Working at European Wax Center as a receptionist two years ago, Corin Barnhart was looking for a way to spend her time when she came across a YouTube video that taught her how to crochet.
Now, Barnhart, a second-year student at the University of Minnesota, runs her own crochet business, “Corin Crochets,” selling her pieces to fellow students and people across the country through Poshmark, an online fashion marketplace.
Barnhart said at first it was hard for her to learn how to crochet because she had only knitted, and that was what she was used to. However, after a few tries, she was able to perfect her crocheting craft.
In class, you can most likely find Barnhart crocheting.
“I do 99% of my crocheting in class, and I don’t really crochet outside of class time,” Barnhart said. “So, I need a pattern that is fairly simple, works up quickly and doesn’t use expensive materials.”
To create her products, which are usually hats, Barnhart starts by shopping for yarn.
“Shopping for yarn is very fun,” Barnhart said. “You get to feel all the textures, and you can see all the fun color variations.”
Barnhart said she usually sees yarn and thinks of all the things she can make with it. However, she is selective with the yarn she uses.
She could use solid-colored acrylic yarn, which is usually cheaper, though she prefers cotton or wool because it comes in more interesting patterns and gives a “cool” effect.
Drawing inspiration from Pinterest and clothing she sees while thrift shopping, Barnhart gets to work.
“One of my biggest challenges is being able to charge and feeling guilty to charge enough to cover the cost,” Barnhart said. “Realistically I should charge more to cover the cost of materials and amount of time it takes, but I would rather sell some than none.”
Barnhart charges about $25 for most hats she sells to students on campus but charges more for shipping fees on online orders.
Lola Ehrenberg, a third-year student and Barnhart’s friend since fourth grade, said Barnhart has gifted her a variety of homemade crochet items.
“She made me one of those really thick yarn, super soft blankets, and she made me a sweater for my birthday last year,” Ehrenberg said. “She has also given me a plethora of hats, especially the cat hats.”
The cat hats are a kind of hat Barnhart makes that have two cat ears at the top. According to Barnhart, they are one of her most popular sellers.
Ehrenberg helps Barnhart promote her business through social media and word of mouth.
Last year, Ehrenberg said she taught Barnhart how to make posters on Canva. She also encouraged her to advertise on the University Snapchat story because there are a lot of students on it she could sell to.
Barnhart also taught Ehrenberg how to crochet after giving the hobby up, Ehrenberg added.
“I crocheted previously when I was younger, and I quit because it was too hard, so I lost the skill,” Ehrenberg said. “Corin helped me pick it back up, and then I made us both matching scarves. A small repayment of all the things she’s gifted me.”
One of the reasons Barnhart said she enjoys crocheting is because it is a nice activity to do with other people and it keeps her hands busy.
Barnhart also sees crocheting as part of a larger movement for slow fashion and handmade goods.
“A lot of people don’t know that crocheting can’t be done by a machine, so if you see crochet in a store where it is being mass produced, someone is probably being paid $1 an hour to do that,” Barnhart said.
Barnhart said crocheting is hard work and takes skill. While knitting can be done by a machine, crocheting cannot.
“It is nice that I can make some money from my hobby, but I also believe in doing things just for the enjoyment of it,” Barnhart said. “I would crochet either way, regardless of the money.”
