If you’ve ever felt confused about crochet hook sizes, letters, and shapes, you’re not alone! In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m breaking down everything beginners need to know about crochet hooks—from U.S. vs. U.K. sizing, to the difference between tapered and inline hooks, to which materials (aluminum, bamboo, plastic, or steel) actually make a difference in your projects.
I’ll walk you through:
● How to read crochet hook sizes in mm, letters, and numbers
● Why millimeter measurements are the most reliable across brands
● The pros and cons of tapered (Boye style) vs. inline (Susan Bates style) hooks
● How ergonomic crochet hooks can help with hand pain and comfort
● My personal recommendations for the best hooks for beginners, amigurumi, and heavier yarn projects
By the end, you’ll know exactly which crochet hook to grab, what features actually matter, and how to find the one that feels best in your hands.
RESOURCES & LINKS
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
Struggling with the magic ring (also called the magic circle) in crochet? You’re not alone! In this first Quick Stitches mini-episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share beginner-friendly tips on whether you really need to use the magic ring for amigurumi—or if you can start with an easier chain start method instead.
Whether you’re just learning how to crochet or diving into your first amigurumi crochet project, this bite-sized episode will help you choose the best way to begin your rounds.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Ready to crochet your first plushie but not sure where to start? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, host Marcy shares everything beginners need to know about amigurumi. From choosing the best yarn for plushies—like Bernat Blanket Yarn, Premier Parfait Chunky, and Loops & Threads Cozy Cub—to picking the right hook size, stuffing tips, and securing eyes safely, you’ll discover how to make your first stuffed animal with confidence.
Whether you’ve been saving adorable amigurumi patterns on Pinterest or dreaming of crocheting your own plushies for gifts, craft fairs, or cozy home décor, this episode is packed with beginner-friendly crochet tips. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, pick easy starter patterns, and enjoy quick, fun projects that give you instant gratification.
If you’ve ever wondered how to crochet a stuffed animal, what yarn to use for amigurumi, or how to make your plushies soft, squishy, and professional-looking, this guide has you covered.
👉 Tune in now and get inspired to start your first amigurumi project today!
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
In this episode, I’m sharing why I decided to bring the podcast back to its roots as Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast. For the past few months, you’ve known this show as Creative & Called, but I realized most of you came here for crochet inspiration, patterns, and that spark of yarn-filled joy.
So today, we’re making it official — Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast is back! 🧶 You’ll still hear conversations about creativity, mindset, and designing a life you love, but front and center, this show is once again about crochet: celebrating it, learning it, and connecting through it.
If you’ve been looking for crochet patterns, amigurumi tips, and encouragement to use your creative gifts in meaningful ways, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re making plushies during nap time, starting a handmade business, or simply craving a cozy hobby, this is your community.
✨ Thank you for sticking with me through the changes. It feels good to come home.
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, we’re talking about one of the most freeing truths you can embrace as a maker: you are the potter, and your life is the clay.
If you’ve ever felt stuck on a path that didn’t feel like your own—or wondered if your crochet dream or handmade business could really support you—this conversation is for you. I share how I went from hiding my dream of being a full-time crochet designer to building a handmade business I truly love, and why you have the power to shape your creative life into something meaningful and fulfilling.
We’ll cover:
Breaking free from the “safe” path and rewriting your own blueprint
Pursuing your crochet and creative business dreams with confidence
Using your God-given gifts to create freedom, joy, and purpose
This episode is especially for crochet lovers, creative entrepreneurs, handmade artists, and faith-driven women who want to build a life of freedom without waiting for permission.
🔆Enroll in My Learn to Crochet Course
🧶Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns
🔹 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.
Is selling on Amazon Handmade really worth it for crochet artists and handmade business owners? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share my honest journey of what it’s really like to sell crochet products on Amazon.
From the early “wild west” days of mug cozies dominating the search results to navigating Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA), Brand Registry, and holiday inventory deadlines, I’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at the ups, downs, and lessons learned.
