The $7.2 Billion Hand-Knitting Industry Grows Through Women’s Labor

In Türkiye, the hand-knitting industry, rooted in a tradition based on women’s labor, has become more than just a hobby; it is increasingly growing into an economic force competing on a global scale. Worldwide, the hand-knitting yarn market is estimated to reach approximately $7.2 billion as of 2024.

Toygun Batallı, Chairman of Etrofil Hand-Knitting Yarns, stated that the market is expected to reach $9.96 billion by 2031: “In recent years, we have observed a significant increase in global interest in hand-knitting. The strong momentum we achieved in the first half of 2025 is the clearest indication of this interest. Our goal is to increase our sales by 30% by the end of 2025 compared to the previous year. Thanks to the growing demand, especially in Western European countries such as Germany, the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom, we are continuously expanding our exports.”

This home-based industry, built on women’s labor, stands out as an important asset for Türkiye both in terms of economic growth and cultural heritage. During the pandemic, as people spent more time at home, interest in knitting revived, and this trend has evolved into a lasting hobby culture. The younger generation’s turn to knitting through social media has made the sector part of a modern hobby and sustainable fashion trend. As a result, demand for hand-knitting yarns and accessories has rapidly increased both in physical stores and online channels.

Etrofil’s First Half Performance Exceeds Year-End Targets

Toygun Batallı, Chairman of Etrofil Hand-Knitting Yarns, stated that Türkiye has become a strong player in the European market, particularly in the hand-knitting yarn sector: “Türkiye’s integrated production infrastructure and logistical advantages shorten delivery times, while our wide product range meets consumer expectations in both economic and premium segments. Acrylic and acrylic-blend yarns are among the segments where Türkiye is strongest. Additionally, influenced by the amigurumi trend, cotton yarns have also become standout products in exports. The U.S. market presents a different dynamic for Türkiye, as American consumers tend to prefer organic, baby-friendly, and certified yarns. At Etrofil Yarns, our production capacity, variety of colors and patterns, price-performance balance, and rapid supply advantage have allowed us to gain broad visibility in Europe. With our natural-content cotton yarns, we continue to meet the demand for natural yarns both domestically and internationally. Notably, our sales in the first quarter of 2025 exceeded expectations. Our first-half performance indicates that we may surpass our year-end targets. In this regard, we continue to implement effective strategies in both the domestic market and exports.” he said.

Regarding exports, Batallı noted that Turkish knitting yarns and handmade products are most in demand in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and other Western European countries: “In recent years, as demand for hand-knitting has grown in these markets, our export rates have shown steady growth. Consumer preferences are also changing rapidly; while acrylic yarns were popular before the pandemic, natural, organic, and recycled yarns are now increasingly preferred. This trend is strengthening in line with sustainability and healthy living movements. Retro trends in the fashion world are also influencing the knitting sector. The more frequent inclusion of hand-knitting motifs and handcrafted-feel details in collections directly increases consumer demand and positively impacts sales.

At Etrofil, we closely follow these trends and combine both classic and modern designs in our collections. While we achieve strong visibility with our organic cotton and acrylic-blend yarns, our sustainable products continue to meet consumers’ evolving expectations.”