Jess Thodas, 22, saw videos of crochet creations and was inspired to start a new hobby that helps her relax and unwind.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Jess Thodas

Younger generations seem to be taking up traditional and inexpensive hobbies to pass their time, save money and develop useful skills. 

It would appear that going out is out, and staying in is in.

Young adults have taken up budget-friendly hobbies like crocheting, knitting, sewing and other skills as pass times they can do while saving money and spending time with others. While these hobbies are often related to older generations, younger people have taken on hobbies that take invested time, are cheaper, more fulfilling and satisfying for the individuals.

Natasha Gammel, owner of Art of Yarn in Kelowna, has noticed an increase in young adults coming into her store.

“People are looking for things to keep their minds and hands busy. Supplies can be reasonably inexpensive, or it can be very expensive, depending on the materials you’re using. You can grab a hook and a set of needles and a ball of yarn and go,” Gammel says.

Gammel says more people aged 18 to 25 have been coming into her store and buying supplies to start a new hobby. She says a sense of familial nostalgia may be linked to the increase in traditional hobbies gaining popularity once again.

They could remind an individual of loved ones, or cozy and comforting times they’d experienced and hope to rekindle.

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Gammel said interest in knitting and other yarn related activities may be driven by social media and pop culture.

Videos of celebrities wearing crochet and knit clothing are getting even more exposure online which results in those viewing in taking interest in the hobby.

Jess Thodas, 22, saw videos of crochet creations and was inspired to start a new hobby that helps her relax and unwind.

“Every so often videos of cute crochet coasters or placemats would pop up on my TikTok and I think I was influenced to try it,” Thodas says. “Crochet shirts became really popular at stores, but they were selling for around $40 and it just didn’t seem worth it to me, especially when everything else in this world is getting so expensive.

"I found a free YouTube video and created my first shirt which probably only cost me about two dollars to make. I crocheted my second shirt out of scrap yarn I had left over from another project.”

Online yarn and pattern sharing groups for clothing and crafting are gaining members who also want to take part in sustainable and inexpensive hobbies.

The practice of slowing down and creating pieces of art and fashion is a focus younger generations are reverting back to while still living in a digital world. Creating slow and sustainable hand-made pieces creates a space filled of satisfaction and inexpensive creativity.

"It’s just so rewarding finishing a piece, especially if I wear it out and get compliments because it’s something I created myself,” Thodas says.

Yarn can be purchased at budget-friendly prices which is especially beneficial for an inexpensive pastime that can hold entertainment for hours.

“It’s almost like a mindfulness activity... you’re kind of stepping away from the outside world and you’re just in your little bubble. Its calming, it's helping with your mental health and I think the younger generation is needing that, they’re needing to step outside of that digital world and create with their hands,” Gammel says.

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Kayla Best, 31, has a similar mindset. Best will go to thrift stores to buy fabric, like shower curtains, to create cloaks, robes and other fashion wear from the items.

“It’s more cost efficient for me... it’s better for the environment and I find that I can get really cool fabric from thrift stores,” Best says.

To stretch her projects out further, Best creates dreamcatchers from leftover thrifted fabric to use up every bit of material she has on hand.

Rather than going out, Best spends her time with her friends at home and having an inexpensive painting, crafting or even a second hand thrifting night.

She and her friends do clothing swaps in which they all bring clothing they will no longer wear and swap with other members in the group, so everyone gets something new with zero cost.

"We still get to be together but we don’t need to go out and spend a bunch of money,” Best said.

Increased expenses are also a factor in the popularity of these activities gaining traction. As the price of fast fashion increases, the willingness to spend that kind of money declines.

The average and most recent annual income data as of 2022 for the age group of individuals 25 to 34 years of age was $55,000, according to Statistics Canada. The average income for individuals aged 15 to 24 in the same 2022 year wass $20,000.

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Paloma Villa, 21, has taken up sewing and repairing clothing as a hobby. Rather than shopping for new articles of clothing if they tear or get damaged, she takes the time to repair them.

“I’m not going to throw these jeans away and spend $100 more,” Villa said. “Even thrift stores now... they’re supposed to be cheap but it’s getting crazy.” 

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