You’ll hear:
● How I made $4,000 in one December selling handmade mug cozies and crochet-themed mugs
● What helped me revive my Amazon sales after years of silence
● Why I call Amazon my “Q4 sales machine” for handmade products
● The real pros, cons, and honest truth about selling crochet on Amazon Handmade
Whether you’re a crochet maker exploring new ways to sell, a handmade business owner trying to boost Q4 sales, or just curious about the realities of Amazon Handmade, this episode is packed with encouragement and actionable tips.
RESOURCES & LINKS
🔆More About My Learn to Crochet Course
🧶Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns
🔹 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.
What happens when you feed your story into an AI tool and let it tell it back to you? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share my experiment with Google Notebook LM—an AI platform that can take your notes and transform them into a full podcast episode with AI-generated hosts.
I gave it my journey as a crochet artist and handmade business owner… and the results blew me away. You’ll hear what the AI created, plus my honest reflections on what this means for crochet makers, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the future of content creation.
We’ll explore:
● How AI like Google Notebook LM could change storytelling for creators
● What this experiment taught me about sharing my journey as a crochet entrepreneur
● The opportunities and challenges AI brings to handmade businesses and podcasts
Whether you’re a crochet lover, a creative business owner, or just fascinated by how AI can support makers, this episode offers fresh insight and inspiration.
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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 stuck hoping your handmade business will grow instead of deciding it will? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share the mindset shift that completely transformed my journey from overwhelmed mompreneur to confident crochet designer and creative entrepreneur.
We’ll talk about the crucial difference between passive hope and powerful decision—and why your handmade business, crochet side hustle, or creative dream can’t thrive on hope alone. True growth begins the moment you decide.
Inside this episode:
● How I shifted from “I hope this works” to “I’ve decided this will work” in my crochet business
● Why mindset is just as important as crochet skills for makers and entrepreneurs
● Practical encouragement for creative women ready to build income and freedom through their gifts
This is your reminder: you don’t have to wait for permission, luck, or chance. You get to decide to build the life, business, and creative freedom you were made for.
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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.
Ever wish you had a marketing coach, copywriter, and business strategist in your pocket 24/7? You do—it’s called ChatGPT. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share 9 real ways I use ChatGPT to grow my crochet business—and how you can use it to level up your handmade or digital product business, too.
From writing SEO-optimized Etsy listings and high-converting email funnels to brainstorming Pinterest pins, podcast content, and even mapping out six-figure growth strategies, I walk you through the exact prompts and workflows I use to save time and scale smarter.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
● How to use ChatGPT to write Etsy listings that actually rank in search
● Ways to create engaging emails, blog posts, and product descriptions with AI support
● How ChatGPT can spark new ideas for patterns, social media, and Pinterest marketing
● The role of AI in building a sustainable handmade or crochet business
If you’re a crochet pattern designer, creative entrepreneur, or handmade business owner who wants to work smarter (not harder), this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when you combine your God-given creativity with the right tools.
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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.
still feels “off”? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I dive into one of the most transformational books I’ve ever read as a crochet designer and creative entrepreneur: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.
This book reshaped the way I view my time, talent, and business growth. If you’ve ever found yourself burning out doing work you’re good at (but not passionate about) or hitting a ceiling in your success, you may be stuck in what Hendricks calls the Zone of Excellence—when you’re really meant to create from your Zone of Genius.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
● The 4 key concepts from The Big Leap, including the “Upper Limit Problem”
● How hidden beliefs may be quietly sabotaging your handmade or crochet business growth
● The 4 Zones of Functioning: Incompetence, Competence, Excellence, and Genius—and how to identify where you’re currently working from
● Practical encouragement to step boldly into your unique gifts and God-given creativity
Whether you’re building a crochet side hustle, growing a handmade business, or simply longing for more freedom and fulfillment, this episode will help you move beyond limits and step fully into your Zone of Genius.
📚 Mentioned in this episode: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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.
This episode isn’t polished—it’s personal. I’m just days away from welcoming our second baby, and I’m sitting with so many questions about motherhood, creativity, and identity—and how to carry it all with grace.
From the transition of loving two children to the invisible pressure of postpartum body image… from guilt over time and attention to wondering when it’s okay to return to my crochet business… this is a raw, honest reflection on the beauty and tension of what’s to come.
