18 Business Ideas For Knitters [2024]
If you're a passionate knitter looking to turn your hobby into a thriving business, 2024 offers plenty of exciting opportunities. From selling handcrafted items to offering knitting classes, there's a niche for every creative mind.
You could start by setting up an online store to sell your unique knitted creations. Platforms like Etsy or your own website allow you to reach a wide audience and offer personalized products.
Another idea is to launch a knitting subscription box filled with hand-picked yarns, patterns, and tools. This could build a loyal customer base who look forward to your curated selections each month.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other knitter businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business makes a lot of sense if you are an entrepreneurial knitter. With the growing demand for unique, high-quality niche products delivered monthly, your expertise in knitting can cater to a wide range of customers craving exclusive yarns, patterns, and handmade accessories. By packaging your skills and products into a subscription service, you could establish a steady income stream and build a loyal customer base who appreciate and value your craftsmanship.
To get started, it’s important to understand your niche market, design appealing boxes, and build relationships with fulfillment companies. Subscription boxes not only add value to customer service but they can also be highly profitable. For more details on profitability and tips, visit Starter Story's profitability guide.
Why start a subscription box business?
- You could create a steady income stream by offering exclusive, high-quality knitting products.
- Subscription boxes build a loyal customer base who appreciate and look forward to your unique creations.
- It offers a scalable business model where you manage inventory and fulfillment efficiently, maximizing profits.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
2. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business as a knitter allows you to capitalize on the growing market for knitting-related products without the hassle of managing inventory. You could curate a range of high-quality yarns, needles, knitting kits, and accessories from trusted suppliers and offer them through an online store. This approach enables you to focus on marketing and providing exceptional customer service, creating a steady income stream alongside or even replacing your current knitting projects. Learn more about how others have achieved success in dropshipping here.
Why consider a dropshipping business?
- Low overhead cost: You don't need to invest heavily in inventory or storage space.
- Flexibility: You can run your business from anywhere, focusing more time on your knitting passion.
- Scalability: Easily expand your product offerings and reach a broader audience without significant upfront costs.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
3. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Turning your knitting expertise into an online course sales business is a fantastic way to earn extra income or even establish a full-fledged side business. With the booming e-learning market, there's never been a better time to share your knitting skills with the world. By choosing the right platform and focusing on a specific target audience, you could generate passive income while doing something you love.
Why start an online course sales business?
- There’s a growing demand for online learning. With the market expected to exceed $645 billion in the next few years, there is immense opportunity.
- You turn your knitting passion into profit. By creating a course, you could earn money each time a student enrolls.
- You make teaching scalable. Instead of one-on-one lessons, your course could reach countless learners, significantly maximizing your impact and earnings.
For more on this, explore the pros and cons of starting an online course sales business on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
4. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an ecommerce reselling business as a knitter is an excellent way to supplement your income or even build a full-fledged business. You could purchase and resell popular knitting supplies or finished products, enabling you to skip the time-consuming process of production. With minimal initial investment, you could kickstart your business via social media and go on to create a dedicated website as your venture scales.
Considering the convenience and potential profitability, reselling can be an ideal avenue for knitters looking to monetize their passion for knitting. For more insights and resources on this, you can check out this link.
Why consider starting an ecommerce reselling business?
- Lower Initial Costs: Avoid the high production costs by reselling ready-made goods or popular knitting supplies.
- Flexibility: Start your business through social media platforms first, giving you the flexibility to scale gradually.
- Find Your Niche: Utilize your specialized knowledge to curate unique, high-quality knitting products that appeal to your target market.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
5. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
If you're a knitter with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a niche website could be your ticket to blending passion with profit. A niche website focused on knitting allows you to create tailored content and products for a dedicated audience, leveraging your expertise to attract loyal followers and generate income. From tutorials and patterns to hand-picked knitting supplies, a specialized site offers numerous ways to monetize your skills and knowledge.
Monetization options like affiliate marketing, ad placements, and digital product sales make a niche website a flexible and potentially lucrative venture. Once established, this can become a reliable source of passive income, offering both creative freedom and financial stability. For more inspiration on niche websites, you can check out success stories on Starter Story.
Why start a niche website?
- You get to dive deep into a subject you love and share your expertise with a passionate community.
- There are multiple revenue streams, from selling patterns to earning through affiliate marketing.
- A well-established niche site can turn into a reliable source of passive income, offering long-term financial benefits.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
6. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog can be a delightful way for knitters to share their passion, creativity, and expertise with a wide audience while also supplementing their income. By focusing on a specific niche within the knitting world, such as advanced knitting techniques, sustainable yarns, or knitting patterns for beginners, you could attract a dedicated readership. Additionally, a well-maintained and engaging blog can create opportunities for monetization through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and collaborations with knitting brands.
Why start a niche blog?
- You'll connect with a passionate community. Sharing your love for knitting with like-minded individuals can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
- You'll have various monetization opportunities. From affiliate marketing to collaborating with yarn companies, a blog can diversify your income streams.
- You control your schedule. Blogging allows you to work at your own pace, making it a flexible side hustle that can grow into a full-fledged business over time.
For more insights, check out our detailed article on "how to start a niche blog".
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
7. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel might be the perfect way to supplement your income or even launch a new business as a knitter. By sharing your knitting expertise through tutorials, project videos, and product reviews, you can attract a dedicated audience of fellow crafters and enthusiasts. There is potential for revenue through ads, sponsorships, and branded merchandise, turning your passion for knitting into a profitable venture.
If you're ready to put in the effort to create engaging and consistent content, a YouTube channel can be an exciting entrepreneurial opportunity. For more detailed information, check out this article on YouTube channel profitability.
Why start a YouTube knitting channel?
- You can reach a global audience of knitting enthusiasts who are eager to learn from your expertise.
- You have the chance to earn passive income through ad revenue and sponsorships as your channel grows.
- This platform allows you to build a personal brand and even sell your own knitted goods or related products.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
8. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business could be a great way for knitters to supplement their income. By focusing on high-quality images of knitting patterns, completed projects, and yarn textures, you could appeal to both businesses and individuals looking for unique, niche-specific photos. This venture could turn your passion for knitting into a source of passive income, giving you the flexibility to continue doing what you love while making money.
Why consider starting a stock photography business?
- Leverage your knitting skills. Showcase your unique knitting projects and patterns to attract a specific market of craft enthusiasts and businesses.
- Passive income potential. Once uploaded, your high-quality stock photos can continue to generate income over time without much additional effort.
- Expand your creative horizons. Venture into photography and boost your online presence with dual expertise, knitting, and photography.
For more details and tips on how to make it profitable, check out these stock photography business success stories.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
9. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way for knitters to supplement their income while sharing their passion. By promoting knitting-related products, such as yarn, needles, and patterns from trusted brands, you could earn a commission on every sale made through your referrals. This venture allows you to make extra money with minimal upfront investment and the flexibility to work on your schedule.
To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with, ensuring they align with your niche and audience. Consider partnering with reputable eCommerce stores or manufacturers that offer quality knitting supplies. For more tips and insights, you can check affiliate marketing business ideas.
Why starting an affiliate marketing business?
- Passive income potential: Earn commissions from sales made through your affiliate links while sharing products you already love and use.
- Low upfront investment: Affiliate marketing requires minimal startup costs, making it accessible for anyone passionate about knitting.
- Flexibility and autonomy: You’ll have the freedom to choose your schedule and work from anywhere, allowing you to balance your knitting projects and business ventures.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
10. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast is an excellent way to supplement your income or even create a full-fledged side business while sharing your passion for knitting. Podcasting allows you to build a community of fellow knitters, discuss techniques, review products, and interview industry experts. Creating engaging audio content can attract sponsors or advertisers, transforming your hobby into a lucrative endeavor.
Why Consider a Podcast?
- Building a community: Your podcast can create a tight-knit (pun intended!) community of like-minded individuals who share your love for knitting.
- Monetization opportunities: Attract sponsors, advertisers, and even paid subscribers to generate revenue.
- Low startup costs: With minimal investment in basic recording equipment and hosting platforms, starting a podcast is both affordable and scalable.
Learn more about starting your own podcast business at Starter Story's detailed guides and success stories.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
11. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
Embracing the world of AI writing tools can open doors to new entrepreneurial avenues for knitters. By developing a digital tool powered by Artificial Intelligence, you could create automated, error-free, and time-efficient content for businesses, bloggers, and students. This innovative solution responds to today's high demand for quality content, providing a valuable service while generating supplementary income or even a complete business transformation.
Linking your knitting passion with technology could create a unique niche that sets you apart. As a knitter, you already understand the patience and creativity needed to craft something from scratch, skills that can translate into developing and marketing an AI writing tool. Learn how to start and market your AI writing tool business with insights from real success stories on Starter Story.
Why create an AI writing tool?
- By venturing into AI, you could diversify your income streams beyond knitting.
- You could leverage your creativity and technical skills to innovate in the digital world.
- Offering an AI writing tool can meet the growing need for efficient and high-quality content creation globally.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
12. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
Imagine combining your passion for knitting with the ever-growing demand for health and wellness. By starting a health and wellness app, you could create a unique platform that offers personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking—all in one place. This app could serve as a virtual coach, offering expert advice whenever needed, making it a highly impactful and profitable venture for someone entrepreneurial like you.
Why start a health and wellness app?
- You could broaden your market reach by tapping into the booming health and wellness industry.
- You could create a recurring revenue stream through subscription services and in-app purchases.
- You could positively impact lives by offering tools and resources for better physical and mental well-being, aligning with the caring community spirit often found in knitting circles.
