Marcy Gardner
Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast
Want to grow your crochet skills and create a life you love through creativity? Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast helps you do exactly that. I’m Marcy Gardner—crochet designer, entrepreneur, and mom of two—and each week I bring you crochet inspiration, beginner-friendly amigurumi tips, and creative business strategies designed for makers like you. From selling at craft fairs to making meaningful gifts, this podcast is about using your yarn and your gifts to bring joy, freedom, and impact. If you dream of turning yarn into purpose, projects, or even profit, you’re in the right place.
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Organize Your Yarn Stash & Finish WIPs: The Ultimate Crochet Project Planner System | Gifts for Crocheters & Makers 06.11.2025 7:50
Is your creative space disappearing under a mountain of yarn? If you are drowning in unfinished objects (WIPs) or struggling with yarn organization , it’s time to take control of your craft. In this episode, I’m unveiling the Simply Hooked Crochet Project Planner —a complete system I designed specifically to help fiber artists finish what they start. We aren't just talking about a notebook; we...
Too Many WIPs, Not Enough Time? How to Manage Multiple Crochet Projects Without the Guilt | Crochet WIPs, Project Planner & Yarn Stash Organization 30.10.2025 11:36
Do you have piles of unfinished crochet projects tucked away in baskets and bags? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , we dive deep into the world of crochet WIPs (Works in Progress). Whether you’re a beginner crocheter or a seasoned maker with a growing yarn stash, you’ll learn practical tips to organize, track, and actually finish your projects—without feeling overwhelmed. I’ll...
From Crochet Hippo to Times Square Spotlight | Inspiring Story for Makers About Creativity, Crochet Legacy, and How Handmade Projects Can Reach Unexpected Places 22.10.2025 11:03
What happens when something you make with your own two hands ends up in one of the most iconic places in the world? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m taking you back to 2014—before I ever had an Etsy shop, before I started designing crochet patterns, and before I dreamed this business would exist. This isn’t a “how-to” episode. It’s a story—a reminder that the work of your h...
Balancing Crochet Business & Mom Life: Emily Makes Crochet Story + Beginner Crochet Inspiration 21.10.2025 40:54
Today, I’m joined by the lovely Emily, the creative heart behind Emily Makes Crochet . Emily has been crocheting since she was just 12 years old, and now, as a busy mom of two girls, she’s balancing family life, part-time work at a ceramic shop, and her thriving crochet business. In this conversation, Emily opens up about how crochet has brought her joy through every season of life—whether it’s d...
UK vs US Crochet Terms Explained: Why Crochet Stitches Have Two Languages | Crochet Community Chat 08.10.2025 6:47
Did you know crochet has two different languages ? 🧶 If you’ve ever been confused by a crochet pattern that doesn’t look right, chances are you’ve run into the difference between UK vs US crochet terms . In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , we unpack why crochet stitches are named differently, how this split happened, and what it means for your projects today. You’ll learn: ● The...
How to Design a Crochet Pattern: My Step-by-Step Process from Idea to Launch | Crochet Business Tips 02.10.2025 20:25
If you’ve ever wondered how to design a crochet pattern and actually turn it into a profitable part of your crochet business, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through my complete crochet pattern design process—from the very first idea to launching the finished pattern in my shop. In this behind-the-scenes look, you’ll learn: ● Crochet business tips for designing patterns that stand out in...
Belief Before Results | Mindset for Crochet Business, Handmade Sellers & Creative Entrepreneurs 25.09.2025 12:03
Hey friend, if you’ve ever felt stuck in your crochet business or handmade journey because the results aren’t coming fast enough—you’re not alone. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , I share a lesson every creative entrepreneur and handmade business owner needs to hear: belief comes before results. Here’s what you’ll take away: ● How to stay motivated when your crochet patterns,...
Crochet Market Bestsellers: What to Make for Fall & Christmas Craft Fairs | Inventory Tips, Booth Displays & Quick Projects 18.09.2025 19:45
Don't guess what to make for your next event—know exactly what sells. If you are prepping for Fall craft markets or Christmas holiday fairs , you need inventory that is quick to make and high in demand. In this episode, I’m sharing my top crochet business tips for stocking your booth with profitable projects. We discuss why switching to chunky chenille yarn can save you hours and increase your...
