Pu Zhonglin never tires of crocheting. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

Bathed in the soft winter sunlight streaming into a courtyard in Xinzhuang village, Nantong's Hai'an county, 71-year-old Pu Zhonglin sits on a chair, his reading glasses perched on his nose. Despite his age, his hands move with remarkable dexterity. With a bundle of colorful threads and a crochet hook, he skillfully outlines the petals of a flower.

This serene scene of focused crocheting was captured by his daughter and shared on a short video platform under the name "Crochet Grandpa". In just a few days, the video garnered over 200,000 likes. The unexpected surge of attention has helped revitalize the traditional craft of Libao crochet, a cultural heritage of Hai'an.

The revival of this storied craft is no coincidence. The viral success of Crochet Grandpa highlights the harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary tastes. Pu has not confined himself to conventional patterns but rather embraced the aesthetics favored by younger generations today.

Neckerchief crocheted by Pu Zhonglin. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

On the walls of his home hang new pattern designs downloaded from the internet. He said, "Our taste as older people is outdated, so I search online for tutorials and learn new styles."

Crocheting, once seen as a skill exclusive to the older generation, has now captured the hearts of many young people.

In the comments on Pu's videos, numerous young viewers share their own crochet creations: Cartoonish desktop ornaments, uniquely shaped dolls, and even fashion-forward garments.

The comments often pleasantly surprise him. "I didn't realize young people were into this; this old craft is far from obsolete," he said. This has strengthened his resolve to pass on the skill.

The idea of live-streaming soon took hold. "When the kids come back, I want to start a live stream," Pu said. He hopes for his work to be seen and for the Libao heritage craft that has accompanied him for most of his life to be widely known and cherished by the world.