If you’ve ever wondered whether you (or someone you know) might be a little too into crafting — you’re not alone. I’ve been around enough creative people to know the signs, and let me tell you… we’re not subtle.
And it’s not just sewing. Whether you’re into woodwork, DIY, crochet, painting, or that mysterious thing you do with power tools in your shed — the signs of a craft addict are universal.
So, for a bit of fun, here’s my unofficial, totally accurate guide to spotting a fellow craft addict. If you recognise yourself in more than a few of these, welcome to the club.
1. They Can’t Walk Past a Craft, DIY, or Hobby Shop
You could be in a rush, heading somewhere important, but if there’s a fabric shop, art supply store, or DIY warehouse nearby — they’ll just pop in for a look. Two hours later, they emerge with three bags, a new hobby, and no memory of why they left the house in the first place.
2. Their “Scrap” Box Could Clothe, Build, or Decorate a Small Village
A true craft addict never throws anything away. Fabric scraps, bits of wood, offcuts of ribbon, empty jam jars, paint tester pots — all “too good to waste.” They’ll swear they’re saving them for “a little project,” but deep down, they know those scraps will outlive us all.
And if they’ve got a shed, it’s full. No one knows what’s in there — not even them.
3. They Have More WIPs Than Clothes (or Tools)
WIPs = Works In Progress. If you open a craft addict’s cupboard (or garage, or shed), you’ll find half-finished projects dating back years. A half-sewn tote bag, an unfinished wooden planter, a canvas with just the background painted, crochet squares for a blanket that’s never going to happen — they live in eternal hope that one day, they’ll “get round to it.”
4. Their Pinterest Boards Are Wildly Overambitious
They’ve pinned 137 “Quick and Easy” projects they will never actually make. Also, their definition of “quick and easy” includes building a shed extension or sewing a fully lined, zip-up, appliqué tote bag in an hour.
If you're curious about what actually goes into making a bag (spoiler: it’s never quick), you can see the finished results in my handmade bag collection.
5. They Have an Entire Drawer (or Shed) of Tools & Supplies
Every crafter knows the importance of having the right tools. Sewing machine feet, crochet hooks, saw blades, paintbrushes, chisels — all carefully collected over time. They don’t necessarily know where half of them are, but they definitely need them.
6. They Say “I Don’t Need Any More Supplies” — Then Immediately Buy More
Classic behaviour. They’ll loudly declare they’re “on a spending ban” and then, five minutes later, they’re bulk ordering zips, fat quarters, sandpaper, or a new tool because it was “a bargain.”
7. They See Potential in Everything
To a non-crafter, it’s an empty tin can or a scrap of wood. To a craft addict, it’s a future pencil holder, planter, storage box, or rustic wall shelf. They can’t throw anything away without wondering, “Could I turn this into something?”
8. Their Friends and Family Have Stopped Asking What They Want for Christmas
Because the answer is always the same: Fabric. Or a voucher for the fabric shop. Or some new tools. Or more storage boxes.
9. They Talk About “Organising Their Supplies” Like It’s a Realistic Goal
They’ll tell you they’re going to spend the weekend sorting their craft stash, tool bench, or fabric mountain. What actually happens is they pull everything out, get overwhelmed, find a half-finished project, start working on that instead, and end up with an even bigger mess.
10. They Think a Quiet Night In = Starting a New Project at 10pm
Most people wind down with a cup of tea and a TV show. A craft addict decides it’s the perfect time to start cutting fabric, sanding a shelf, sketching an idea, or laying out a quilt pattern — because what’s sleep when you’ve got “just one more idea”?
So… Are You a Craft Addict Too?
If you’ve nodded along to most of these, don’t worry — you’re in good company. Running Watership Down Crafts has shown me that the creative brain is a chaotic, wonderful thing. Whether you hoard fabric, wood offcuts, buttons, or bolts — we’re the kind of people who can’t resist a new project, can’t sit still without making something, and who genuinely believe there’s no such thing as “too many supplies.”
And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
