Inside the Analog Bag Trend: Portable Crafts to Beat Doomscrolling

Inside the Analog Bag Trend: Portable Crafts to Beat Doomscrolling

If you’ve heard the term “analog bag” floating around TikTok, you can thank creator Sierra Campbell for putting a name to a growing movement. The concept is simple—and refreshing: instead of reaching for your phone during every spare moment, you carry a small tote filled with screen-free activities you can enjoy anywhere. Think of it as a gentle antidote to doomscrolling and an invitation to bring creativity back into the quiet in-between parts of your day.

For crafters (or anyone who wants to be one), the analog bag is a perfect opportunity to weave more making into daily life. Whether you’re waiting at appointments, commuting, or taking a mindful pause outdoors, having a few portable tools on hand can turn idle minutes into relaxing, productive bursts of creativity.

Here are some craft-friendly additions that fit beautifully into the analog-bag mindset:

On-the-Go Embroidery Cards: Your Pocket-Sized Stitch Companion

If you’ve ever wanted to stitch anywhere—literally anywhere—our On-the-Go Embroidery Cards Set 1 was made for your analog bag. This portable set features 60 essential stitches, each printed on a sturdy 3" × 5" card with close-up photos and step-by-step diagrams.

What makes them especially analog-bag–friendly?

  • Take only the cards you need. The included metal rings let you clip a small selection and toss them into any small tote.
  • Color-coded stitch types help you quickly find chain, blanket, knotted stitches, and more.
  • Right- and left-handed instructions make every stitch accessible wherever you are.
  • Bonus: The set includes three compact floss organizer cards—perfect for keeping threads tangle-free on the go.

Slip them into your analog bag and you instantly have a mini masterclass ready whenever inspiration strikes.

Handy Pocket Guides: Craft Knowledge That Fits in Your Palm

Our series of Handy Pocket Guides is practically made for this trend. Whether you're into sewing, embroidery, quilting, paper piecing, or other crafts, these petite guides condense essential techniques into portable, lightweight companions.

They're easy to flip through on the bus, at a café, or during a work break—and they offer just the right spark of inspiration without pulling out your phone.

Take-Along Mini Color Wheel: Pocket-Sized Color Confidence Anywhere

Two colorful circular wheels overlap, displaying a spectrum of hues, tints, tones, and shades with labeled swatches. The label reads "Take-Along Mini Color Wheel" by C&T Publishing.

The Take-Along Mini Color Wheel is a smart addition to any analog bag, especially if your creative moments often happen outside the studio. Adapted from Joen Wolfrom’s Essential Color Wheel Companion, this compact guide helps you build harmonious palettes wherever inspiration strikes.

Why makers love bringing it along:

  • Pocketbook-sized and durable, perfect for classes, retreats, shopping trips, or outdoor creative sessions.
  • Features 12 curated hues from the Ives color wheel, arranged by renowned color expert Joen Wolfrom.
  • Includes five essential color plans so pairing colors feels intuitive, not intimidating.
  • The flip side displays tints, tones, and shades of each hue for even more accuracy.

Whether you’re matching fabrics at the quilt shop, choosing thread for an on-the-go embroidery moment, or selecting a watercolor palette while painting in the park, this tiny tool makes confident color decisions effortless—no phone, no apps, just pure analog creativity.

Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles: A Creative Mental Reset

The cover of Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles, Volume 2 by C&T Publishing features vibrant quilt patterns and sample puzzles. This large print book includes crosswords, logic games, and more, perfect for quilters.

For moments when you’re not in stitching mode, tucking one of our Happy Quilter Variety Puzzles into your analog bag is a delightful alternative to scrolling. These puzzles keep your brain engaged and your hands busy, offering a fun and crafty reset whenever you need it.

Crosswords, word searches, logic puzzles—they’re calming, creative, and screen-free.

Build Your Analog Bag, Your Way

The beauty of the analog bag is how personal it can be. Maybe yours holds a tiny hoop and thread. Maybe it’s a sketchbook, a pocket guide, a few embroidery cards, or a travel-sized puzzle book. Whatever you choose, the goal is the same: to reclaim your attention, nurture your creativity, and make small pockets of time feel restorative rather than reactive.

So next time you head out the door, try slipping one or two portable craft tools into your bag. Your future, less-doomscroll-y self will thank you.

 

Back to blog