This isn’t an episode full of answers—it’s full of vulnerable questions I hope you’ll respond to. Because we weren’t meant to do this alone.
Inside this episode:
● The emotional transition from one child to two
● How moms balance creativity, business, and family
● Honest reflections on postpartum body image and identity
● Encouragement for moms building a crochet or handmade business while raising little ones
Whether you’re deep in motherhood, preparing for a new season, or simply wondering how to keep showing up for your dreams with kids underfoot, this conversation is a reminder: you’re not alone, and you were made for this.
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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.
In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, we meet Melinda—a woman who walked away from housekeeping after chemical exposure caused debilitating migraines… and walked straight into her God-given calling.
What began as a health crisis became the catalyst for a complete life pivot. Melinda didn’t just start over—she built multiple businesses rooted in creativity, service, and purpose.
Her story is raw, real, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes the hardest detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Inside this episode:
● How Melinda turned a painful health challenge into a creative business journey
● The courage it takes to leave behind “safe” jobs for meaningful work
● Why faith, service, and creativity go hand-in-hand for handmade entrepreneurs
● Inspiration for anyone considering a career pivot or longing to use their gifts with purpose
If you’ve ever wondered whether your creativity could become your livelihood, or if you’re in the middle of your own transition, Melinda’s story will inspire you to step forward with courage.
VISIT MELINDA's BUSINESSES
Sacred Honor
🧶 Hooked on Growth – now on Amazon
🌐 Visit marcymade.co for crochet patterns
🔹 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.
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.
SIMPLY HOOKED
Your first purchase at marcymade.co comes with a free downloadable donkey pattern—just our way of saying welcome!
🔆More About My Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
Welcome to Threads of Wisdom, my mini-episode series within Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast. In this episode, I reflect on a powerful quote from Earl Nightingale: “You become what you think about.”
Inspired by his iconic message, The Strangest Secret, I explore how our thoughts shape our actions, success, and overall quality of life. Just like in crochet—where every stitch builds something beautiful—our thoughts create the fabric of our lives.
Inside this short, uplifting episode, you’ll learn:
● How your daily thoughts influence your crochet business, creativity, and personal growth
● Practical ways to shift your mindset toward positivity and success
● Why setting clear goals and focusing on what you want can change the course of your handmade business and life
This mini-episode is a reminder that your mindset is just as important as your skill set. By choosing empowering thoughts, you can craft a creative life filled with freedom, joy, and purpose.
RESOURCES & LINKS
🧶FREE Donkey Crochet Pattern
🧶FREE Beginner's Crochet Starter Kit
It’s the final episode of my 8-part Scaling Your Crochet Business mini-series—and today we’re talking about the most important lesson of all: mindset.
You can master every strategy—SEO, product photography, email funnels, pattern design—but if your beliefs, energy, and inner world aren’t aligned, you’ll hit a ceiling every time. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the internal work that’s fueled my biggest seasons of growth as a crochet designer and creative entrepreneur.
We’ll talk about:
● Why your crochet or handmade business can only grow as much as you do
● How to shift from hustle to alignment, and from fear to faith
● The mindset patterns that block success (and how to reframe them)
● Inspiring wisdom from Les Brown, Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor, and Jay Shetty
● Practical encouragement to believe bigger and take your next step with confidence
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I really build something meaningful from my passion?”—this is your episode. Because the truth is, business is 90% mindset.
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
🧶FREE Donkey Crochet Pattern
🧶FREE Beginner's Crochet Starter Kit
Welcome back to Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast! In Part 7 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business Mini-Series, I’m pulling back the curtain on the tools and systems that keep my crochet business running—while juggling a full-time job, a toddler, and a bustling household.
From Canva and Trello to Shopify, Mailchimp, and even ChatGPT, I share the platforms and processes I rely on every day to stay organized, show up consistently, and grow my creative business without burning out.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
● My favorite tools for running a crochet or handmade business efficiently
● How I batch content, record on the go, and repurpose every ounce of creative energy
● Practical ways to manage product shipping, digital products, and inventory with less stress
● Time-saving hacks for working in small pockets of time and keeping things simple
● How systems create freedom and allow you to focus more on what you love—creating!
