Why Handmade Gifts Never Go Out of Style

Want to give a gift that actually means something?

Knitted and crocheted gifts are made with love. Sure, every other store offers mass-produced items that get shipped to you the next day. But who wants something that everyone else could’ve given?

People want gifts that come with a story. An actual person behind them.

Here’s the deal:

When you give someone a handmade gift, you’re forging a connection.

We live in a digital world. Gifts crafted from yarn help us reconnect with ourselves, others, and the art of gifting something meaningful.

Americans spent a whopping ~$29 billion on personalized gifts in 2024.

What you’re about to learn:

Why Handmade Gifts Will ALWAYS Beat Store Bought Gifts
Knitting & Crochet Patterns Are Trending Up
Gifts You Make Provide Mental Health Benefits
How to Start Gift Making

Why Handmade Gifts Will ALWAYS Beat Store Bought Gifts

Think about the last gift you received.

How long did it take for the giver to buy that gift?

Seconds.

A store-bought gift takes seconds. Why? Because nobody thinks about it. You drive to Target, browse the aisles for five minutes, and voila! You’re done.

Contrast that with something handmade. Let’s say you want to give a friend a scarf. It takes weeks to knit a scarf. Hours and hours of work that you’d exclusively be spending thinking about that person.

Gifts that you make force people to think about YOU.

Did you know 62% of knitters gifted items they made?

It makes sense when you think about it. Everyone knows the best gifts with knitting patterns come from the heart and hands working together.

Products made through knitting & crochet patterns endure longer than store-bought stuff too.

Sure, there’s a place for pre-made gifts. But if you really want to wow someone, grab some yarn and get to work.

The Rise of Knitting & Crochet Patterns

Something unexpected has happened over the last couple years.

Young people are taking up knitting and crochet like never before.

These hobbies aren’t just for grannies anymore. The age ranges for knitting and crochet are fairly consistent.

34% ages 18-34
36% ages 35-54
30% ages 55+

What’s contributed to this sharp increase?

Youtube and Instagram popularizing finished projects
Online groups give access to free patterns
Desire for one-of-a-kind clothing
Sustainable fashion

At the rate knitting and crochet are growing, the global market will reach $24.9 billion by 2029. That’s an increase of over $10 BILLION in just five years.

Want to know another reason?

The truth is we’re bored of screens. Knitting and crochet allow us to sit down with zero distractions. All you’ll focus on is turning fluffy yarn into beautiful stitches.

Gifts You Make Provide Mental Health Benefits

Did you know…

Gift making can actually help you mentally?

Over 42% of crafters engage in knitting or crocheting for mental wellness benefits. That’s huge! Who knew staring at yarn for hours would be so therapeutic?

A study conducted by The British Journal of Occupational Therapy revealed that:

81% of knitters with depression said knitting made them happy
Over half of those sufferers said they felt “very happy”

When you make a gift for someone, you improve your mental wellness and theirs. How cool is that?

The benefits don’t stop there either.

Did you know crafting helps improve self-esteem, anxiety, and cognitive function?

There’s just something special about creating something with your own two hands.

The Emotional Value You Provide With Gifts

The biggest thing to remember with gift-giving is this…

You’re providing the receiver with something they’ll never forget.

Hours and hours go into handmade gifts. A baby blanket can take upwards of 20-40 hours to make.

But that also means you spent 20-40 hours thinking about that baby and their loved ones.

A gift from the store might mean well, but it doesn’t come close to the emotional value you provide with a handmade gift.

How to Start Gift Making

Ready to make gifts for family and friends but don’t know where to start?

No worries! There are tons of knitting and crochet patterns for beginners.

Start small with things like scarves and dishcloths. They help you learn the basic stitches without going overboard. Not to mention they make great gifts too.

Also, don’t strive for perfection with your gifts. Aliens don’t knit or crochet perfect stitches, you shouldn’t either. These slight inconsistencies make handmade gifts special.

Like mentioned before, knitting and crochet tutorials are the most popular way to learn today. Over 60% of hobbyists use online resources.

Want your gifts to be sustainable too?

Choose materials that align with your values.

Buy organic cotton yarn, recycled options, or even locally sourced wool. Knitters and crocheters are more aware of the yarns they use too. Around 46% try to buy eco-friendly yarn options when available.

Handmade gifts just might be the best option for the environment.

Sustainability & Handmade Gifts

Speaking of the environment.

Ever notice how cheap fad clothing and store-bought gifts are harmful to the Earth?

Buying sustainable and long-lasting gifts whenever possible is key. Knitting & crochet allow you to do just that!

Not only will you know where your materials are coming from, but you can control how the product turns out.

Handmade gifts take time. A lot of thought goes into crafting something that someone will cherish.

Contrast that to gifts you buy at stores.

Made in who knows where
Packaged with styrofoam and plastic
Goes through weeks of shipping
Will be thrown out by next year

It’s a no-brainer. Handmade gifts are here to stay.

Wrapping It Up

Why will handmade gifts never go out of style?

Because we as humans desire connection. Something as simple as handmade gifts can restore some of that connection we’ve lost.

As technology took over, we’ve learned to appreciate the small things again. Knitting & crochet patterns have allowed crafters to express creativity and provide wonderful gifts for friends and family.

To sum everything up: