The Millennial generation is a tough one to figure out. Their defining attribute has been being difficult to define. In this article, you will find the reason why millennials love knitting.
Just when you think you have them figured out, they flip the script on you. They are incredibly tech-savvy, yet they also gravitate towards analogue things. For example, Millennials have really embraced knitting as a hobby.
Nobody truly saw this coming, but it makes a lot of sense. Here are a few reasons why Millennials love knitting.
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The Online Knitting Community
First of all, buying yarn and supplies online is just about the easiest thing in the world. Previous generations had to go all the way to the store.
Second of all, the sheer volume of ideas and inspiration available online is staggering. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of patterns just by clicking the Yarnspiration Pattern Collection to find your next project. You are far more likely to find your next 5 projects.
You also have a seemingly endless supply of tips and tricks from seasoned knitting veterans.
It Takes Place in the Real World
So much of a Millennial’s world is digital and virtual. As a result, something real and tactile is incredibly novel to them. Yarn and needles are real—you can pick them up and touch them. You don’t have to hit Save when you’re finished knitting or back your work up to the cloud.
This longing for tactile experience has led to Millennials drifting towards things that their Gen X parents took for granted. This digital generation rarely get to work with their hands, so they often turn to “old-world” crafts like knitting and carpentry. They have also shown a real fondness for public libraries.
It Helps Anxiety and Mental Health
Millennials are also the first generation to truly recognize the importance of self-care and mindfulness in fighting anxiety.
Any knitter, from any generation, can vouch for the fact that knitting is one of the most relaxing experiences you will ever have. It forces you to slow down and be in the moment, which is the essence of mindfulness.
At the same time, it also allows you to find your rhythm and let your mind happily daydream. It also goes well with a warm drink and a long playlist.
There is also a wonderful detachment from the expectation of the outcome. Yes, we always want our final product to be good. But it doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the imperfections in knitting give it a beautiful authenticity. There is something very liberating about that.
The End Result
Big and comfy knitted clothing has never, ever, gone out of style. Who doesn’t want a big sweater or chunky pair of socks on a cold day?
Just like previous generations, Millennials love creating things for themselves and their loved ones. They also get a kick out of being the most original gift-giver when birthdays and the holiday season come around.
Millennials are very perplexing to people from the Gen X or Boomer generations. But, knitting has always been a unifier that brings people together.
Older knitters may be a bit surprised to hear that a Millennial-aged family member or friend is “super into” knitting. But it’s a place that we will always happily meet in the middle.
