Hobbies like knitting, sewing and quilting are helping people connect, and in some instances, bring in a little extra cash.

The big picture: Gardening and homesteading, needlepoint, crochet  — all of these activities typically enjoyed by boomers are taking off with younger generations now, according to TikTok.

• It's all part of the slower living aesthetic, also popular on TikTok.

By the numbers: On TikTok, posts with #needlepoint increased by 400% for the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, the social platform shared with Axios.

Zoom in: Waste Knot Needlepoint owner Lori Mazza started noticing an influx of customers during the pandemic. Popularity hasn't waned since.

• The Arlington, Virginia-based needlepoint shop has always attracted crafters of all ages, but younger people are starting to take up a large share of their customer base, Mazza says.
• They're looking for ways to get off their phones, ease anxiety and relax, she says.

My thought bubble: I started needlepointing this fall for two reasons: I needed something to do with my hands (besides scroll social media) and I wanted to continue my great-grandma's tradition of homemade stockings.

• My nickname was "Gam Gam" in high school. Safe to say, I'm here for the cozy crafts resurgence.

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The joy of crafting, in part, is the community. For instance, #CrochetersofTikTok is one the platform's most popular hashtags. Its popularity exploded in 2022 and it now has 2.2 million videos. 

• Mazza says her younger customers are often influenced to start needlepoint because of their friends.

We want to hear about your Granny-inspired hobbies. 

• Did you start crafting recently? What's your medium of choice?
• Was there something you loved doing as a kid that you've picked up again as an adult?

Email [email protected] or hit reply with your full name and neighborhood. We may feature your insights in an upcoming newsletter.