Cold-Weather Crafting
This is the time of year when snuggling up by a warm fire wearing fuzzy socks sounds really appealing, isn’t it? Sometimes it can be tempting to rely a bit too much on television and video games to keep everyone entertained when the wind is blowing outside, but there are a lot of quiet activities that you might enjoy doing with your children on stay-in-the-house days. Arts and crafts can get pretty messy at times. Have you considered teaching your kids any of these cold weather crafts?
Knitting or Crocheting
I was an adult when I learned how to do these particular needle crafts, but they’re simple enough that I’ve been able to teach my nine-year-old with no trouble at all! It’s inexpensive to get started (you really just need a crochet hook or set of knitting needles, plus yarn) and easy to pick up. Even better, you can keep your yarn and a pair of scissors nearby, and can enjoy your craft while carrying on a conversation on the couch. I enjoyed the Klutz book on crocheting, and I have a talented friend who showed me the basics of knitting. Free patterns for both of these art forms are yours for the taking; just type “free crochet patterns” or “free knitting patterns” into your search engine, and you’ll have enough reading material to last you a lifetime! You can also find patterns on the yarn labels. Crochet baby hats to give to your local NICU or learn how to knit dishcloths to give out as gifts.
Cross Stitch
This was one of my favorites when I was a pre-teen. You can buy kits that range in difficulty from extremely easy to expert, and featuring words, animals, flowers, portraits, holiday motifs… just about anything! Once you learn how to turn your embroidered X’s into pictures, you can buy cross-stitch fabric and embroidery floss and make your own patterns on graph paper. This is another craft that doesn’t take up too much room and is very portable throughout the house (and in doctors’ waiting rooms, too!). One caveat: if your child is prone to dropping the needle, it might end up in someone’s foot later on. I have personal experience with this, so trust me on this one!
Quilting
Our grandmothers used to go to quilting bees, where they would get together with the other women in the neighborhood or at their church and work on quilts. They might make a quilt for a new baby in the community, or for a recent widow. Quilting bees would be a fun mother/daughter bonding activity. You could also simply quilt squares to sew together later. Quilting takes up more space than the previous crafts mentioned, because you need to lay everything out; also some people prefer to do their quilting with a sewing machine, which is not quite as portable than hand-quilting. Still, it’s a cozy cold-afternoon activity to enjoy with your kids.
While working on any of these projects, you could listen to music or a book on CD, talk about your day, or simply sit and enjoy the quiet concentration.
What are some of your favorite cold-weather crafts for indoors?
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Wonderful ways to stay toasty and warm.
I do alot of work with dried floral arangments and my fall pickings are dried just right now. They also make for great Xmas gifts.
I learned to knit at a kid, I made my own scarf it was pretty sweet. Keeping the kids busy indoors can be a chore in itself but defiantly doable.
I would love to learn to knit or cross stitch! My mom does both in her free time. I am hoping to learn this winter!
I would love to learn to knit!! Perfect cold-weather craft to do.
lovely crafting!~
Wonderful ideas for when its cold outside! I love cross stitch! 🙂
so cold!
I am learning to knit and I love it! I can’t wait until I’m good enough that I don’t have to concentrate so much on it. And I loved cross-stitching with my mom when I was younger. I’m going have to re-visit that craft!
I like to knit, but am not that good at it so I have a lot of scarves. Recently I started knitting shawls for m church to give to the elderly in nursing homes
I love to craft! There are so many ideas out there that can keep you busy and look really cute!
My daughter will LOVE these ideas. Thank you so much. They miss SO much school in the winter time and we lose power alot due to snow so this will keep us busy! Thanks!
I love to do scrapbooking and make ornaments for Christmas!
I would definitely try that out when I have my own children. I want them to spend happy moments with me too. Even not in those cold days :))
I must try this with my kids!
i would love to learn to do Knitting or Crocheting
I love crafts! I bought some yarn and was going to crochet, i cant remember how to do it!
I love to knit..this is something we learned in school. My Mom was so good at it and she made the most incredible sweaters.
I love to cross stitch. My favorite time is when it is cold outside. I lite the candles, good cup of something warm & sit in my favorite chair
Definitely the perfect time of year for some cold weather crafting tips around this house! Thank you for sharing! Love to sit and do arts n crafts with my little one 🙂
My wife is going to show our Granddaughter how to do this, it is a great idea to do during the cold winter months
Lucky me – I do all 3! 🙂 My sister has actually taught her (3) sons to knit and to quilt and they love it. Did I mention that her husband also loves to quilt? 🙂
im a crafter and this is great for the kids!