Stop Feeling Guilty: The Real Value of Your Crochet Business | Creating Heirlooms, Supporting the Economy & Why the World Needs Makers 11.09.2025 9:08
Do you ever feel guilty spending time on your business? If you have ever wondered if pursuing a creative dream is selfish, this episode is for you. In this episode of Simply Hooked , I share my personal journey of questioning whether my work truly mattered. We dismantle the myth that art is "indulgent" and explore why your crochet business is actually an act of service. In this episode,...
Crochet Hooks Explained: Best Sizes & Shapes Every Beginner Should Know | Crochet Techniques 04.09.2025 10:39
If you’ve ever felt confused about crochet hook sizes, letters, and shapes , you’re not alone! In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , I break down everything beginners need to know about crochet hooks —from U.S. vs. U.K. sizing, to the difference between tapered and inline hooks, to which materials (aluminum, bamboo, plastic, or steel) make the biggest difference in your projects. I...
Quick Stitches: Magic Ring vs. Chain Start | Crochet Tips for Beginners & Amigurumi Plushie Makers 27.08.2025 6:38
Struggling with the magic ring in crochet (also called the magic circle)? You’re not alone! In this first Quick Stitches mini-episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , I share beginner-friendly tips on the magic ring vs. chain start method —so you’ll know whether you really need to use it for amigurumi or if a simpler alternative works just as well. Whether you’re just learning how to crochet...
Amigurumi for Beginners: Best Yarn for Crochet Plushies (Bernat Blanket, Parfait Chunky) | Essential Tools, Hooks & Tips for Your First Stuffed Animal 21.08.2025 25:38
Ready to crochet your first plushie but confused by all the yarn options? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to start making Amigurumi with confidence. We skip the trial and error and dive straight into the best materials for making those soft, squishy stuffed animals everyone loves. In this episode, we cover: Yarn Reviews: The best chenille and velvet yarns (Bernat Blanket...
Why I’m Returning to Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast 18.08.2025 1:55
In this episode, I’m sharing why I decided to bring the podcast back to its roots as Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast . For the past few months, you’ve known this show as Creative & Called —but I realized most of you came here for crochet inspiration, amigurumi tips, and that spark of yarn-filled joy . So today, we’re making it official: Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast is back! 🧶 You’ll stil...
Designing Your Dream Life: You Are the Potter, Your Life Is the Clay | How to Quit the "Safe Path" & Build a Full-Time Crochet Business You Love 14.08.2025 7:16
Are you stuck on a "safe" path that doesn't feel like your own? It is time to embrace a freeing truth: You are the potter, and your life is the clay. In this episode of Simply Hooked , I share how I went from hiding my dream of being a crochet designer to building a handmade business I truly love. We discuss why you don't need to wait for permission to reshape your reality. In th...
Selling on Amazon Handmade: Is It Worth It for Crochet Makers? | My $4k Month Strategy, FBA vs. Merchant Fulfilled, & Pros/Cons for Handmade Businesses 07.08.2025 11:39
Is Amazon Handmade actually worth the hassle for crochet makers? In this episode, I share how I turned Amazon into a "Q4 Sales Machine," earning over $4,000 in a single December. We go behind the scenes of my journey from selling simple mug cozies to navigating the complex world of Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon). If you are looking to diversify income beyond Etsy, this is your honest g...
AI and Creativity: How Google Notebook LM Told My Story | Crochet Podcast for Creative Entrepreneurs & Makers 31.07.2025 30:00
What happens when you feed your story into an AI tool and let it tell it back to you? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast , I share my experiment with Google Notebook LM —an AI platform that can take your notes and transform them into a full podcast episode with AI-generated hosts. I gave it my journey as a crochet artist and handmade business owner … and the results blew me away....
Crochet Business Mindset: Stop Hoping & Start Deciding to Grow Your Handmade Shop | Tips for Mompreneur Success, Creative Design, & Scaling Income 24.07.2025 8:59
Is your crochet business stuck in the "hoping" phase? If you are treating your shop like a lottery ticket instead of a strategy, this episode is for you. In this episode of Simply Hooked , we break down the critical mindset shift that took me from an overwhelmed mompreneur to a confident crochet designer. We discuss why passive hope is killing your growth and how to finally make the deci...
