Yes, You Can Sell Your Tufting, Here’s Where to Start

So, you’ve made a few rugs. Your friends and family love them. You’re starting to run out of floor space. Time to consider turning your tufting hobby into a side hustle.

But where do you even start?

Selling handmade tufted items can be a great way to support your creative life, and fund your ever growing yarn addiction. Here’s how to do it without getting overwhelmed or accidentally underpricing everything.

Know your costs (and respect your time)

Before anything else, figure out:

• How much does your yarn cost per rug?

• How much time are you spending from sketch to glue?

• Don’t forget: backing, glue, electricity, packaging, shipping...

Then: pay yourself. Even if it’s modest. Your creativity is valuable.

 

Pick a selling platform that fits your vibe

Some options to explore:

• Etsy. Great for handmade. Fees exist, but discoverability is strong.

• Instagram + DM orders. Ideal if you enjoy visual branding.

• Craft markets. Local events are perfect for getting feedback (and seeing people light up when they touch your rug in real life).

Pro tip: start small. Limited drops, made to order slots, or 1 rug per week/month is a great way to test the waters without burning out.

 Pricing: Don’t sell yourself short

Tufting takes time. It takes skill. People will pay for that.

Here’s a simple formula to start:

Cost of materials + (hourly rate × hours worked) + your margin = final price

Still unsure? Check what other tufters with a similar style are charging. Stay in range, but don’t undercut just to get noticed.

Consider custom orders, with boundaries

Customs can be great, but also stressful. If you go this route:

• Be clear about size, design style, and timeframe

• Ask for a deposit up front

• Avoid copyrighted designs 

 Branding & shipping matter

Little things go a long way:

• A 'thank you' card or custom tag = a better unboxing experience

• Recycled or aesthetic packaging = shareable on social

• Tracked shipping = peace of mind for both of you, calculate these costs in your final price

Bonus tip: Sell without selling

People love seeing the process. Post your fails, your color choices, the shaving ASMR. It builds trust and curiosity, and it’s way more fun than constantly posting “for sale” images.

Whether you’re aiming for a full-time business or just enough to cover your next yarn restock, turning your tufting into income is 100% doable.

Just keep it fun.

 

Want to cover your tufting costs even faster?

You can also join our affiliate program, a super simple way to earn store credit while sharing what you love.

You’ll receive your own unique discount code. Every time someone places an order using your link or code, you’ll earn 10% commission as a Tuftingshop gift card. Once you reach €25, you get a voucher to spend on yarn, tools, or anything else in the shop.

Perfect if you're already posting your creations or helping others get into tufting!

Apply here as an affiliate