Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

The new year is right around the corner and with it comes a whole new set of craft trends to try. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a DIY rookie, few pastimes can compete with the joy that comes with creating something from scratch. If you're looking forward to trying out a new hobby in 2023, there is plenty of inspiration to be found in the craft world already. From a fresh take on embroidery to a beginner-friendly way to work with paints, these craft trends are expected to dominate this year.

Needle Felting

If you're drawn to adorable knick knacks, needle felting may be the craft for you in the new year—and three supplies, wool, a barbed needle, and a felting surface (to avoid poking your fingers), are all it takes to get started. The process of sculpting wool into 3D objects, needle felting has been recently popularized on social media as a way to create woodland animals. Whether you're making a monarch butterfly or petite bunny, "you will appreciate the tactile nature of fiber art," says Jessie Chui, mixed media artist and owner of Crafted to Bloom. "At first, you might be wary of poking a needle into wool, but you can't deny how satisfying and therapeutic it can be."

Resin

If you're like us, you've been seeing resin everywhere. Resin art is accomplished when a liquid chemical, called epoxy, is mixed with various color pigments to create beautiful patterns and textures. Although it's been around for years, resin art was recently popularized on TikTok and currently has more than 18 billion views on the platform. It's used to fill in molds to make jewelry, coasters, and ornaments, as well to transform wooden furniture into unique pieces of art.

Punch Needle Embroidery

Embroidery was big this year, and in 2023 a more niche approach to this craft is expected to take over: punch needle. The main difference between the two techniques is the type of needle used. For punch needle, you'll be working with a bigger needle that is held like a pen and punches the thread into the fabric while the needle stays on the surface. The method has generated almost 400 million views on TikTok, where crafters have shared their creations; they range from rugs and mirror frames to wall art and coasters.

Upholstery

With a growing interest in upcycling, it's no surprise that upholstery is a crafting trend we're expected to see in 2023. People all over social media have shared clips of them flipping secondhand furniture and turning it into something truly beautiful (including us!) "I've been collecting all the upholstery books at my local thrift shop because I'm noticing that people are once again DIYing their own curtains, pillows, and cushions," says Brittany Jepsen, founder and creative director of The House That Lars Built. She also expects to see the English cottage aesthetic make its way into upholstery fabric choices in the new year.

Squeegee Painting

An easy way to begin working with paint, squeegee painting will take over the craft scene in 2023. "A trend that requires little to no previous experience, squeegee painting is fun and accessible for everyone," says Ashley Poskin, DIY expert and freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. "The process is very zen, and the results are amazing." To make squeegee art, simply squirt dots of different colored paint onto a canvas and use a squeegee to spread it around. It's a fun craft for adults and easy enough to try out with kids.

Disco Ball Art

Disco is back—and it's making its way into the art world. Crafters on TikTok started by making their own disco balls, and the trend grew from there. "Mirror mosaic tile stickers are affordable and easy to use, and crafters are using them on everything," says Poskin (we've seen them added to shoes, figurines, mirrors, planters, and more). "These crafts are especially great during the long dark days of winter when the little mirrors toss much-needed light around your room."

Homemade Clothes

Do-it-yourself fashion has become a popular alternative to buying new clothes in recent years, and it's a trend Jepsen believes will only grow in popularity in 2023. Beyond just upcycling thrifted clothes, she expects to see many DIYer making their own clothes from scratch. "My new favorite people to follow on Instagram are sewists who make their own clothes and share them," Jepsen says. "In a world where it's hard to be original, they are showing that you can truly achieve it."

Interested in giving this a try come January? There are a handful of downloadable sewing patterns for clothes available online.

Macrame

Macrame has been a beloved woven art for centuries, but its popularity is spiking once again thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. "This ancient art form has returned in full force," says Chui. "Knots on 3-ply cotton twine have never looked so good."

Expect to see macrame being used to make wall art, fruit baskets, coasters, plant hangers, and more functional designs in the new year. The supplies you'll need will change depending on your specific project, but one necessity for any macrame craft is macrame cord.