What is a fair hourly rate for crochet work?

A fair hourly rate ranges from $12–15 for beginners, $15–25 for intermediate crocheters, and $25–50+ for expert-level custom work. Consider your skill level, local market, and item complexity.

How do I calculate wholesale price vs retail price?

Wholesale price is typically 50% of your retail price. Calculate retail first using materials + labor + profit margin, then halve it for wholesale. Ensure your wholesale price still covers costs.

Should I include platform fees in my pricing?

Yes. Etsy charges approximately 6.5% in transaction fees plus $0.20 listing fee. Amazon Handmade takes 15%. Craft fair booth fees should be divided across expected sales. Always factor these into your retail price.

Why do handmade crochet items cost more than store-bought?

Handmade crochet items require hours of skilled labor — a simple beanie takes 2–3 hours, a blanket 40–80+ hours. Unlike machine-knit factory items, each stitch is made by hand, and quality yarn costs $5–15+ per skein.

Crochet Pricing Calculator: How to Price Your Handmade Items Fairly

Name: Crochet Pricing Calculator
Author: Sarah Mitchell

📅 Last updated: February 2026

Sarah Mitchell

CYC Certified Instructor · 20+ Years Crochet Experience

After selling crochet items at craft fairs and on Etsy for over 15 years, I've tested every pricing formula out there. This calculator uses the exact method I recommend to my students.

✅ Fact-Checked📋 Editorial Standards

🎯 Key Takeaway: The most reliable crochet pricing formula is: (Material Cost + Labor) × Profit Multiplier + Platform Fees = Retail Price. Most crocheters undercharge because they forget to include their time — charge at least $15–25/hour for your skilled labor.

One of the biggest challenges for crocheters who want to sell their work is figuring out what to charge. I've seen talented makers at craft fairs selling intricate blankets for $40 — blankets that took 60+ hours and $30 in yarn. That's paying yourself less than $0.17 per hour. You deserve better, and this calculator will prove it with hard numbers.

Pricing handmade crochet items isn't just about covering your yarn costs. A fair price accounts for every skein of yarn, every hour of skilled labor, a reasonable profit margin for your business, and any platform fees if you sell on Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or at craft fairs. The Craft Yarn Council and the Crochet Guild of America both emphasize that crocheters should value their time as skilled artisans — because that's exactly what you are.

Our free crochet pricing calculator below does all the math instantly. Enter your material costs, hours worked, desired hourly rate, and profit margin, and you'll get a recommended retail price, wholesale price, and a complete cost breakdown. No more guessing, no more undercharging.

Calculate Your Crochet Item Price

Total Material Cost ($)

Hours to Complete

Your Hourly Rate ($)

Profit Margin (%)

Platform Fee (%)

Listing Fee ($)

Your Pricing Breakdown

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Retail Price

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Wholesale Price

—

Labor Cost

—

Base Cost

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Your Profit

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Effective $/Hour

💡 Pro Tip: If your effective hourly rate is below $15, increase your retail price or reduce material costs by buying yarn on sale. Most successful Etsy crochet sellers charge $20–30/hour for their time.

Understanding the Crochet Pricing Formula

In my years selling at craft fairs and online, I've found that the most reliable pricing formula has four components. First, you calculate your base cost — the total of all materials (yarn, stuffing, safety eyes, buttons) plus your labor (hours × hourly rate). Then you apply a profit margin, typically 10–20% for direct sales and 30–50% if you're selling wholesale to shops. Finally, you account for platform fees — Etsy takes about 6.5% per transaction, Amazon Handmade takes 15%, and craft fair booth fees should be divided across your expected number of sales.

The mistake most crocheters make is treating their time as "free." When I first started selling amigurumi at local markets, I priced a stuffed elephant at $15 — it took me 8 hours to make and used $6 in yarn. That meant I was paying myself $1.12 per hour. Once I started using a proper pricing formula with a $20/hour rate, that same elephant was priced at $195. And here's what surprised me: people bought them. Customers who value handmade work understand the time investment and are willing to pay fairly.

Hourly Rate Guidelines by Skill Level

Skill Level	Suggested Rate	Best For
Beginner	$12–15/hr	Simple scarves, dishcloths, basic beanies
Intermediate	$15–25/hr	Blankets, garments, amigurumi, stitch patterns
Advanced	$25–40/hr	Complex garments, custom designs, intricate lace
Expert/Designer	$40–60+/hr	Original patterns, commissioned artwork, teaching

Platform Fee Comparison

Platform	Transaction Fee	Listing Fee	Payment Processing
Etsy	6.5%	$0.20/item	3% + $0.25
Amazon Handmade	15%	Free	Included
Shopify	0%	$39/mo plan	2.9% + $0.30
Craft Fairs	0%	$50–200 booth	Varies
Instagram/Direct	0%	Free	PayPal ~3%

Common Crochet Item Pricing Examples

To give you a real-world sense of what handmade crochet items should cost, here are examples using a $20/hour rate and 15% profit margin. These reflect the true value of your work — and yes, these prices are normal for handmade marketplaces.

Item	Hours	Materials	Suggested Retail
Dishcloth	1–1.5	$3	$28–38
Baby Beanie	2–3	$5	$52–75
Scarf	4–6	$12	$105–150
Amigurumi (medium)	6–10	$8	$147–240
Baby Blanket	15–25	$25	$373–603
Adult Sweater	30–50	$40	$736–1,196
Queen Blanket	60–100	$80	$1,472–2,392

⚠️ Pricing Reality Check If your prices seem "too high," remember: a queen-size crochet blanket represents 60–100 hours of skilled handwork. A factory-made blanket from Walmart isn't comparable — it's machine-produced in minutes. Your customers are paying for artisanal craftsmanship, unique design, and the love stitched into every row.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I price my crochet items?

Use the formula: (Material Cost + Hours × Hourly Rate) × (1 + Profit Margin%) + Platform Fees = Retail Price. Our calculator above automates this. Most crocheters should charge at least $15–25/hour for labor, as recommended by the Crochet Guild of America.

What is a fair hourly rate for crochet?

$12–15/hour for beginners, $15–25 for intermediate, $25–40 for advanced, and $40–60+ for expert custom work. Factor in your local cost of living, the complexity of the item, and the market you're selling in. Etsy sellers in specialty niches often charge $30+/hour.

How do I calculate wholesale vs retail?

Wholesale is typically 50% of retail. Calculate your full retail price first (materials + labor + profit + fees), then halve it for wholesale. Ensure your wholesale price still covers all costs with at least a small margin. If it doesn't, your retail price needs to be higher.

Should I include Etsy fees in pricing?

Absolutely. Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee, a $0.20 listing fee, and payment processing of 3% + $0.25. On a $100 sale, you'd pay approximately $10 in fees. Our calculator factors these in so your take-home reflects your true earnings.

Why are handmade crochet items so expensive?

Each stitch is made by hand — there are no crochet machines (unlike knitting). A simple beanie requires 2–3 hours of work, and quality yarn costs $5–15 per skein. When you factor in skilled labor at a fair wage, the price reflects the true time, skill, and materials invested in each piece.

📚 Sources & References

Craft Yarn Council — Industry Standards & Guidelines
Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) — Professional Development & Pricing Resources
Etsy Seller Handbook — Fee Structure & Pricing Guide
Abby Sy — "The Crocheter's Guide to Pricing Handmade Goods" (2023)