PETALING JAYA: Since the start of the pandemic and numerous movement control orders, many Malaysians have turned to productive activities to keep boredom at bay. Some have turned to hobbies such as gardening, cooking, stamp collecting and learning a new DIY skill.

       The stay-at-home period has seen a resurgence in craft activities too.

       Some crafters are revisiting old hobbies like patchwork, crochet and knitting, while others are learning new skills like embroidery and sewing.

       Since the first MCO, more people in Malaysian have gone online to search for topics related to needle crafting.

       According to data from Google Trends, the key words "crochet" and "embroidery", for example, saw a noticeable increase in popularity in Malaysia when compared to the period before the pandemic.

       For some Malaysians, picking up a new hobby during the MCO is a method of self-care as people tried to make sense of the challenges in their lives.

       Adapting to the new normal hasn't been easy. In one and a half years, many people have struggled to juggle work responsibilities and family commitments while staying safe during the health crisis.

       A 2020 research study conducted by University College London revealed that artistic activities could lower inflammation and stress hormones such as cortisol while also helping reduce the risk of dementia. Other studies have been more specific, pointing to a direct link between textile crafts and improvements in mental well-being.

       Klang-based craft enthusiast Decklan Wong, 48, turned to embroidery to provide him with a sense of comfort and relaxation after a long day in the office. During the MCO, he spent most of his free time hand-stitching embroidery portrait pieces of singer David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, and Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama.

       "I spend too much time working with numbers during working hours. Embroidery requires lots of patience, but there's joy when the stitches transform a blank canvas into a work of art. That's my form of comfort and therapy, after work hours," said the senior accounts executive, who shares photos of his creations on his Instagram handle, @dkrwilber.

       Embroidery is my form of comfort and therapy, says Wong. Photo: The Star/K K Sham

       E-learning opportunities

       Digital media platforms have become especially valuable during the pandemic as they allow crafters to learn new things from the comfort of their home. Thanks to many virtual lessons offered on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, people have adopted newer learning methods to keep themselves up to date.

       Interactive technologies like Instagram and Pinterest have become an integral part of our interactions to stay connected with people across the world. These platforms allow people to find communities with similar interests, and friendships are forged too.

       During the Tokyo Olympics, crochet became a mainstream hit after British Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley posted photos of his hand-stitched crochet pouch and jumper on his Instagram handle @madewithlovebytomdaley.

       "The one thing that has kept me sane throughout this whole process is my love for knitting and crocheting and all things stitching," Daley shared in a video posted on his page.

       The hashtag #tomdaleyknitting has over two million hits on TikTok. Gen-Zers have started to follow suit by knitting and crocheting balaclavas, handbags, and dresses thanks to the Olympic heartthrob's crafty skills.

       The hashtag #crochet currently has over 4.6 billion views on TikTok, while #embroidery has more than 2.9 billion views.

       Social media went abuzz after British Olympic diver Tom Daley shared a photo of his hand knitted cardigan during the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Instagram/madewithlovebytomdaley

       Asia's Next Top Model winner and artist Sheena Liam has helped to breathe new life to embroidery. On her instagram handle - @times.new.romance - she's built a following for her contemporary embroidery creations of female portraits in dark threads that represent hair. Her works have been featured in international magazines and exhibited in Paris.

       Asia's Next Top Model winner Liam has held a exhibition in Paris for her artistic embroidery creations. Photo: Instagram/times.new.romance

       Crochet also became a worldwide craze during the pandemic. Just Google these three words – "crochet", "pandemic", and "Covid 19" – and you will get over 15 million results.

       Some people have turned their passion for crocheting into an income-generating activity.

       Kuala Lumpur-based yoga instructor Izach Lim was stuck at home during the first MCO, and he took the opportunity to pick up crocheting with the help of digital media. Today, he sells all sorts of items like doilies, bags and caps.

       "I've always wanted to acquire a skill that one can make a living out of. Having multiple skills is useful. If one loses his job, he can rely on his other skills to make a living," says Lim, who shares his beautiful creations on his Instagram handle, @the.crochetguy.

       Lim says crochet is a meditative hobby. Photo: Izach Lim

       Popular quarantine hobbies

       A Google Trends comparison (March 2020-Oct 2021) revealed people living in Perlis, Putrajaya and Pahang are more interested in searches related to crochet over embroidery.

       Crochet' mask extender' - a strip used across the back of the head, over the hijab - was a breakout keyword on Google Trends (May-Aug 2020) in Perlis, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu.

       It's not wrong to assume Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskanda？riah's posts of her handmade crochet extenders on her Instagram (now deactivated) handle, airtangantunkuazizah, has helped to thrust these adjustable strips into the limelight.

       Punch embroidery - a technique where a punch needle is used to puncture loops into embroidery fabric - is gaining good momentum on digital media. The hashtag #punchneedle currently has close to 180 million views on TikTok.

       With so much highlight on crafts, it's no surprise that the arts and craft business is set to soar at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 8.1%, reports business portal businesswire.com.

       The Arts & Crafts Supplies Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of Covid-19 Market Statistics projects growth up to RM246.52bil (US59.36bil) by 2026.

       Locally, several craft shops have seen a significant increase in sales since the pandemic.

       During the first MCO, PJ-based crafting shop Sin Wah Tailor Supplies enjoyed a 50% rise in e-commerce sales for knitting yarn, wool, and cross-stitch items, said its founder Loh Sin Sung.

       "There was also high demand for cotton fabric and elastic bands, items used to stitch face masks. This year, however, the online market for these items have dipped.

       "This year, the trend has changed where there's a growing demand for crochet, knitting, and embroidery items. In the past few months, we notice customers are frequenting our physical store.

       "People prefer to shop at our store because they can see the products, which helps in facilitating purchasing decisions," he said.

       Yee Wan Chang, who owns Yee Button in Petaling Jaya's SS2 area, said the outlet has enjoyed an increase in sales for embroidery and cross-stitch kits, leather crafting sets and sewing items.

       "We have experienced a sharp rise in sales through our website and online marketplaces during the MCO. When we could open our physical store, we noticed more families frequenting our shop to purchase crafting items. It's always nice to see mothers and their daughters buying items and bonding together through crafting activities."

       Covid-19 may have many downsides but it has enabled people to pick up meaningful hobbies while staying at home.

       Through crafting, family bonds are strengthened while heritage crafts like knitting, embroidery and patchwork are passed down from one generation to the next.