How Much Does It Cost to Make a Crochet Scrunchie?
Crochet scrunchies are one of the most popular handmade hair accessories sold on Etsy and at craft fairs — and for good reason. They use very little yarn, work up quickly, and sell for $5–$12 each. But before you set your prices or decide whether making your own saves money over buying, you need to know your actual cost per scrunchie.
The main materials for a crochet scrunchie are yarn and a hair elastic. Most patterns use a size 5.0–5.5mm crochet hook and call for roughly 20–35 yards of cotton, velvet, or chenille yarn depending on the stitch and scrunchie size. A standard skein of cotton yarn (like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) holds about 186–220 yards and costs $5–$10, while a skein of velvet yarn runs $8–$14. Hair elastics typically come in packs of 20–30 for $3–$6.
Cotton vs. Velvet Yarn for Crochet Scrunchies
Cotton yarn scrunchies are breathable, washable, and appeal to buyers looking for everyday wear. Velvet or chenille yarn scrunchies photograph beautifully and feel luxurious, commanding higher price points. When calculating costs, velvet yarn often costs 30–50% more per yard but uses the same amount of yardage per scrunchie — so your material cost rises accordingly.
Pricing Crochet Scrunchies for Selling
A commonly used formula for handmade goods is to price at 3x your material cost to cover overhead, packaging, and platform fees — then layer in your time. If your materials cost $1.50 per scrunchie, a starting price of $4.50 covers materials. Etsy fees (listing + transaction + payment processing) average around 12–15% of the sale price, so build that in before setting your final number.
Is It Cheaper to Make or Buy Crochet Scrunchies?
Handmade crochet scrunchies on Etsy typically sell for $5–$12 each. If your material cost per scrunchie is under $2, making them yourself saves money and creates a sellable product. This calculator shows your exact break-even and profit margin so you can set confident prices and know exactly how much you save versus buying retail.