If I say the word “hobby”, you’ll likely think of something you like to do in your spare time – gardening, walking, reading, knitting, model kits. Maybe it’s pottery classes, DIY projects or learning something new on YouTube. But what you may not know is many hobbies were originally forms of work that evolved into something to do in our spare time as manufacturing practices changed.
Crafts are one type of hobby that have always been popular. Many, like lacemaking, were originally jobs that women and children did, and some, like tablet weaving, have long histories that can be traced back to the bronze age.
In the UK, the Heritage Association advocates for traditional craft skills and supports makers. One of their roles is to monitor the risk of a craft becoming extinct in the UK through their red list. Many crafts they list are professions; however, there are some that are now thought of as hobbies as well.
Here are three crafts that are at risk of becoming extinct in the UK. Maybe one will pique your interest. If so, why not give it a go – you might even help keep a traditional skill alive.
Hobbies can bring joy, wellbeing and focus to our busy lives, but so many of us don’t have one. If you’re ready to replace scrolling with stitching, or hustle with horticulture, The Hobby Starter Kit (a new series from Quarter Life) will help you get going.
1. Nålbinding
Also called naalbinding, nalebinding and needlebinding, nålbinding is a looping technique used to create textiles without using knots. It’s similar to crochet or knitting but much older. The earliest known example dates back to the Neolithic period, around 5,000 years ago.
Examples of nålbinding have been found all over the world. There are over 200 different types of stitch, often associated with specific places or cultures. Many surviving examples in Britain come from Viking contexts. The Coppergate sock is the most famous. Discovered in York, it dates to around the tenth century.
Nålbinding is still popular in Scandinavia. However, in the UK it is only worked by a small number of enthusiasts. Nålbinding is relaxing craft and a good way of using up left over yarn from other wool crafts. You can make not only socks but hats, gloves, mittens and other accessories, from traditional pieces to modern designs.
If you are interested in learning more, check out the work of nålbinding expert and archaeologist Emma Boast.
2. Lacemaking
Lacemaking, often called bobbin lace to distinguish it from machine lace, requires a pillow, bobbins, thread (normally cotton), a pricking (the pattern) and pins.
The bobbins are worked in pairs and each pair is wound with thread. The pattern is drawn onto card that is pinned onto the pillow. The wound bobbins are hung in a set sequence at the top of the pattern and they are moved, interlacing and knotting the thread in particular ways. Patterns can range from the very simple to hugely complex.
Lace was popular during the 19th century. Queen Victoria was very keen on Honiton lace and had her wedding dress and veil made from it. Because it was handmade, lace was expensive, but this changed with the introduction and development of machine lace, much of which was made in Nottingham.
Bobbin lace is known around the world, but Bruges in Belgium and Malta are perhaps the best-known centres. It is thought to have arrived in the UK in the 16th century from either Flanders or Italy and became a way for women and children to earn money. Over time different techniques developed, many of which used to be practised in specific geographical areas. Honiton lace, for example, was made primarily in the English town in Devon and surrounding area of the same name.
There is also Bucks point and Bedfordshire, known a “midland laces”, which use midland-style bobbins. These have beads (spangles) to weigh them down and can be very elaborate pieces of art in their own right.
Lacemakers may have important celebrations engraved onto specific bobbins and there is much cultural history about otherwise unknown people memorialised in them. However, the technique that most people start with is Torchen, which uses midland bobbins to create geometric patterns.
Today, bobbin lace is championed by The Lace Guild and a small community of enthusiasts, who run workshops and give advice. The Lace Guild also has branches around the country welcoming starters and more experienced lace makers alike. If you are interested in learning more, The Lace Guild is a good place to start. You can also buy starter kits that you can expand as you develop your interest.
3. Straw working
Traditional straw working has been used for centuries. It is a plaiting technique that can make straw toys, accessories such as hats and baskets and straw marquetry – decorative designs used on furniture and objects. Today, straw making is primarily used to make ornaments for thatch roofs, with only 50 professionals and around 100 crafters remaining.
However, there are types of straw work more suitable for crafting. Straw plaiting has regional varieties of plait patterns that can be worked into ribbons, hats, baskets and other decorations. Corn dollies – decorative figures originally called harvest trophies – also have many regional variations that cover shape, size and type of plait or knot.
The Straw Craftsmen group promotes this craft in its many forms. If you are interested in exploring straw making more, their website has blogs, suppliers and other information. If you want to give it a go, independent craft shops sell starter kits and some crafting websites have free online step-by-step instructions.
As a textile archaeologist interested in traditional crafts and material culture, these three endangered hobbies particularly fascinate me. They are also relatively easy to try. Even if none of these become your long-term hobby, trying one might spark a new creative interest – and help keep these traditional skills alive for the future.
