by Alison | Your Crochet Biz
by Alison Stapleton
Your Money and Self Worth
We feel good when we have money. But how much money we need to have in order to feel good is relative.
Some people actually feel better when they have less or even not enough.
It depends where you come from and your family, background and upbringing, that determines how you feel about money and self worth.
Sometimes the road to financial bounty needs a little help from within. This has nothing to do with your earning ability but is a deep issue that can be a blockage to building a thriving micro-business.
If you are serious about growing your crochet business or other craft venture then think about whether you have accepted roadblocks to wealth and prosperity.
A Vow of Poverty
Some people have taken a vow of poverty.
A vow of poverty is often an unconscious decision to be poor. You believe that it is your fate to be poor, and that you cannot be otherwise, no matter how hard you work or what you do.
It may not have been a conscious vow of poverty, or even taken in this lifetime, but if you think this may be you then you need to release yourself from any vow of poverty.
Write the following on a piece of paper:
I free myself from any vow of poverty taken in this life or a past life.
I humbly accept my bounty as deemed by God.
I am worthy of a financially good life while on planet Earth.
It is in my spirit to prosper.
Amen
Now revoke your vow of poverty by saying out loud the written vow. If you feel you need more affirmation then read it out loud to yourself every night before bed.
Next you have to live by this freedom.
You will start to believe that you have permission to:
- Earn a fair wage or salary
- Earn a good income
- Accept all offers of financial help
- Consider every wealth improvement idea
- Charge for your goods and services at market value
- Charge above market value for things you are highly skilled in doing
- Honor ever cent you get
- Respect your money as you respect yourself
These simple steps can clear the free flow of abundance towards your life.
Embrace it.
by Alison | Your Crochet Biz
Author: Alison – Updated: Febrary 2025
Your Crochet Business
What is a micro business?
A micro business is any little business that makes money. For example when you crochet something and sell the finished product or the pattern. Typically a micro business is a one man (or woman) show. If you crochet (or knit or craft) and sell your items you have a micro business.
A micro business can also be referred to as a the new word of solopreneur. Like an entrepreneur, but going solo, or on your own. A micro business can grow to two, three or four people working together but it is usually that one person does it all, all the business things like:
- The ideas,
- design,
- sourcing materials,
- manufacturer of the items,
- advertising,
- production,
- marketing,
- promoting,
- website management,
- social media, pricing,
- selling and
- banking.
Phew!
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You may not realize you have a micro business
If you make items and give them to others or to charity then you are not a micro business. If you do take money for your crafted items then you have a micro business.
Good karma
All income and costs need to be declared to the tax man. Don’t start pocketing the cash if you do it creates bad karma around money for you in the future.
You want the money to flow towards you and that you will prosper. If you cheat the system you create blockages for the money stream and this stops other good things like prosperity Being able to gravitate towards you.
Start today and get your abundance flowing in
Note every cent in and out from day one. You will likely get a refund anyway if your turnover is low and under one thousand dollars a year. Do not worry about this now, but make records. Money in and out. Keep receipts for every purchase for your creations like that ball of yarn from the wool shop or a new paintbrush for your art.
Start today. Let the universe know that you are in business. If you think you may have taken a vow of poverty now is the time to let it go.
Thought, Word and Deed
Process
First you think of the idea of say, to make a hat. Then you speak about your ideas to make the hat. Then you do the deed and make the hat. There is a sequence to creativity. I want to add another step and that is to journal the process and to capture the moment.
Journaling your Ideas
Get a notebook. Open it to the first double page spread.
Left-hand Page
On the left hand side draw the image of the item, the pattern diagram the finished garment. Here you can add the color palette and note or a sketch any special details.
Right-hand Page
On the right hand page write “Hat” (or whatever your craft project is) at the top. Write all the details of the yarns, pattern, hook and instructions to make the hat. Two thirds of the way down the page draw a line across the page.
In the lower right part express your feelings about the project. Are you excited, scared, happy, overwhelmed, or finally at peace? Keep your notebook handy. Over the days and weeks of the project, journal the process and your feelings about the item.
