Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Knitting Instructor

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A knitting instructor teaches classes on how to knit, or provides one-on-one instruction in knitting.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: A proficiency in knitting, and the ability to help others of varying skills to learn knitting.

Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations…. Despite the competition, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists, talented individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will have the best job prospects..” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details

Possible employers or clients: Check out local recreational centers or area governments that offer educational classes for all ages for opportunities to each a class. Senior centers and children’s gyms might also be good places to inquire about classes.

Preparation: Join The Knitting Guild Association or The National NeedleArts Association for continuing education classes and networking opportunities.

Get your foot in the door: Consider teaching a class for friends or neighbors at a discount rate as you establish yourself. Inquire at local yarn shops for leads. Also, check out Yahoo! Groups and Meetup to see where local knitters gather.

Testimony: Dixie of Bainbrige Island, Wash., teaches small classes of children the basics of knitting. “I currently teach classes through the local parks and recreation department at my studio and one class at a local elementary school. Previous to that, I worked through a local yarn store as their children’s instructor,” she says. Dixie spends about three hours per week teaching and one to two hours per week in preparation and making “surprise balls,” which are made by winding up yarn into balls and hiding seven small toys inside that fall out as the young knitter knits. “The surprise balls started out as a side businesses, and have been a nice way to earn more money and encourage my knitters to knit more,” she says.

Until next time,

Sarah