Do you have piles of unfinished crochet projects tucked away in baskets and bags? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, we dive deep into the world of crochet WIPs (Works in Progress). Whether you’re a beginner crocheter or a seasoned maker with a growing yarn stash, you’ll learn practical tips to organize, track, and actually finish your projects—without feeling overwhelmed.
I’ll walk you through my favorite WIP tracking methods, how to set realistic crochet goals, and why using a crochet project planner can transform your workflow. You’ll discover strategies for managing multiple amigurumi patterns, keeping your yarn inventory under control, and finding joy in every stitch—even when projects pile up.
-- GRAB THE CROCHET PROJECT PLANNER HERE --
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
● Why crocheters accumulate so many WIPs and how to avoid “project guilt”
● Simple systems for organizing crochet patterns, yarn, and tools
● How to create a crochet WIP tracker or planner that actually works
● Tips for staying motivated and finishing crochet projects faster
● Ways to turn your unfinished WIPs into crochet gifts, donations, or items to sell
If you’ve ever felt stuck in WIP overload, this episode will help you reclaim your crochet confidence, finish more projects, and fall back in love with the craft you started for joy.
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
What happens when something you make with your own two hands ends up in one of the most iconic places in the world? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m taking you back to 2014—before I ever had an Etsy shop, before I started designing crochet patterns, and before I dreamed this business would exist.
This isn’t a “how-to” episode. It’s a story—a reminder that the work of your hands matters more than you realize. I share the behind-the-scenes of how my hippo landed in Times Square, the lessons it taught me about showing up, and why I even started this podcast in the first place: to leave a legacy of stories and encouragement my kids can one day listen to.
✨ In this episode you’ll hear:
● The true story of how my crocheted hippo was featured in Times Square
● Why sharing your creativity—even in small ways—can lead to big opportunities
● The importance of leaving a creative legacy for your loved ones
● Encouragement to keep putting your handmade work into the world
Whether you crochet for fun, for business, or simply for yourself, I hope this story inspires you to keep creating and sharing. Because you never know when your “hippo moment” might come.
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
Today, I’m joined by the lovely Emily, the creative heart behind Emily Makes Crochet. Emily has been crocheting since she was just 12 years old, and now, as a busy mom of two girls, she’s balancing family life, part-time work at a ceramic shop, and her thriving crochet business.
In this conversation, Emily opens up about how crochet has brought her joy through every season of life—whether it’s during carpool lines, late-night stitches, or creating new designs that bring her community together.
We talk about her journey from hobby to business, the challenges and wins of running a creative brand while raising kids, and the way her online community has supported and inspired her along the way.
Emily’s story is such a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to wait for the perfect season—it can weave itself beautifully into our everyday lives.
If you’re looking for encouragement to chase your creative spark (even in the middle of a busy schedule), you’ll love this conversation.
✨ Check out Emily’s Daisy Pop Pattern
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
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
Did you know crochet has two different languages? 🧶 If you’ve ever been confused by a crochet pattern that doesn’t look right, chances are you’ve run into the difference between UK vs US crochet terms. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, we unpack why crochet stitches are named differently, how this split happened, and what it means for your projects today.
You’ll learn:
● The fascinating history behind UK and US crochet stitch names
● Why a UK double crochet is the same as a US single crochet
● Crochet tips for beginners on how to read patterns confidently
● How to spot which terminology your pattern uses before you start
Whether you’re just learning how to crochet or you’ve been making projects for years, this episode will help you master crochet pattern reading, avoid mix-ups, and understand the story behind the stitches you love.
Read this blog for a printable PDF of this abbreviation chart.
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
If you’ve ever wondered how to design a crochet pattern and actually turn it into a profitable part of your crochet business, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through my complete crochet pattern design process—from the very first idea to launching the finished pattern in my shop.
In this behind-the-scenes look, you’ll learn:
● Crochet business tips for designing patterns that stand out in a crowded market
● How to brainstorm unique crochet pattern ideas that actually sell
● My step-by-step crochet design process: sketching, prototyping, testing, and formatting
● Why pattern testing is essential for creating professional, beginner-friendly crochet patterns
● How I photograph, write, and format patterns for platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Ravelry
● Marketing strategies for promoting your crochet patterns with social media, email, and Pinterest
Whether you’re dreaming of starting a crochet business, already selling patterns and looking for fresh tips, or just curious about what goes into crochet pattern design, this episode will give you the roadmap.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to:
● Turn crochet ideas into polished, professional patterns
● Build a crochet side hustle or full-time business with patterns that sell
● Use my proven system to go from idea → pattern → launch day with confidence
👉 Tune in for practical crochet business tips, pattern design strategies, and inspiration to help you grow your crochet business and share your creativity with the world.
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
🧶Grab the Crochet Pattern Template
🧶Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
Hey friend, if you’ve ever felt stuck in your crochet business or handmade journey because the results aren’t coming fast enough—you’re not alone. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share a lesson every creative entrepreneur and handmade business owner needs to hear: belief comes before results.
