If you have been thinking about turning your crochet hobby into a little side income, craft markets and fairs are one of the best places to start. There is something so exciting about setting up a table, laying out your handmade pieces, and watching people fall in love with your work.
I have done my share of craft fairs, and I have learned a lot about what actually moves off the table versus what just sits there looking pretty. Today I want to share the patterns that give you the best shot at a successful market day, along with pricing and display tips that took me a while to figure out on my own.
What Sells Best: Quick Makes With Broad Appeal
The items that sell best at craft markets share three things. They are quick to make, they use minimal yarn, and they appeal to a wide range of people. You want items someone can grab as a gift or a treat for themselves without overthinking it.
Coasters
Coasters are hands down one of the best things you can bring to a market. They are small, affordable, and people buy them in sets. Seasonal themes do especially well. Think pumpkins in the fall, snowflakes in winter, flowers in spring. You can crochet a set of four in an evening, and the material cost is almost nothing.
I have a whole coaster collection with patterns starting at $3.99. They are beginner-friendly and you can batch them out quickly once you get into a rhythm. If you are looking for a deep dive on which coasters work best for markets, I actually wrote a whole post on that: 5 Coaster Patterns for Craft Markets.
Cup Cozies
Everyone drinks coffee. Everyone drinks iced drinks. Cup cozies are one of those items people did not know they needed until they see one, and then they have to have it. They are fast to make, they use very little yarn, and they are easy to price at a point where people buy them on impulse.
The Meadow Cup Cozy is one of my favorites for markets because the texture is beautiful and it works up quickly. For iced coffee lovers, the Cold Brew Cozy is a must. These are the kinds of items that get people to stop at your table, and once they stop, they usually find something else they want too.
Scrunchies
Never underestimate the scrunchie. Teens love them. Adults love them. They come in every color. They are the kind of thing someone picks up as a little gift or adds onto their purchase because the price is right.
The Meadow Scrunchie pattern is simple, quick, and the finished product looks polished. I like to make these in trendy color palettes and display them in a bowl or basket where people can dig through and pick their favorites.
Bookmarks
Bookmarks might surprise you, but they do really well at fairs, especially if there is a bookish crowd in your area. They are lightweight, inexpensive to make, and they make great gifts for teachers, librarians, or any reader in someone's life.
The Meadow Bookmark is a sweet, simple pattern that you can whip up in under an hour. Make a bunch in different colors and watch them disappear.
Mid-Range Items: Bigger Ticket, Still Manageable
Once you have your quick-make items covered, you want some mid-range pieces on your table. These are the items priced a little higher that give your average sale a boost.
Beanies
If your market falls anywhere near cool weather, beanies will sell. People love buying handmade hats, and they make easy gifts. The key is having a variety of colors and a style that looks modern, not dated.
The Meadow Beanie has a clean, classic look that appeals to a lot of people. The LTK Twisty Beanie adds a fun twist detail that catches the eye and gives you something a little different to offer. I always recommend having at least a few neutral colors plus a couple of bold ones.
Toddler Purses
If you want something that practically sells itself, make toddler purses. Parents and grandparents cannot resist them. They are adorable, functional, and unique. There is nothing like watching a little kid spot one of these on your table and light up.
The Sunflower Toddler Purse and the Llama Toddler Purse are two of my best sellers. They take a bit more time than a coaster, but you can price them accordingly, and the profit margin is great.
Baby Items
Baby items are a craft market staple. People are always looking for handmade baby gifts, and they are willing to pay a premium for something special and one-of-a-kind.
The Meadow Baby Hat and Meadow Bow are both quick to make and incredibly cute. I like to display them together as a set, even though they are sold separately. It gives people the idea to buy both, and most of them do.
Statement Pieces: Eye-Catching Display Items
Every table needs a few showstopper items. These are the pieces that draw people in from across the aisle. They might not sell as fast, but when they do, the sale is worth it. Even when they do not sell immediately, they elevate your whole setup.
Bags
Handmade bags are always a conversation starter. The Meadow Crossbody Bag is functional, stylish, and unique enough that people want to know where it came from. The Meadow Knot Bag has that trendy knotted look that appeals to a younger crowd.
Bags take more time and more yarn, so price them accordingly. Do not be afraid to charge what they are worth. More on that below.
Pricing Tips: Do Not Undersell Your Work
This is where I get a little passionate. Please do not undersell your crochet. I know it is tempting to price things low because you want them to sell, but if you are not covering your costs and your time, you are running a very expensive hobby, not a business.
Here is the rule I follow: take your material cost and multiply it by three. That is your starting price. This covers the cost of your yarn, helps account for your time, and leaves room for profit. For items that take significant time, you might need to go even higher.
Do not compare your prices to mass-produced items at big box stores. You are not competing with them. You are offering something handmade, unique, and made with care. Your customers at a craft market understand that and they are willing to pay for it.
If someone balks at your prices, they are not your customer. The right customer will see the value in what you made.
Display Tips: Make Your Table Irresistible
How you display your items matters almost as much as the items themselves. A messy, flat table is easy to walk past. A table with visual interest makes people stop.
Use risers, crates, or stacked boxes to create different heights. Your eye naturally moves around a display that has layers. Put your statement pieces up high where they can be seen from a distance, and keep impulse-buy items like scrunchies and coasters at the front where people can easily grab them.
Make things in a variety of colors. A rainbow of scrunchies or a stack of colorful coasters is visually appealing and gives people options.
Have clear pricing on everything. People do not like to ask how much something costs. Use small tags, a chalkboard sign, or printed price cards. Make it easy for them to say yes.
A Note on Selling Finished Items
I get asked about this a lot, so I want to be clear. All LTK Cuties patterns allow you to sell finished items made from them. I just ask that you credit the pattern to LTK Cuties. That is it. I want you to succeed with your small business, and I would never put a pattern out there and then tell you that you cannot profit from your own hard work.
Get Started
Craft markets are one of the most rewarding ways to share your crochet with people in your community. There is nothing quite like the feeling of someone choosing your handmade item and being genuinely excited about it.
If you are just getting started, I would focus on building up a solid inventory of those quick-make items first. Coasters, cup cozies, scrunchies, and bookmarks. They are fast, they are affordable to produce, and they will give you the confidence of making consistent sales.
Once you are comfortable, layer in some mid-range items and a few statement pieces to round out your table. And if you want more coaster-specific advice for markets, do not miss my post on 5 Coaster Patterns for Craft Markets.
You have the skills. Now go make some sales. I am cheering for you.