I Sold My First Handmade Crochet Halter Top on Etsy!

Okay you guys — I’m OFFICIALLY an Etsy seller!!!

After all the late nights crocheting after my son went to bed, frogging rows (you know the struggle), taking pictures in just the right lighting and still not thinking they’re good enough, writing and rewriting product descriptions, and refreshing my Etsy dashboard…it FINALLY happened! I sold my very first handmade crochet halter top — and I could cry happy tears!

This moment means everything to me. As a full-time single mom juggling a full-time job and barely making ends meet, this shop isn’t just a hobby. It’s my way of creating something for me — something that brings me joy, lets me be creative, acts as an outlet and something that calms my anxiety, and hopefully helps support my little family along the way.

How It All Started

I’ve always loved knitting. As a little girl my Nonna (my Italian grandma for those of you that don’t know) taught me how to knit. I immediately was captivated by it and knit a very ugly scarf 😂 It took a while to get the hang of it, but once I did, making blankets for my loved ones became my favorite nighttime activity. I know, I know, what an old lady activity…but what can I say, there’s just something soothing about the rhythm of the stitches, something comforting about doing something with my hands and watching something beautiful take shape from nothing but yarn and a circular knitting needle. I’ve always thought about selling them, but thought, “hey, who would really want one of these, right?”.

Eventually I decided to try crochet out. I tried all the tutorials but it just looked and sounded like gibberish to me and I kept giving up. It took going to a crochet and knit club at work to finally figure out how to crochet. Again, I became…well, obsessed is probably the most accurate word for it. I made and frogged a few simple single crochet or double crochet squares that I was practicing on. I got a crazy idea to make a cute halter top after watching a few different videos on YouTube of some fabulous ladies making different variations of halter tops. I mashed one together and gave it a whirl—I promise I’ll be posting my pattern soon so stay tuned for that! After making it and showing my family, they encouraged me to make more and sell them so…

I DID IT! I opened my Etsy shop PricklyMamaBear, uploaded my very first listing (the halter top I crocheted for myself), and waited. Very, very, impatiently.

The First Sale

The notification hit my phone and I legit screamed. Someone out there found my little shop, loved what I made, and decided it was worth buying. That kind of support means so much, especially for a small handmade business like mine.

She ordered a white top, size small. As soon as I got home, I dug out my white skein of yarn—Red Heart With Love (click for affiliate link), pulled out my notebook with the pattern, and got to work! Once it was complete, I wrapped it up with care, added a handwritten thank-you note, and sent it off with a little happy dance.

What I Learned

Selling handmade items isn’t easy — there’s a lot of trial and error, especially when you’re figuring it all out solo. But it’s SO worth it.

I’ll probably make another post soon about the process and tips and tricks I came across along the way. Make sure to come back and check that up when I post it (feel free to message me your email or sign up for my “newsletter” so I can let you know when the next post goes up!)

What’s Next

This is only the beginning. I have new halter top, shorts, pants, and dress designs coming, along with cozy cardigans, sweaters, and blankets, fun accessories, and even some digital crochet and knit patterns (for my fellow yarn lovers!). I’ll be sharing the behind-the-scenes journey here on the blog (and on my Pinterest) — the wins and the flops — because this is real life, and real life is messy and beautiful and totally worth documenting.

Want One?

If you want your own handmade crochet halter top, check out my Etsy shop PricklyMamaBear! I offer customization options, and everything is made with love, good energy, and a sprinkle of mom hustle.

P.S. A HUGE thank-you to the customer who made that first purchase (hi Cassidy 💖). You didn’t just buy a top—you believed in me.

Let’s see where this yarn-spun adventure goes! ✨

With gratitude,
Just Meg

P.S.S. How’s my bun?