We talk today to Cat Blossom and Morgan Collins, the entrepreneur duo behind the knitting kit business Cardigang. The business was borne out of the duo’s interest in knitting as a hobby they pursued during the COVID-19 lockdowns. They eventually saw a business opportunity after having felt frustrated with the lack of stylish designs or Aussie wool among the available knitting kits in the market. Since its launch in 2020, Cardigang has grown exponentially to the point that Cat and Morgan turned this side hustle into a full-blown entrepreneurial venture with overseas growth in their sights.
ISB: What inspired you to transform your love for knitting into a business venture?
CB: Originally we started knitting as a creative outlet and a new hobby to master during one of Melbourne’s many lockdowns. We quickly got hooked and our chunky knits started getting lots of comments from our family and friends. We have always talked about starting a business together but had never landed on the right concept. We instinctively felt that there was a huge opportunity with knitting and from there Cardigang was born.
ISB: What has been the most challenging aspect of running a business like Cardigang and how did you get past it?
MC: We’ve experienced a lot of teething problems in our first 18 months of business. Managing our stock levels through periods of rapid growth has been challenging, add to that the ongoing impacts of COVID on our supply chain and we’re constantly having to adapt and move quickly as things change. We also acutely feel the tension common to all small business owners; wanting to do everything at once but needing to focus our limited time on what’s going to have the most impact.
ISB: What sets Cardigang apart in helping people discover and enjoy knitting?
MC: As two people who’d never knitted before 2020, we wanted to open knitting up to people like us, people who’d never considered picking up the sticks before. We found the process of learning to knit quite daunting – it felt like learning another language at the beginning, and we wanted to change that experience for people by making the process really simple and easy to master. We also design kits in style and colours that we would wear, it can be quite a contrast to the more traditional knitted styles and that’s something that sets us apart.
ISB: How do you ensure the quality of the yarn you are offering to your customers?
CB: All of our yarn is custom dyed and spun to order, and we’re really proud of our range of fibres and colours. When we started Cardigang it was really important that we used Aussie Merino wool, and our chunky Merino yarn is certified 100 per cent Australian Merino. When creating a new line of yarn we go through a stringent testing and sampling process with our suppliers to ensure that we’re happy with the end product.
ISB: What is next for Cardigang in the next couple of years?
MC: Well, we’re never short on ideas! This spring we’ve launched a chunky cotton that will be perfect to knit with over the warmer months. We’re also expanding our knowledge and skill set so we can introduce new kits and techniques into the range. Plus, we’re looking at taking our gorgeous Aussie Merino kits overseas so that the Northern Hemisphere can get cosy with us over their colder months.
ISB: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your business journey that other hopeful entrepreneurs can learn from as well?
CB: I know it sounds cliche but my advice would be to just give it a go, and surround yourself with the right people. We’re so lucky to have each other to lean on and bounce ideas off, it can sometimes feel overwhelming but knowing you have people in your corner cheering you on gives us the confidence to smash through any hurdles we face along the way. We also have a brilliant business coach who has provided some much-needed structure to how we run our business and a network of incredibly talented creatives who have helped us bring our vision to life.
