Do you want to learn a new craft but don't know where to start - I'm here to help you find the right craft hobby for you!
I'm not a fan of new year's resolutions but I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone this year and try a variety of crafty hobbies out without putting pressure on myself to make everything perfect. So I've tried a few things out and reviewed them below.
Whether you're a complete craft newbie, or just looking for some new hobby ideas, there's a whole world of craft hobbies for you to try.
Benefits of a Creative Hobby
It's no secret that hobbies are generally good for you, but craft hobbies can be especially good for your mental health. Craft hobbies can provide a welcome distraction from the routine of everyday life, which when combined with the satisfaction you get from completing a project can help to reduce stress and release those much-needed endorphins. The fact that many craft hobbies require concentration means many crafters feel that they almost enter a kind of meditative state, which again helps with stress and anxiety, and can lead to a more general feeling of mindfulness + presence. But it's not just about yourself, creative hobbies have an amazing power to bring people together, from making gifts for your loved ones to joining craft groups - it can be quite a social event and a provide a much needed break from going to the pub.
Creative hobbies I've tried:
Macrame
Macrame is a creative and decorative craft that involves knotting various cords, typically made of cotton, jute, or other natural fibres, to create intricate patterns and designs. It has been used for centuries to make everything from wall hangings and plant hangers to jewellery and clothing/home accessories.
Difficulty rating: 3/5
Where to begin: I've found Macrame to be my absolute favourite hobby I've tried so far. It takes a bit of time to get your head around the knot styles but once you get the hang of it - you can make so many things! The finished products always look very sleek + cute. And to be honest - it's a lot easier than it looks. Get yourself some macrame cords - I would recommend purchasing a couple of different colours for a bit of variety. Grab yourself some scissors and that's literally all you need to get started. If you want to make a plant hanger - then a wooden ring would also be good to get - very cheap and easy to find on ebay, etsy etc.
Crochet
Crochet is a popular textile crafts that involve creating fabric by interlocking yarn or thread. Crochet is a craft in which a single hooked needle, called a crochet hook, is used to create fabric from yarn or thread.
It involves pulling loops of yarn through other loops to create a variety of stitches, such as single crochet, double crochet, and more complex ones like shells and clusters. It is often used for making items like blankets, scarves, hats, amigurumi (stuffed toys), and decorative pieces.
Difficulty rating: 3/5
Where to begin: I'll be honest - I found crochet to be the hardest craft to learn. It's quite fiddly and you have to really know the stitches properly in order for the finished project to look good. However, there are SO many tutorials for this on YouTube and also lots of guidance on how to do things step-by-step. Once it clicks, the possibilities for crochet are endless. It's very versatile and you can create so may interesting things. I would recommend starting off with bulkier/thicker yarn with a 6-8mm hook. When you are a beginner, you are bound to make many mistakes with the stitches, so it's much easier to spot the mistakes with bigger yarn. Try doing something simple first - like a scrunchie or a scarf. Start with easy projects- learn the stitches and techniques and then go from there.
Punch Needling
Punch needling is a textile or fibre art technique that involves creating intricate designs or patterns by pushing a threaded needle through a fabric, usually a tightly woven fabric like canvas or monk's cloth.
Difficulty rating: 2/5
Where to begin: It's pretty straightforward once you get the technique going. Get yourself a punch needling kit with an image that you like. There are widely available with a variety of pictures and designs - so lots to choose from. Punch needling is a versatile and enjoyable craft that allows for a lot of creativity. As you gain experience, you can experiment with different yarns, colours, and techniques to create unique and beautiful punch needle artworks.
Air-Dry Clay
Clay crafts refer to a wide range of creative activities that involve working with various types of clay to create objects, sculptures, pottery, and decorative items. Air-dry clay does not require firing in a kiln. It dries and hardens when exposed to air over time. It's a popular choice for simple and quick projects, especially for beginners or for crafts with children. Air-dry clay can be used to make sculptures, jewellery, ornaments, and more.
Difficulty rating: 1/5
Where to begin: The beauty of clay is that all you need is your hands and creativity to get started. Air-dry clay is easy to manipulate with your hands so you can start by making small things like trinket trays, ring holders, wall hangings (like the moon-phase one below). I would also recommend using water to smooth out any cracks in your projects. You may also want to paint your projects after they are fully dry. Just FYI - clay can get quite messy - so make sure you put some newspaper down and are in a place with floors instead of carpets.
Painting
Pretty self-explanatory - I'm referring to all types of paint such as watercolour, gouache, acrylic etc.
Difficulty rating: 2/5
Where to begin: There are techniques with paint that you can learn with time, but starting to paint is quite straight forward. All you need is paper, paint and a paintbrush. Depending on how intricate your painting is, you may need different size brushes. There are also lots of tutorials and ideas for images on Pinterest & YouTube. Get yourself a sketchbook/art paper and some paint. Painting on regular paper is quite difficult as it is quite thin - so you want some slightly thicker paper to begin. I would recommend starting with acrylic paint as it is the easiest to work with and doesn't require too much technique. As always, start simple. Draw out what you want to paint first lightly with pencil and then get that brush going. It's ok to make mistakes - and trust yourself.
And that's it folks! Have you tried any creative/craft hobbies recently - and if so - let me know them in the comments section. I think its important to not worry too much about getting stuff perfect - and just enjoy the process of being a beginner and learning a new skill. Like I said - it's ok to make mistakes - it's ok to start over. In fact, it's all part of the learning process. Do something to make the little you happy :)
Lots of love, Tash x
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