How HandyLittleMe got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

Handy Little Me was created in around 2009. I always had a passion for crafting, especially knitting. My grandmother and mother taught me how to knit when I was very young, and I truly loved it. I think my first project was a Doctor Who replica scarf with lots of different colored stripes. I was working as an art/textile design lecturer in a college in the UK, and as a hobby, I used to make knitted stuffed cuddly bunnies for babies, sweaters, hats, and scarves and sell them on Etsy. As my Etsy shop grew, so did my ideas, and eventually I created my own website, and the business grew from there. Creating knitwear and sharing it with the world took over my life. I love creating different patterns and sharing them with like-minded people.

Eventually, I stopped selling finished items and focused mainly on designing the patterns and selling the digital copies in my Etsy shop. When inspiration strikes, I like to start with sketching and choose stitch patterns and the right yarn and needles for the project. Knitting the garments is not so easy; you have to grade and make sure your idea can be executed correctly. Figuring out the sizes and grading in knitwear design requires a lot of math. After that, you have to write the pattern PDFs, get testers, photograph the items, and eventually get them online.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

These are some of my favorite patterns, mainly because other knitters like them so much and get enjoyment from making them.

Dog sweater knitting pattern, dog sweater pattern, dog sweater, dog clothes, dog jumper pattern, dog sweater small, medium, large

This dog sweater is definitely one of my favorites and a favorite of many knitters. Makers love creating stuff for their fur babies and this dog sweater is easy enough for advanced beginners. Plus the finished product is adorable.

Claire's Carolina Shawl Knitting Pattern / Outlander Patterns / Outlander / Outlander Knitting Patterns / Carolina Shawl / Outlander Shawl

Another favorite would definitely have to be the Carolina Shawl. Inspired by the shawl worn by Claire on Outlander this shawl is a reader’s favorite.  This shawl is a stable for all makers who love to recreate the Outlander knitwear.

Oversized Chunky Knit Sweater Pattern, Thick Knit Sweater Pattern, Raglan Sweater Pattern, Oversized Sweater, Super Bulky Sweater

This oversized chunky sweater is a knitter’s favorite and a personal favorite.  As it is fashionable and very comfortable to wear. 

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

It took a while to start making sales on Etsy, and I think it’s a bit unrealistic to just expect the sales to start coming in right away.

When my shop first opened on Etsy, I was always trying to improve my photographs and descriptions.

Getting your products out there on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok) Keeping things fresh with new content

SEO is also an essential tool that could help you.

Managing HandyLittleMe

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

I check the shop daily to see if there are any customer messages and if everything looks okay. I also check seasonally to make sure the shop is showing the best seasonal products that might appeal to customers.

I have one assistant who also works in the store now and then.

We don’t ship anything, as the shop only sells digital downloads.

The future of HandyLittleMe

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

I would say the goal is to keep it growing.

Slowly and steadily over the next few years, adding new patterns and collections each year.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

On the business side, I would say make your products and photography as perfect as they can be; that’s the most important thing.

Keep your listings as clear as possible, work on the SEO, and make sure your listings have the right keywords and the right tags.

Make sure your photography shows good, high-quality photos.

Use social media to your advantage. There are so many platforms online now; don’t be afraid to put yourself and your work out there.

Good customer service goes a long way.

Keep track of your sales and your expenses.

There are tons of resources to help you with all sides of the business: research, study, and take notes.

Dreaming big is important and necessary; having goals and ideas for your business is what is going to keep you going.

But also, I would say keep your expectations realistic; don’t assume everything is going to happen overnight.

Trial and error is how we learn in all aspects of life. Just because you made a mistake or something didn’t go the way you planned doesn’t mean you are going to fail.

It means you need to find another way.

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.