Taylor Swift adores it, as do the Featherington women of Bridgerton, and in recent years, it has greatly expanded its fan base among the Millennials and Generation Z. It’s no secret that as those of us stranded indoors looked for pastimes to pass the time and clear our minds, the Covid-19 epidemic spurred a renewed interest in arts and crafts of all types, from knitting and crocheting to sewing and soap-making. Of all the hobbies that gained popularity during this period, needlepoint was probably the most unexpected. Historically, only aristocrats and royalty were known to possess this age-old skill.
which, throughout the shutdown, attracted remarkable attention from millennials. And its appeal is growing—numerous needlepoint vendors report that the craft has recently gained traction on TikTok as well, drawing in a fresh generation of Gen Z practitioners by 2024.
What is it about needlepoint, a craft with a reputation for being incredibly finicky and fusty, that appeals to a modern audience, and which artists and businesses are promoting its resurgence?