Here’s what you’ll take away:● How to stay motivated when your crochet patterns, handmade crafts, or online shop sales feel slow● Why consistency and mindset are more powerful than instant results for long-term growth● Encouragement for makers, crafters, and small business owners who feel like giving up when progress doesn’t show right away
If you’re a crochet lover, handmade seller, or creative entrepreneur looking for inspiration to keep going during the slow seasons, this episode will remind you: belief is the fuel that keeps us stitching, creating, and building businesses we love.
✨ Your crochet business matters. Your creativity matters. And the results will come when you lead with belief.
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
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
Are you prepping for fall craft markets or Christmas holiday fairs and wondering what to make that actually sells? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m sharing my best crochet business tips for stocking your booth with quick, profitable projects that buyers can’t resist.
You’ll learn:
● The top-selling crochet items for fall craft markets
● Smart strategies for building Christmas inventory early
● How to use chunky chenille yarn to save time and create plushies and accessories shoppers love
● Display hacks that make your booth stand out, from multiples to bundle pricing
● Why bringing a project to work on at your booth can boost engagement and sales
Whether you’re selling at local holiday craft fairs, Christmas markets, or Etsy, these tips will help you grow your handmade business, increase sales, and prep smarter for Q4.
Tune in and discover exactly what to make now for fall and Christmas craft markets so you leave your events with empty tables and full pockets!
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
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
🧶Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns
📖Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book
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/
Have you ever wondered if running a crochet business—or pursuing any creative dream—is selfish? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share my personal journey as a crochet pattern designer and handmade business owner who once questioned whether this work truly mattered.
Here’s what we’ll dive into:
● Why crochet is more than a hobby—it supports mental health and well-being through the calming rhythm of stitches● How your crochet patterns, handmade gifts, and creative projects become keepsakes passed down for generations● The ripple effect of a crochet business—fueling other small businesses, inspiring makers, and strengthening creative community● Why your art and handmade work are not indulgent, but an act of generosity and contribution
If you’ve ever doubted whether your crochet designs, handmade products, or creative business make a difference, this episode will remind you: your crochet matters more than you realize.
✨ Creativity is generosity, not selfishness—and 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!
RESOURCES & LINKS
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
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 break 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) make the biggest difference in your projects.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
● How to read crochet hook sizes in millimeters, letters, and numbers
● Why millimeter sizing is the most reliable across brands
● The pros and cons of tapered (Boye) vs. inline (Susan Bates) crochet hooks
● How ergonomic crochet hooks help with hand pain and comfort
● My recommendations for the best crochet hooks for beginners, amigurumi, and bulky yarn projects
By the end, you’ll know exactly which crochet hook to use for your project, what features actually matter, and how to choose the one that feels best in your hands.
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
Struggling with the magic ring in crochet (also called the magic circle)? You’re not alone! In this first Quick Stitches mini-episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share beginner-friendly tips on the magic ring vs. chain start method—so you’ll know whether you really need to use it for amigurumi or if a simpler alternative works just as well.
Whether you’re just learning how to crochet or starting your first amigurumi stuffed animal, this bite-sized episode will help you confidently choose the best way to begin your crochet rounds.
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
Ready to crochet your first plushie but not sure where to start? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m sharing everything beginners need to know about amigurumi. From choosing the best yarn for crochet plushies—like Bernat Blanket Yarn, Premier Parfait Chunky, and Loops & Threads Cozy Cub—to picking the right hook size, stuffing tips, and adding eyes safely, you’ll learn how to make your first crochet stuffed animal with confidence.
Whether you’ve been saving amigurumi patterns on Pinterest or dreaming of making plushies for gifts, craft fairs, or cozy home décor, this episode is packed with beginner crochet tips. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, pick easy starter patterns, and enjoy quick, fun projects that bring instant gratification.
If you’ve ever wondered:
🧶 How to crochet a stuffed animal
🧶 What’s the best yarn for amigurumi
🧶 How to make plushies soft, squishy, and professional-looking
…this episode has you covered.
👉 Tune in now and get inspired to start your first amigurumi project today!
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 The Next Crochet Kit Club
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My 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 makers and handmade business owners? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I share my honest journey of what it’s like to run a crochet business on Amazon—the wins, struggles, and lessons I’ve learned along the way.
From the early days of mug cozies dominating search results to learning Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA), Brand Registry, and managing holiday inventory deadlines, you’ll get a real behind-the-scenes look at how Amazon can fit into your handmade business strategy.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
● How I made $4,000 in one December selling crochet mug cozies and crochet-themed mugs● The strategies that helped me revive my Amazon sales after years of silence● Why Amazon has become my “Q4 sales machine” for handmade products● The real pros and cons of Amazon Handmade for crochet and handmade sellers
Whether you’re a crochet artist exploring new income streams, a handmade seller wanting to boost holiday sales, or just curious about selling on Amazon Handmade, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical insights, and actionable crochet business tips.
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
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
🧶Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns
📖Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book
🔹 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 feel like something’s “off” in your business or life? 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 discover:
● The 4 key concepts from The Big Leap, including the Upper Limit Problem
● How hidden beliefs may be quietly sabotaging your crochet or handmade 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, scaling a handmade business, or longing for more freedom and fulfillment, this episode will inspire you to move beyond limits and step fully into your Zone of Genius.
📚 Mentioned in this episode: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
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
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Simply Hooked on Facebook
🔆Simply Hooked on Instagram
🧶Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns
📖Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book
🔹 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.
