Grandmacore Aesthetic! Why Teens Are Picking Up Needles, Loaves, and Houseplants!
Thursday, January 23, 2025. This is for Vera.
There’s a curious aesthetic movement knitting its way into the hearts of today’s teens: the resurgence of “grandma hobbies.”
Once relegated to retirement communities and family reunions, activities like knitting, gardening, baking, and embroidery are finding new life in Gen Z’s bedrooms and social media feeds.
Dubbed “grandmacore,” this aesthetic embraces slow living, nostalgia, and the kind of tactile joy that’s hard to come by in our digital age.
But why are teens—the supposed digital natives—reaching for crochet hooks and sourdough starters?
A Stitch in Time: The History of Grandma Hobbies
To understand this trend, we need to rewind to a time when hobbies were less about leisure and more about survival. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many of these activities were essential skills.
Knitting provided clothing; gardening ensured food security; and baking filled bellies during tough times.
Fast-forward to the post-war boom, and these skills transformed into hobbies, as industrialization made many of these tasks optional for survival.
By the late 20th century, such pastimes had acquired a distinctly “grandparent” vibe—nostalgic but slightly out of place in a fast-paced, consumer-driven world.
The digital revolution of the 2000s only widened the gap. Why knit a scarf when Amazon can deliver one overnight? Why bake bread when your local bakery does it better? Yet, as screens dominated and the world sped up, something unexpected happened: teens started yearning for slowness and authenticity.
Why Teens Are Hooked (Literally) on a Grandma Aesthetic
The grandmacore revival stems from several overlapping factors:
Digital Burnout: After spending hours on TikTok or Zoom, many teens crave an analog escape. Grandma hobbies offer a chance to unplug, focus, and create something tangible.
Nervous System Downshifting: Constant notifications, bright screens, and online pressure keep the nervous system in a state of hyperarousal. Activities like knitting or gardening allow for a collective downshift—a way to soothe overstimulated minds and bodies.
Mental Health Benefits: Research has shown that activities like knitting and gardening reduce stress and anxiety by promoting mindfulness. Engaging in repetitive, meditative motions can have calming effects akin to yoga or meditation.
Aesthetic Appeal: Let’s not underestimate the role of Instagram here. A perfectly arranged charcuterie board or an intricately embroidered patch fits beautifully into the carefully curated world of social media.
Connection and Nostalgia: Many teens report feeling a deeper connection to older relatives through these hobbies. Learning to bake a pie from Grandma or growing tomatoes in honor of Grandpa creates intergenerational bonds.
The Memeification of Grandmacore
It didn’t take long for the internet to notice.
Memes about teenagers acting like retirees exploded across platforms. Posts joke about teens needing a “nap after gardening” or hosting “knitting parties” instead of keggers. On TikTok, hashtags like #grandmacore and #grannytok have amassed millions of views, with creators proudly showcasing their handmade cardigans and thriving houseplants.
One viral tweet read, “My teenage daughter just asked for an embroidery kit. Guess she’s officially 86 now.” Another popular TikTok quips, “Me at 16: I’ll party all night. Me at 19: Can’t, I’m working on my sourdough starter.”
Humor aside, these jokes reveal an undercurrent of pride in rejecting the “go big or go home” culture of hustle and grind. Grandmacore isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a gentle rebellion against the high-speed demands of modern life.
What If It Becomes a Huge Fad?
Could grandmacore grow into the next big cultural wave?
Picture high school clubs dedicated to crochet or gardening competitions rivaling sports leagues.
Imagine influencers launching knitting brands and TikTok turning into a hub for sourdough tutorials.
There’s something deliciously ironic about teens turning traditional hobbies into the next frontier of cool.
If this trend continues, we might witness a cultural shift where slow, tactile activities become symbols of modern rebellion—a soft revolt against the noise of the digital age.
The Science Behind the Trend
Teens are discovering what researchers have known for years: these hobbies are good for the brain. Studies have found that:
Knitting and Crochet: Activate areas of the brain associated with memory and focus, potentially warding off cognitive decline (Riley et al., 2013).
Gardening: Reduces cortisol levels and improves mood, with exposure to soil microbes even linked to increased serotonin production (Lowry et al., 2007).
Baking: Combines creativity and structure, providing a sense of accomplishment that boosts self-esteem (Tamlin et al., 2017).
In an era when mental health concerns are skyrocketing among teens, these “old-fashioned” activities offer a surprisingly effective remedy.
How Grandmacore is Shaping American Culture
This movement is more than a passing fad. It’s reshaping how teens engage with the world.
They’re finding joy in small, tangible victories: finishing a scarf, baking a perfect loaf, or watching a seed sprout. These hobbies remind us all that life’s pleasures don’t always need to be loud or flashy.
Tips for Joining the Grandmacore Revolution
Want to embrace your inner grandma? Here’s how:
Start Small: Pick a hobby that feels approachable. Try baking cookies before tackling a croquembouche.
Follow the Community: Platforms like TikTok and Reddit are brimming with tips and tutorials for beginners.
Embrace Imperfection: Your first scarf might look more like a potholder. That’s okay—it’s the process that matters.
Wisdom from the Wool Basket
Grandmacore isn’t just a trend; it’s a mindset.
By slowing down, focusing on the present, and finding joy in creation, teens are rediscovering a kind of happiness that feels refreshingly old-school.
Perhaps we could all take a page from their (hand-sewn) book—not just to cope, but to connect and create.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Lowry, C. A., Hollis, J. H., de Vries, A., Pan, B., Brunet, L. R., Hunt, J. R., … Rook, G. A. (2007). The microbiota, immunity, and depression: Brain–immune–gut interactions. Neuroscience, 146(3), 756-772.
Riley, J., Corkhill, B., & Morris, C. (2013). The benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing in adulthood: Findings from an international survey. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2), 50-57.
Tamlin, S. M., Conner, T. S., DeYoung, C. G., & Paul, M. S. (2017). Creative activity, curiosity, and happiness: An investigation of retrospective and momentary well-being. Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(4), 407-418.