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Easy-to-Learn Crafts to Feed Your Creativity
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items When I first heard the phrase “my hobby is trying new hobbies,” it resonated so deeply with me. I LOVE trying new crafts, especially simple ones that are easy to pick up and don’t require a lot of fancy, expensive supplies. Here are a few of my favs ...
Sections
6
Weaving
Crocheting and Knitting
Embroidery and Cross-Stitching
Junk Journaling & Scrapbooking
Crafting Classes & Tutorials
Wreath-Making
Weaving
One of the easiest and most ancient crafts. All weaving really requires is the patience to go over, under, over, under. And you can end up with a beautiful and useful piece of art at the end.
Feel like a kid again with this super simple and easy-to-use potholder loom!
Pepperell Retro Weaving Loom Craft Kit
The grown-up version of the potholder loom, but all weaving is the same concept. This small travel loom can still make an 8x10 inch piece of woven material.
Small Wooden Weaving Table Loom, 16 x 10 inches, for Beginners or Intermediate Weavers, Create Wall Hangings, Coasters, Bookmarks and more
All weaving is fairly straightforward, but I love circular weaving. You can easily assemble your own supplies, but this Hillfolk kit is a great way to learn the craft for beginners.
Hillfolk Hoop Weaving Kit- Includes 8" Bamboo Hoop, Embroidery Floss, Yarn, Plastic Yarn Needle And Instructions. Makes One 8" Weaving.
Weaving is one of those crafts that you truly don't need expensive supplies to learn and do it. (Although a good loom certainly makes it easier.) You can use nails on a piece of wood. You can even use cardboard like this tutorial does!
Cardboard loom weaving
Nature weaving is a way to use what you've got around you and create something beautiful and fleeting!
DIY Nature Weaving Loom - Woodlark Blog
Crocheting and Knitting
I've done both crocheting and knitting at various points. One year, everyone got scarves for Christmas. lol They're both definitely relaxing and repetitive and can be done while you're taking part in a low-focus activity, which is nice.
I taught myself to knit, but I’d never crocheted before someone gifted me a Woobles amigurumi kit. It’s a great way to learn with clear directions and a fun, cute, little toy to share at the end.
The Woobles Beginner Crochet Amigurumi Kits - Walter the Bear
Any time I'm waiting somewhere, I usually wish I had my craft project with me, so I feel this funny sticker.
I Brought My Crocheting Just In Case Vinyl Sticker, Water Bottle Sticker, Laptop Sticker, Funny Sticker, Gift for Crocheter, Waterproof
This cat yarn bowl is so adorable and useful to keep your yarn under control.
Birthday Gift Custom Cat Ear Yarn Bowl Handmade Gift for Knitters,Personalized Engraved Wooden Yarn Holder Unique Gifts For Knitting Lover
Tin Can Knits has a bunch of very detailed tutorials, good for either the beginner knitter or someone learning new stitches or techniques.
Tin Can Knits | Modern Seamless Knitting Patterns
If you prefer to learn by instructions on paper, this book is a good tutorial.
You Will Be Able to Knit by the End of This Book, (Paperback)
Etsy has tons of great patterns for crocheting. One cool (pun intended) pattern you can get is a temperature blanket where you crochet a row or block for every day's high and low temperatures.
Temperature Blanket Mitered Squares Crochet Pattern PDF Digital Download
One thing I really appreciate about easy hobbies is that you can get as fancy or simple as you want with your supplies. This beautiful rosewood crochet hook set is heirloom quality. But you can just as easily get started with cheap crochet hooks and ...
Handmade Rosewood Crochet Hook Set, Ergonomic Wooden Needles, 15 Sizes
Keep all your crocheting supplies organized with this large crochet supply organization bag!
Craftbud Crochet Bag Yarn Organizer, Durable Knitting Bag For Crocheting Organizer Accessories, Sage Green
Embroidery and Cross-Stitching
Cross-stitching is my favorite craft. I've been doing it since I was a kid, and it's so relaxing. Embroidery is a little more complicated, but it also gives you a much more open canvas to create outside the box (pun intended).
I love that this beginner's embroidery kit comes with a video lesson and all the written instructions along with the items you need to embroider your first project.
Beginner hand embroidery kit with online class, rainbow spiral needlework pattern, easy embroidery video tutorial, basic stitch lesson
Easy reference infographic if you're brand new to cross-stitching.
How to Cross Stitch ◦ learn this basic stitch
Waste less thread with this tip!
How to finish a very short thread end in cross stitch
Embroidery definitely gives a polished and classy look to your needlework.
How to embroider leaves - 9 stitches for leaf embroidery
A nice tutorial for people new to cross-stitching
A beginner's guide to cross stitch
Once I learned the loop method for starting stitches, it was a game-changer. It's so much easier than tying off with a knot, and it keeps the backs of my hoops so much less messy.
