🧶 From handmade crochet to a sustainable pattern business.

One of the questions I get asked most is why I switched from selling finished crochet products to designing patterns. The short answer is that it changed everything for me.

When I first started this business, I genuinely thought success would look like a handful of custom orders each week and maybe earning a small side income. I never imagined it could become something stable or consistent.

But as my business grew — especially on Instagram — I realised I couldn’t keep up with handmade orders in a way that worked for my life. As a mum, I simply didn’t have the time to spend hours crocheting custom pieces while trying to be present at home. I needed something that could fit around my family, not compete with it.

My rheumatoid arthritis also played a big part in that decision. Constantly crocheting for long periods wasn’t sustainable for my body, and I knew I had to find a way to continue doing what I love without pushing myself into burnout or pain.

Switching to patterns made sense on every level. It allowed me to step away from repetitive making, while still staying creative and still building a business I could grow. And over time, it turned into something far more stable than I ever expected.

And let me be clear — crochet pattern sales are just one part of the picture. There are so many other income streams in this space, including brand collaborations, subscriber content, and YouTube revenue.

What surprised me most is that one pattern in particular tends to bring in the majority of my sales — around 90% — and when it goes viral, it can completely change the week’s income overnight. Going viral isn’t the goal though. It’s just a bonus. The real goal is building something steady, sustainable, and flexible enough to support real life.

Success didn’t happen overnight. It took hours of working in the evenings, or squeezing in an hour while my babies were napping. I stayed consistent, I kept showing up, and I kept going even when progress felt slow.

This business means more time with my family. It means I get to build something that works around my life, not the other way around.

What I’ve also learned along the way is that while the aesthetic side of Instagram is nice, people want more than just pretty content. They want to know you. There are so many crocheters, creators, and makers online — but what actually sets you apart is your story.

People don’t always just "buy" another crochet pattern or product — they often buy because they connect with the person behind it. You are the face of your brand, whether you plan to be or not.

For me, I had to get really clear on that. As a mum, I naturally leaned into baby makes and wearable items. And with my RA, I can relate to so many other makers and mums who are trying to balance creativity with their health and real life. That connection is what makes the work feel meaningful, not just the product itself.

If you’re a mum trying to figure out how to make work fit around your family, I hope this shows what’s possible. There are so many ways to build something that works for you — you just have to start where you are.

💭 I’m thinking about putting together a more in-depth file walking through exactly how I made this transition and built my pattern business step-by-step.

If that’s something you’d find helpful, I’d love if you voted on the poll or left a comment letting me know what you’d want included.

Would you purchase an in depth guide on how to build a profitable crochet business?

• Yes
• No