ChatGPT for Crochet Business: 9 Ways to Save Time on Etsy SEO, Emails & Content | AI Guide for Makers & Handmade Shops 17.07.2025 22:13
Wish you could hire a marketing copywriter but don't have the budget? Meet your new free virtual assistant: ChatGPT. In this episode of Simply Hooked , I break down the 9 specific ways I use AI to save hours in my crochet business. From conquering writer's block to optimizing Etsy SEO, I share the exact workflows I use to work smarter, not harder. In this episode, we cover: Etsy Domination...
The Big Leap for Crochet Business Owners: Stop Self-Sabotage & Find Your Zone of Genius | Mindset Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs to Scale a Handmade Shop 10.07.2025 16:50
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your crochet business success? If you feel stuck despite working hard, you might be hitting your "Upper Limit." In this episode of Simply Hooked , I dive into The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks—a book that completely reshaped how I view my time and talent as a crochet designer. We explore why you might be burning out in your "Zone of Excellence" and ho...
Crochet Business & Motherhood: Preparing for Baby #2 | Honest Talk on Postpartum Body Image, Mom Guilt, & Keeping Your Creative Identity as a Maker 02.07.2025 20:12
Balancing a crochet business and a growing family is messy. In this raw episode, I open up about the fears of welcoming Baby #2, postpartum body image, and the struggle to maintain a creative identity. This isn’t a polished "how-to" guide—it’s a personal look at the tension between motherhood and entrepreneurship. If you are wondering how to carry it all with grace, this conversation is...
Turning a Health Crisis into a Creative Business: Melinda’s Story | Faith, Career Pivots, & Finding Your God-Given Calling as an Entrepreneur 26.06.2025 1:20:36
Melinda walked away from her job in housekeeping after chemical exposure caused debilitating migraines—but she didn't just quit. She walked straight into her God-given creative calling. In this episode of Simply Hooked , we share a raw and real story of a complete life pivot. Melinda discusses how a health crisis became the catalyst for building a business rooted in faith and service. In this...
Why I Changed the Name—and Why It’s OK to Pivot 19.06.2025 5:02
Welcome to the very first episode under our brand-new name: Creative & Called ! In today’s episode, I’m sharing the heart behind the change, why I felt led to shift the direction of this podcast, and how sometimes the best thing we can do in business (and life) is pivot . If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to force something to work the way you thought it was supposed to—or if you’ve started a p...
Mindset for Makers: You Become What You Think About (Earl Nightingale) | Threads of Wisdom Mini-Episode for Crochet Business Success & Positivity 16.06.2025 5:12
Your mindset shapes your crochet business just as much as your stitches do. In this Threads of Wisdom mini-episode, we explore Earl Nightingale’s timeless concept: "You become what you think about." Inspired by The Strangest Secret , this episode is a quick dose of encouragement to help you align your thoughts with your business goals. In this mini-episode, you’ll discover: The "Tho...
Why Your Crochet Business Isn't Growing: Strategy vs. Mindset | Lessons from Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn & Les Brown (Scaling Part 8) 12.06.2025 15:23
You can master SEO, email funnels, and product photography, but if your mindset isn't aligned, your business will always hit a ceiling. In the final episode of our Scaling Your Crochet Business series, we tackle the most important piece of the puzzle: your brain. I share the specific shifts that fueled my biggest growth as a designer. In this episode, we cover: The 90% Rule: Why your business...
Best Tools for Crochet Business Owners: Systems to Save Time, Batch Content & Scale Your Shop [Part 7] | Productivity for Handmade Entrepreneurs 05.06.2025 27:10
Struggling to juggle your crochet business with a full-time job and family life? You need systems that work as hard as you do. In Part 7 of the Scaling Your Crochet Business series on Simply Hooked , I’m sharing the exact tech stack and workflow secrets I use to run a profitable handmade business without burnout. We dive into the best tools for crochet business owners —from Canva and Trello to Sho...
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