# Crafty Truckers Long Haul Drivers Pick Up Quilting and Knitting to Fill Idle Hours By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-04-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafty-truckers References: [online.wsj](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704896104575139990857438962.html) & [brandonmably](http://www.brandonmably.com/1/Real_Men_Knit.html) Truckers are among the increasing number of men who have taken up the manly art of knitting. Knitting helps to fill in trucking down time and has gained a lot of popularity with long haul drivers. One fellow, Tom, sells his knit socks through his wife's [Etsy shop](http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25214222&ref=cat2_gallery_17). Another fellow, "The Knitting Guy" was keeping quite a nice [blog](http://knittingguy.blogspot.com/) until his mother died, but the old posts are interesting. Knitting isn't the only needlework occupying truckers' minds--several have taken up sewing as well. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Male Knitters:** The increasing number of men taking up knitting presents an opportunity for businesses to cater to this growing market segment. - **Crafting During Downtime:** Truckers using knitting and sewing to fill in their down time creates potential for products and services that cater to this specific need. - **Online Crafting Communities:** The popularity of knitting and sewing among long haul drivers can be capitalized upon by creating online communities focused on sharing patterns, tips, and connecting enthusiasts. ### Where This Applies - **Crafting Supplies:** The rise in male knitters and truckers taking up knitting and sewing creates a demand for specialized crafting supplies targeted towards this demographic. - **Online Retail:** The presence of truckers selling their knit products through platforms like Etsy highlights the potential of online retail as a disruptive innovation opportunity for the trucking industry. - **Crafting Education and Workshops:** The interest in knitting and sewing among truckers presents an opportunity for crafting education providers and workshops to offer specialized classes or training programs catered to their lifestyle. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Knitted New York Subways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straphangers-lounge.md) - [Knitting Screening Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knitting-screenings.md) - [Living Area-Equipped Shipping Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geely-homtruck.md) - [Aftermarket Truck Taillight Drawers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-sheep-rear-light-drawers.md) - [Gen Z Crafting Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafternoon.md) - [Playful Tarp Charm Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucky-trucking.md) - [Crafty Yearly Journals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2022-phenology-wheel-stitch-journal.md) - [Playful Crochet Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crochet-collection.md) - [Neurodiversity-Exploring Textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interwoven-project.md)