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your handmade business, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you streamline your workflow and save time.
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
🧶FREE Donkey Crochet Pattern
🧶FREE Beginner's Crochet Starter Kit
In Part 6 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business Mini-Series, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools you can add to your creative business: your email list.
Social media is fun and flashy, but it’s not always reliable—algorithms change, accounts get hacked, and posts get buried. Your email list? That’s yours. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’ll show you why email marketing is one of the smartest moves you can make as a crochet designer, maker, or creative entrepreneur.
You’ll learn:
● Why your email list is your most valuable business asset
● How to create a strong lead magnet (freebie your audience actually wants)
● The role of simple, trust-building sales funnels that naturally lead to purchases
● Practical strategies to nurture your subscribers and turn readers into raving fans
● How email builds connection, consistency, and long-term sales for your crochet or handmade business
If you’re ready to stop relying on social media and start building a sustainable business with a direct line to your audience, this episode will give you the roadmap.
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
In Part 5 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business Mini-Series, we’re diving into one of the most underestimated (yet powerful) elements of building a successful handmade business: photography, graphics, and branding.
When you’re selling crochet or handmade products online, your images are everything. Before anyone clicks “buy,” they’re judging your product with their eyes—and your visual presentation can make or break the sale. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share the exact tools, setups, and branding strategies I use to help my products stand out and build trust with customers.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
● My go-to setup for product photography (and why I ditched the lightbox for my front porch)
● How to get started affordably with DSLR photography for handmade products
● Branding tips to help your crochet business look polished and professional across every platform
● Why Canva is a total game-changer for graphics and product visuals
● My #1 pro tip that instantly boosted sales
Whether you’re just starting your handmade business or looking to uplevel your visuals, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help your products shine and your brand stand out.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Welcome back to Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast! In Part 4 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business Mini-Series, we’re diving into one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) strategies for handmade business growth: organic traffic.
Imagine waking up to sales every day—not because you ran an ad, but because people found your crochet patterns, products, or tutorials through Pinterest, Google, or YouTube. That’s the magic of organic traffic, and it’s key to creating a sustainable crochet business.
In this episode, I break down the best strategies for driving organic traffic, including:
🧶 Why Pinterest is the #1 tool for crochet designers and how to use it effectively
🧶 How blogging boosts your Google rankings and brings steady traffic over time
🧶 The trust-building power of YouTube for crochet tutorials and product visibility
🧶 Smart ways to leverage Facebook Groups for engagement without breaking rules
🧶 My go-to method for repurposing content across multiple platforms to maximize reach
Organic traffic takes time, but once it starts working, it becomes a consistent stream of potential customers—without spending a dime on ads. If you’re ready to build a crochet business that thrives long-term, this episode is for you.
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
Welcome back to Part 3 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business Mini-Series on Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast! So far, we’ve covered multiple revenue streams and SEO—today we’re talking about one of the biggest game-changers for scaling a handmade business: Products With Purpose.
Here’s the truth: people don’t just buy crochet patterns or finished plushies—they buy what those things mean to them. Once I realized this, my entire approach to marketing shifted. When you position your products with purpose, you stop selling “cute things” and start offering emotional connections, meaningful gifts, and real solutions your customers want.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ The mindset shift that transformed my crochet business and boosted sales
✨ How to speak directly to your customer’s needs and emotions
✨ Lessons from Ashley at A Crafty Concept, Donald Miller’s StoryBrand framework, and Seth Godin’s radical empathy approach
✨ Actionable tips to rewrite your product descriptions for stronger connection and higher conversions
🔥 Challenge of the Week: Choose one of your product descriptions and rewrite it using this framework. Instead of just describing the item, tell a story about how it fits into your customer’s life and solves a problem.
If you’re ready to sell more than just products—and instead connect deeply with your audience—this episode will give you the blueprint.
💡Ashley's Crochet Boss Academy
💡 Donald Miller's Podcast
💡 Seth Godin With Cathy Heller Podcast Episode
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!
SIMPLY HOOKED RESOURCES & LINKS
