How Make Money as a Crochet Designer: Uncover the Best Monetization Strategy for YOU

If you’re a crochet designer who loves the creative side of things but feels overwhelmed trying to figure out how to actually make money with your designs, take a breath—you’re in the right place.

Maybe you’ve scrolled through Instagram and noticed designers running memberships, posting YouTube tutorials, selling patterns everywhere, and teaching classes. Maybe you’ve thought, “Do I really have to do all of that to turn this hobby into a steady income?”

Good news: you absolutely don’t.

You don’t need to use every monetization strategy under the sun. Choose one strong path, get good at, it and grow from there. Your crochet business can be profitable, sustainable and aligned with your values. You can grow over time.

– Pam Grice, The Crochetpreneur

Money Making Ideas for Crochet Designers

Watch, listen, or read below as we simplify the entire landscape of monetizing your crochet design business. We’ll uncover the perfect starting point—one that fits your personality, your lifestyle, and your goals. 👇

Why Monetizing Your Crochet Designs Feels So Confusing

If you’ve ever tried to reverse-engineer what successful designers are doing, you’ve probably noticed something: they’re all doing something different.
Some have:

• multiple online shops
• a thriving blog
• a membership
• courses
• a YouTube channel
• sponsorships
• and maybe… a little time to sleep?

But here’s the truth: what you’re seeing today is the result of years—sometimes decades—of layering one revenue stream at a time. What you don’t see is how they started, the order they built things, and how long it took to generate income.

When new designers try to copy someone’s fully matured business, they often end up overwhelmed, burnt out, and ready to quit before the money starts coming in.

So instead of looking at what everyone else is doing, let’s focus on what’s right for you.

The First Step: Choosing Where to Sell Crochet Patterns

Most designers begin their monetization journey by selling crochet patterns. It’s the fastest way to start generating revenue—and revenue creates breathing room so you can grow intentionally, not anxiously. Here are the three core platforms designers use:

1. Etsy

Etsy is the easiest starting place because:

• the customers are already there
• people actively search for crochet patterns
• you can start earning quickly

Yes, there are fees and competition, but with great photos, solid SEO, and a well-structured shop, Etsy can create real momentum—even if you’re brand new.

2. Ravelry

Ravelry is the OG platform for knit and crochet designers. It offers:

• community engagement
• forums
• pattern libraries
• loyal users who love supporting designers

The interface may feel like 1995, but don’t let that fool you—designers still make excellent sales here. Some sell more on Ravelry than Etsy, and others see the opposite. It depends on your audience.

3. A Self-Hosted Shop (WooCommerce or Shopify)

A self-hosted shop gives you:

• complete ownership
• no algorithm stress
• no competitors on your product page

BUT…
You must drive your own traffic. Without Etsy or Ravelry’s built-in audience, you’ll rely on blogging, email marketing, Pinterest, and social media to bring customers in. For long-term entrepreneurs, this is a powerful asset—but not usually the best first step.

The Second Step: Blogging and YouTube (for Long-Term Growth)

Once you’re earning through pattern sales, you can build out longer-lasting revenue streams.

Blogging

Blogging is one of the highest-earning growth paths for crochet designers. A blog can bring in:

• ad revenue (especially through networks like Mediavine or Raptive)
• pattern sales
• affiliate income

Unlike social media, blog posts continue working for you years after you write them. If you enjoy writing, teaching, or sharing tutorials, blogging is a wonderful next step.

YouTube

If you love teaching or talking people through a project, starting a crochet YouTube channel is an incredible audience builder. Even a small channel can:

• earn steady ad income
• boost pattern sales
• send subscribers to your shop, blog, and email list
• position you as an expert in your niche

You don’t have to show your face if you don’t want to—stitch tutorials, pattern walkthroughs, and overhead demos perform beautifully.

The Third Step: Additional Revenue Streams

After you establish a foundation (pattern sales + either blogging or YouTube), you can expand into any of these fun options to make more money as a crochet designer:

✔ Sponsored content
✔ Affiliate income
✔ Publishing books or magazine patterns
✔ Merch and print-on-demand
✔ Workshops, CALs, summits, events
✔ Memberships and other recurring revenue
✔ Subscription boxes

Each one has its own strengths and personality fit. And remember—you don’t need all of them. You choose the ones that align with your strengths and bandwidth.

How to Choose Your Path to Make Money as a Crochet Designer

Here’s how to narrow it down:

Look at Your Personality

• Love writing? → Start a blog.
• Energized by teaching? → YouTube or workshops.
• Crafty and visual? → Merch or publishing.
• Community-driven? → Memberships or CALs.
• Want quick income? → Etsy + workshops.

Consider Your Bandwidth

Don’t try to do everything at once.
Choose one platform and build systems until it’s smooth. Then add the next. This is how you avoid overwhelm and burnout.

Match Your Strategy to Your Goals

• Need fast cash? → Etsy + teaching.
• Want passive, long-term income? → Blogging or YouTube.
• Need predictable monthly revenue? → Memberships.
• Want visibility and credibility? → Publishing.
  Your goals get to shape your business—not the other way around.

Your Next Step: Pick ONE Path Forward

If you could choose only one way to grow this month, what would it be? That’s often the clearest sign of where you should start.

• What feels natural right now?
• What feels doable?
• What actually excites you?

Begin there. Build a strong foundation. Create systems. Then layer on the next revenue stream when you’re ready. This is how sustainable, profitable design businesses are built—not through hustle, but through intentional growth.

Need more inspiration? Learn 12 ways to make money from a single crochet design here.

Resources to Launch Your First Pattern

• My First Design – Crochet Pattern Writing Course for Beginners
• Next Level Amigurumi Design from Hooked by Kati
• Crochet Pattern Writing Workshop from Edie Eckman

You’re Building Something Real

Remember:
 You’re not just designing patterns. You’re building a business that can create freedom, stability, and legacy.

You don’t have to do this alone. There’s an entire community cheering you on, myself included.
If you haven’t already:

• hop on my email list (lots of free tools!)
• join the Crochet Business Chat Facebook group
• subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss the next live session

You can make serious money as a crochet designer! Your business can be profitable, sustainable, and joy-filled. And it all starts by choosing one path and taking the next small step. You’ve got this.