The Top Craft Trends of 2014: Which Ones Did You Try?

Last year, I wrote a post about overdone and overused craft trends. I was all geared up to write another similar post this year, and then realized a few things:

A) No one seemed to beat a dead horse in 2014 quite the way they did in 2013, with all those chevrons and Mason jars.

B) I really loved some of this year's trends, and tried my hand at several of them.

C) I'm still not sick to death of these trends. In years past, I felt like if I saw another cake pop, burlap wreath, or chalk-painted piece of furniture, I might poke my eyes out. But this year, I'm still enjoying them. Donuts still make me happy, gold leaf still sparkles, and my succulents are growing strong.

Some yearly trends are better than others, and 2014 was chock-full of keepers. So this year's list is not about played-out craft trends you need to retire from your blog immediately. Instead, consider it the gorgeous highlights of 2014.

Image: Kristi Murphy

Every couple of years, neon makes its way back into our lives. More often than not, it is in the form of fashion—but last year, a dash of neon pink could be found most anywhere in the design world. Mix it with muted colors or mustard yellow for extra crafty impact. I have long been a fan of neon mixed with neutrals, so this was a trend I fully embraced.

The key is to remember that a little neon goes a long way. DIY Blogger Kristi Murphy got it just right with these antler candle holders.

Image: Jennifer Perkins

For some reason in 2014 we all went nuts for pineapples. I'm the first to admit I fell head over heels too making planters, string lights, and more.

Somehow, in 2014, pineapples even tasted better. What Warhol did for the banana and Magritte did for the Granny Smith apple, the design community of 2014 did for the pineapple.

Image: Craftberry Bush

Forget about tie-dye—this year it was all about shibori. This ancient Japanese dying technique using indigo was everywhere, from kitchen linens to clothing. Navy was definitely the new black of 2014, and I was not angry about it.

A throw pillow like these by Lucy at a Craftberry Bush are a perfect way to embrace the trend.

Image: Décor Adventures

People gave the marbled effect to anything that would sit still long enough: paper, clothing, and even fingernails. There are many techniques to achieve this look, ranging from alum, Suminagashi, and my favorite method, shaving cream.

If you don't want to make marble yourself, you can find plenty of ready-made options like this gorgeous art paper Jessica at Decor Adventures purchased for lining a shelf.

Image: Smart School House

"All that glitters is gold" was the motto for many things last year. Flash tattoos took the fashion world by storm, thanks to Beyoncé. Heidi Swapp and Becky Higgins gave scrapbooking a gilded touch with their collaboration. A quick look at Pinterest proved that many believe anything can be made better with a can of gold spray paint.

One of my favorite gold pairings of 2014 was with black and white. These adorable coasters on Smart School House are a perfect example.

Image: Hello My Sweet

The party planners of the world became obsessed with streamers and tassels—if they were tied into a garland or hanging from an extra-large balloon, even better. No party, craft studio, or baby nursery seems complete without a garland of paper streamer tassels.

Muted pastel colors mixed with shiny gold: I'm the first to admit I love a good crepe paper tassel as much as the next gal. They add a sense of romance, whimsy, and DIY to a party. Hello My Sweet has about a zillion adorable examples.

Image: Hello Hydrangea

Heck yeah, I bought a loom in 2014. How could I not, after being inundated with picture after picture of gorgeous woven wall hangings? I loaded up on chunky yarn, hung something from a stick, and checked that craft off my list. For someone who does not knit or crochet, I developed a serious yarn habit last year, thanks to weaving.

Check out Lindsey Campbell from Hello Hydrangea for all kinds of great weaving tutorials.

Image: Jennifer Perkins

Do plants really go in and out of style? In 2014, everyone and her dog had a green thumb. Blame Justina Blakeney and her Jungalow for spreading the green gospel.

I hope this trend is not like the one where everyone went out and bought puppies after the release of 101 Dalmatians that were later dropped at shelters. But I'm not seeing any sad succulents out in the cold this winter, dying from neglect. Are you?

Image: Vickie Howell

In all honesty, this trend reached a fever pitch in December 2013, but by the CHA Mega Show in January, my buddy Vickie Howell had hordes of people and even The TODAY Show gathered around her as she taught people this easy trend.

Knitting is not known for being an instant-gratification craft, but in this case, in under an hour you can be fielding compliments with "Thanks, I made it myself." I even arm knitted a cowl!

Image: Atkinson Drive

Kelly from Studio DIY brought donuts to a fever pitch in 2014. I never tire of her cute, pink-frosted DIY ideas. Rachel from Lines Across made a great polymer clay donut necklace, and the donut door mat from House That Lars Built made me squeal out loud with glee.

Thought babies could not get any cuter? Try covering them in colorful sprinkles like Sam from Atkinson Drive did with her wee one's Halloween costume.

Image: Jennifer Perkins

Other craft trends of this past year: sugar skulls, eyeballs, tribal prints, macramé, and coiled rope bowls. All of which I love and am nowhere near tired of.

Of course, some trends on the list started long before this past year, and a few will probably continue well into 2015. Now what do you see as the trends for 2015? (Quilling, anyone?) And which trends from the past year did I miss?