Writing a yarn listing can feel strangely difficult.
You know perfectly well what the yarn is. It is sitting right there. You can see it. You may even have an emotional attachment to it after moving it from shelf to basket to project bag and back again for the last three years.
And yet, somehow, when it is time to write the listing, every description becomes:
“Blue yarn. Nice.”
Fortunately, there is a better way.
A good yarn listing does not need to be long or terribly fancy. It simply needs to answer the questions a buyer is most likely to have.
The title is one of the first things buyers see, and it helps your yarn appear in search results.
A good title usually includes:
For example:
“4 Skeins Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton Yarn in White”
Or:
“2 Skeins Malabrigo Rios Worsted Yarn, Colorway Sunset”
That is much more helpful than:
“Mystery Yarn Lot”
Which sounds intriguing, certainly, but perhaps not in the way you intend.
In the description, include the information buyers are looking for most often:
For example:
The easier you make it for buyers to understand exactly what they are getting, the more likely they are to click “buy.”
If the yarn is not brand new, simply say so.
For example:
Buyers appreciate honesty.
A slightly imperfect skein can still sell beautifully if the listing is clear. Most people do not mind a missing label nearly as much as they mind being surprised by one.
Your listing does not need to sound like a formal business report.
It is perfectly fine to write naturally.
For example:
“This yarn would be lovely for a summer top, shawl, or lightweight cardigan.”
Or:
“Perfect if you are trying to finish an older project and need this exact dye lot.”
That helps buyers imagine what they might make with it.
Just try not to get too carried away.
“This yarn will change your life and heal your emotional wounds” is perhaps setting expectations a touch high.
Large blocks of text can be difficult to read.
Instead:
A buyer should be able to glance at your listing and quickly find what they need.
Because, let us be honest, most of us have reached the point in our lives where we simply do not have the energy to read seven uninterrupted paragraphs about yarn.
If you are selling:
Say exactly what is included.
For example:
“Listing includes 4 full skeins and 1 partial skein.”
That way there is no confusion.
If you are not sure where to start, try this:
For example:
“4 skeins of Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine in Strawberry. Worsted weight blend of alpaca, wool, and silk. New with labels and all matching dye lot. Lovely for a sweater or shawl.”
Short, clear, and helpful.
You do not need to be a professional writer to create a listing that sells.
You simply need to be clear, honest, and helpful.
A buyer who can quickly understand exactly what you are selling is much more likely to purchase it.
And if you ever find yourself typing “blue yarn, nice” again, take a deep breath, add the brand name and dye lot, and you will already be doing splendidly.
