Long Haul Drivers Pick Up Quilting and Knitting to Fill Idle Hours
Katie Cordrey — April 4, 2010 — Art & Design
References: brandonmably & online.wsj
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. Another fellow, "The Knitting Guy" was keeping quite a nice blog 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.
Knitting isn't the only needlework occupying truckers' minds--several have taken up sewing as well.
Trend Themes
1. Male Knitters - The increasing number of men taking up knitting presents an opportunity for businesses to cater to this growing market segment.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Industry Implications
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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