How to knit business Cardigang makes best friends $1million selling wool kits

By William On Sep 25, 2022

A duo of best friends have turned their hobby of knitting into a lucrative business by selling DIY knitting kits.

Morgan Collins, 35, and Cat Bloxsom, 33, have sold more than 2.8 million yards of yarn — enough to circle the MCG nearly 6,000 times — and made $1 million in the first 18 months of the operation.

The pair, both from Melbourne, said they fell in love with knitting after teaching themselves the skill and showing off their creations to each other via FaceTime amid the 2020 global pandemic.

They have turned their newfound passion into cardigan almost two years ago as a ‘side job’ selling knitting kits with balls of high quality merino wool, easy to follow instructions, a ‘made by me’ tag, sticks and a tote bag.

The duo revealed to Daily Mail Australia how, after meeting while working in the insurance marketing industry, they clicked instantly because of their similar interests, values and ‘hairstyles’ before deciding to do business together.

Morgan Collins (left) and Cat Bloxsom (right) fell in love with knitting during the Covid-19 lockdowns in Melbourne, turning it into a multimillion-dollar business in less than two years

The best friends shared their knitting progress via video chat and soon the ‘pretty cool knits’ they donned were getting the attention of family and friends

“When Melbourne went into lockdown in 2020, we were looking for a creative outlet that would keep us connected, but also help keep our hands busy and our minds calm,” Morgan said.

“We liked the idea of having something wearable that we made ourselves. Neither of us had knitted before, but we wanted to dive right in and so with the help of YouTube we taught ourselves and discovered how easy it was to master.’

The ‘pretty cool knits’ they donned quickly caught the attention of family and friends, giving them the idea of turning their hobby into a lucrative business.

“After working our way through self-learning, we wanted to create kits that would give beginning knitters the confidence to make something they would wear with pride,” Cat said.

The friends started Cardigang, which helps customers create stylish and adaptable wool cardigans, tops, cardigans, sweaters, beanies or scarves in ‘dopamine-inducing’ colors, no matter how experienced or inexperienced they are at knitting.

The friends started Cardigang as an ‘side business’ selling knitting kits for customers to create stylish wool cardigans, sweaters, beanies or scarves in ‘dopamine-inducing’ colors, regardless of their knitting skill level.

The knitting kits contain balls of high quality merino wool, easy to follow instructions, a ‘made by me’ tag, sticks and a carrying bag

“We found that learning to knit was like learning to code or any other language, but once you get over the confusing nature of knitting patterns, it’s actually not a difficult skill to master,” Morgan said.

“Our kits put the full focus on the beginner. We’ve cut the jargon and acronyms and written patterns that are much easier to understand. We’ve created our own tutorials and we’re on the road to support customers when they get stuck,” Cat added.

They started the venture “conservatively”, ordering just 40 kilos of wool and saying they would be “excited” if they sold that amount in six months.

Morgan said their first year of business was a “roller coaster” and they were constantly selling out due to the rising popularity of knitting with people stuck at home, as well as supply chain and staffing issues that arose as the world went in and out of lockdown.

“But we saw early on that this was a company with enormous potential. As marketers, we spent a lot of time developing our business plan and brand before launching it and it served us well,” she said.

“As we watched over the course of our second winter, we knew that if we wanted to maximize the opportunity we had with Cardigang, we both had to do it full-time.”

Cat and Morgan quit their jobs at the company in March this year to focus on Cardigang full-time.

The pair now sell an average of 20kg a day and have even seen people on the street wearing their Cardigang creations, which Morgan said “puts a big smile on her face.”

“Now, in our second year of business, we are finding our feet and focusing on growing the business through product development and expansion into other markets,” said Cat.

“Both things would be nearly impossible if Cardigang were an afterthought.”

While they say lockdown was a ‘catapult’ for the company, they see the love for knitting continuing as the world has opened up, partly due to the focus on eco-friendly fashion and comfortable clothing.

“Fashion has become more relaxed — of course the tracksuit had a moment, but even now that we go out more, the idea that you can be both comfortable and stylish is something we’re really drawn to,” Cat said.

“People have also become more aware of the impact that much consumerism, including fashion, has on the environment and as a result, they are making more conscious choices when it comes to the fashion they buy,” Morgan added.

With business still thriving, Morgan and Cat are planning to expand Cardigang’s range to include knitwear that people can wear after the cold winter months

Top Six Health Benefits Of Knitting

1. Lowers Blood Pressure And Heart Rate: After finishing a good knitting session, you will probably feel relaxed. Relaxation is healthy because it lowers the amount of stress hormones. Remember that high levels of stress hormones in your body have a negative effect on the heart and circulation.

2. Keep your fingers and arms agile: The small, precise, quick movements needed to knit are important for keeping your muscles stable and tight, and your joints flexible. For people with arthritis, knitting is a great way to maintain mobility by keeping the fingers moving. However, remember to take regular stretch breaks, be careful and don’t overdo it.

3. Helps Control Pain: Knitting can help keep your mind busy whether you’re trying to fall asleep or traveling. A true mindfulness practice, knitting can help you exert more power and control over your thoughts and calm your mind. It takes up a lot of brain capacity and leaves you with less capacity to focus on physical or emotional pain that can be detrimental to your well-being.

4. Calms Anxiety And Improves Mood: Touching something soft like merino wool can trigger a calming response, similar to petting a cat or dog. Choosing a color to work with that you love can make you feel good and boost your mood. Knitting is meditative, can calm your mental state and give you a moment to pause and refocus on your goals.

5. Reduces Aimless Eating: You can’t reach for junk food when your hands are busy. Knitting or watching TV at home prevents you from eating unnecessarily. You will have a better diet if you are engaged in a knitting project.

6. Improves Your Purpose: A knitting project gives you a sense of purpose, knowing you have a goal to achieve. The closer you get to it, the more inspired you feel. Even better, it can be very satisfying to make stylish handmade chunky knit merino wool blankets for friends or family members.

Source: likecloud.com.au

Since that first 40kg order, the pair now sell an average of 20kg per day and have even seen people on the street wearing their Cardigang creations, which Morgan said “puts a big smile on her face.”

Moran said she was surprised by how often customers tell them how knitting has had a positive impact on their lives, from helping with anxiety to connecting with grandparents.

With business still thriving, Morgan and Cat are planning to expand Cardigang’s range to include knitwear that people can wear after the cold winter months.

They are also making plans to launch their products in the US as they predict US customers will embrace the brand.

“We believe the key to our success is the accessibility, unique style and playfulness of our kits,” Morgan said.

“We’re focused on preserving that essence as we move into more styles, fibers and markets.”