Making Your Yarn Store a Haven for Crocheters

How local yarn shops can better support the growing crochet community

Crochet is thriving—and yarn shops that adapt will thrive too. Learn how to make your store more crochet-inclusive, from inventory and staff training to branding and display ideas.

The Shift in Fiber Arts

The landscape is changing. At this year’s Rhinebeck Festival, the most-worn sweater wasn’t a knit—it was the crochet hexagon cardigan, made with natural fibers. Crochet is on the rise, and yarn stores have a unique opportunity to meet this growing audience where they are.

Here are five practical ways to make your yarn shop more welcoming, inclusive, and profitable for crocheters.

1. Stock Your Shelves to Support Both Crafts

In many local yarn stores, knitters dominate the display—“knit bags,” “knit kits,” “knit night.” But crocheters are fiber artists too, and they notice when they’re treated as an afterthought.

• Think “project bags,” not “knit bags.” Use craft-neutral labels and signage.
• Audit your tools. Group shared supplies together, and place knit-only or crochet-only tools where each community can find them easily.
• Balance your displays. If you offer artistic notions, make sure crocheters have equally creative options.

Even small touches—like keeping a few crochet hook sizes on hand (especially 4.5 mm for DK weight)—signal that your store sees them. It’s not just about sales; it’s about optics and inclusion.

2. Rethink Branding and Puns

Punny names are charming, but many carry unintentional bias. Historically, crochet was lumped into “arts and crafts,” while knitting was considered a fine art. That old hierarchy still shapes perceptions.

If your name or branding leans heavily on knit-specific language, consider balancing it out. You don’t have to rebrand completely—simply adding a tagline or visual cue (“Yarns & Crochet Too” or “For Every Maker”) communicates that your doors are open to all.

Inclusivity can be as subtle as your window sign.

3. Train Staff to Welcome All Makers

Crocheters often feel invisible when staff say, “Sorry, I only knit.” But you don’t need to be fluent in crochet to make them feel at home.

• Teach basic crochet terms and stitch types.
• Encourage curiosity over avoidance: “When I knit, this happens—how does that work in crochet?” is a perfect response.
• Make sure staff know how to match fiber, gauge, and project goals across crafts.

Even small changes in conversation style can transform a customer’s experience—and their likelihood of returning.

4. Understand Crochet Customer Behavior

Crocheters aren’t necessarily more frugal—they simply consume yarn differently. Crochet projects use more yardage and move faster, which changes how crafters budget and buy.

If your crochet shoppers often ask for lower-priced yarns, don’t dismiss it—create a pathway:

• Stock gateway yarns that balance affordability and quality.
• Offer small projects that let crocheters explore natural fibers without high commitment.
• Use these experiences to educate, not upsell.

When customers feel understood, they’ll grow with you.

5. Show Crochet Samples in Your Shop

Representation is everything. If every sample in your store is knit, you’re sending a message—whether you mean to or not.

Start simple:

• Display crochet swatches or small finished pieces in your existing yarn lines.
• Label them clearly with stitch names or pattern sources.
• Rotate new examples seasonally to keep things fresh.

You’re not just showing yarn—you’re showing that crochet belongs in your space.

Final Thoughts

Crochet isn’t a side hobby anymore. It’s a thriving art form with a new generation of makers behind it. Yarn stores that embrace crochet are positioned to grow their communities, reach new audiences, and strengthen the entire fiber arts ecosystem.

Small steps make a big difference. Inclusivity starts with visibility, curiosity, and intention—and the ripple effects can transform your shop.