting supplies and earn a commission when people buy through your links.
• Sponsored Posts: Work with knitting brands to promote their products.
• Sell Your Own Patterns: Offer knitting patterns as digital downloads.

Blogging takes time, but once it grows, it can become a steady source of income.

6. Sell Knitting Supplies

You don’t have to sell knitted items to make money. Selling knitting supplies is another great option.

Knitting Supplies You Can Sell

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Stitch markers
• Knitting kits
• Project bags

If you don’t want to open a store, you can also become an affiliate for brands that sell knitting supplies and earn commissions from sales.

7. Offer Finishing Services

Many knitters love creating projects but don’t like sewing pieces together or adding final touches. If you are good at finishing work, you can charge for this service.

Finishing Services You Can Offer

• Seaming and Blocking: Help knitters assemble and shape their projects.
• Fixing Mistakes: Offer to correct knitting errors.
• Custom Embellishments: Add embroidery, buttons, or decorations.

This is a niche market, but if you find the right customers, it can be very profitable.

8. Start a YouTube Channel

Many people look for video tutorials to help them learn new knitting techniques. If you’re comfortable on camera, starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to earn money.

Ways to Earn on YouTube

• Ad Revenue: Earn money from ads on your videos.
• Sponsorships: Partner with knitting brands.
• Affiliate Links: Recommend knitting products and earn commissions.
• Memberships: Offer exclusive content for paying subscribers.

It takes time to grow a YouTube channel, but once you do, it can be a great income source.

Pricing Your Knitted Items: How Much Should You Charge?

One of the biggest challenges in selling handmade goods is setting the right price.

Factors to Consider When Pricing Knitting Projects

• Cost of Materials: Yarn, needles, packaging, etc.
• Time Spent: Knitting takes time, and you should be paid fairly.
• Market Demand: Look at similar products and see what others are charging.
• Profit Margin: Make sure your price includes a profit, not just costs.

A simple pricing formula:
(Cost of Materials + Hourly Wage x Time Spent) x 2 = Selling Price

Conclusion

Knitting can be more than just a hobby. It can also be a way to make money. With some effort and planning, you can turn your skills into income.

There are many ways to do this. You can sell finished products, take custom orders, or design patterns. Teaching others is another great option. Some people even make money through blogging or YouTube.  

Finding the right way to earn depends on your skills, time, and interests. Selling handmade items works well if you enjoy creating. 

It’s important to be patient. Building a successful knitting business takes time. You may need to try different ideas before finding what works best. Keep learning, improving, and sharing your work. The more effort you put in, the more rewarding it will be. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is teaching knitting a good way to make money?

If you enjoy sharing your skills, teaching can be very rewarding. You can offer in-person classes, private lessons, or online courses. Many people also earn money by making knitting tutorial videos on YouTube.

How long does it take to start making money from knitting?

It depends on the method you choose. Selling knitted items can bring in money right away, while building a blog or YouTube channel takes time. Consistency and good marketing help speed up the process.

What’s the best way to balance knitting and selling?

Plan your time wisely. If knitting takes too long, consider selling digital products like patterns or offering knitting classes. Finding a balance between production and promotion is key.