Handmade

Crochet, knitting and textile crafts to order

Crochet or knit baby blankets, beanies, toys and home pieces, sold ready-made and to order.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

To startR100 to R800
First randabout 4 weeks
WhereOnline or in person
Effort Easy to start

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

People who already crochet or knit for fun and want to sell, and who can live with slow, steady sales.

In South Africa: Good anywhere; yarn is sold in most towns and online.

What you need

A phone is enough to start
Works on everyday data
No camera needed
No cold selling
At least 4 hours a week · age 16+
Sewing, crafts or handmade (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

Pocket money
A top-up
A second income
Can become a full income

This is usually pocket money: helpful, but rarely enough to live on by itself.

What people charge

R285 to R725 per blanket

Published SA prices for handmade crochet baby blankets: R285 to R420 (Roots for Gifts), R490 (Moksi), R725 (Kikki and Franki). Hours per piece vary, so we do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up: R100 to R800
Every month: Yarn for each piece (about R32 to R40 per 100g ball of acrylic double knit), labels, packaging.
Payment fees: Cash or EFT; Bob Shop 7.25% excl. VAT (Crafts).
Margin: Materials are cheap; your hours are the real cost. Many makers undercharge.

How it is paid: Price per item; custom pieces with a deposit. Our viability score for it: 53 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

1
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Time yourself making one piece from start to finish
- Price it with your pricing worksheet, including your hours
- Success signal: three sales at that full price without a discount
2
First week Days 1 to 7
- Pick two items you make quickly and well
- Photograph them in daylight on a plain background
- Post them with prices on your WhatsApp status
3
First month Days 8 to 30
- Take one custom order with a deposit
- Try one market or school fair
4
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Keep the items that earn the most per hour
- Consider selling patterns or a beginners' class

Ready-made pieces can sell within days; custom orders take as long as the making. First income usually takes 7 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Crochet, knitting and textile crafts to order: your step-by-step start

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Baby shower and gift buyers, grandparents, winter beanie buyers, people decorating homes.

A handmade, personal gift that shop-bought items cannot match.

Is there demand?

SA stores sell handmade crochet baby blankets at R285 to R420 (Roots for Gifts), R490 (Moksi) and R725 (Kikki and Franki). A blanket can take many hours, so the hourly return is often low: price your time.

WhatsApp statusFacebook groupsCraft and school marketsBob ShopBaby and gift shops

Getting customers

Friends, baby shower networks, mom groups and markets. Custom colours and names on blankets bring orders.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesIn-person networkingListing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)Responding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

Very low earnings per hour if you price only for materials
Seasonal (winter wear)
Custom colour orders that are never collected: take a deposit

Competition: High for common items such as beanies; less for well-made custom pieces.

Room to grow: Low: every piece is your hours. Selling patterns or teaching classes are ways to grow.

Legal and tax in South Africa

Knitted clothes you sell ready-made should carry fibre-content and care labels (Consumer Protection Act regulation 6).
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost).
Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home.
If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts.
Never work during school hours.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start crochet, knitting and textile crafts to order in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R100 to R800. Recurring costs: Yarn for each piece (about R32 to R40 per 100g ball of acrylic double knit), labels, packaging.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Ready-made pieces can sell within days; custom orders take as long as the making.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Knitted clothes you sell ready-made should carry fibre-content and care labels (Consumer Protection Act regulation 6). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost). Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home. If you are 16 or 17, you need a parent's or guardian's OK, and an adult should look after payments and any accounts. Never work during school hours.

Sources (6)

Moksi: crocheted baby blanket (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Roots for Gifts: crochet blankets (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Kikki and Franki: handmade crochet blanket (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Heart and Home: Elle Charity Double Knit 100g (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Consumer Protection Act regulations (GN R293 of 2011) (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Bob Shop: selling fees (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)

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