Knitting has been a passion and a hobby for millennia. With the new digital age, there are many more opportunities to earn through this hobby than in the past. There is also a lot of competition. The key is to create items that are well branded or by earning through the service. Here is my list of ways that you can earn through knitting:
1. Sell Knitted Items
The most common way that people earn by knitting is by selling handmade knitted items at trade fairs, local yarn shops, gift shops, or on online marketplaces such Etsy. The best way to continually make money through knitting is by figuring out your specific niche. If you become proficient at one type of pattern, you’ll be able to knit faster, have better tension, and your brand will become known for the item.
Knitted items that are usable can sell to the same customer multiple times. These include dishcloths, tea-cozies, socks, blankets, sweaters, and a variety of other things. If you are able to come up with your own signature style, you will attract buyers who will return because they enjoy that design.
You can also look to market your products to small businesses around you. If you have a local tea shop, create tea cozies for them. Work with photographers to create props for baby shoots. Network with other businesses or nurseries and see what you can do for them. They may even photograph your work and sure on their social media.
2. Knit Commissioned Items
If you become well known, it is likely that people will ask you to knit for them. While it is difficult to earn a full-time living through knitting, some people will actually pay you an hourly wage to knit. It is important for you to be upfront with them about the estimated cost. Most people to understand how long it takes to knit.
While most potential clients may shy away after hearing your estimate, some people will see the value in your work and pay you what you are worth. If you don’t mind working for less than minimum wage, you are free to do so. If you are interested in doing the commissioned work, it will be less of an issue to get paid less.
3. Design Your Own Patterns
Do you have many knitting pattern ideas in your head? If you find yourself constantly designing your own knit patterns or altering others you may be able to hone your skill to create and design knitting patterns. The best thing about patterned design, isis that once you are done with the product, you will earn passive income on it indefinitely.
You can sell your patterns in a local yarn shop, on your own personal website, or on an online marketplace such as Etsy or Ravelry.
4. Teach Knitting
If you have a passion for teaching, you may enjoy showing others how to knit, purl, create cables, and many other techniques. You can teach in your home or in various places around your town. Some local yarn shops will pay you a commission if you teach for them.
You don’t have to be a master knitter in order to teach. You just need to know more than your students. You can either teach techniques or work on a specific kind of pattern. Some knit teachers prefer to teach a basic course for free in order to sell advanced courses later on.
As a knit teacher, you will usually be able to set your prices, how many students you allow in each class, and the material you will cover. If you teach for some organizations, you may need to be certified.
5. Become a Test Knitter
While they are not always paid in cash, test knitters get the chance to work with designers and learn more about the process of writing knitting patterns. Test knitters are often compensated through yarn, free knitting patterns, and occasionally cash. In order to potentially earn cash, it is important to build your reputation as a quality test knitter.
If you have strong attention to detail, good knitting skill, a social media following, and the desire to help another knitter potentially earn money, you could be a great test knitter. There are several websites or forums where you can potentially find work. Do your best to network with other test knitters and designers to find the best work. Always be clear upfront with your knitting skill level and what you are capable of doing.
It is important that you finish the project on time so that the designer can get the feedback they need to continue the design process. In the event that you know you won’t have time, let the designer know right away. While most people understand emergencies, it can be frustrating to work with people who do not finish what they’re doing.
6. Become a Knit Tech Editor
Possibly the best way to earn an hourly wage as a knitter is by becoming a tech editor. A tech editor’s responsibility is to read and edit a knit design thoroughly. Tech editors understand the ins and outs of all knitting patterns, are good with math, have basic engineering skills, and strong attention to detail.
To become a tech editor, you should start out as a test knitter. As you build skill and confidence in your understanding of knit designs, you can take steps toward editing. You can either take courses or start tech editing as part of your testing. Submit your edits to designers, and if they like your work ask for a review.
It can be difficult to find work as a knit tech editor. There are a few places online where you can post your profile or resume, or you can create your own website to find clientele.
7. Sell Knitting Materials
While this may be outside of the realm of the act of knitting, you can earn by selling products related to knitting. This can include yarn, knitting needles, design books, or several other notions that knitters use.
You can sell these items by opening your own local yarn shop or online through your own website or an online marketplace. If you handmake items for knitters, you will find an entire niche that will be interested in your product.
