Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast

Marcy Gardner
  • 4.9 (20)
  • CRAFTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Want to grow your crochet skills and create a life you love through creativity? Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast helps you do exactly that. I’m Marcy Gardner—crochet designer, entrepreneur, and mom of two—and each week I bring you crochet inspiration, beginner-friendly amigurumi tips, and creative business strategies designed for makers like you. From selling at craft fairs to making meaningful gifts, this podcast is about using your yarn and your gifts to bring joy, freedom, and impact. If you dream of turning yarn into purpose, projects, or even profit, you’re in the right place.

  1. 12 Essential Shopify Apps to Scale My Crochet Business: From Maker to CEO

    6H AGO

    12 Essential Shopify Apps to Scale My Crochet Business: From Maker to CEO

    Are you ready to scale your crochet business and step into your CEO era? In this episode of Simply Hooked, I’m sharing the exact Shopify apps and automation tools that power my multi-six-figure handmade business. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by manual tasks, stuck on Etsy, or dreaming of turning your crochet patterns and kits into real passive income, this episode is your complete Shopify tech stack masterclass. I walk you through the 12 must-have Shopify apps for crochet designers, digital product sellers, and handmade business owners who want to automate their store, increase conversions, and grow revenue without working more hours. In this episode, you’ll learn: How I automate digital crochet pattern delivery so I can make sales while I sleep My strategy for “magazine-style” crochet blog posts that rank on Google and convert readers into buyers Why customer photos and crochet project reviews are the most powerful sales tool for handmade brands How I built trust and credibility when transitioning from Etsy to Shopify The Shopify tools I use to increase average order value with bundles, upsells, and pre-orders My exact tech stack for scaling a handmade business into a real ecommerce brand My Simply Hooked Must-Have Shopify App Stack (Crochet Business Edition) Filemonk – Secure digital download delivery for crochet patterns and PDFs Avada SEO Suite – Automated SEO, image optimization, and Google ranking support Avada Boost Sales – Trust badges, urgency notifications, and social proof popups Bloggle – Drag-and-drop blog builder for SEO-friendly crochet tutorials and content marketing EA Sticky Cart – Keeps the “Add to Cart” button visible to reduce friction and boost conversions Kaching Upsell – “Buy More, Save More” bundles to increase average order value PageFly – High-converting landing pages for launches, courses, and funnels Loox Reviews – Visual reviews with customer photos of finished crochet projects Stoq – Pre-order management for physical crochet kits and limited releases Lably – Visual badges for best-sellers, new patterns, and trending products Shopify Search & Discovery – Smart filters to help customers navigate large pattern vaults Etsy Reviews – Import Etsy reviews to instantly build credibility on Shopify LINKS & RESOURCES 🔆Get Hank the Hippo's Kit + Storybook 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Crochet Merch⁠

    23 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Reflections on a Busy, Beautiful Life: Balancing a Crochet Business, Motherhood, and the "Founder’s Prayer"

    "What a privilege to be tired from work you once begged the universe for." When I first heard those words, I burst into tears. If you are a crochet business owner, a mom of little ones, or a creative entrepreneur juggling a full-time career on top of your dreams, I know you feel this in your bones. In this episode, I’m getting vulnerable about the "Founder’s Prayer" (referenced by Miles Adcox) and how it perfectly describes the "beautiful chaos" of my life right now. We often talk about business growth and scaling a handmade brand, but we don’t always talk about the tension of living inside an answered prayer, even when that prayer includes laundry piles, toddler arguments over spoon colors, and a never-ending to-do list. In this episode, we explore: Why exhaustion is often proof of a life built on purpose. Reframing overwhelm as a sign of the growth you once dreamed about. The reality of "outgrowing" the versions of ourselves that used to settle for less. Finding a quiet sense of gratitude in the middle of solo parenting and business deadlines. Whether you’re currently packing orders, designing your next amigurumi pattern, or just trying to survive the bedtime rush, I hope this episode reminds you that it’s okay to be tired. The weight you’re carrying is the weight of a life you once prayed for. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    8 min

  3. FEB 5

    Where Does Yarn Come From? The Truth About Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers for Amigurumi and Clothing | Crochet and Knitting Life

    Ever looked at a ball of yarn and wondered how it actually happened? It seems like such a simple thing, but the journey from a sheep’s back (or a scientist’s lab!) to your crochet hook is kind of mind-blowing. In this episode of Simply Hooked, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the fiber world. We’re digging into the "glow-up" process of natural fibers—from the shearing and scouring of raw wool to the rhythmic magic of carding and spinning. I even share a bit about my own (very humbling) experience with an Ashford spinning wheel a decade ago! What we’re covering today: Animal vs. Plant vs. Synthetic: The major differences between wool, cotton, and acrylic. The Cleaning Process: Why you can’t just rinse wool in the sink (unless you want a giant clump of felt). The Science of Synthetic: How petroleum-based materials become the soft amigurumi yarn we love. Plies & Twists: Why some yarns are sturdier than others and how they’re finished for the craft store shelf. Every stitch we make is the final chapter of a story that started long before the yarn hit our stash. Let’s explore that story together! The Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get every pattern I’ve ever made (and every future release!) for one single price.  Hank the Hippo Signature Crochet Kit: Grab the preorder for the kit and the "Do You Know Hank the Hippo?" children’s book!  🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    13 min
  4. You Become What You Think About: The "Strangest Secret" for Creatives | From the Late Great Earl Nightingale

