Since I started selling amigurumi kits, I’ve gotten lots of questions from other designers about how to do it. And you know what multiple questions means, right? Blog post!

Prepare your Patterns

I started selling my patterns online as PDF downloads, which is fantastic because there’s no page limit! However, if you’re going to start printing your patterns to put into kits, you might need to make some adjustments.

You’ll want to make sure your pattern:

• Is appropriately sized. Printing the pattern is a significant cost to consider when creating your patterns. You may want to edit your pattern to fit on a few pages.
• Includes pointers to helpful information. If you’re cutting out extra tutorials or background information to make a page limit, you’ll want to still make sure that information is accessible. It might be a good idea to add a link to your blog or Facebook page.
• Includes exact yardage information. It’s common for patterns (especially patterns for toys and small items) to give vague yarn amounts like, “uses less than 220 yards”. If you’re creating a kit, you’ll need to know exact yardage amounts- so you may as well update the pattern!

Finding your Materials

When you’re assembling a kit, you’ll need to include a pattern (of course!) and some yarn. But, there’s lots of other extras you’ll need to purchase.

Here are some items that might be on your shopping list:

• Pattern. You’ll have to select the type of paper to print your pattern on, as well as whether you’d like to use color or not.
• Yarn. Think about your customer when selecting your yarn. Is the highlight of your design style your knack for combining color? Maybe you want to source from an indie dyer. Alternatively, if you’re selling kits targeted at beginners, then price might be your most important consideration.
• Labels. I’m a fan of labeling the individual yarns inside the kit, in case they become separated. You’ll probably also want a label for the entire kit. I printed stickers for the kits and mini ball-bands for the yarn. If you’re using clear packaging, then the pattern itself may be a sufficient label.
• Packaging. How is your kit going to be packaged? My kits are in clear bags, tied with a blue ribbon. Think about the size of the contents as well as the amount of time you want to dedicate to assembling when you’re selecting a package.
• Extra notions. I sell stuffed animal patterns, so animal eyes are essential notions. Is there anything that is necessary to your kit?

Putting it Together

Now that you’ve sourced the pieces, it’s time to put it together!

• Since the benefit of a kit is having the right amount of yarn in one place, it may be best for you to re-skein (wind into smaller balls) the yarn you purchase.
• Make sure to include the right amount of yarn (remember your calculations?). Including a touch extra will help avoid any shortages.
• Calculate your price… remembering to include the cost of materials, your time assembling and a bit for profit!

Tags: crochet, patterns, tips

In: Business of Design