What's happening in hobby culture
5 stories · June 2026
Gen Z Is Picking Up the Crochet Hook — and Calling It a Radical Act
Over 73% of crocheters are now aged 18–34. Scientists confirm what grandmothers always knew: making something with your hands is mindful meditation. Gen Z is calling it resistance against the attention economy.
PSA Pauses Submissions as Card Hobby Hits Record Demand
PSA graded over 2 million cards in May 2026 alone — up 25% year-over-year — and has paused new submissions for lower-cost tiers due to a backlog approaching 10 million cards. Pokémon products are selling out at retail.
Sewing Classes Are Filling Up Faster Than They Can Be Offered
Fortune reports sewing has become "cool" again, with TikToks about pinned hems hitting 11 million views. Gen Z is mending and altering — a hobby that forces them off their phones and saves money.
Michaels Declares 2026 the Year of Creative Living
In its 2026 Creativity Trend Report, Michaels found a cultural shift toward analog hobbies as an antidote to screen fatigue. Craft night searches up 103%. Needlepoint searches up 251%. Yarn sales up 40% year-over-year.
US Social Commerce Crosses $100 Billion for the First Time
eMarketer confirms US social commerce surpassed $100 billion in 2026. Live shopping conversion rates of 9–30% dwarf standard ecommerce's 2–3%. Creator-led commerce revenue hit $20.6 billion — up 16% year-over-year.
