🎙️ [Listen to Episode 1 of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast Here] 🎙️
From Hobby to Business: My Crochet Journey and the Start of Simply Hooked Podcast
Welcome to Episode 1 of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast! In this very first episode, I’m sharing my personal journey into the world of crochet, how I transformed a hobby into a growing crochet business, and why I decided to launch a podcast even though I’m still in the middle of building my dream.
If you’ve ever thought about making a career out of your creative passion—whether through selling amigurumi crochet patterns, opening an Etsy shop, or building a crochet community—this episode is for you. My hope is that my story will show you that you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just need the courage to start.
Why I Started This Crochet Podcast
For more than a year, I thought about starting a podcast, but I kept talking myself out of it. Crochet is such a visual art form—how could I translate that into audio? Then one day, I realized that the podcast wasn’t meant to be about just the stitches. It was meant to be about the journey.
Crochet is the thread, but the real story is about turning a creative passion into a business, the struggles of entrepreneurship, the mindset shifts required, and the joy of making something meaningful with your hands.
That’s why I launched Simply Hooked. I didn’t want to wait until I had “made it.” Most podcasts I listened to were from people who had already built million-dollar businesses or massive brands. But what about those of us still in the thick of it—juggling kids, jobs, and building something we love from the ground up?
If you’re an aspiring mompreneur, a creative who dreams of selling patterns online, or simply someone who wants to create a life outside the traditional 9-to-5, I think you’ll resonate with my journey.
How I Fell in Love with Crochet
My crochet story started in October 2012. My then-boyfriend (now husband) was out of town, and I wanted to pick up a new hobby. A coworker mentioned making handmade Christmas gifts, and I thought, I want to do that too!
So I went to Michaels, bought some yarn, a crochet hook, and a beginner’s instruction book. That night, I stayed up until 2 AM learning the slipknot and single crochet. My very first finished piece was a tiny bookmark. It wasn’t much, but it sparked something in me. From that night forward, I crocheted almost every single day.
About six months later, I discovered amigurumi—the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals. My first attempt was a pig. Honestly, it was hideous, but I was unbelievably proud of it. And like so many crocheters, once I made one, I couldn’t stop.
● I crocheted a bear, learning how to shape a round head.
● I tried a slug, figuring out color changes.
● I stitched a pony, experimenting with legs and mane placement.
Each project taught me new skills, and I quickly realized that crochet wasn’t just a hobby—it was a creative outlet that made me feel alive.
From Hobby to Crochet Side Hustle
By 2015, I had filled my shelves with plush animals and decided it was time to test the waters at a local craft fair. I packed up my handmade toys, nervous that no one would buy them. But by the end of the day, I had made $200. That moment shifted everything.
I realized my hobby could also be a business. Of course, it wasn’t instant success, but it planted the seed that one day I could build a crochet side hustle that actually supported my family.
Fast forward to 2021—I became a mom. Parenthood brought joy, but it also brought new financial responsibilities. I knew I wanted to contribute more to our family income while still staying present with my kids. That’s when I revisited the idea of turning crochet into something bigger.
By January 2022, once my son was on a consistent sleep schedule, I made a decision: I would wake up at 4 AM every day to work on my crochet business before the rest of the house was awake. Those early mornings became the foundation of everything that came next.
The Shift from Selling Plushies to Selling Crochet Patterns
At first, I thought the only way to earn money was to sell finished products. But after countless late nights sewing on safety eyes and stuffing plush animals, I realized it wasn’t sustainable. I could only make so many toys, and I was quickly burning out.
That’s when I discovered the power of digital crochet patterns. By designing patterns instead of selling finished items, I could sell one design over and over again without the time constraints of physically making each toy.
This single shift transformed my business:
● Instead of crocheting 500 teddy bears, I could write one teddy bear pattern and sell it unlimited times.
● I could reach crocheters around the world, not just at local craft fairs.
● I could spend more time designing and less time on repetitive labor.
Selling digital amigurumi patterns on Etsy and Shopify gave me the scalability I needed to grow from hobbyist to business owner.
Mindset Is the Real Game Changer
When I first started, I thought business success was about strategy: learning Etsy SEO, setting up a Shopify store, creating Facebook ads. And yes, those things matter. But I quickly discovered that mindset is even more important.
I’d estimate that business is 90% mindset and only 10% strategy. Without belief in yourself, you’ll never have the courage to pitch, publish, or promote.
A turning point for me was listening to Cathy Heller’s podcast. She emphasized that we don’t have to settle for the 9-to-5 grind—we can design lives we truly love. For me, that meant letting go of limiting beliefs like “crochet can’t be a real career.”
The moment I started believing my business could support my family, I began making decisions as if it already did. That confidence changed how I showed up, how I priced my patterns, and how I marketed my work.
🎧 Listen to this episode about How Your Mindset, Energy, and Focus are Quietly Crafting Your Life
Serving Others Through Crochet
Another lesson I’ve learned is that business is really about service. I once heard Dr. James Doty say that true fulfillment comes from shifting your focus from self-interest to serving others. That resonated deeply.
I asked myself, How can I use crochet to serve?
The answer showed up in many forms:
● Crochet offers people a way to de-stress, relax, and create something tangible.
● My patterns give beginners confidence to make their very first plushie.
● My online crochet course helps people who feel intimidated by YouTube tutorials learn in a structured way.
● My podcast inspires other moms and creatives to pursue their gifts, even if it feels scary.
When I started thinking of my crochet business as a way to help others instead of just a way to make money, everything shifted.
Big Milestones in My Crochet Business
Looking back over the past three years, I’m amazed at what has happened:
● I’ve written more than 70 amigurumi crochet patterns.
● I started running Facebook ads to reach new audiences.
● I built a full Shopify website to sell patterns directly.
● I launched an online crochet course to teach beginners.
● My designs were featured on the cover of Simply Crochet Magazine.
● My very first crochet pattern book will be on sale in Michaels, Joann’s, and Hobby Lobby this March.
And all of this started because I picked up a hook in 2012, fell in love with crochet, and eventually decided to share my work with the world.
Why I Share My Story Through Podcasting
So why start a podcast? Because I believe stories matter. My hope is that Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast becomes a place where makers, moms, and creatives can find encouragement and practical tools to build lives they love.
I’m not speaking as someone who has already “made it.” I’m speaking as someone who is in the trenches, figuring it out, and willing to share the lessons along the way.
If you’re crocheting at 2 AM after putting your kids to bed, or working on your Etsy shop before work, you’re not alone. This podcast is for you.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Wait to Begin
If there’s one message I want to leave you with from Episode 1, it’s this: you don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” to pursue your dream. I didn’t wait until my crochet business was perfect or until I hit six figures before launching this podcast. I started where I was, with what I had.
And you can too.
● Pick up the hook.
● Write the pattern.
● Send the email.
● Launch the shop.
● Record the podcast.
Every big opportunity I’ve had started with one small, imperfect step.
🎙️ [Listen to Episode 1 of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast Here] 🎙️
About the Designer
Marcy Gardner is the crochet designer behind Simply Hooked, where she creates beginner-friendly amigurumi patterns that help makers of all skill levels create adorable, giftable plushies.
With over 13 years of crochet experience, Marcy has taught hundreds of crocheters through her patterns, kits, and online courses.
