Suggest some hobbies for me please.

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

Just as above, I've a lot more time on my hands now so I'd like to start a hobby. Preferably one which will help be in the prepping/self sufficiency department.

[cozietoesie]

Are you handy in any case? And do you have access to any sort of garden?

[Launderetta]

Knitting, sewing, making preserves - crafty stuff that results in something useable!

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

Fairly handy & have a small garden. I've thought of planting food but it seems hard to do?

Knitting is a great idea, but what do I knit first.... I'd be a complete beginner.

[tribpot]

Fortunately MN has the perfect solution for beginner knitters - Woolly Hugs. This allows you to practice on very small projects (6" square) knowing that they will all be instantly useful.

You can also knit dishcloths, same principle. Cotton yarn isn't always the nicest to get started with but you can quickly knock up something that doesn't have to be perfect to still be functional.

Have a look at the crafting guide but to start off with, I'd just go for a completely plain square. When every row is knit, it's called garter stitch.

For learning the basics of knitting, there are lots of great videos on YouTube, I like Very Pink - this is a playlist to learn how to knit a scarf as a complete beginner. It will all be relevant, you just change the number of stitches you cast on and just knit every stitch rather than work the pattern she shows you.

For growing food, <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/5-x-Potato-Planter-Bags/dp/B005KLPEJ6?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">potato planters are very simple, likewise <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/Haxnicks-2x-Carrot-Patio-Planters/dp/B00387WIIY?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">carrot planters.

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

Wow thanks Tri, those links are great!!

I plan to start knitting tomorrow but in the mean time I think I'll research as much as I can.

Would like to go down the growing my own veg route but it seems very daunting.

[cozietoesie]

Not so. Start off with some herbs. That should get you into the swing of things - with gardening.

(And Wooly Hugs are great. )

[cozietoesie]

Sorry. Woolly.

[KeiraKnightleyActsWithHerTeeth]

With regards growing veg. As a starter I would recommend courgettes and tomatoes. It is probably too late to start from seed now but you can pick up the plants easily and it will give you an idea of how to handle that part of the growing season. Both usually yield a decent crop if in a sunny location.

Have you thought about rag rugging, basket weaving, crochet, basic sewing/mending skills? How about butchery, cheesemaking, making your own cleaning products, first aid courses, basic of mechanics, building, plumbing? Firemaking? Foraging?

I would book onto a first aid course and get started with knitting and basic sewing skills as a starter.

[isthistoonosy]

You could grow some lettuce in a plant pot if you want a really simple first plant to start with.

[ChampagneCommunist]

Crochet is more portable than knitting, if you are out and about, to/from work etc

[BiddyPop]

You could plant broad beans or peas still from seed - both very easy and worthwhile to have fresh from the garden. It can be as easy as fill a pot with compost, add seeds, water, (use slug pellets if you have slugs at all, or used coffee grounds), and just remember to water every few days. If possible, put in a sunny spot, but they'll grow even in shade (just not as much).

Or herbs are great to have fresh too.

I make facecloths at times by knitting with cotton - they're small, you can have a bit of fun with patterns once you learn plain and purl stitches, and they are useful!

Or use thick chunky wool and make scarves, moving on to blankets - they don't take too long either (about the same to knit a (not too long but still cosy) chunky scarf as a cotton facecloth in terms of actual knitting as the size of wool and needles does make a difference).

[Newtssuitcase]

I think the most useful thing you could possibly do is start a small fruit/veg/herbs garden. It really is very easy to get started. I have created a kitchen garden this year from scratch. Started at the end of April and I now have potatoes, broccoli, parsnips, carrots, spring onions, peas, mange tout, courgettes, pumpkins, butternuts squash, sweetcorn, leeks, spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and herbs all maturing nicely.

Just a few potato plants could serve you very well. Knitting is nice but not nearly as useful as food.