Small-Batch knitwear maker at home

Independent designers, boutiques, gift shops, and customers buying online or at craft markets.

Wholesale price per piece for label and shop orders, plus retail sales online and at markets. Custom or made-to-order pieces can be priced higher.

• Machine or hand knitting
• Pattern reading and sizing
• Quality control and finishing
• Costing and pricing your time

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on machines and deliveries
• Textile labelling rules in Canada (fibre content, care and dealer identity), check with Competition Bureau Canada
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, and home insurance that covers business use
• Yarn costs and minimum orders from suppliers can squeeze margins on small runs
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on whether you buy a domestic or semi-industrial knitting machine, and on your yarn, insurance and packaging.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $2,500, depending on your products, prices and sales channels. Yarn costs and supplier minimum orders can squeeze margins on small runs.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits machines and deliveries. Also check textile labelling rules with Competition Bureau Canada, insurance for business use, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration.