Wool Goddess

Person: I think I’ll quit my job and become a crocheter like you!

Me: Let’s break this down and take a closer look at the reality of it.

First things first, I’m not running a crochet business. Crochet is my hobby, and while I do have an Etsy shop, it’s not my main source of income. I’d love to keep everything I make, but let’s be honest, I’d end up both broke and buried under a mountain of yarn! So, I keep some pieces, gift others to loved ones, donate to local charity shops, and sell a few items on Etsy.

Person: But surely you make a massive profit on what you sell, right?

Me: Let’s crunch the numbers.

I recently made a small child’s waistcoat and listed it on Etsy for £15.

Here’s the breakdown of costs:

Yarn (Drops Nepal, 2 balls @ £2.40 each): £4.80

Etsy Fees: ~£2.60 (including listing, transaction, payment processing & regulatory fees)

Packaging (box & tissue): ~£0.50

Postage (First Class Large Letter): £2.60

That brings the total cost to £10.50 before even factoring in my time.

Now, let’s talk about labour. A piece like this takes several hours to complete, but since I don’t pay myself for my time, the remaining £4.50 is technically “profit.” But rather than pocketing it, I save all my Etsy earnings and donate the total to charity at the end of each year.

So, is selling crochet a get-rich-quick scheme? Not exactly. But for me, it’s a fulfilling hobby that brings joy, and sometimes, a little extra support for good causes.

Would I recommend quitting your job for it?

Probably not. But if you love crochet, selling a few pieces here and there can be a nice way to share your work and give back at the same time.

Love & hugs