Online yarn and knitting supplies store

Hobby knitters and crocheters, gift buyers and people who live too far from a physical yarn shop.

Margin on each product sold (buying wholesale and selling at retail), plus higher-value kits and gift boxes. Postage is charged to the customer or built into prices.

• Knowing yarns and crafts well
• Basic online shop setup and photography
• Stock and order organisation
• Customer service

• Check whether you need to register for GST and when the turnover threshold applies to you
• Check council rules if you store stock or pack orders at home
• Unsold stock ties up cash, so start with a small range
• Australian Consumer Law applies to refunds and product descriptions, so check your obligations
• Postage costs and parcel damage can eat into margins

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much yarn stock you buy, your shop platform and your photography and packaging. Starting with a small range helps avoid tying up cash in unsold stock.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your range, niche and the hours you put in. Revenue isn't profit, since stock, postage and parcel damage all reduce your margin. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check whether you need to register for GST and when the turnover threshold applies to you. Also check council rules if you store stock or pack orders at home, and your Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds and product descriptions.