Analog hobbies are truly booming in 2026. As many people seek to disconnect from screens and reconnect with tangible activities, Michaels has released its annual creative trends report for 2026, revealing that consumers are immersed in an “offline era,” seeking “tactile, analog activities to reclaim their time and identity in an automated world.” Here are the eight biggest DIY and craft trends for 2026.
Main Character Maintenance
People are curating their “personal story” in physical form rather than on Instagram. Searches for “junk-journaling” (creative journaling) rose 63% year over year, and vision board searches jumped 61%. This trend reflects a desire for more authentic, less digital personal documentation.
Crafting to Touch Grass
Offline hobbies function as “daily grounding rituals.” Searches for portable activities like knitting, crochet, embroidery, and painting rose 136% in six months. Yarn accessory sales climbed 40% year over year. These activities offer a way to reconnect with oneself away from screens.
Craft Chemistry
Gatherings around creative projects are gaining popularity. Searches for “craft night” are up 103% year over year, and searches for “girls’ night craft” jumped 242%. Paint party kits and guided craft kits are also growing, as people seek deeper connections with less small talk.
Golden Gifts
Consumers are sharing their analog hobbies by giving DIY creations. Searches for mini loaf molds rose over 900% year over year, and searches for jewelry-making charms increased by over 400%. It is also a money-saving strategy.
Skill Stacking
People are investing time and money to learn sewing, needlepoint, or knitting — both to save money and to understand how things are made while building confidence. Needlepoint searches are up 251% year over year.
Wabi-Sabi Spaces
Wabi-sabi is trending in home decor, with less interest in perfect showroom-worthy homes. DIY home decor searches are up 79%, with people embracing “visible brush strokes or uneven stitching that shows a human created the piece.”
Confetti Culture
Party decoration searches rose 125% year over year, with people looking for more occasions to gather. Celebrations include “small” milestones like launching a side hustle or quitting a draining job.
KitschCraft and Charms
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are driving growth in playful accessories and resin trinkets for phones, shoes, and more — emphasizing maximalism, individuality, and the art of not taking life too seriously.
In 2026, crafts and DIY are not just hobbies: they are acts of reclaiming oneself in a digital world, ways of creating meaning, connection, and joy through tangible, personal activities.
