LOS ANGELES — At just 23, Emma MacTaggart felt her free time slipping away, and it was rarely without a screen. Working long hours in investment banking left her drained. When she finally logged off, she found herself scrolling through her phone. That’s when she and her roommates decided to find a new hobby. They rediscovered needlepoint, a craft Emma had learned as a child but abandoned for years. Now, it’s a passion she can’t live without.
“Needlepoint has been a great way to unwind and escape work stress,” she shares. “We quickly became addicted.”
Emma is part of a growing number of young people who are turning to traditional hobbies to disconnect from technology and tap into their creativity. Surprisingly, these “grandma hobbies” are trending on social media.
Some of these activities, like knitting and gardening, have been affectionately nicknamed “grandma hobbies” online, reflecting their appeal to an older generation. Yet, they’re gaining popularity with younger folks who are diving into crafts like pottery and blacksmithing.
During the pandemic, more people adopted these hobbies out of necessity, and now they continue to thrive. Emma, now 26, started her own needlepoint business, What’s the Stitch. Her social media presence has exploded, helping her sell needlepoint canvases and accessories infused with humor and, sometimes, a bit of sass.
“I wanted to breathe new life into a craft that felt so traditional,” she says.
Experts like Jaime Kurtz, a psychology professor at James Madison University, point out that hobbies can significantly reduce anxiety and boost mental health. “We’ve lost the value of hobbies,” she says. “Making time for them can pay off.”
Clara Sherman, co-founder of So Bam Fun, also enjoys playing mahjong with friends. “It creates a bubble where we can just be ourselves and disconnect,” she says.
Interestingly, some young hobbyists incorporate technology to enhance their experiences. Isaiah Scott, a birdwatcher and artist, utilizes the app eBird to track observations and contribute to conservation efforts. For Isaiah, birdwatching feels like a real-life video game, where discovering new species equals leveling up.
“It’s about protecting our environment now,” he says. Isaiah even founded the Rookery and Roots Conservancy, working to safeguard wildlife habitats.
A global digital audience empowers many hobbyists to scale their passions into businesses. Anna Weare, a blacksmith known as AnvilAnna, has gained a massive following through her TikTok content. She believes the revival of blacksmithing may stem from a desire for durable, handmade goods in an age of fast fashion.
“People want lasting quality in a world of cheap products,” she explains. Her waiting list for custom spurs stretches a year long.
Many hobbyists find community connections through their activities. Kristie Landing, founder of Verse & Sip, creates content about letter writing and paper crafts. She recently launched a pen pal matching service for followers seeking meaningful connections through handwritten letters.
“I want to create moments of joy and calm amid the rapid pace of social media,” Kristie says. She also runs a monthly Mail Club that sends original poetry and tea to subscribers worldwide.
For many, these hobbies are more than a passing trend. They represent a conscious return to the analog world. Emma embraces the “grandma hobby” label with pride. “I joke that I’ve been a grandma my whole life, so this feels right for my career,” she laughs.
As the trend continues to grow, there’s a renewed appreciation for the slower, more tactile joys of life outside of screens.
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