i feel like i’m in full hibernation mode and today’s recommendation request definitely feels like it’s coming from a similar wavelength.
hi sweet sara,
you’ve come to the right place! i’m obsessed with little hobbies and i think we should all indulge our desire to multi-task in the quest for sanity. please understand that i am about to get a lil g**k chic??
i think a lot of true crafts (scrapbooking, knitting, embroidery, etc) require a good deal of time and energy before they’re truly easy so i’ve tried to give options that aren’t necessarily as demanding. these recommendations are ordered from least level of commitment/learning curve to most.
i absolutely adore puzzles and i think everyone should always have a 2000 piece on the go. for something classy, you can try piecework puzzles. i’d been coveting their offerings for months when my friend katie got me one as a present and i proceeded to finish making it in 24 hours. piecwork’s are definitely more upscale, but you can get cheap ones (like $15) that are just as fun from target or wherever.
my favorite part of puzzle making is when i’m not yet bound to a big table, when i’m just sorting all of the pieces into different baggies in bed or on the couch or in front of the tv. it’s the perfect choice for occupying your nervous hands!
for a lil step up, why not try nanoblocks? these are basically legos except they’re made of tiny tiny pieces with pretty complicated directions. i have a few different ones — a couple different dog breeds, a burger, a sloth — but you can go rogue and make whatever you want out of the blocks too. i find arranging blocks in little symettrical patterns very soothing and something about the blocks being a lillll smaller than legos makes it feel the slightest bit less silly/childish.
for something a bit more PRODUCTIVE, rug hooking seems fun, though i admit that i am intimidated by it. i’ve been coveting the PUNCH! kits for a while. PUNCH! runs weekly instructional zooms too which make for a fun wintertime q-tine indoor adventure.
if you like the sound of that but don’t want to commit to all the materials, why not try doing some simple handsewing? it’s not the most IMAGINATIVE option but it’s pretty easy to pick up and it feels kind of miraculous when you get it right. it’s also a good option because you can buy a basic sewing kit for like $10 and practice on old t-shirts before putting money down on fabrics. i remember making throw pillows when i first started sewing and feeling extremely powerful.
lastly, i’ll point you in the direction of a company called robotime that sells absurdly detailed room model kits. they are fun but i have to admit they are EXTREMELY DAUNTING to assemble and i haven’t finished making the room i bought in january. proceed with caution!