What nice hobbies do you have? I fancy something new

[Ozgirl75]

I feel like I’d like a new and interesting thing to do - not something to excel at particularly, just something fun to do. I already go to the gym and Pilates and don’t have loads of time as I have older primary kids and a job.
I was thinking of something crafty? But what could I do from home? Or a short course and then do from home?
I need inspiration from your hobbies!

Is there a U3A near you? There might be different courses you can do.
Also have a look at Futurelearn for inspiration - lots of courses, not all on academic subjects.

My sis and nephew have recently taken up macrame by following youtube vids. They are both really good now.

I've rediscovered dressmaking the last few years. Loads of cool shops, workshops and patterns. This is my weekend project. Shirt

I've recently learnt to knit and absolutely love it. I'm just learning the basics at the moment and there are lots of great YouTube videos. It's great walking into a wool shop, all the colours, textures and possibilities (when I learn more of course!)

I also have a few pen pals who I've built a great friendships with, I enjoy looking for pretty stationery and bits and pieces to decorate envelopes with or to include with the letter. It's a tiny bit of a creative outlet I suppose but I've also made really good friends and who doesn't love getting mail in the post that isn't a bill!

Crochet is easier than knitting, I’ve found - search for Attic24 for tutorials and pattern ideas! You can buy kits (yarn and patterns) from Wool Warehouse

@TeaandHobnobs I think I will look at Attic24 for crochet tutorials. I initially started trying to teach myself crochet but found knitting easier. I feel like there is less room for error with knitting and my crochet just doesn't look right. I've been looking for lessons in my area so hopefully something will come up as I think I need someone to see where I'm going wrong and point me in the right direction, i really love the look of crochet.

Can I second flower arranging. I did a couple of terms through local council education and loved it. Very nice group of ladies both terms (different, but all ladies) , learnt a little about the theory and then created something beautiful- I've always loved getting flowers but they were plonked in a vase. Now I can make a simple bunch of flowers look ten times more expensive and last double the time, and the actual doing an arrangement makes me feel positively zen like!

I've just done a floristry course from In Bloom and co and it was utter bliss !

Always loved flowers but never really knew what to do.

Have made some really lovely things so far.

Link is below

inbloomschool.thinkific.com/courses/introductiontofloristry

I actually got emailed a 15% off discount code too if anyone is interested.

Inbloom15off

I think im going to do the gardening one too

I'd second crochet. I'm a leftie and personally find crochet much easier than knitting. I'm part of a big crochet/knitting group in a major city, and people tend to suit one a lot more than the other. Crochet is a lot more modern these days, it's not all 70s style granny squares.

I moved to crochet from sewing as it was easier to pick up/put down in front of the tv rather than the noise of the sewing machine keeping my son awake!

I do glass fusing (addictive, fun but can be very expensive!) knit and crochet.

I do most things sewing related, dressmaking, bag making, quilting.
During lockdown I started painting by numbers, it is so relaxing, they do adult ones and are beautiful, you can even send your own photos, which they will turn into a paint by numbers for you.

Knitting, crochet and cross stitch. Most of my knitting is for charity. I’d love to find a local knitting group, but haven’t been successful yet. My three favourite cross stitch pictures are framed and hang in the hall.

Photography? You can do a lot with an iPhone camera to start with. Have a look into David Hockney's phone photos. If you like it then you could buy more (expensive) equipment further down the line.

I tried to get into crafting as it was all the rage but I was rubbish at it and didn't enjoy it. I did a crochet and knitting starter class.

A friend got into jewellery making. She did some YouTube classes. She now sells on Etsy. No profit but she makes enough to cover the cost of her materials, so it's a free hobby.

Oh, I really like this idea

I'm liking this too.

Thanks for the thread OP

I started embroidery in the last year
I love it

Card making - Pinterest is great for ideas and The Works is a great starting point for materials.

Tapestry? Cross stitch? Needlepoint? Bargello?

I'd never heard of Bargello Ibiza.
I've just ordered a cheap kit from Aldi. It looks simple and bold. I'm going to give it a try.

I hope you have fun. I’ve never done it, but my aunt does it a lot, and has produced some beautiful cushions and stools etc.

Crafty

Cross stitch
Adult colouring
Knitting
Crochet

The latter two I keep meaning to learn myself.

Candle making I've not done in a while but was relatively simple to pick up the basics

Jewellery making

Upcycling furniture or household items - I tend to Frankenstein a lot of stuff or repurpose eg gu pots make good candle or pot pouri pots, I'll repaint cheap or charity shop photo frames to suit my colour scheme, use fabric pens to brighten up lampshades etc there's tons of tips online for this kinda thing

General

Puzzle books -I love logic problems and crosswords best

Choir/play an instrument

Meditation

Learn a language - I have a smattering of European languages to varying levels of proficiency I need to brush up on those (can anyone recommend apps/websites with audio features?) but I'd love to learn something from further afield like maybe Japanese or Swahili.

@MintJulia I'd love to try clay pigeon shooting any tips how to go about this?

Find a local club and enquire about an introductory lesson. Usually an hour, an experienced coach will lend you a suitable gun and take you through the basics. After an hour, you should be hitting a few clays and feeling good (and safe).

Cost is likely to be anything between £75 - £100 which should include loan of gun, cartridges and clays. Unless you are in London where it can cost a bit more.

It's addictive. I hope you have fun.

Knitting and crochet are fabulous, but if you want to go a bit off the wall and you're in the right area, may I recommend field archery? It's great fun, outdoors, you meet a really nice bunch of friendly people and you learn a new skill whilst prepping for the zombie apocalypse. Can't fault it.

Sounds a bit like proggy but that is making rugs so maybe just similar concept!

Knitting/crochet
Painting (canvas not decorating!)
Gardening
Running
Reading.

Im amazed I find time for work tbh 😂