Hobbies like knitting, sewing and quilting are helping Seattleites of all ages rediscover textile crafts, build new skills and invest time creating clothing that lasts.

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

• It's 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: Seattle's So Much Yarn in Pike Place Market has always attracted crafters of all ages, but younger women and "guys as well" started showing up during the pandemic and they haven't stopped coming, the store's buyer Ginger Allen, tells Axios.

• "People find it relaxing," she says. "It's a form of yoga and very zen."
• Marley Mecham, 27, of West Seattle, started knitting last year after watching TikTok videos about making your own clothes and says she feels empowered by her new skills.
• She's ready to take on sewing and crochet next, she tells Axios.

What they're saying: Artist Ren Han, who was shopping for yarn this week to make a scarf, has gone deep into the crafting rabbit hole: She spins her own yarn, colors it with natural dyes, knits, weaves and does rug tufting, embroidery and Tunisian crochet as well.

• "People are interested in learning traditional skills and connecting with their ancestors," Han says.
• "It's all part of a larger social dynamic to embrace sustainability and slow crafts, getting away from fast fashion and unsustainable art."

The intrigue: Unravel, an exhibit this year at London's Barbican, suggested that needlework can be a "tool of resistance" against the harmful effects of the fashion industry.

My thought bubble: I've been knitting and crocheting for about 20 years now and while I'm not particularly fast or skillful, the sweaters, hats and socks I make for loved ones get worn till they're threadbare.

• That's the ultimate compliment for a handmade item in my book!

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Competing lawsuits have been filed over Initiative 2066, which Washington voters approved last month to ban state and local governments from discouraging the use of natural gas.

Why it matters: The outcome of the lawsuits will decide the future of the state's new energy-efficient building codes, along with other government policies that encourage the use of electric heat pumps over gas furnaces as a way to curb emissions and fight climate change.

State of play: One lawsuit filed this month by I-2066's supporters calls on the courts to enforce the ballot measure, which took effect Dec. 5, by forcing a rollback of the state's heat-pump-promoting building codes.

• The other lawsuit, filed yesterday by I-2066 opponents, seeks to overturn the ballot measure, arguing it groups too many subjects under one initiative, violating the state Constitution, which limits legislation to a single subject.
• The city of Seattle and King County are among the plaintiffs challenging the initiative, joined by environmental groups and others.

What they're saying: Christina Wong with Washington Conservation Action, one of the plaintiffs seeking to overturn I-2066, said in a news release that the initiative's backers "misled voters by failing to mention it would threaten multiple programs across multiple agencies and jurisdictions."

• Some of the programs at risk include government rebates that help people afford heat pumps and other energy efficiency upgrades, Wong said.

The other side: Greg Lane, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, said his group's goal in asking the courts to enforce the law is to create certainty for builders across the state.

• "Our lawsuit asks the court to calm the chaos with firm action upholding law and protecting energy choice," Lane said in a news release.

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🚙 Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts will step down in February, citing a desire to spend more time with family. 

• Hired in 2022, Spotts oversaw the $930 million "Move Seattle" levy, set to expire this year, and the transition to a new $1.55 billion transportation levy approved by voters in November. (The Urbanist)

David Bonderman, co-owner of the Seattle Kraken and founder of private equity firm TPG, died yesterday at age 82. (Axios)

👋 Melissa here. I finally got myself over to Metier Brewing last weekend to try L'il Brown Girl, the new quick-service restaurant from James Beard nominated chef Kristi Brown, which opened inside the brewery in October. 

What to expect: This is great, elevated bar food, without being stuffy or messing up Metier's superb laidback vibe.

• The menu includes favorite dishes from Brown's other businesses, That Brown Girl Cooks! and Communion Restaurant and Bar, per a press release.

Dig in: The chickpea fritters with cilantro aioli ($12) are a fun starter and pair well with Metier's brews.

• The blackened catfish po' mi — a cross between a po'boy and a banh mi — boasted perfectly spiced fish and bright pickled vegetables, while the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich was nicely balanced with sweet potato salad aioli and roasted red onions.
• My dining partner and I also couldn't get enough of the grilled vegetables and black-eyed pea hummus included in the "snackie flight" ($14).

Stop by: Open 4-8pm Wednesday-Friday, 1-8pm Saturday and 1-5pm Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

• Located inside Metier Brewing's Central District taproom at 2616 East Cherry Street.

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