If you've spent time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you've probably notices something unexpected. Gen Z and Millennials are knitting. Twenty-somethings are proudly showing off their sourdough starters. Pottery classes are booked out, and people are embracing what social media has dubbed "grandma energy".

This doesn't just feel like another viral trend. It genuinely looks like it's reflecting a broader cultural shift in how people want to spend their free time. 

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What Are Granny Hobbies?

Using the term 'granny hobbies' doesn't mean something is outdated. In this case, it loosely refers to the kinds of activities our grandma's and great-grandma's traditionally enjoyed. Think things like knitting, crochet, embroidery, pottery, baking, gardening, sewing, jam making and other creative activities that have been passed down through generations. 

What do they all have in common?

...

✨ They're not dominated by screens ✨

These hobbies require patience, focus and time, thus encouraging us to slow down and enjoy the process. This is exactly why they're resonating with so many people in 2026. 

 

Are Granny Hobbies Really Trending Right Now?

Yes they are! This isn't just anecdotal either. There's lots of evidence suggesting that traditional hobbies are experiencing a genuine revival, particularly among younger generations. 

On TikTok alone, hashtags like #crafttok, #crochet, #knitting, #slowliving and #junkjouornal have collectively attracted billions of views, with creators sharing everything from beginner knitting projects to pottery tutorials and more. And according to Shopify, sales of needlecraft kits have increased by 226% in February alone. 

Craft retailers have reported growing demand from younger generations. Only a few years ago, businesses were worried their customer base was ageing, but today, younger people are driving renewed interest in traditional crafts, while online marketplaces like Etsy continue to see growing numbers of first-time makers selling handmade products. 

Why Are We Returning To Granny Hobbies?

Digital Fatigue

The average person spends 7-9 hours a day looking at screens, and for many of us, that doesn't even account for work. After years of remote work, endless notifications and hours of doom scrolling, people are genuinely feeling more exhausted. While technology makes life easier, being 'permanently connected' is leaving us feeling overstimulated and distracted. 

 

 

In saying that, granny hobbies offer something screens simply can't - a tactile, physical experience that engages the senses and gives the brain a break from constant digital stimulation. 

When you're knitting a scarf, baking bread or shaping clay, your hands are busy, your phone is down and your brain gets a chance to switch gears. Instead of consuming endless content, you're creating something tangible. For many people, this simple shift feels surprisingly refreshing. 

 

A Focus On Mental Well-being 

It's no secret that Millennials and Gen Z are among the most well-being conscious generations in history and are actively seeking healthier ways to manage stress and anxiety. 

Research has consistently found that activities like knitting or sewing can help reduce stress, improve mood and encourage mindfulness. It's no surprise then that younger generations are actively looking for healthier ways to unwind. 

One long-term study from the University of Helsinki found that regularly engaging in creative hobbies was associated with a longer life expectancy of 8 years, although researchers note that hobbies are merely one of the many factors contributing to overall health. 

In Australia, around 17% of people experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime, while others live with conditions like ADHD or simply struggle to switch off after busy workdays. Granny hobbies provide enough mental stimulation to keep our minds engaged without becoming overwhelming, making them an appealing alternative to scrolling on our phones. 

Beyond the science of it all, they simply make us feel good! Spending time creating something with our hands offers a sense of calm, achievement and satisfaction that's becoming increasingly more difficult to find in this fast paced world. 

 

The Rise Of Slow Living

Instead of constantly chasing productivity, people are valuing activities that encourage presence, patience and intention. Making homemade jam or tending to a garden aren't necessarily the fastest activities you can do in an afternoon, but that's the whole point. 

These hobbies remind us that not everything needs to be optimised or monetised. Sometimes doing something out of enjoyment is enough. 

 

The "Granny Chic" Aesthetic 

It's not just hobbies themselves that are becoming popular. The aesthetic has made a comeback too. 

Crochet tops, patchwork quilts, handmade ceramics, vintage-inspired textiles and clothe mending/up-cycling have become stylish again. 

Cottagecore, grandmillennial interiors and handmade fashion have helped transform what was once considered "old-fashioned' into something inspirational. 

Displaying and gifting handmade pieces has become something people are genuinely proud of, because the feeling of making things yourself is seen as just as rewarding, if not more rewarding, as buying them. 

 

Finding Community

Loneliness is a legitimate crisis these days, and it doesn't discriminate. The great thing is that oftentimes, granny hobbies come with built-in communities. From knitting circles to book clubs, you can get true human connection around a shared interest. 

And unlike many social situations, crafting gives everyone something to focus on, making conversation feel more natural and less intimidating. 

 

 

Sober Social Spaces

As more people rethink their relationship with alcohol, many are searching for social activities that don't revolve around drinking or late nights. 

Knitting clubs, ceramic workshops, and craft cafes have quietly become some of the newest "third spaces" where people can meet, learn something new and build friendships. 

Even people who have recently relocated are making friends more easily, and longtime friends are seeing each other more, thanks to regular crafting sessions, replacing the backlog of voice notes that tricks you into thinking it hasn't been a month since you've met up. 

 

Reconnecting With Yourself

The psychological benefit of embracing these hobbies is clear, and it's becoming a new way of connecting with not only other people, but with ourselves. 

Many people find that work, family responsibilities and endless to-do lists leave little room for creativity. These activities offer an opportunity to rediscover interests that exist purely for enjoyment. 

Whether you're navigating an emptying nest, settling into retirement, balancing a busy career or looking for something fulfilling to do after work, making something with your own hands provides a sense of purpose that's separate from productivity. 

 

What Are The Most Popular Granny Hobbies?

If you're curious about joining the movement, these are some of the hobbies people are embracing right now:

○ Crochet & Knitting 🧶
○ Gardening 🪴
○ Embroidery & Cross stitch 🪡
○ Reading (book tok) 📖
○ Sewing, mending or upcycling 👚
○ Baking (e.g. sourdough starters) 🥖
○ Painting 🎨
○ Candle making & Soap making 🕯️
○ Junk journaling 📓
○ Jigsaw puzzles 🧩
○ Preserving foods (e.g. jams & pickling) 🥫
○ Flower arranging 💐
○ Pottery & Ceramics 🏺
○ Calligraphy 🖋️

 

How To Get Started

The beautiful thing is that you don't need to overthink it. Choose something that actually appeals to you and start small. You don't need expensive supplies and you definitely don't need to put pressure on yourself to make sure everything you create turns out amazing. 

You just need a willingness to be a beginner again. 

Crochet and embroidery are often recommended as entry points because the startup costs are low, they're beginner friendly and easy to learn through online tutorials. Plus, you'll have something to show for your effort more quickly. 

Your first craft might have uneven stitches. Your first loaf of bread might not rise. Your first pottery bowl might be a bit lopsided. But that's all part of the experience. 

If you'd like extra support at the start, YouTube tutorials, Reddit communities, local craft groups and beginner workshops are great places to begin. 

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Granny hobbies are much more than knitting needles and homemade bread. They're a reflection of what many people are craving right now, slower days, having genuine connection, expressing more creativity and having a healthier relationship with technology. 

In a world that constantly encourages us to consume more, scroll faster and stay productive, these traditional hobbies remind us that making something slowly and with intention can be just as valuable as achieving something quickly. 

Maybe our grandma's had it right all along.