Enthusiasm for lockdown hobbies has, by and large, dwindled. Save for the odd Instagram post from the most committed home bakers, picklers and baristas, the wholesome pastimes that exploded in 2020 are on the way out. #Cottagecore, on the other hand, is still very much alive and kicking.
What started life as a hashtag fuelled by the cosy quarantine wardrobes adopted by David Beckham, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift (think flat caps and assorted chunky cardigans), has developed into a full-blown obsession with homespun knits. The most popular current iteration? The crochet hat.
Warm enough to ward off a chill, wide enough to shade you from the sun, these woven hats are ideal for the unpredictable UK weather. But it wasn’t their practical attributes that kickstarted the crochet trend, that was down to Gen-Z. Depop, TikTok, Etsy, Vinted and Instagram are all awash with the efforts of young crafters, many of whom are making and selling their own styles.