Creating unique crochet designs

Crochet allows for enormous creativity, whether you’re making amigurumi, blankets, wearables or homeware there’s room for your to infuse each piece with your own personal style. And that is what will set you apart from the competition; because your creativity is what is unique about you! Whether you sell finished pieces or patterns here are some tips for creating unique designs:

For crochet businesses that sell finished pieces:

• Look for inspiration outside of crochet: Inspiration can come from anywhere, so don’t limit yourself to just looking at other crochet designs. Look at fashion trends, nature, architecture, and more. Use these inspirations to create unique pieces that stand out.
• Experiment with colors: Experimenting with colors can help you blend the past with the present. Lately I’ve been really enjoying working with the groovy 1970’s burgundy, orange and creams! I’ve tried thinking of ways to incorporate these color palettes into my home decor pieces.

• Personalize your pieces: Personalizing your pieces can make them even more unique. This is something that Etsy customers absolutely love! There are lots of ways to personalize your finished pieces for your customer, some are easier than others! This can include: embordering names or dates onto items, re-making a favorite childhood toy, incorporating a loved ones clothes into a piece, creating a graphgan from a picture, making amigurumi bride & grooms, the list is endless. Personally, I’ve not been able to commit to making highly personalized pieces myself, I offer the option of different yarn & colors, a much smaller scale personalization.
• Collaborate with other artists: Collaborating with other artists, such as painters or illustrators, can help you create unique pieces that combine different art forms. Or maybe you are a multi talented artist yourself; don’t be afraid to mix mediums and try adding some crochet appliques to your paintings!

For crochet businesses that sell patterns:

1. Think outside the box: Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. When folks think about crochet and knitted items, they usually think about warm, cozy hats or blankets. They maybe don’t think about wall hangings or crochet trinket trays! Take a look around you, what is in your home that you could make a cute crochet version of?
2. Create patterns that are easy to customize: Creating patterns that are easy to customize can make them more appealing to customers. Consider including options for different sizes or color variations in your patterns. Consider including some information in your pattern for how it can be used as something else. For example I have included links and information to turn my C2C Cat Eyes Wall Hanging pattern into a pillow, or a blanket.
3. Incorporate different stitches and techniques: Using different stitches and techniques can make your patterns stand out. Consider incorporating less common stitches or techniques to create something new and unique. I am in the process of creating a C2C bag, and there aren’t many patterns out there for C2C bags. Do some research to see if there are any gaps in the market.
4. Offer video tutorials: Video tutorials can make your patterns more accessible and user-friendly. Consider offering video tutorials along with your patterns to help customers understand the instructions more easily. This is also a helpful way to have another revenue stream via YouTube.

In conclusion, creating unique crochet patterns and designs is important for crochet businesses that sell finished pieces or patterns. By looking for inspiration outside of crochet, experimenting with colors, personalizing pieces, collaborating with other artists, thinking outside the box, creating patterns that are easy to customize, incorporating different stitches and techniques, and offering video tutorials, you can create unique designs that set your business apart from the competition!