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Make Money with Crochet at Consignment Stores

Have you heard of consignment stores? Have you ever asked yourself: Should I sell my crochet in a consignment store?


Consignment stores offer an opportunity for creators like crocheters to sell their handmade products without having to invest in their own retail space, giving access to a built-in customer base while the store handles the sales process.


They can be a great avenue for crocheters to make money. Imagine a craft market that's open 8+ hours a day but you don't have to be there! Sound nice. It is!


I've had the pleasure of being in 3 different consignment stores (with 3 different pay structures... more on that later). It was so exciting to get the payout slip and see that toys had sold while I was at home sipping coffee.


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Understanding How Consignment Works


A consignment store is a retail shop that sells goods on behalf of the item's owner. In this arrangement, the store agrees to display and sell products provided by consignors (the owners of the items) in exchange for a portion of the sale.


Is this like wholesale? Not exactly. Both involve handing over your product to a retailer but that's where their similarities end. Wholesale involves selling your product in bulk at a lower cost - perhaps up to 50%. The retailer is now responsible for the product and you are paid all at once. Consignment, on the other hand, involves handing your product over toa retailer and only getting paid when something sells. At the end of the contract you'll get your items back.


As mentioned above, I've had contracts with 3 different stores. Here is how....


Store A: $101.70 a month + 20% of sales.


Store B: $29 a month + 20% of sales.


Store C: 35% of sales.


I have been paid weekly, monthly by etransfer and cash. Some stores also do cheques.



Finding the Right Consignment Store

Where do you find these opportunities?


One great resource is other small businesses. They don't even have to be crocheters. I found out about the three stores above through Instagram.


The next time your at a craft market, consider asking other makers if they know of any good consingment stores. Often the financial terms are not public facing so it can help to ask someone who already works with a store.


When you do decide to check out the store, it's important to approach the store owners with professionalism. Have pictures or samples of your products available to show.


And while you're there, consider things like traffic flow (is it dead on a Saturday? - yikes) and target audience (would your ideal customer walk into this store?).


What Crochet Products Sell Best on Consignment


From my experience, these crochet products sell best on consignment:

  • hats/headbands

  • amigurumi

  • cup cozies

  • mittens

  • chunky blankets

  • dishcloths


I recommend choosing products that will be desireable by the store's clientele. For example, if it has a lot of personal care items then dishcloths would probably be a safe bet!


If there are any other crochet makers in the store, it might help to check out their pricing to see if it's comprable.


This does NOT mean your prices need to be the same. Each maker uses different materials and crochets at a different price. It's natural that prices will vary. But having prices in the same ball park can be advantageous.


Preparing Your Products for Consignment

It's important to prepare your products for sale in a consignment store. This might include tagging, packaging and inventory sheets.


Count Your Inventory

If you want a hand counting your inventory... I have a Inventory Counting Sheet in my Digital Crochet Planner.


From my experience, the store will have a set system for labling inventory. For example, you might have a code assigned to your business. You can use SKU numbers or names to differentiate your products as long as you're consistent.


You're inventory sheet would include the name of the products, the price and how many you are bringing.


Speaking of pricing... should you raise your prices when you sell in a consignment store to account for fees or sales-cuts? In short. Yes! If the store takes 30% of a sale, you could raise the price by 30%.


And hey, if you're struggling with pricing your crochet for sale I have something that might help! The Crochet Pricing Calculator helps you quickly calculate prices that account for your time, materials and fees.

Tagging.

Let's chat about tagging. I recommend designing your tags in Canva and getting them printed on Vistaprint. I've had a few too many misprints with Canva. Eep! Include care instructions for your products as you will not be able to tell them in person.


Managing Consignment Relationships

Once your products are in a consignment store, it’s essential to maintain a healthy, professional relationship with the store owner or manager. Check in periodically to see how your items are selling, whether inventory needs adjusting, or if there are any customer requests or feedback.


This communication helps you stay informed, but it also shows the store owner that you’re serious and invested in the partnership. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to build a relationship that could lead to more opportunities, like getting prime shelf space or being featured in promotions.


Track your sales closely. Which items are flying off the shelves, and which are collecting dust? Use this data to refine your product line. For example, if your chunky scarves are selling out, but your baby blankets aren't moving as fast, you may want to shift focus to producing scarves.


It’s also a great idea to reach out to other crocheters (if there are any) who have products in the store. You can create a support network where you all share insights and keep an eye on each other’s inventory. I’m currently part of a group chat with all the yarn-based businesses in a holiday pop-up shop, and it’s been a game-changer. We help each other monitor stock, and it’s a fun way to stay connected while keeping our businesses running smoothly.


When it comes to payouts, restocking, and removing unsold items, stay professional and organized. Know the store's payment schedule, and don’t hesitate to reach out if something seems off. Keep tabs on your stock and offer to restock before your items run low—this keeps the shelves full and helps ensure continuous sales. On the flip side, if certain items aren’t selling, be ready to pull them and either offer them at a different store or adjust the product for future collections.


By maintaining open, professional communication and staying flexible with your inventory, you can ensure your crochet business thrives in the consignment space.


That's make money with crochet at consignment stores

Consignment stores as a way to grow your crochet business can be an exciting and rewarding opportunity. It’s like having a craft market running daily without needing to be there in person, giving you time to work on new projects or simply enjoy your coffee while your products sell.


With the right products, preparation, and communication, you can thrive in this retail space—and who knows, you might find yourself a part of a great network of fellow makers, just like I did!


Staying organized is key in making consignment work for you, and my Crochet Digital Planner can help you manage your inventory, track sales, and handle restocks like a pro. It’s the perfect tool to keep everything running smoothly as you take this next step.


So, are you ready to give consignment stores a try and grow your crochet business in a whole new way?


Jen (simplewondersshop)





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