Expect a minimum of around 100 pieces per style, a counter sample before bulk, and roughly two to three weeks of production after the sample is approved — then add shipping. The fastest way to a real quotation is to send style references, quantity per style, colorways, label requirements and destination in the first message.
Step 1 — Decide the shape mix before you talk price
Handmade crochet sells on distinctiveness, so a first order that covers two or three shapes usually outperforms a deep buy on one. A typical opening order is a large openwork tote, a mid-size shoulder bag and a mini crossbody. Because the minimum is per style rather than per order, three styles at 100 pieces is a normal, quotable order.
Step 2 — Send an inquiry a supplier can actually quote
Most first inquiries are one line — 'price for crochet bags?' — and get a one-line answer back. Send these five things instead and the first reply is a real quotation:
- Style numbers or photos of what you want made
- Quantity per style, and how you want colorways split inside it
- Any change to size, strap length or lining
- Label requirement — woven label, printed label or hangtag
- Destination country and the month you need it on the shelf
Step 3 — Treat the sample as the contract
For handwork, the approved sample is the specification. Stitch density, yarn shade, strap length and lining are far easier to fix on one bag than on 300. Ask what the sample costs and how long it takes before you commit, and keep the approved sample yourself so you can check the bulk against it when it lands.
Step 4 — Build the calendar backwards
Work back from your on-shelf date: shipping, then production, then sampling, then quotation. With 15–30 days of production after sample approval, a spring launch shipped by sea is normally quoted in the winter. Air freight buys back weeks at the end of the chain, and lightweight bags are cheaper to air than most product categories — but it is not a substitute for starting on time.
Step 5 — Check the supplier the boring way
- Ask for a video call through the area where your style is actually made, not a company video.
- Ask whether the handwork is in-house or subcontracted — it decides who answers your change requests.
- Ask what is not published: a supplier who says 'we have no certificate yet' is easier to work with than one who implies otherwise.
- Check that the specification you receive matches the one on the website's own product page.
Our own specifications sit on every style page in the crochet and knitted collection, and the workshop page says plainly which figures we do not publish.
Lovy quotes 100 pcs / style, 15–30 days production after sample approval, and replies within 24 hours on business days. Send your shortlist and we will come back with prices and sample options.
FAQ
What is a realistic MOQ for handmade crochet bags?+
Around 100 pieces per style is normal for a workshop that does its own handwork. Much lower minimums usually mean stock buying rather than production, which limits color and size changes.
How long does the whole first order take?+
Quotation in a day or two, then sampling, then 15–30 days of production, then shipping. Sea freight to Europe or North America is the longest leg — plan the launch date around it.
Can I split 100 pieces across several colors?+
Usually yes. The split depends on the yarn colors a style uses, so confirm it at quotation rather than assuming it.