You’ve baked your fifteenth load of banana bread, hit a wall on DuoLingo and have been tagged in so many 5k challenges that you’re looking at a full-blown marathon. As lockdown rumbles on, your patience is wearing thinner and your thumbs becoming twiddly-er by the hour. What at first seemed a golden opportunity to achieve all the things you’d been putting off, is now slowly descending into a swirling mix of boredom, anxiety, and restlessness…
If this sounds familiar, you are most definitely not alone. The lockdown world can feel wrought with pressure to achieve and stay productive when the only hobby you really want to master is binge-watching Netflix. It’s time to slow down, switch up your isolation mindset, and settle into an activity that feeds the mind and the soul – we’ve taken inspiration from worldwide cultures to find the most soothing activities on the planet, as well as the best online tutorials to master them yourself. You can thank us later. Perhaps with a handmade wall-hanging.
South American Weaving
It’s estimated that Andean people first produced woven textiles around 10,000 BC, and the slow, methodical way of working with strands of color grew in prominence throughout the continent, being used in everything from clothing to religious rituals. Today, the act of threading warp and weft is experiencing a true resurgence, with funky art pieces being produced by craft bloggers on social media at a rapid pace. Apart from its incredibly calming rhythm, this craft is wonderfully experimental, allowing you the opportunity to really get lost in its process.
What do I need?
You’ll need a small wooden loom, which can easily be found online. You’ll also require a selection of yarns and string.
How can I learn?
There are countless tutorials online for all kinds of weaving. For beginners, withwendy and Simply Handmade have clear, easy-to-follow YouTube lessons, focusing on trendy, contemporary designs. We Are Knitters also have a range of weaving tutorials on their IGTV.
Faroese Knitting
You’ve likely heard how knitting is the ideal hobby to take up in lockdown – multiple studies support its far-reaching benefits, from helping with anxiety and depression to reducing chronic pain. The steady rhythm of the needles and texture of the yarns have a soothing effect on a stressed mind. Faroese knitting takes this further with its iconic patterns and intricate jumper designs that have gained popularity in various Scandi drama series. The use of multiple yarn strands creates a thick knitted fabric, traditionally used to protect against the Faroe Islands’ harsh weather conditions, while the detailed designs are inspired by the islands’ landscapes, flora, and fauna.
What do I need?
You’ll require a few balls of different colored yarns and a pair of appropriately sized needles.
How can I learn?
If you’re a complete beginner, eager to start knitting, there are fantastic resources online. Wool and the Gang are at the forefront of knitting’s contemporary movement, offering chic designs and easy-to-understand patterns – they have a great collection of tutorials to help you get started. If you want to try your hand at Faroese techniques, Faroeknit’s YouTube channel is an excellent place to begin.
Arabic Calligraphy
Dating back to the 7th century, Arabic calligraphy was used to unite various countries of the Arabic-speaking world, as Islam forbade the use of figures and pictorial renderings in art. The delicate and fluid motions involved in the language’s sinuous lettering are still thriving today, with cities in the UAE leading the charge through annual exhibitions and artistic meet-ups. All you need is a pen to spend hours gently tracing these intricate letters – an ideal craft to fill lockdown hours and refocus the mind.
What do I need?
All you’ll need to try Arabic calligraphy is a fountain pen or calligraphy pen and ink, along with some paper.
How can I learn?
Alhamdulillah Arts provides accessible step-by-step tutorials on their Arabic calligraphy YouTube channel, perfect for beginners.
Japanese Origami
It’s unlikely you’ve never come across the precise Japanese art of origami before, but spending time exploring this ancient craft can help focus your thoughts and create an atmosphere of calm. The origins of origami are not entirely clear, but it’s widely accepted that the technique was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 6th century. It is fascinating that such an antiquated, and admittedly non-functional, craft has thrived for thousands of years in arguably the world’s most tech-savvy nation. There is something about the systematic, meticulous folding of paper to create beautiful models that serves as a much-needed antidote to hectic modern life.
What do I need?
A few sheets of paper; specialist origami paper is easily purchased online, though ordinary paper works well too.
How can I learn?
Jo Nakashima’s YouTube channel offers numerous guided lessons for varying techniques, or you can discover tutorials suited to different skill levels on Origami Tutorials’ website.
European Macramé
Macramé, the art of knot-tying to produce various visual and structural effects, can be traced back to many ancient civilizations, but its earliest conception is largely attributed to Arabic weavers in the 13th century. It gained prominence after spreading through Europe, becoming a common pastime for sailors and taking the design world by storm in Victorian England. Today, intricate macramé wall-hangings often adorn contemporary interior design shots, showcasing this craft’s aesthetic appeal. Its repetitive knotting and threading actions are also thriving as part of the global wellness scene.
What do I need?
You’ll need a roll of fairly thick rope or string, plus some space to hang it while you work.
How can I learn?
Numerous macramé tutorials are available online, but Modern Macramé provides countless videos that highlight trendy, chic projects.
American Quilting
The art of hand-stitching through layers of fabric to create stunning quilts is thought to date back to the arrival of European settlers in America in the 1600s, fostering a love affair with this craft that continues today. This passion is not only celebrated in quilting bees and exhibitions that occur throughout the year but is also maintained by thousands of localized quilting groups, which foster community bonds through stitching and conversation. Utilizing a simple needle and thread, the quilting process is slow and precise, yet incredibly satisfying and utterly immersive.
What do I need?
The equipment list for quilting is longer than for some crafts, requiring a selection of fabric pieces, a needle, thread, wadding/batting, and binding tape.
How can I learn?
American Patchwork and Quilting’s YouTube channel features many high-quality, easy-to-follow tutorials, and NYC shop Gotham Quilts hosts live stitching meet-ups on their Instagram channel.
French Découpage
If the idea of losing yourself in some good old-fashioned gluing and sticking sounds appealing, welcome to découpage. Literally translating to ‘cutting out’, this craft involves cutting and pasting shapes and motifs onto various surfaces, from household objects to furniture. The art originated in 17th century France, serving as a method of decorating bookcases and cabinets, and is now employed by interior designers and craft bloggers worldwide to enliven various items. The beauty of découpage lies in its lack of precision; it is a low-stress, low-effort craft that yields impressive results every time.
What do I need?
Some découpage papers (patterned napkins work too), découpage paste, a paintbrush, and an item to decorate.
How can I learn?
Hobby Lobby’s YouTube series will guide you through the découpage process step by step.
