Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Don't guess what to make for your next event—know exactly what sells. If you are prepping for Fall craft markets or Christmas holiday fairs, you need inventory that is quick to make and high in demand.

In this episode, I’m sharing my top crochet business tips for stocking your booth with profitable projects. We discuss why switching to chunky chenille yarn can save you hours and increase your profit margins during the busy Q4 season.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• Market Bestsellers: The specific hats, plushies, and accessories that fly off the shelves in Autumn and Winter.

• Inventory Strategy: How to build stock for Christmas markets without burning out.

• Booth Display Hacks: Using bundle pricing and psychological triggers to boost sales.

• Live Crocheting: Why working on a project at your table attracts customers.

Whether you are selling at local craft fairs or stocking your Etsy shop for the holiday rush, these tips will help you prep smarter and leave your next market with empty tables.

Read this blog for links to patterns mentioned in this episode!

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠⁠

We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Do you ever feel guilty spending time on your business? If you have ever wondered if pursuing a creative dream is selfish, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, I share my personal journey of questioning whether my work truly mattered. We dismantle the myth that art is "indulgent" and explore why your crochet business is actually an act of service.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Selfish" Myth: Why creativity is generosity, not an indulgence.

• Mental Health: How the rhythm of stitches supports your well-being (and makes you a better parent/person).

• The Ripple Effect: How your business fuels the economy and inspires other makers.

• Creating Legacy: Why your patterns and products are future heirlooms, not just "stuff."

Your work matters more than you realize. Tune in to find out why your crochet business is worth celebrating.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

Wish you could hire a marketing copywriter but don't have the budget? Meet your new free virtual assistant: ChatGPT.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, I break down the 9 specific ways I use AI to save hours in my crochet business. From conquering writer's block to optimizing Etsy SEO, I share the exact workflows I use to work smarter, not harder.

In this episode, we cover:

• Etsy Domination: How to use ChatGPT to write keyword-rich titles and descriptions that actually rank.

• Content Creation: Generating endless ideas for Pinterest pins, Instagram captions, and blog posts.

• Strategy & Funnels: How to map out email sequences and growth plans in minutes.

• The Human Touch: Balancing AI efficiency with your God-given creativity.

Stop staring at a blank cursor. Tune in to learn more.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

🔹 This episode was originally recorded during the Creative & Called season and is now part of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast—your go-to show for crochet inspiration, creative business tips, and mindset shifts to help you craft a life you love.

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your crochet business success? If you feel stuck despite working hard, you might be hitting your "Upper Limit."

In this episode of Simply Hooked, I dive into The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks—a book that completely reshaped how I view my time and talent as a crochet designer. We explore why you might be burning out in your "Zone of Excellence" and how to finally step into your "Zone of Genius."

In this episode, we cover:

• The Upper Limit Problem: How hidden beliefs limit the amount of success and happiness you allow yourself to have.

• The 4 Zones of Functioning: Identifying if you are stuck in Incompetence, Competence, Excellence, or Genius.

• Breaking Through: Practical encouragement to step boldly into your unique, God-given creativity.

Whether you are scaling a handmade side hustle or longing for more fulfillment, this episode will help you stop playing small.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

🔹 This episode was originally recorded during the Creative & Called season and is now part of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast—your go-to show for crochet inspiration, creative business tips, and mindset shifts to help you craft a life you love.

Balancing a crochet business and a growing family is messy. In this raw episode, I open up about the fears of welcoming Baby #2, postpartum body image, and the struggle to maintain a creative identity.

This isn’t a polished "how-to" guide—it’s a personal look at the tension between motherhood and entrepreneurship. If you are wondering how to carry it all with grace, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we share:

• The 1-to-2 Transition: The emotional reality of preparing for a second child while running a handmade business.

• Postpartum Real Talk: Dealing with invisible pressures regarding body image and "bouncing back."

• The "Return" Timeline: Guilt over taking time off vs. the urge to get back to your crochet business.

• Identity Crisis: How to hold onto your creative self when motherhood demands everything.

You are not alone in the chaos. Tune in for an honest reflection on the beauty and tension of the mompreneur life.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

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🔹 This episode was originally recorded during the Creative & Called season and is now part of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast—your go-to show for crochet inspiration, creative business tips, and mindset shifts to help you craft a life you love.

