Craft is making a comeback. The homespun look was big on the high street this summer, and fabric bunting, of all things, was the season’s surprise hit, strung up decoratively around bedrooms and barbecue areas. The look has continued into autumn, with everything from floral felt cushions (at Asda) to crochet-look cardboard plates and boxes (at Zara Home).

Old-fashioned crafts have always had a following, but why are the style-conscious now snapping up crafty accessories and even launching into DIY? William Higham, of trend- forecaster Next Big Thing, calls it “traditionalising”, arguing that it’s not just about home accessories, but a renewal of interest in skills and crafts, utility, simplicity and formality: “Books and media on ‘lost’ crafts are more popular than ever. Fashion designers are focusing on tailoring and cut. Club promoters are adding cake stalls to their offerings.”

Knitting is undergoing a global revival: clubs are cropping up all over the UK — in America, they are called “stitch and bitch” parties — and thousands of knitting bloggers are sharing patterns online.

Ros Badger, former design director of children’s clothing company Little Badger, is running craft workshops for children at London’s Design Museum (visit www.designmuseum.org/kids/ workshops for details). “It’s a reaction against mass-market production,” she explains. “It’s only by creating something yourself that you realise just how long it takes.”

Cath Kidston helped to ignite the trend. The designer’s style was inspired by the make-do-and-mend ethos of post-war design; her first collections of ironing-board covers and peg bags (now signature pieces) were made with scraps of vintage fabric. She sees the desire for homespun products as a backlash against the instant gratification and quantity-over-quality shopping in the high street: “To make or customise your own things gives you a real sense of achievement. That feeling of self-worth is better than anything, don’t you think?” Want to jump on the DIY bandwagon? Cath Kidston stores stock knitting sets and bags, as well as needle cases (£8), sewing kits (£12) and sewing baskets (£38), launched last year and now a bestseller.

Christina Strutt, of fabric company Cabbages & Roses, has just brought out Home-Made Vintage (Cico Books £16.99), stuffed full of inspirational ideas for creating homewares. Rooster — joy of joys — has a knit-your-own bunting set for £19.95. And if you don’t feel up to the task of crocheting your own cushions, there are plenty of people who have already done it for you.

Jo Atkins-Hughes and Abigail Ahern are former stylists (in fashion and interiors respectively) who have created chic boutiques to showcase such products. The web-based Seven&Eight Home, set up by Atkins-Hughes, has handcrafted ceramics and textiles in subtle natural colours, including beautiful crocheted bedspreads, from £99. “Handmade items have a sensuality about them, as well as an inherent uniqueness,” she says.

Atelier Abigail Ahern, originally a mail-order firm, now has its own store. Its textiles aren’t cheap (a merino-wool cushion costs £130), but hand-blown glassware starts at £13.50.

Roobedo, a Scottish company, makes beautiful Harris tweed bags and blankets (£100 for a 130cm x 110cm blanket); elsewhere, a range by Row Pinto (a knitwear designer who has worked for Marc Jacobs, Nicole Farhi and others) includes floral felt and antique lace cushions (£65 and £110) and the Rainbow cushion, from £86, which comes in three sizes and is available by mail order; and Christopher LaBrooy has created the amazing Marble felt chandelier (£100 from Innermost).

Ironically, what began as a backlash against the high street has been taken up by it. John Rocha’s new home collection for Debenhams is absolutely spot-on, with its crocheted throws (£120).

The availability of mainstream “craft” products is no bad thing if it makes us re-evaluate the creative process, but be careful not to buy too much: you don’t want your home to end up resembling a jumble sale. Handcrafted items, especially textiles, work best when used subtly and, surprisingly, really come into their own in a pared-down, modern context. A coarsely knitted throw draped over a sleek leather sofa will be textural and appealing; a crocheted rug on a simple stripped floor is striking.

And try to be in tune with the trend’s ethos. “Rather than shopping being about ‘hip’ labels that make us look good, it’s more about making choices that acknowledge our heritage and contribute positively to our community,” says Higham. Time to start that knitting club, then.

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