Over the past few years, Britain has rediscovered the power of making, and the crafting industry has boomed. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that everyone and anyone can be creative, with the help of platforms like TikTok inspiring millions with crafting ideas and techniques.
A quick YouTube search will provide craft tutorials for all skill levels – from tufting rugs, punch needling home decor, to sewing your own clothes, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Studies have also shown that the sense of accomplishment in creating something can decrease anxiety and diversify brain activity.
As we enter a new year, Hobbycraft, the UK’s largest arts and craft retailer reveals the top trends it expects to lead the way in 2023.
TUFTING
Tufting is still going strong – it is a faster version of punch needle and is becoming more and more popular on platforms such as TikTok, with the hashtag #Tufting racking up 3.2 billion views across a range of videos and searches on for ‘tufting’ on Hobbycraft’s website increasing by 73 per cent* over the past two years, versus the previous two.
Relatively easy to learn, tufting is an ancient weaving technique that has been lauded for its calming benefits, much like tie-dyeing and baking. It is a renowned method of rug making and defined as placing strands of wool or yarn onto a frame and punching the strands with a tufting tool. This tool automates the process, as yarn is fed through a hollow needle that penetrates a stretched cloth.
RESIN CRAFTS
Resin crafts began trending a couple of years ago and are still popping up all over the internet because of their versatility. This year, searches for ‘Resin’ on Hobbycraft.co.uk have increased by 56 per cent in 2022 versus 2021, as more people get to grips with the technique and see how easy it can be.
With the addition of glitter, pigments, and dried flowers, the creative possibilities are endless, and you can make everything from vases to jewellery, coasters to DIY gifts.
Resin is technically short for epoxy resin which is a two-component system consisting of resin and hardener. By mixing the two components, a chemical reaction takes place so that the liquid resin gradually hardens to a solid plastic.
PUNCH NEEDLE
Punch needling is a popular trend in the world of interiors. Searches for ‘Punch Needle Kit’ on Hobbycraft’s site has increased by 46 per cent from January to November in 2022, versus the same period in 2021. To date, the hashtag #PunchNeedle on TikTok has had 337.7M views. The technique creates a gorgeously soft, puffy texture and can be used to create hoop art, wall hangings, carpets and more. As this is done by hand, it’s better suited to smaller projects but is a fast process and perfect to take up if you’re after something therapeutic.
Hobbycraft provides a wide range of Punch Needle Kits priced at £15, and online sales for the kits are up 44 per cent over the past two months, versus the previous two. Punch needling is very similar to tufting however, it is all done by hand and does not use a gun. It is a form of embroidery – instead of stitching through the fabric, punch needle pushes thread or yarn into the fabric, while keeping the needle on the surface.
LATCH HOOK
Latch hooking is a craft which is great for using up leftover yarn and super easy to learn – Hobbycraft has noticed a spike in sales for its Latch Hook Kits increase by 28 per cent over the past two months, versus the previous two. The brand is introducing a new range of designs in 2023 – the current designs include a range of animal themes – from owls, elephants, tigers, foxes to puppies.
The process of latch hooking involves short segments of yarn being tied to the horizontal strands of a small or medium sized canvas grid – the kits come with step-by-step guides and can be used to make small rugs, wall hangings, or pillows.
MAKE DO AND MEND
Consumers are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and looking to upcycle, recycle and reuse rather than throw away. Especially, during the current cost-of-living crisis as people are spending less on luxury items.
Whether it is making clothing from scratch or giving clothes a new lease of life, Hobbycraft has a huge range of sewing machines, patterns, kits, needles, fat quarters and Ideas Hub projects for inspiration.
Searches for ‘Sewing Patterns’ on the Hobbycraft site increased by 295 per cent in 2022, versus the same period in 2021. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced sewer, Hobbycraft has an array of workshops available. It also stocks a huge range of machines, sewing kits, boxes, fat quarters and much more.
ENTREPRENEURIAL BRITAIN: MAKING TO SELL ON
The personalisation phenomenon is continuing to grow, and more than ever, small craft businesses need to stand out from competitors.
A customer survey by Hobbycraft revealed that 41 per cent of its shoppers run a side hustle business, 22 per cent said crafting was their main job, leaving 31 per cent crafting as a hobby. With this in mind, it is important for brands such as Hobbycraft to continue launching new products and services to meet customer demand. This year, the brand has launched a range of new digital craft machines – Glowforge, Sawgrass and the Cricut Mug Press. Each machine allows users to create bespoke items made from a huge range of materials.
With the Glowforge machine, it works with wood, leather, and more offering a fast and simple way to create a whole host of DIY projects – from gifts, home improvement and upcycling to making fashion items, toys, leather goods, lighting, containers, art and much more. With the Cricut Mug Press designs using Cricut Infusible Ink materials are attached to mugs.
MACRAWEAVE
In the yarn world, Hobbycraft reveals that ‘macraweave’ is a growing trend, and on TikTok, the hashtag #Macraweave has racked up 215.1k views to date. It combines the crafts of macrame knotting with weaving to create eye-catching projects that really pop with texture and colour.
KNIT TOK
On TikTok, the hashtag #KnitTok has seen 378 million views to date, as users of the platform share a huge range of knitting ideas. Knitting has gained a whole new Gen Z audience due to this.
Searches for ‘knitting pattern’ and ‘knitting wool’ on Hobbycraft’s website have increased by 1,241 per cent and 18 per cent respectively over the past year, versus 2021. The brand offers a huge range of products – from knitting needles and machines, and yarn.
EARTHY TONES: ELEMENTAL INSPIRATION
Hobbycraft’s craft experts reveal that deeply saturated hues found in the wild are on the rise in 2023 – inspired by everything from tropical flowers to carbon.
To help shoppers jump on the trend, the brand has launched a selection of projects on its Ideas Hub, including wreaths.
THE CROCHET CRAZE
Crochet is continuing to grow, thanks to the likes of TikTok, Instagram and celebrities such as Tom Daley showcasing how easy it is to give this cool craft a go. What was once known as a domestic craft, crocheting is becoming the mainstream hit it always deserved to be, with searches for ‘crochet kits’ and ‘crochet patterns’ on the Hobbycraft website increasing by 210 per cent and 177 per cent year-to-date, versus the same period in 2021.
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