How to Make Money with Chunky Knit Blankets: Launch Your Business

With the right advice, you can turn your crafting love into a small business. In this article, I’ll guide you through the beginning steps. I’ll also share tips to help you succeed.

1. Start with one product, like a basic chunky knit blanket, and expand as you grow.
2. Use personal social media to gain support before moving to platforms like Etsy.
3. Sell at local markets to increase visibility and connect with customers.
4. Stay consistent with authentic social media marketing to build relationships and grow your business.

Once you’ve learned how to make a basic chunky knit blanket, you’re ready to start selling! You don’t need to figure out how to make pillows, stuffies, snugglers, or different blanket styles before launching your business. When I first started my small business, the only thing I knew how to make was a simple, single-colored chunky knit blanket — and that was enough to get going.

Don’t stress about having everything planned out before you start. As your skills grow, you can gradually add new products to your shop. One important thing to focus on before you begin selling is making sure your blankets are well-made and up to your standards. Some people create the “perfect” blanket — with evenly sized loops, straight edges, and no mistakes — within their first few tries, while for others, it takes several blankets to master the technique.

It’s a good idea to practice making a few blankets before opening your shop. Not only will this help you deliver quality products to your customers, but it’ll also build your confidence as you start to explore new products in the future.

If you’re struggling with certain parts of your blanket, I highly recommend my Chunky Knit Blanket Course! It’s packed with helpful tips and tricks to help you master the art of finger knitting. You’ll learn everything from changing colors to troubleshooting common mistakes and more.

Check out this affordable, beginner-friendly course here.

Where & How to Sell 

Starting a small business with chunky knit blankets is about so much more than just making them — it’s about learning how to actually get sales! The very first thing I did, even before creating social media accounts for my business or signing up for Etsy, was post on my personal social media. I simply let my friends and family know that I was making chunky knit blankets and that they were available for purchase.

The support I received from my friends and family was essential — not just in terms of sales, but through their encouragement, excitement, and willingness to share my posts on their own social media. That early support gave me the confidence and momentum I needed to open my Etsy shop.

For me, Etsy was a great way to streamline my business. It made handling payments easier and gave customers a clear place to see what was available. That said, getting traction on Etsy can be tricky if you’re relying only on Etsy’s built-in audience. That’s why it’s so important to let your friends and family know when your shop is live — and be sure to send them your shop link! Their support can help boost your shop in those early days.

If you’d like a dedicated space for your business, you can also create a social media account just for your chunky knit creations (be sure to pick out a name you love!). I’ll cover more about that in the next section.

Outside of selling online, one of the best ways to get your chunky knit blankets — and other products — in front of people is by selling at local markets (also known as craft fairs, vendor shows, flea markets, etc.). I’ll be writing an entire blog post on markets soon because they’re such a valuable way to connect with customers and grow your business!

Marketing is essential for the success of your small business. It’s not just about having a great product — it’s about making sure people actually see it! The good news is, marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, especially when you’re starting out. Simply posting a photo or video, no matter the platform or your follower count, is still marketing your products.

Everyone starts somewhere. Even if your first posts only reach friends, family, and a small circle of people, that’s valuable exposure. Over time, you’ll grow that audience. While it’s important to eventually focus on your ideal customers — the ones who will fall in love with your chunky knit products — don’t let that stop you from sharing now.

Social media has been one of the most effective tools for marketing my chunky knit business. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest are perfect for cozy, visually-driven products like chunky knit blankets. People love seeing beautiful, handmade things — and your work could be exactly what catches their attention.

Content creation is a big part of this. Share behind-the-scenes videos, time-lapse clips, product showcases, customer reviews, and tutorials. A great trick is to make one video and post it across all your social media platforms to reach a bigger audience without extra work. The more content you share, the more chances you have to connect with new customers. It’s about more than selling — it’s about sharing your story, your process, and making people feel like part of your journey.

Consistency is key. Staying active and showing up regularly keeps your products visible, builds brand familiarity, and grows your following. You don’t have to create new content for every platform. Focus on one or two platforms you enjoy and can manage (I started with Instagram and Facebook, then added TikTok and YouTube Shorts). The more often people see your products, the more likely they are to remember you when they’re ready to buy.

Above all, remember that marketing is about building relationships and trust, not just making a sale. Share what makes your products special, how they’re made, and why you love what you do — people connect with authenticity, and that’s what truly grows a business.

Starting your chunky knit business is all about taking that first step. Focus on making high-quality blankets, then share your creations with your friends, family, and online community. Don’t worry about having everything figured out from the start — as you grow, you can add new products and refine your skills. Consistency in marketing and connecting with your audience is key to building your brand. Keep sharing your story, stay authentic, and watch your business flourish! You’ve got this!

Even though I’ve covered a lot in this blog, believe it or not — there’s still so much more to dive into! I’m turning this into a series where future posts will go even deeper into the world of starting and running a small business. I’ll be sharing tips on scaling your production, managing customer orders and feedback, navigating the ins and outs of opening an Etsy shop or launching your own website, handling finances, packaging and shipping orders, and so much more. My goal is to give you practical, step-by-step advice to help you confidently grow your handmade business from the ground up — so stay tuned!