    FEB 3

    You Become What You Think About: The "Strangest Secret" for Creatives | From the Late Great Earl Nightingale

    What if your thoughts were the "pattern" for your entire life? In this episode of Threads of Wisdom, we explore Earl Nightingale’s transformative concept from The Strangest Secret: "We become what we think about." Discover how to weed out "mental knots" and plant the seeds for a life you love. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    5 min
  5. My Crochet Husband's POV on Scaling my Business | Creative Entrepreneurship, Crochet Business

    JAN 29

    My Crochet Husband's POV on Scaling my Business | Creative Entrepreneurship, Crochet Business

    Can a marriage survive a 5:30 AM market-day pack-out and a house full of amigurumi? In this special episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m sitting down with my favorite guest—my husband! He’s seen the entire evolution of my journey from the very first stitch I made in 2012 to the creative business I run today. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to live with a full-time crochet designer and entrepreneur. In this episode, we discuss: The Origin Story The Business of Crochet The "Stash" Reality Whether you’re a fellow maker looking for tips on involving your partner in your business or you just want a good laugh about the chaos of the creative life, this episode is for you! 🔆Join the Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get instant access to over 99 patterns PLUS every new pattern I release in the future. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

    20 min
  6. Stop Playing Small: Mindset Shifts to Grow Your Handmade Shop, Find Your Zone of Genius, and Sell More Crochet

    JAN 22

    Stop Playing Small: Mindset Shifts to Grow Your Handmade Shop, Find Your Zone of Genius, and Sell More Crochet

    If you feel stuck in the "daily grind," this episode is for you. We explore why many creative entrepreneurs self-sabotage just as they start to see success. Using the framework from The Big Leap, we break down how to stop doing the tasks that drain you and start focusing on the work that actually moves the needle for your shop. Identify your Zone of Genius: The secret to scaling without burning out.Break Through the Ceiling: Practical tips for crochet designers to allow more success and happiness into their business. Mindset for Makers: Overcoming the fear of "The Big Leap."For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch

    17 min
  7. Why Crochet Patterns Look So Complicated (And How to Read Them Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

    JAN 19

    Why Crochet Patterns Look So Complicated (And How to Read Them Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

    Have you ever opened a crochet pattern, taken one look at all the abbreviations, brackets, parentheses, and numbers, and immediately felt overwhelmed? You are not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to read crochet patterns for beginners and explaining why crochet patterns look so complicated in the first place. If you’ve ever wondered what stitches like sc, inc, dec, ch, sts, or instructions like [inc, sc in 3] x8 (40) actually mean, this episode will help it all finally click. You’ll learn:● Why crochet patterns are written in shorthand ● The real reason abbreviations exist (and why they’re actually helpful) ● How to understand brackets, repeats, and stitch counts ● What parentheses at the end of a round are really telling you ● Why the notes section at the beginning of a crochet pattern matters more than you think ● The difference between US vs UK crochet terms and how using the wrong one can completely change your project ● A simple 3-step approach to reading any crochet pattern without feeling intimidated Whether you’re brand new to crochet, struggling to follow amigurumi patterns, or just want to feel more confident reading written instructions, this episode will help you stop feeling stuck and start understanding crochet patterns like a pro. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    14 min

  8. JAN 9

    How to Read a Yarn Label: Understanding Weight, Yardage, & Symbols for Crochet Beginners

    Does standing in the yarn aisle feel a bit like trying to read a foreign language? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re cracking the code on those cryptic yarn label symbols so you can choose your next skein with total confidence. I’ll break down the critical difference between yarn weight and skein weight, explain why yardage matters more than the number of balls, and demystify dye lots and fiber content. Tune in to turn that confusion into clarity and ensure your hard work results in a project you love. Yarn Weight vs. Skein Weight: We clear up the common confusion between the thickness of the strand (categories 0-7) and the physical weight of the ball. The Yardage Rule: Learn why buying based on the "number of skeins" is a mistake and how to use yardage to ensure you never run out mid-project. Decoding Dye Lots: Discover why checking this tiny number is the secret to professional-looking blankets and garments without mismatched colors. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

    16 min
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4.9
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Want to grow your crochet skills and create a life you love through creativity? Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast helps you do exactly that. I’m Marcy Gardner—crochet designer, entrepreneur, and mom of two—and each week I bring you crochet inspiration, beginner-friendly amigurumi tips, and creative business strategies designed for makers like you. From selling at craft fairs to making meaningful gifts, this podcast is about using your yarn and your gifts to bring joy, freedom, and impact. If you dream of turning yarn into purpose, projects, or even profit, you’re in the right place.

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