In early 2024, people in a small Kansas town started finding pickles on their doorsteps. Several residents said they’d received one over the course of a week, delivered by an unidentified young man. Nobody knew who he was. Locals nicknamed him The Pickler, and in a later photo he’d started wearing sunglasses, which is the most appropriate response possible.
They weren’t jars of dill spears. They were emotional support pickles: small, smiling, crocheted, usually holding a note. By then, the trend had already been featured on CBS News and in Canadian media, and you could buy the pickles on Amazon and Walmart.
So what exactly is this thing, and why does it work?
The short answer
An emotional support pickle is a small handmade pickle, usually crocheted, that comes with a short encouraging message. It’s given as a lighthearted “I’m in your corner” gift. It works like a comfort object: a desk buddy, a care package addition, or a reminder that someone thought of you.
Where the trend came from
Nobody owns the origin story, and anyone claiming a specific “patient zero” is guessing. What’s clear is the joke underneath it. Emotional support animals became a widely known concept, and the internet did what it does: it applied the label to increasingly ridiculous objects. A pickle is about as ridiculous as it gets.
Crochet makers picked it up next. Pickles are one of the easiest shapes to crochet, which is a big part of why the idea spread. One popular beginner pattern describes pickles that take about 45 minutes each, need no sewing, and are built for selling at markets. The notes that came with them leaned hard on puns. “You’re a big dill.” “Here to help you dill with whatever life throws at you.” From there, TikTok and Etsy took it the rest of the way.
Why a pickle, of all things
Because it’s absurd, and the absurdity does real work.
Telling a coworker “I’ve noticed you’re having a rough month and I care about you” is a lot. Handing them a tiny green pickle with a face does the same job without making anyone uncomfortable. The joke acts as packaging for a sincere message. People who would never say the sentence out loud will happily hand over the pickle.
It’s also low stakes. A $10 crocheted pickle can’t be misread as too much, too romantic, or too serious. It fits the space between “we’re close” and “we’re colleagues,” which is exactly where most of us struggle to show we care.
What people actually do with them
Most emotional support pickles end up in one of four places:
- On a desk. Next to the monitor, visible during the bad meetings.
- In a care package. For finals week, a new job, a move, or a hospital stay.
- As a thank-you. Teachers, nurses, and the coworker who covered your shift are common recipients.
- In a group. Friends buy matching ones, and teams hand them out after a hard quarter.
The pickle itself does nothing. The fact that someone chose it for you does everything.
What it isn’t
An emotional support pickle is not therapy, a treatment, or a substitute for talking to a real person. It’s a small, funny reminder that someone is thinking about you, and that’s it. Anyone selling it as more than that is overselling it.
If you or someone you’re shopping for is going through something heavier than a bad week, reach out to someone who can help. In the US, you can call or text 988 any time to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
How to choose a good one
The market is crowded now, and quality varies a lot. Here’s what to look at:
- Handmade vs. molded. Real crochet has visible stitches and a soft, slightly irregular shape. That texture is half the appeal.
- The message. Read the card before you buy. A good one feels warm. A bad one reads like it was written by a spam filter.
- Does it stand up? If it’s going on a desk, check whether it stands on its own or comes with a base.
- One or a set? For a team, a classroom, or a friend group, a set is cheaper per piece and gives everyone a different character.
The Pickle Buddies take
We started Pickle Buddies because we loved the idea and wanted to take it further than one pickle. Every buddy is handcrafted in crochet and comes with its own positive message card, and our designs are registered and original to us.
The pickle is still the classic: https://picklebuddies.shop/product/5pcs-emotional-support-pickle-original/
But some days call for something different:
- A Dumpster Fire for the week that’s actually on fire. →
- A Potato for the friend who just wants to rest. →
- Fruits, Plants and Animals when the pickle feels too on the nose. →
- 5-piece Bundles for teams, classrooms, and anyone who can’t choose. →
FAQ
Is an emotional support pickle a real pickle?
No. It’s a small crocheted figure shaped like a pickle, usually sold with a short encouraging note. No brine involved.
What does an emotional support pickle mean as a gift?
It’s a lighthearted way of saying “I’m here for you” or “you’ve got this,” without making the moment heavy. It gets its meaning from the person giving it.
Who is it for?
Anyone who could use a small lift: coworkers, friends, teachers, nurses, students, or yourself. Pickle Buddies are made as keepsakes and desk companions for adults.
What should I write on the card?
Keep it short and specific. “You handled that week like a big dill” beats a generic “stay positive” every time.