Knitting, because it is meditative.

I want to learn to sew and refurbish furniture.

Nice thread. I’ve taught myself many crafts over the years and interestingly I tend to gravitate towards recycling (turning a felted wool sweater into a scarf) or lately making things from vintage silverware and stamping with metal stamps.

Anonymous wrote:What crafty thing could I learn as a new retiree?

Cross stitch is fun and easy but can take a lot time—also many times you follow a pattern and the fabric is blank so while easy, takes skme concentration. Snarky sayings on cross stitch are fun too

I love knitting and crocheting, but I don't have a need for more blankets or scarves and anything more complicated stressed me out these days. I switched to doing embroidery as a result, and I love doing small wall-hangings as decoration.

I would like to get into needlepoint (have one project I've started), but the expense of finishing is daunting. I may learn how to self-finish some day, but no time at the moment and no money to pay someone to finish it for me!

Knitting is great for portability/general convenience and meditative process, but it’s mostly about executing a plan. Other forms of art have more creative expression. Obviously people make art using knitting, but for the most part it’s more about just doing something with your hands and the joy of using wonderful materials and being able to customize.

Pottery is the perfect mix of art and craft imo. But it’s messy and expensive and takes a while to learn. But then if you want, you can keep learning and creating in that medium forever.

Can I just say I'm delighted to see so many fellow crochet folks! With yarn crafts, ot always feels like knitters dominate. (No offense, knitters... it's all about yarn love!)

Anonymous wrote:What crafty thing could I learn as a new retiree?

Are you looking for something easy and portable to do when you have small chunks of time? Try knitting, embroidery, or crochet. If you're looking for a bigger project that doesn't require much skill, then chalk paint some furniture. If you're looking for a skill to really hone, then try pottery, sculpture, or painting. These are just some ideas - lots more to try.

I love to crochet. I like a craft that is 'forgiving' in that you can make a mistake or two and it's not ruined. Knitting was hard because it's hard to undo your work when you make a mistake and you can't just proceed along ignoring the mistake, which I sometimes do with crochet.

I took a pottery class and it was not for me! One mistake and you have to start over!

I have tried a lot of different things. Most art museums have little classes you can take -- either a one time thing or a series of classes. You can try fiber arts, or glass blowing, or what have you and decide if it's for you. Don't buy a ton of supplies until you figure out what your craft addiction is.

Also, many companies put together a monthly subscription where they will send you a different embroidery sampler every month or more yarn for another block of a quilt, etc. That is a good way to get started.

Etsy also has great kits. I also like sashiko which is Japanese embroidery. I also tried Kantha which his Indian embroidery. I get ideas from Pinterest as well.

Anonymous wrote:I make my own cards for people.
Started about 20 years ago when a friend sent me a handmade birthday card. The same week I went to the store to get 3 cards and it was around $15 for 3 store bought cards.
I get most of my stuff from Michaels.
I enjoy doing it and can really personalize them. It also saves money.

I’m the poster that makes cookies. My mom makes cards. Everyone loves getting cards and a small bundle of cards is always a great hostess gift. It spreads joy without burdening someone with a quilt or a decorative object that may not be their taste.

I decorate sugar cookies with royal icing. It’s relaxing like painting or knitting, but it’s easy to give away the fruits of my labor.

Anonymous wrote:I knit. I absolutely adore it. I travel for knitting events (Vogue Knits Live in NYC, MD or NY Sheep and Wool, meet ups, etc.) I even went to Iceland on a knitting and hiking retreat.

I love knowing or meeting the animals where the wool comes from. I love the heritage and history of the craft. I love that it's majority women small businesses. I love the colors and the textures. I think I actually like the process more than the outcome, although I have some sweaters that I adore.

It's not a cheap hobby, since I tend to buy hand dyed yarn (meaning a sweater's worth of yarn can be $250 and up), but it brings me so much joy. It's a total creative outlet.

Do they still have the wool festival in Maryland every year? Im not a knit but I went with a friend 20 years ago and found it fascinating.

Knitting, sewing, refinishing furniture, canning (hot water canning - no pressure canning for me!) and fermenting. Homemade sauerkraut is the best!

If I didn’t have a full time job, I’d totally be one of those homesteaders, growing my own food, etc. When I retire, I want to move somewhere where I can have chickens and maybe a goat.

What crafty thing could I learn as a new retiree?

I knit. I absolutely adore it. I travel for knitting events (Vogue Knits Live in NYC, MD or NY Sheep and Wool, meet ups, etc.) I even went to Iceland on a knitting and hiking retreat.

I love knowing or meeting the animals where the wool comes from. I love the heritage and history of the craft. I love that it's majority women small businesses. I love the colors and the textures. I think I actually like the process more than the outcome, although I have some sweaters that I adore.

It's not a cheap hobby, since I tend to buy hand dyed yarn (meaning a sweater's worth of yarn can be $250 and up), but it brings me so much joy. It's a total creative outlet.

I make my own cards for people.
Started about 20 years ago when a friend sent me a handmade birthday card. The same week I went to the store to get 3 cards and it was around $15 for 3 store bought cards.
I get most of my stuff from Michaels.
I enjoy doing it and can really personalize them. It also saves money.