I need a hobby.

[admylin]

I've been thinking about starting a serious hobby to keep me busy! Tell me what you do and what I could start.

I wish I could knit but I've forgotten how (used to be able to as far as knitting a scarf and a top once). I can draw (was good at art in school) and I can sew but can't set myself up with too much equipment as we might be moving countries in the near future so all has to be portable, compact and creative. Any suggestions?

Scrapbooking.

Have a look at UKScrappers.co.uk. Tis a fab way of preserving memories

Knitting is good for being portable and compact (as long as you don't do what I do and amass a binbag full of bits you can't bear to throw out ). There is a really good website I have seen recommended on here that has video clips of how to do various stitches/casting on/off etc. I'll see if I can find out what it is - I know a lot of MNers have got started by using it. Plus there are loads of good sites/free patterns out there. Links to follow.

OK, I think this is the video site here . A good site for patterns is this one

Just a thought anyway!

Miaou how is the blanket going?

If you can draw what about sketching? Or watercolours?

buy a great big canvas and just experiment

Thanks everyone, I might try and get back into knitting. I remember i was terrible for forgetting which stitch I had just done and getting lost in the pattern!
Over here in Germany I know loads of people can knit socks, I think they used to teach it at school in the 'old days' but no one I know has time to teach me!
Scrapbooking is new to me too, will check that out.

Admylin, knitty.com has loads of different sock patterns. They are all graded according to how easy/hard they are too. As a virgin sock knitter this winter I found them easy to follow!

Daleks - blanket is going really well! I have done 35 squares now. Dd1 and I laid them out on the bed and reckon I need to do another 15 to make it a good size (I shall add a border too). Ceolas's book has come in really useful and I have learnt how to cable especially! (Will try and post a picture in my profile when it's done ). Hopefully will get finished before this baby makes an appearance in 5 weeks )

Sorry for the hijack admylin - I am making a blanket using up all my wool oddments!

What about learning an instrument? I'm starting again (only thing I learnt was recorder at primary school, but I'm just starting again and really enjoying it. And it's supposed to be really good for brain development. Frankly, I ned all the help I can get.

Also, yes knitting good too. I've also knitted a couple of things recently which was rewarding, but I'm a bit too impatient, or rather I do a project, not half way through 3rd and got a bit bored. It's been sitting there a fair while..

Would suggest crochet too ... I use big chunky hooks and chunky wool, as make lovely things in not much time ...

Also try beading ... very addictive - and small!

Knitting at Knoon has good videos, too. Admylin, I don't know how the applications are going, but if you end up here you can join me and Pruni for our mini knitting group

(as in small, not as in knitting minis, perish the thort)

Message withdrawn

How about cross stitch? I got into it when I was looking for a hobby and really enjoy it. Because the kits come with all the bits you need, including the pattern, you don't need to amass huge amounts of stuff - just buy one kit at a time!

Thanks for all the ideas girls! I used to do embroidery too, I even had some antique table cloths (inherited) once with silk thread and they had been half done by my great grandma - enjoyed it. Wow, when I think back I used to do loads of things, now I do nothing except get through the day somehow sitting waiting to get back to the UK. I'll maybe try and get my mum to show me how to knit again when I'm home in the summer holidays (3 and a half weeks to go and counting).
Hijack my own thread a minute: Tamum, dh didn't even get as far as an interview in Edinburgh, very sad. Have to hope some offers come up soon. Now he's sending off to Australian positions.