Over the past two decades, crochet has seen a remarkable surge in popularity among younger generations. According to Crochet Penguin, a statistic and tip-focused crochet site, the number of people who crochet has increased by over 200%

“The hobby used to be most popular with people aged 50 to 65. Now, over 73% of crocheters are between 18 and 34,” according to the Crochet Penguin website.

Crochet was very popular in the 1970s, especially among the Baby Boomer generation who grew up during the hippie movement. This era saw a rise in handmade crafts as a form of personal expression.

“I learned how to crochet from my grandma,” Stellar Slentz-Baeb, a person who recently got into crochet, said.

Crochet was an easy hobby that allowed boomers to personalize their style and became extremely trendy for hippies and hippie music festivals. 

But why is there such an increase in popularity of crochet with younger generations?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hobbies like playing musical instruments, hiking, and crafting have become much more popular.

Many people had more free time than normal. A combination of this free time and the boredom due to lack of social interaction, many people picked up new hobbies. 

So, why did so many people choose to learn crochet?

Crochet is very simple and repetitive, and with over 61% of Gen Z having anxiety, the simple and repetitive act of crochet can be soothing. 

On top of that, the trend of minimalism is already starting to swing backwards with younger generations. Gen Z is becoming more and more interested in personalizing their style. Social media has also been pushing these handmade crafts towards younger audiences, giving more young people both ideas and instructions. 

“I learned about crochet when I saw my friends doing it. I was seeing all the cute little crafts they were making, and I was, I was thinking to myself, I was like, wow, those are super cute. I want to do that, “ Slentz-Baeb said.

Now, most things advertised towards beginner crocheters are stuffed animals. This is because they are simple, small, and mentally stimulating, with each round being different.

With its soothing, repetitive motions and endless creative possibilities, crochet continues to capture the interest of younger generations. As trends shift, it will be interesting to see how this timeless craft evolves.