Choosing your Notebooks
I like Moleskin notebooks. Size A5 which is about 5” wide by 8” long. Get the one with plain blank pages and no lines. On a side note, they also have a screenwriters design with a story board format which is fun to use for a “How-to” project.
Creative Journal
Don’t let another idea pass you by. Note it in your creative journal. You can go back over your many ideas later and weed out what is good and doable, and look at why a project is not going to get done. Become used to capturing your ideas.
Author Bio
Alison is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.
With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.
Read more about Alison’s crochet journey.
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by Alison | Your Crochet Biz
Author: Alison – Updated: February 2025
Crochet in Cosmopolitan: My Piecework Journey
How It All Began
The Advert
One morning, as I flipped through the local newspaper, a small advertisement caught my eye:
“Crocheters wanted. Meet me at the Table View Mall café at 12 noon on Saturday. – Jenny”
As a crocheter, I felt like this message was meant for me. Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to go.
When I arrived at the café, I quickly realized I wasn’t the only one. Around 25 to 30 women were already there, chatting over coffee, each seemingly drawn to the same mysterious ad.
A few minutes past noon, Jenny arrived—tanned, with long blonde hair and a confident presence. She carried a bag filled with little squiggly items and placed one in front of each of us. Then, she passed around small balls of colorful shirring elastic along with ten decorative beads per person.
New Item
The mysterious squiggly thing turned out to be a barefoot sandal—a delicate crochet accessory worn on the beach. It looped over the big toe and wrapped around the ankle, decorated with African beads for a boho-chic summer look.
Jenny smiled at us and said, “Make me a sample just like this one and meet me back here next Friday at the same time.”
There was excited chatter as everyone examined the materials and planned their approach. I headed home, sample in hand, eager to give it a try.
The Challenge of Crochet Piecework
Crafting the Sample
The pattern itself was simple, but working with the stretchy shirring elastic? That was another story. The elastic pulled and shifted, making it tricky to get the right tension. After multiple attempts and testing different hook sizes, I finally produced a sandal that closely matched Jenny’s sample.
When Friday arrived, I sat at the café, sipping my coffee, waiting for the crowd of crocheters to return. But no one else showed up.
At five past twelve, Jenny walked in, spotted me and came over to check my work. She examined my sample and nodded in approval. Another woman arrived soon after with her own attempt, which also met Jenny’s standards.
Out of the dozens of women who had shown up the previous week, only two of us had followed through.
The Start of My Crochet Business
Summer Stitching
And so, the work began.
Jenny offered us $50 for every ten pairs of barefoot sandals. She then sold them at her flea market stall at Green Market Square for $25 per pair.
I crocheted whenever I could—early in the morning, late at night, and during stolen moments throughout the day. This was no small feat, given that I had a six-month-old baby, a toddler, and two school-aged children (eight and eleven years old). On top of that, we were in the middle of a home renovation, which left our kitchen in disrepair for months.
Onwards
Still, I pressed on, determined to meet my weekly quota.
Each Friday, I met Jenny at the café, exchanged my finished barefoot sandals for cash, and collected new materials for the next batch. This routine continued for six months, keeping me busy throughout the summer.
Jenny’s stylish designs, along with her sun-kissed feet, even made their way into Cosmopolitan magazine. And there, in the glossy pages, was a photo of the very barefoot sandals I had crocheted.
What I Learned About Crochet Piecework
Commission
Although this chapter eventually came to an end, it was a rewarding experience. Here’s what I learned:
- Piecework is great while it lasts. It provides a steady income but is often seasonal or temporary.
- You need the skill to do the work. Crocheting with precision, especially with tricky materials, is key.
- You need the time to commit. Even small projects require dedication, especially when juggling family life.
Looking back, that summer of crochet and barefoot sandals was a turning point for me. It taught me the value of my craft and opened the door to future opportunities.
Who knew that answering a small newspaper ad would lead to seeing my work featured in a magazine?
Author Bio
Alison is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.
With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.
Read more about Alison’s crochet journey.
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