Starting Stitching with the Loop Method - No Knots!
For my fellow grammar nerds. It's *you're.
You're* Cross Stitch Pattern - *You're Meme Cross Stitch - Funny Cross Stitch Pattern - It's "you're", not "your"
I love this hilarious pattern. It would make a great gift for a friend who's struggling or going through a rough patch.
Emotional Support Shark Cross Stitch Pattern - Funny Shark Cross Stitch Chart - Silly Cross Stitch Patterns - Cute Animal Pattern
Another fun temp chart that you could easily switch to whatever color floss you like most.
Mini Motifs Temperature Cross Stitch Pattern! Temperature Cross Stitch Chart. PDF Instant Download
I've tried the cheaper thread to save some money, but it's not worth it. DMC is a good embroidery floss, and it keeps knots and breaks at a minimum--which, when stitching is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, that's very important.
DMC 8.7yd Blues & Purples Cotton Embroidery Floss | JOANN
If you need to convert a pattern's thread from DMC to Anchor (or vice versa), this chart is super helpful.
DMC to Anchor Thread Conversion | Lord Libidan
I love Lord Libidan's website! They have great resources for cross-stitchers like fonts, charts, and cross-stitching news. And you can purchase them to load into your cross stitching software.
Over 50 Free Cross Stitch Alphabets & Fonts | Lord Libidan
There's nothing worse than realizing you've dropped a needle (and worrying about when…or how you're going to find it). Needleminders are cute magnetic pins that you attach to your needlework to help you keep track of those pesky little needles.
Stabby kitty cat needle minder | neodymium magnets | Cross stitch | Embroidery | needlework | Needlework
Keeping your embroidery or cross stitch project organized can be a bit of a pain while traveling, but this bag is absolutely perfect for that task.
Portable Cross Stitch Project Bag for Travel Embroidery, Cross Stitch, and Needlework Projects with Hoops Storage
Junk Journaling & Scrapbooking
While technically two different things, I love that both junk journaling and scrapbooking allow you to incorporate whatever mixed media you want and embrace imperfection while still getting a valuable piece of memorabilia in the end.
The thing I love about this little date stamp is that you can create a mini journal entry with each stamp, changing up the mood and weather options.
Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp - Flowers
Junk journaling is a way to get inspired by everyday objects and decorations added to your journal. I used to always collect ticket stubs, inspiring phots, and pressed flowers to add to my journals. If you're looking for a jumpstart to your ephemera,...
Vintage Journal Ephemera Bundle 50+ Items, Junk Journal Paper kit, Scrapbooking Bundle, Vintage book pages bundle, vintage Ephemera Kit
These journal pouches come in several sizes of popular standard journals and you can pick the fabric you want. Good to keep all your journaling supplies organized.
Planner + Journal Pouch - You Choose Your Fabric and Pouch Size Made By Patti @BirdOnTheRiver
I have two favorite pens that I use. Pilot Frixion is one of them. They're erasable gel ink pens, and they're great for everyday writing like list journals. The only thing you have to remember with them is that whatever you write can't get too hot as...
Pilot FriXion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Ink, 10 Count
Journaling can take all different forms, including art journals and collage journals. This Etsy shop has some really cute junk journaling supplies.
Whimsical House Junk Journal Ephemera, Scrapbook Kit, House Shaped Diecuts, Scrapbooking, Stickers, Cardmaking, Collage
This unique junk journal uses a bunch of different types of paper so that every page will be unique.
9" x 7" JUNQUE JOURNAL - For Art Journaling, Scrapbooking, Junk Planner, Creative Life Planning
The “Wreck This” journal line is designed to help you get over any writing block and let your creativity go wild without worrying about the end product. There are quite a few to choose from to get started.
Wreck This Journal (Black) Expanded Edition | Paperback
Crafting Classes & Tutorials
When learning a new craft, having someone to show you the ropes can be the difference between an enjoyable new hobby and beating your head against the loom.
Craftsy is a site where you can find classes for all kinds of classes. They have an unlimited access subscription so you can experiment to your heart’s content.
Craftsy.com | Express Your Creativity!
YouTube has a ton of tutorials to teach yourself new crafts. This one from Cutesy Crafts has over 20 beginner level DIY simple craft tutorials to try.
Craft Tutorials
Instructables has a ton of craft tutorials and DIY projects to try out!
Yours for the making - Instructables
Wreath-Making
Wreaths are one of the easiest crafts to make, depending on the method. And as a bonus, you end up with a cute, creative, welcoming decor for your home.
Most wreaths follow the same basic method: start with a form (be it foam, metal, or cardboard) then fill it in first with larger objects, then smaller details.
How to Make a DIY Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath
The only limit is your creativity with wreath-making. I've used so many fun materials over the years, from yarn to felt to baubles to spoons.
How to Make a Wreath