How I Made Nearly $10K from My Crochet Pattern Business—Without the Constant Hustle

Curious if your crochet pattern business can still make money—even when you’re not launching new designs every week or hustling on social media 24/7? If so, you’re in the right place. Let’s pull back the curtain on “maintenance mode,” real numbers, and sustainable strategies to build a business that serves your life.

There is a point where you look at your business, say, “I’m making enough money. I don’t need to hustle anymore. My business needs to serve my life rather than the other way around.” This is what building a sustainable business looks like. It just works in the background.

– Pam Grice, The Crochetpreneur

Running a Crochet Pattern Business

Let’s face it: not everyone wants to—or can—run their business at full throttle every year. For me, 2025 was a year of putting my pattern business, Made with a Twist, in “maintenance mode.” That means not laser-focused launches and endless content, but rather keeping systems running, income flowing, and staying connected with my audience.

Watch, listen or keep reading to learn what I did, how much I earned, and what I learned from it. 👇

Why Keep a Crochet Pattern Business in Maintenance Mode?

So why bother running this “side” business, especially when Crochetpreneur is my main gig? It centers around three strategic reasons:

1. It’s a Lead Magnet:



 Made with a Twist draws in crochet product sellers—my primary coaching audience.
2. Staying Connected to the Struggle: 



By remaining hands-on, I understand the real challenges fellow crochet designers face.
3. A Testing Ground:



 I get to experiment with strategies and teach from true experience, not just theory.

The Power of Niching Down: The Made with a Twist Model

One of the keys to this sustainable, low-hustle success? A crystal-clear niche: super bulky projects for crochet product sellers. I don’t chase every trend or try to be everything to everyone. My patterns are:

• Quick to make
• Seasonally relevant
• Designed for profitability at craft markets

I even include pricing strategies inside each pattern, tailored for different types of customers—bargain shoppers, “brand” buyers, and boutique buyers. This moves my business beyond just satisfying makers, to specifically serving sellers with actionable, practical content.

▶ Read why and how to create your niche here!

Diversified Revenue Streams: Where the Money Came From

If you’re tired of hearing that the only way to succeed is with endless launches and non-stop new content, this is the proof you need. My low-hustle year still raked in nearly $10,000—in truly “side business” mode—by leveraging multiple income streams. Here’s how it broke down:

1. Pattern Sales

• Etsy: $7,492
• Ravelry: $1,550
• Maker’s Membership: $420 


(A Black Friday-only offer with access to all patterns)
• Other (test platforms): $275

💡 Key Insight: Most sales came from my existing catalog, not new designs—thanks to email marketing, Google SEO, and Etsy search.

2. Digital Products: Opt-Ins & Tripwires

• A thoughtfully crafted email opt-in (“Big Stitch”) led to tripwire offers.
• This was barely optimized this year—yet still brought in revenue and new subscribers.

3. Bundles & Affiliate Marketing

• Participated in bundles hosted by others for exposure and passive affiliate sales.
• Affiliate links for books, supplies, and patterns sat quietly in blog posts, earning $410.

4. Ad Revenue from Blogging

Blog traffic drove $7,022 in ad revenue!


! This was achieved through blog hops, email, Pinterest, Google Discover, and smart SEO strategies.

I use Mediavine for ad management (look into Mediavine or Raptive if your blog hits the page view threshold).

💡 Key Lesson: Not a single income stream brought in all the money. Diversification is the secret to steadier, more resilient income.

Revenue Breakdown

Pattern Sales
• Etsy	7,492
• Ravelry	1,550
• Maker’s Membership	420
• Other	275
Mediavine (Ads)	7,022
Affiliate Sales	410
Bundle Sales (participant)	1,751
Tripwire Sales	334
Gross Revenue	19,254

Expense Breakdown: What It Took to Run the Crochet Pattern Business

It’s easy to fixate on revenue, but expenses matter just as much for sustainable success. Here’s a peek into my 2025 business investments and take-home income:

Contract Labor	663
Advertising	2,081
Seller Fees	1,559
Website	350
Email	1,600
Tailwind	350
GoSadi	200
iMark Interactive	618
ERank	120
Canva	144
Tech Editor	180
Total Expenses	7,865

The Final Numbers: Net Annual Revenue

That works out to about $800 a month! $800 a month is nice. It pays a few bills. It can pay for a vacation. It can pay for groceries. It can pay for kids’ sports, tuition, whatever. Having that nice little side hustle is great for bolstering the revenue. If it’s your full time job, I would expect that you can, over time, grow it to be much, much more than that.

Business Metrics: What Actually Happened Behind the Scenes

Let’s paint a real picture of what this maintenance-mode year looked like:

• Patterns released: 12 



(Most between September–November)
• Total patterns sold: 1,883
• Maker’s Memberships sold: 11 (Black Friday launch only)
• Blog Views: 280,000
• Ad Revenue: $7,022
• Email Subscribers Added: +3,464 (from evergreen opt-ins and systems)
• Blog Hops Participated: 4

Here’s the kicker: most growth was fueled by evergreen content and behind-the-scenes processes—not constant new launches or social posting

The Unsung Stage: Why Sustainable, “Set-It-and-Forget-It” Businesses Matter

So many business owners chase launch after launch, thinking that growth and non-stop hustle are the only ways to stay afloat. I’m here to tell you otherwise: At the end of the day, your business should serve your life, not the other way around.

Here’s what a sustainable, steady crochet business can provide:

😮‍💨 Financial breathing room: $800/month gives you money for extras or unexpected expenses.

💪 Freedom to manage health or life challenges: Important for anyone, especially if you live with chronic illness.

🧘‍♀️ Opportunities to step back: Take a break from your business without your income stopping.

Looking Ahead: Plans for an Even Smarter 2026

Maintenance mode doesn’t mean stagnation. I am planning selective, impactful tweaks next year:

2026 Focus Areas

• Consistent pattern launches: At least 1 per month
• Leverage the team for blog hops and roundups
• Grow the email list with focused strategies
• Cut expenses: Switch to a budget-friendly email provider
• Outsource social media for consistent presence
• Test new platforms: Explore live sales (Whatnot) and build a Shopify site

Your Takeaway: Sustainability is More Than a Buzzword

You don’t have to burn out in order to profit from your creativity. Whether your crochet business is your full-time income or a side hustle, you have permission to:

⚙️ Build systems that let your business tick on—even when you’re living your life
📊 Diversify your revenue instead of relying on one “big thing”
🎯 Niche down and serve a clear audience to make marketing easier
🔄 Trust that consistent, focused effort builds momentum and sustainability

Ready to Build Your Own Sustainable Crochet Business?

I teach everything from systems to mindset inside Crochetpreneur® Business Academy (CBA). If you want to build your own side hustle (or primary income) without the grind, consider joining CBA!

Final Thoughts

Sustainability in business doesn’t mean “settling”—it means creating a strategy that works for your life. Let my transparency and data inspire you to rethink how you grow your crochet business… the smart way!