The Adventures of Craft Stalls: The Ups, Downs, and Delights of Selling Handmade Crochet

Ah, the craft stall—a place where the joy of handmade meets the curiosity of shoppers, and where I get to introduce my crochet creations, like the ever-popular Gloria (Anchor the Octopus by Humble.Child), to the world. As someone who’s poured hours into every piece, I love the chance to get out, meet people, and share what I’ve made. But, as anyone who’s done a craft stall knows, selling handmade crochet isn’t always smooth sailing! Let me take you through the types of customers we meet—some a delight, others...a bit more of a challenge.

The Crocheter: Fellow Makers at Craft Stalls

Now, here’s a classic. This is the person who spots my stall, smiles, and exclaims, “Ooh, I make these too!” and suddenly, we’re off on a full-on chat about yarns, projects, and stitches. Don’t get me wrong, I was absolutely one of these people once! I know the thrill of finding another crocheter to natter with. But, back in the day, I’d always try to buy something—however small—because I understood the effort behind it. Nowadays, though, it’s more likely they’ll chat and then just move on, leaving me to smile politely as I go back to my stall, hoping for a sale.

The “My Friend Crochets” Visitor

This one’s often here more for inspiration than for buying. They’ll wander over, sometimes taking photos of my handmade crochet items to show their friend later. The peak of this one was the person who picked up an item, walked it right over to their friend for a full photo shoot, then popped it back on the stall without so much as a word! It’s always nice to think my work sparks ideas, but sometimes it would be even nicer if they supported the artist behind the inspiration.

The “I’m Not Paying That” Crowd

Then, there are those who look at the price and mutter, “I’m not paying that!” These customers may not realise that crochet isn’t quick or cheap to produce. Each piece, from plush toys like Gloria (Anchor the Octopus) to detailed Christmas decorations, is made with hours of work, high-quality yarn, stuffing, sometimes safety eyes, ribbons, and goodness knows what else. By the time we’re done, many of us are hardly earning minimum wage on each item. It’s handmade, unique—not something rolled out in bulk. These creations have a charm you won’t find in a mass-produced piece.

The Parent and the Overly Curious Child

Now, I do love children’s curiosity. But I’ve had more than a few moments where little ones pick up, hug, and carry items around. It’s natural, I know! But I do ask that parents help keep items clean and tidy, as every touch can affect the next person’s impression. Each piece is made with love, and I want every potential customer to see it in the best light.

The Dream Customer: The Handmade Crochet Supporter

And finally, there’s the customer who “gets it.” They pick up a piece, smile, and you can just see they understand the time, the care, and the skill that went into it. They know this isn’t just a thing—it’s a piece of someone’s time, energy, and creativity. When they buy it, it feels like that item’s found a home. These are the moments that make all the effort worthwhile. They remind me why I come back, setting up my stall over and over, knowing that every once in a while, you’ll get that lovely exchange.

Why Handmade Matters

Being a respectful customer isn’t just about supporting the person behind the stall—it’s about recognising the value of what you’re buying. Handmade items, whether they’re crochet, pottery, painting, or anything else, carry a level of quality and care you won’t always find with factory-made goods. So next time you’re at a craft stall, consider taking home something unique, knowing it’s made with care by someone who loves what they do. It may even bring you the same joy to own as it did for us to create.