Melinda walked away from her job in housekeeping after chemical exposure caused debilitating migraines—but she didn't just quit. She walked straight into her God-given creative calling.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, we share a raw and real story of a complete life pivot. Melinda discusses how a health crisis became the catalyst for building a business rooted in faith and service.

In this episode, we share:

• The Pivot: How to find the courage to leave a "safe" job when your health demands it.

• Pain to Purpose: Transforming a personal struggle into the foundation of a creative business.

• Faith in Action: Why trusting God is the most practical business strategy for handmade entrepreneurs.

• Finding Your Calling: Encouragement for anyone wondering if their creativity can actually support their life.

If you are navigating a transition or wondering if your detour is actually a divine direction, this story will inspire you to step forward with courage.

VISIT MELINDA's BUSINESSES

Shiplap & Sage

The Stables Marketplace

Sacred Honor

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the very first episode under our brand-new name: Creative & Called! In today’s episode, I’m sharing the heart behind the change, why I felt led to shift the direction of this podcast, and how sometimes the best thing we can do in business (and life) is pivot.

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to force something to work the way you thought it was supposed to—or if you’ve started a project that ended up evolving into something entirely different—you’re not alone.

This episode is your permission slip to change direction, follow the nudge, and trust that your God-given creativity will lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Let’s talk about why this podcast name changed, what that means moving forward, and how embracing the unexpected might be the very thing that sets you free.

🧶 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠ – now on Amazon

🌐 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠marcymade.co⁠⁠⁠⁠ for crochet patterns

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

🔹 This episode was originally recorded during the Creative & Called season and is now part of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast—your go-to show for crochet inspiration, creative business tips, and mindset shifts to help you craft a life you love.

Your mindset shapes your crochet business just as much as your stitches do. In this Threads of Wisdom mini-episode, we explore Earl Nightingale’s timeless concept: "You become what you think about."

Inspired by The Strangest Secret, this episode is a quick dose of encouragement to help you align your thoughts with your business goals.

In this mini-episode, you’ll discover:

• The "Thought-Stitch" Connection: How your daily thoughts create the fabric of your life and business.

• Earl Nightingale’s Wisdom: Why setting clear goals and focusing on what you want (not what you fear) is the key to growth.

• Practical Positivity: Simple ways to shift your mindset to build confidence as a maker.

Stop letting negative thoughts unravel your progress. Tune in for a quick reminder that you have the power to craft the life you want.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

You can master SEO, email funnels, and product photography, but if your mindset isn't aligned, your business will always hit a ceiling.

In the final episode of our Scaling Your Crochet Business series, we tackle the most important piece of the puzzle: your brain. I share the specific shifts that fueled my biggest growth as a designer.

In this episode, we cover:

• The 90% Rule: Why your business can only grow as much as you do personally.

• Hustle vs. Alignment: How to shift from fear-based working to faith-based growing.

• Guru Wisdom: Lessons from Les Brown, Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor, and Jay Shetty applied to the handmade world.

  
  

• Breaking Blocks: Identifying the mental barriers keeping you stuck at your current revenue level.

If you have ever asked, "Can I really make a living from this?"—this episode is your answer.

For a deeper dive into each of these lessons, check out my new book, ⁠Hooked on Growth⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠

Struggling to juggle your crochet business with a full-time job and family life? You need systems that work as hard as you do.

In Part 7 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business series on Simply Hooked, I’m sharing the exact tech stack and workflow secrets I use to run a profitable handmade business without burnout.

We dive into the best tools for crochet business owners—from Canva and Trello to Shopify, Mailchimp, and ChatGPT. Learn how to automate the boring stuff so you can spend more time with your yarn.

In this episode, we cover:

• Crochet Business Tools: The essential platforms for marketing, inventory, and design.

• Content Batching 101: How to plan social media and record episodes on a busy schedule.

• Shipping & Logistics: Time-saving hacks for fulfilling crochet product orders and digital downloads.

• Workflow Systems: How to streamline your process from idea to finished object.

Whether you are looking to start selling crochet or are ready to scale your Etsy shop or website, this episode is packed with productivity tips for makers to help you grow with confidence.

For a deeper dive into each of these lessons, check out my new book, ⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