2026 Craft Trends: Embracing the Slow, the Meaningful and the Sustainable |Keeping it Real

While I was doing some research in order to set up my 2026 goals/keyword (read about it here), I learned a lot about the crafting trends that are expected to dominate this new year and ended up deciding to write a post about them.

Apparently, the world of crafting is moving beyond a simple hobby and transforming into a meaningful lifestyle (like maybe it always should have been?).

In the past, people had no choice but to make things at home - back then they did it out of necessity either because there were very few shops available or because they couldn't afford to buy certain items. Then what had been necessary before turned into a simple hobby (sometimes being shunned or deemed a useless waste of time - why spend hours crocheting or knitting a sweater when you can just go and buy half a dozen for the same price?).

And now I believe people are realizing that both from an economical and an environmental perspective, those hobbies can and should take central place in their lives again. Not because there aren't products available to be purchased, but because makers are seeking connection, self-care, and a way to balance the digital world with something beautifully tactile.

So I'm very glad to hear that handmade is a new official goal of many people. Scroll down to know what I found out are to be the top trends shaping the crafts world in this new year.

1. The Heirloom Revival: Grandmacore is Going Global

Ok, I did have to investigate about this one a bit, but apparently it means that traditional techniques are finding new life through modern interpretations. Which is great for me since I still have a lot of fabric buttons and other sewing notions I literally inherited from my maternal grandmother. I should be right on track, right?

Side note: I found this image on Canva but my grandmother had a Singer sewing machine that was very similar to this one. Even though it's no longer in the family, I really wanted to include it here...

It also seems that needlepoint and yarn crafts will see strong growth, with needlepoint, in particular, anticipated to be a major trend in 2026. Yep, just right up my alley.

And these classic methods are expected to be applied to cheeky patterns, modern color palettes, and decorative home goods designed to be framed or gifted - see, I always said handmade gifts are the best!

2. Slow, Sustainable, and Imperfect

A deepening eco-awareness is making conscious consumption a core part of the creative process, prioritizing budget-friendly and planet-friendly projects. Mindful making is the focus, with crafters turning to recycled textiles, natural fibers, and upcycling items from thrift stores. The joy is found as much in the process as in the product (which is great to keep in mind when projects don't end up resembling what you envisioned them).

Apparently, the Japanese already even have a name for this: the call it Wabi-Sabi, and it's the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and asymmetry. So in 2026 we can expect to see visible mending, patchwork with purpose, and embrace the quirks in hand-sewn details and other handmade items.

3. Creativity as Self-Care and Connection

Crafting is becoming an essential part of one's routine—a counterbalance to constant screen time and a new form of self-care. For me, crochet has always been a great way to cope with stress and it seems that people as a whole are finally realizing that creative wellbeing is really a thing and that activities like stitching, knitting, paper folding, or even just journaling can used for relaxation and emotional connection.

I'm hoping this trend will mean an acceleration of social creativity with more local craft clubs, organized craft meetings, material swaps, handmade markets and creative workshops. I'm onboard for all of those, I just need to find a way to fit them into my schedule.

4. Mixed Media and Digital Integration

The boundary between different crafts is blurring, leading to exciting new combinations. Mixed media projects are becoming more popular, mixing materials like clay embellishments sewn onto textiles, and embroidery over prints (I've actually been meaning to try that one for a while now).

The transition to the digital world is something I've also been embracing more and more. Not only tools like UV printers and laser engravers are becoming more accessible, allowing crafters to personalize handmade creations with custom designs or vinyl lettering, but there's also a whole new world opened up by the dawn of artificial intelligence (this one may create a bit of debate, but I think AI can be very useful for crafters and I'm planning a whole other post about that - coming soon).

Handmade is not cheap. Not if you buy quality materials. And when you take into account the time it takes to make things, they certainly end up being more expensive than many store bought items. But you need to remember a lot of those cheap items are made using even cheaper materials by people working in terrible conditions and being paid next to nothing. The real price is just much higher than what is printed in the tag.

Handmade is also not 100% perfect, but it's always made with love and, in my opinion, using or wearing something you made with your own hands is one of the best feelings ever.

So here's to a 2026 full of amazing crafts!