Handicraft Boom

Dear users, dear designers,
There’s no denying that handicrafts have experienced a boom over the past few years. Will it continue?

Right now, I’m seeing more of a downturn, at least when it comes to buying patterns. And that’s not just because of summer, since patterns have sold better in previous years.
I suspect that high inflation is dampening people’s desire to shop.

Dear Josefa,

handicrafts were able to boom in recent years because families had more disposable income, so everyone could afford their hobbies or little extras. That’s no longer the case today. Even though people still enjoy doing handicrafts just as much, many simply can’t afford the cost of patterns and, consequently, the yarn anymore. Everything has gotten more expensive: housing, rent, water, electricity, groceries…—so people have to cut back on other, non-essential things.

Over the last three months, my income has been lower than ever. I don’t have much hope for the fall or winter either. Where is more money suddenly supposed to come from? On the contrary. Vacation cost money, the kids need new school and winter clothes, Christmas is coming, gifts have to be bought, and in January the year-end bills for electricity, heating, water, insurance, etc., etc., will arrive.

I’m under no illusions. The good old days are over. These days, you have to be able to afford to do crafts.

Love, Ina

You not only have to be able to afford it, but you also have to know how to do crafts, since, unfortunately, it’s no longer taught in school. Those who don’t know how to do crafts have to rely on finding someone in their family or circle of friends who can show them and teach them. But I think that, precisely because so many things have become more expensive, many people will turn back to making things themselves, because it’s often simply cheaper and, above all, more durable than industrially manufactured clothing. People will—and must—learn again to make something new out of something old, because if prices keep rising like this, many won’t be able to afford certain things at all.
After all, it’s unfortunately true that only when your stomach stops growling do you have the time—and maybe the money—for other things, if there is anything left over

Best regards, Inge

This is certainly a very challenging phase right now. The pandemic gave the trend a huge boost—sitting at home during lockdown, not going out, and not being able to go on vacation all affected many people’s time and financial flexibility.
Now people are traveling and going out again, but everything has become so much more expensive in the meantime, so many are having to cut back on their hobbies; after all, most incomes aren’t growing as fast as the prices of necessities.

I’m noticing more of a lull.
People seem to prefer looking for free patterns, which are available in abundance online.

On the other hand, more money is being spent on things that are significantly more expensive (in my opinion) and not strictly necessary, because priorities have shifted.

@Users,
are affordable patterns using leftover yarn more interesting to you right now?

It’s clearly noticeable that people aren’t spending money as freely as they used to.
Customers are focusing more on free patterns, which (unfortunately) are available in abundance on the internet.
They’re more willing to put up with potentially poor quality and a lack of support than to buy a high-quality pattern.
On top of that, the prices for yarn have also risen noticeably.
I’m watching this with some concern and hope that there will be a turnaround after all... 

Things will certainly change again—I’m quite sure of that.
Right now, even in terms of the general mood, we’re in a totally negative phase, but things like this eventually pass; after all, our grandparents weathered far worse. We—that is, everyone born in and after the 1950s—have simply been spoiled our whole lives. The economic miracle, growth, freedom, victories over countless diseases, etc., etc.—for us, things have almost always been on the upswing; a (relatively minor) energy crisis in the ’70s—that was about it. Even the war in the former Yugoslavia hardly affected anyone directly; there were no immediate economic consequences, refugees were taken in without much fuss—everything worked out for the time being.
But then came COVID-19—suddenly, it affected everyone, in a very tangible way. And then it went on for so long—and right in the midst of that, another war broke out in Europe, this time with economic consequences for everyone. That really isn’t easy. I can understand that many people are now completely unsettled by this; it certainly doesn’t make anyone happier, and as a result, people aren’t even willing to spend money, even if they have it to spare.

which, after all, there are (unfortunately) tons of on the internet.

But from a customer’s point of view, I see that "(unfortunately)"  very differently! Through free patterns, I have found authors whose patterns I just couldn’t get along with. That saved me money, which I can spend on patterns from authors I also found through free patterns.
Here in the forum, too, I have come across authors through the free patterns whom I otherwise wouldn’t necessarily have noticed. I’ve also skipped a free pattern before because it led me to a paid item by the author that I liked much better.

I’m also surprised by the pattern prices. There are super-affordable patterns offered that are excellently written, have appropriate photos, and the item is very elaborate. Then there are super-expensive patterns that consist of two pages, with spelling mistakes, bad (or no) photos, for an item you could almost make without a pattern.

If I buy an expensive pattern like that and add in the cost of the yarn, then many buyers drop out. The cost of a door wreath (complete with all materials) has risen from about €25 to €37. Then nobody buys anymore, even though “it’s sooo beautiful.”

These days, everyone has to watch their money. Still, I think many people will continue doing crafts, and that it will stay that way. Probably less, though, but in better quality.
I’m also making more for myself now and less for others.

I have to admit that I’ve gotten most of my knowledge and ideas from YouTube. Sure, the tutorials are often very hard to understand and follow. But once you’ve got the basics down, you can even manage with patterns in Russian. What I’ve seen here on the forum so far definitely isn’t too expensive. Sure, you can’t get rich doing this, but it’s probably enough to make a little pocket money.
But I know how much effort and time goes into a tutorial like that—I’ve created quite a few myself for PaintShopPro. That’s why I have real respect for everyone who sits down and creates something like this for others.
Handicrafts will never go out of style. You can save money on yarn, too. There are plenty of cheap suppliers online. Okay, that yarn isn’t particularly good, but lots of people order from there and are happy with it.

Making it yourself is still cheaper than buying the finished item, even with expensive yarn. And it’s tailored to my body.

Greetings from Hamburg
Brita

Dear Brita,
You’re probably right in general. We’ve all adjusted our spending habits to our financial circumstances. No one is spending money on things they can get cheaper—or even for free—elsewhere.

On the other hand, I’d like to point out that for many authors here on CP, this is about more than just pocket money. Many of them started their own businesses years ago because of the crafting boom. Now, their income is dropping sharply—but the general cost of living continues to rise. Some of them will likely have to give up their self-employment for financial reasons. That’s when lifelong dreams come crashing down.

Best regards, Ina

Oh, thank you for clarifying that, Schnuckelina. I didn’t know that. In that case, I’m really sorry for some of the things I wrote. I assumed this was a craft forum that also offered original patterns for sale.
That was a mistake on my part. It’s actually the exact opposite.
I hope no one holds it against me.

Warm regards from Hamburg
Brita

The patterns you see here, Brita, were all created by their respective authors.
CP provides the platform through which these patterns can be accessed.