Crafting’s comeback and the science behind it | The Excerpt
USA TODAY
Crafting is back. A scientist explains why hobbies like knitting and crochet can reduce stress and benefit the brain.
On the Wednesday, March 4, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: Knitting. Crochet. Painting. Woodworking. Hands-on hobbies are booming again — and scientists say the benefits go far beyond passing the time. Daisy Fancourt, professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, joins The Excerpt to break down what happens in the brain and body when we create, why repetitive crafts can calm the mind and how creative hobbies may play a bigger role in health than many people realize.
Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.
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Dana Taylor:
Scrolling, streaming, swiping for so many of us, our days are spent moving from one screen to the next. But, lately there's been a noticeable shift in the other direction. Crochet kits are selling out. Knitting circles are filling up. Embroidery and quilting hobbies once stereotyped as old-fashioned are booming, especially among younger generations. So, what's behind the rise of these so called analog hobbies? Is this just nostalgia or our brains and bodies pushing back against digital overload? Hello, and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, March 4th, 2026. Today, we're taking a deeper look at what science says about creative hobbies and whether picking up yarn, thread, or paint might actually be good for our health. Joining me now is Daisy Fancourt, professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, and author of the recently released Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives.
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