Episode 26: Eco Conscious Knitting & Niche Marketing with Lindsay Lewchuk from Knit Eco Chic

Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show

This Week’s Episode

This week I share an interview with Lindsay Lewchuk, the owner of Knit Eco Chic. I invited her to talk about her business, which is entirely focused on using organic, natural, or sustainable yarns. She shares her insights on both managing an eco-conscious business and on marketing to a smaller niche of knitters and crocheters, knit-a-longs, social media, and more.

About Lindsay Lewchuk

Lindsay is the knitting designer and maker behind Knit Eco Chic. She began knitting in earnest while hospitalized about a decade ago. Her medical condition limited her to the use of organic cellulose fiber yarns and bamboo needles. Her personal values also support using sustainable materials, and eventually Lindsay launched Knit Eco Chic.

You can find Lindsay on Ravelry as KnitEcoChic or in the Knit Eco Chic group. Lindsay has both an Etsy shop and a growing EcoHabitude shop where she sells both patterns and hand knits using organic, natural, or sustainable yarns. Lindsay is KnitEcoChic on both Pinterest and Twitter, and you can join her mailing list here. Lindsay is also TJSpecialties on Elance, where she does freelance graphics, web design, and writing (including those pesky knitting pattern layouts). And, in case you are also a fan of Puddles, you can find his Facebook page here.

About the interview

In this episode, I spoke with Lindsay about Knit Eco Chic’s foundational philosophies:

Knit Eco Chic…provides the highest quality hand knits and knitting patterns featuring organic, natural, socially responsible, sustainable, and alternative fiber yarns for the modern age. Knit Eco Chic embodies three foundational philosophies: 1. Use of eco yarns 2. Knits that fit curves 3. Unique and intricate patterns These foundational philosophies are supported in both of the divisions: knitting patterns and custom hand knits.

Knit Eco Chic also has a dedicated baby department! Knit Eco Chic Baby specializes in hand knit to order baby hats featuring organic, natural, sustainable, or alternative eco yarns.

Lindsay talked about why she developed her business philosophy, how she uses it to guide her everyday decisions, and why she shared it on her website.

Lindsay also shared her tips for other yarn-related businesses that focus on eco-friendly and/or ethically-sourced materials. (By the way, she has a great list of organic cotton yarn companies in her Ravelry group here.) Lindsay talked about many of her marketing tactics which can apply to any business focusing on a niche or subset of yarncrafters.

We also talked about knit-a-longs and a new mystery knit-a-long Lindsay is launching on March 20, 2015 for a non-pi circular shawl in organic cotton and bamboo yarn. And, we touched upon #wearyourknitting, a social media campaign Lindsay is spearheading to encourage people to showcase their hand knits online.

If you enjoyed this episode

The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in February, 2015. Be aware that content may be outdated.

If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).