For more information on the benefits and practicalities of starting a health and wellness app, check out these startup costs.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
13. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Creating a mobile app tailored for the knitting community could open up exciting opportunities for you to supplement your income or even establish a full-fledged business. A well-designed app could offer features like pattern databases, virtual knitting classes, or social networking elements for knitters worldwide. With the rise of mobile technology, the market for niche apps is expanding, making it an opportune time to bring your unique knitting app idea to life.
By leveraging a mobile app, you have the potential to reach a global audience and generate substantial revenue through in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads. Interested in pursuing this innovative venture? Read some success stories of mobile app entrepreneurs.
Why create a mobile app?
- You could offer digital tools and tutorials that make knitting easier and more accessible for everyone.
- Monetization options like in-app purchases and subscriptions could provide a steady stream of income.
- Engaging with a global community through your app could expand your reach and influence in the world of knitting.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
14. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
Incorporating an AI-based business solution into your knitting venture allows you to streamline various business processes, making it easier to manage your operations and focus on what you love—knitting. AI tools can help automate repetitive tasks, optimize inventory management, and even provide personalized marketing strategies that attract more customers. The growing demand for AI solutions offers a lucrative opportunity to stay competitive and enhance your business efficiency, all without needing a tech background thanks to user-friendly platforms.
Why consider an AI-based business solution?
- Automation frees up your time. AI can handle routine tasks, so you can dedicate more time to your craft.
- Enhanced customer insights. AI tools can analyze customer behavior, helping you tailor your offerings and marketing efforts.
- Future-proof your business. Embracing AI technology keeps you ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
15. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a knitter, leveraging your creativity and attention to detail to develop an online survey tool can be a unique way to supplement your income or start a side business. Just like crafting a beautiful garment, building an effective online survey tool requires a mix of skill, precision, and understanding customer needs. You could create a survey tool that helps businesses collect valuable feedback, analyze data, and improve their services or products, much like how popular tools like Typeform operate. With the growing demand for data collection and customer insights, creating a survey tool could turn into a viable online business opportunity for you.
Why should a knitter develop an online survey tool?
- Diversify your income streams: By offering a digital product, you can complement the income from your knitting business.
- Utilize existing skills: Attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills gained through knitting can transfer well to developing user-friendly survey interfaces.
- Tap into a growing market: The demand for online survey tools is increasing, providing a lucrative opportunity for new entrants.
Interested in more details? Check out these success stories to see how others have built thriving businesses with online survey tools.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
16. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Balancing your passion for knitting with a side business in social media automation could be a winning strategy. Imagine managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving engagement and growth. You could leverage your creative eye and attention to detail from knitting to build a business that schedules posts, automates interactions, and analyzes data for clients ranging from small businesses to influencers. With the increasing need for authentic and strategic social media engagement, launching a social media automation business offers both a fulfilling and lucrative opportunity.
Why start a social media automation business?
- You could turn your tech and marketing skills into substantial side income.
- Automating social media saves valuable time for both you and your clients, making it a high-demand service.
- As a knitter, your creative skills can enhance your content strategy, making your services more appealing.
For further insights and success stories on starting a social media automation business, check out this page.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
17. Develop a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
Developing a lead generation tool could be an innovative way for you to supplement your income and start a profitable side business as a knitter. By creating a software application or platform that identifies and captures potential customer leads for businesses, you automate the often laborious process of finding new clients, allowing companies to focus more on conversion. Integrating with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints, your tool can collect valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and interests, positioning you as a key player in the high-demand field of efficient lead generation.
This opportunity is perfect for tech-savvy knitters with a knack for marketing, as the demand for streamlined customer acquisition is booming among businesses of all sizes. Read more about lead generation tool success stories to see how others have thrived in this sector.
Why develop a lead generation tool?
- Automated lead generation helps businesses save time and resources, making your service invaluable.
- Your knitting skill sets can guide you in creating targeted, niche-specific lead generation strategies.
- The tech-driven nature of this venture allows you to work flexibly, complementing your knitting business seamlessly.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
18. Start a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a knitter, your creative problem-solving skills can be a huge asset in starting a WordPress plugin business. You could develop plugins that cater to niche needs, such as organizing knitting patterns, tracking yarn inventory, or managing craft blogs. By leveraging your unique understanding of the craft community, you can ensure your plugins solve real problems faced by fellow knitters, making them highly marketable.
You could sell your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, through your personal blog, or even create a separate website dedicated to your plugins. With the right focus on fulfilling specific needs, your WordPress plugin business could become a profitable side hustle or even a full-time venture. For more insights, check out this page on WordPress plugin business tips.
Why start a WordPress plugin business?
- Knitters have unique insights into the craft community's needs.
- You could turn creative solutions into a steady revenue stream.
- Managing a plugin business offers flexibility, making it easy to balance with knitting projects.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
