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What to Crochet for Craft Fairs: Tips & Ideas for Building Inventory

Craft fairs have become my new favorite thing. But when I started doing shows, my biggest question (and the one I saw the most) was about what to crochet for craft fairs? What should you make? What does well?

Today, I have a couple of ideas you can use along with some advice on choosing what to make even if you don’t crochet. There’s a lot of advice out there and mine is a little different than what others suggest, but it works for me and I hope it does for you too. So let’s get into it!

Before I get into a list of items, there are some things worth keeping in mind as you decide what to make.

 

When is the craft fair?

It’s important to think about when your show is scheduled before you decide on what to make. After all, no one really wants to shop for beanies and scarves at a summer craft show. Keep in mind what time of year it is and what people will already be shopping for. It’s a lot easier to sell Christmas items in November and December than it is to sell the same items in August.

Make what you like!

You can do okay with making a bunch of general items that you think you will do well, but when you make something you are proud of and enjoy making, it shows! Craft fairs are a lot of work so if you’re going to be spending all the time (and money) crocheting inventory, make sure you choose items that you like working on. Those are the items that are going to do better anyways!

Related: How to Prepare for a Craft Fair

Keep your costs and prices in the decision making

Stay away from anything that uses really expensive materials or takes a long time for you to make. Because unless you can sell them at higher prices, it won’t be worth it in the end.

Shop sales and work on your items in a way that optimizes for time. For example, I don’t sell blankets at craft fairs because they take a long time to make and the cost is higher, so I’d have to charge more. I can bring ones I already have for display but it’s not likely that anyone will buy that blanket.

Toys and amigurumi are also more time-consuming than hats and scarves; but from my experience, I can charge more for them and people will buy them, so it makes the time spent worth it. To cut down on time, I tend to batch process and streamline how I prepare for a craft fair.

What to Crochet for a Craft Fair

With all that in mind, let’s talk about inventory. What should you crochet for a craft fair? What consistently does well? Here’s a great list of all the things you can make for a craft fair, and some patterns to get you started!

2023 Craft Fair Bundle!

Right now, I’ve teamed up with a bunch of amazing designers to give you the Craft Fair Pattern Bundle!

This bundle is packed full of 50 crochet patterns designed and tested for craft fairs – it does all the work for you and gives you patterns that are quick and profitable, all for over 90% off!

This bundle sale only lasts 5 days, so grab this amazing deal while you can.

The sale ends August 11th, 2023 and then it’s gone!

Every pattern is simple and quick crochet so that you can work up in large or small quantities. Plus, when you snag this pattern bundle, not only do you get 50 designer patterns + 5 Craft Fair Printables for Most Success from top crochet bloggers and designers, but you also win prizes, sponsored by Mary Maxim!

Hats/Beanies

Hats are a classic and they do especially well in Fall and Winter, but I’ve sold some in the summer too! Here are some patterns that are great for craft fair season!

Rosebud Beanie

Pumpkin Spice Beanie

Juliet Beanie

Earwarmers

Velvet Twist Headband

Forest Trail Headband

Scarves

Claire Infinity Scarf

Cookies & Cream Scarf

Amigurumi

Ollie the Elf

Ronald the Gingerbread Man

Baby Yoda

Aurora the Unicorn

Baby Items

Loveys

Baby Booties

Bandana Bibs

Baby Hats 

Accessories

Scrunchies

Boot Cuffs

Market bags 

Related: How to Create a Craft Fair Display that Drives Traffic

Cozies

Star Stich Cup Cozy

Home Decor

Pumpkin plushies

Washcloths

Towel Toppers

Pillows

What’s your favorite thing to make for craft fairs?

 

Whether you’re signing up for your first craft fair or just looking for some new pattern ideas, I hope this post was helpful to you! Craft fairs are my favorite way to make money crocheting and it’s a blast to see the other makers too. I’ve already started making some fun things for this season using the patterns I shared above.

Thanks so much for reading. Let me know in the comments below what you’re planning to make and be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already. Just fill in your name and email in the box down below to sign up for the newsletter with new patterns and deals every week and you’re good to go!

See you soon 🙂


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kay

Friday 14th of May 2021

Hi and thank you for your Craft Fair suggestions! How much would you sell your beanies for? How do you price your items? ~~kay~~

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