Easy items to crochet, in a selling context, means small, quick projects like coasters, scrubbies, and simple accessories that are realistic to price, produce in volume, and turn a profit on. I have sold handmade crochet at local markets for several seasons, and easy items are where most new sellers should start, since they let you test pricing and demand before investing in bigger, slower pieces. This guide covers a real pricing formula, where to actually sell these items, how to care for them before handoff, and a framework for naming your shop.
Pricing Formula
Materials cost, plus hours worked times your hourly rate, plus a markup, gives you a defensible price rather than a guess.
Worked example: A coaster set uses about $2 in cotton yarn, takes 1 hour to make at a target rate of $15 per hour, giving a base cost of $17. Add a 30 percent markup to cover overhead like packaging and platform fees, and the final price lands around $22 for the set.
Where to Sell Easy Crochet Items
- Local craft fairs: Best for small, low-cost items like coasters and scrubbies, since shoppers browse booths on impulse rather than seeking out a specific product. A simple grid display with clear pricing sells faster than a cluttered table.
- Etsy: Reaches a wider audience but takes a percentage of each sale, so factor that fee into your markup rather than absorbing it after the fact.
- Local Facebook marketplace groups: Zero platform fees, though it works best for local pickup rather than shipping small items.
Caring for and Washing Finished Items
- Cotton items (dishcloths, scrubbies): Machine washable on a gentle cycle, and actually improve with a few washes as the fibers soften slightly.
- Acrylic items: Machine washable and dryer safe on low heat, making them the most durable option for items that will see frequent use.
- Wool items: Hand wash only in cool water to avoid felting and shrinking, and lay flat to dry rather than hanging while wet.
Naming Your Crochet Business
Rather than generating a list of names, work through a simple framework: combine a personal element, like your name or a nickname, with a craft-specific word like hook, stitch, or yarn, then check that the resulting name is not already trademarked or in heavy local use. I landed on my own shop name this way after three rounds of testing names out loud with friends before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge per hour for crochet?
Most sellers of easy items charge between $12 and $20 per hour of labor, adjusted up for more intricate work. Anything below minimum wage territory undervalues the skill involved and makes it hard to sustain selling long term.
What is a good markup for handmade items?
A 25 to 40 percent markup on top of your materials-plus-labor cost covers platform fees, packaging, and a reasonable profit margin. Craft fair pricing can run slightly lower than online pricing since there is no marketplace fee eating into the total.
Ready to plan your first sale?
Start with a small batch of one or two easy items before scaling up your inventory.
See more small project ideas