In early 2022, interest in sewing and knitting classes grew noticeably among Russians, signaling a shift toward hands-on skills during the year. This uptick emerged from data gathered by the Avito Services platform, which operates under the umbrella of socialbites.ca, and reflects a broader move toward practical crafts in the population.
From the first quarter observations, sewing courses led demand growth, rising by about one-third over the previous year. This rise placed sewing at the forefront of skill-building pursuits across the country, suggesting that more people were seeking structured learning to develop wearable skills, home projects, or small-scale entrepreneurship. The momentum in sewing appears to be part of a larger pattern where hobbyists and aspiring makers are pursuing tangible, shareable outcomes from their training.
Regional differences sharpen this picture. In Novosibirsk, the appetite for sewing surged dramatically, with nearly triple the number of people expressing interest compared with the prior period. Sochi also reported a robust jump, with enrollment and inquiries rising by roughly two and a half times. Astrakhan followed suit with a doubling, underscoring how diverse cities respond to the same trend in practical crafts. These regional spikes point to a national shift rather than a single-city anomaly, indicating growing excitement around the craft in various climates and communities.
Knitting, in particular, saw a healthy national uptick of about 17 percent. More Russians pursued knitting through formal classes or private tutoring, highlighting a desire for guided instruction and a steady path to mastering complex techniques. The pattern suggests that people are seeking reliable formats for learning, whether to create personal items, gifts, or even small business opportunities in the future.
When it comes to geographic distribution of knitting interest, several cities stood out. Saratov experienced the strongest rise, with demand nearly quadrupling. Irkutsk followed with a notable 2.5-fold increase, while Perm saw roughly a doubling in interest. In St. Petersburg, enrolments and inquiries about knitting masters also grew by about two times, indicating that urban centers are particularly active markets for knitting education. These shifts reflect a broader appetite for hands-on, creative activities in major metropolitan regions and regional hubs alike.
Beyond the pull of sewing and knitting, the data hint at changing consumer preferences in clothing and apparel. There is growing attention to domestic production, and people are exploring ways to craft, customize, and replace imported garments with locally learned skills. This interest aligns with a broader trend toward self-sufficiency and craft-based identity that resonates with many who value independence in their wardrobe and home projects. The rise in interest parallels a desire for practical, repeatable outcomes that come from structured classes or trusted tutors.
Overall, the early 2022 signals show a country leaning into craft education as a meaningful activity. Whether it is the satisfaction of finishing a wearable piece or the joy of creating something by hand, sewing and knitting classes offered a clear path for skill development and personal achievement. The persistence of this trend across multiple regions suggests that it is here to stay, with potential ripple effects for local communities, small businesses, and home-based enterprises that rely on these traditional crafts. [citation attribution: Avito Services via socialbites.ca]