New hobby ideas?

[bacarver]

Has anyone started a new hobby or interest lately? I decided a couple years ago that I was going to learn to bake homemade bread. This has gone well and now I'm eager to tackle a new challenge since my confidence is up. I also enjoy decorating gourds and large snapping turtle shells. I tried ceramics and didn't really get the hang of it. I haven't been able to find anyone who can teach me to knit. Thanks - Barb

[Tuckervill]

www.knittinghelp.com. Free videos about how to knit. It's how I learned to knit, just a few weeks ago. Took me about 3 weeks to knit that first sock, but then about 3 days to do the second one!

So I guess that's a new hobby I acquired, but I haven't done it in a while. The weather has been unseasonably warm this week, so I have been OUTSIDE! Now that the tornadoes have ushered in more January-like weather, I'll probably start another pair of socks. That's all I want...hand-knit socks.

Karen

[mimitabby]

Barb, it took me about 3 years before I "got" Pottery. It's a skill that takes time, and you also have to build strength. Don't give up so easily.
I took up watercolors this spring, and I figure in 5 years I might be good enough to sell stuff.

[bmccasland]

My fascination with things renaissance has taken to include gold work. I ordered a kit and some books to try gold thread embroidery with the real stuff. The techniques are different than with "regular" embroidery (cotton or silk floss), and sparkly! Doesn't help that BonnieCat trys to *help* - more by getting in the way, than actually swatting the thread.

[Jones]

Pie, I think baking home made pies, from scratch that would be a great hobby.
Sometimes major craft stores like "Micheal's" have knitting and other classes for free or cheap and also local yarn shops usually have classes.
Good Luck,
Jones

[GLC1968]

I taught myself to knit about a month ago using a beginner's kit I got at Michael's. I'm in the middle of making my first scarf and hat set from the same book. It's not hard, I just don't have a lot of time right now. Next I want to learn how to spin my own yarn.

You also could take up beading. There are about a million different types of things you could do (making jewelry, sculptures, decorating clothing, etc.). A great resource is http://www.firemountaingems.com.

[Chile Pepper]

My fascination with things renaissance has taken to include gold work. I ordered a kit and some books to try gold thread embroidery with the real stuff. The techniques are different than with "regular" embroidery (cotton or silk floss), and sparkly!

I love to embroider (silk thread), but I haven't done anything for a long time because I can't find decent patterns. Everything is either dorky or cutesy or juvenile. I want something more artistic--but I haven't been inspired to come up with my own. Any ideas on sourcing more complex, interesting, artsy patterns? Thanks!

[KathiCville]

Knitting is a great hobby---I originally learned on Pick-Up Stix, as a 5- or 6- year old, literally at my mom's knee. That was more than 40 years ago. The selection and variety of yarns today are incredible compared to what I grew up with. The simplest pattern rendered in gorgeous yarn looks like a masterpiece!

If you think needlework might be the ticket, consider needlepoint. I don't do it, but friends swear by its therapeutic value---supposedly as good or better than meditation, LOL!

One of the most enjoyable classes I've ever taken was a weekly-long fabric surface design course at the Penland School, a wonderful traditional crafts school in NC. It was like being back in elementary school for a week. Anything goes! Paints, dyes, whatever, applied to all kinds of fabrics. Terrific fun to play with textures, shapes, colors for a week with no particular goal in mind, no rules, no 'right or wrong'. Haven't really done anything with it since then, but it was a fabulously creative and energizing vacation---one of my best! At some point I want to do something similar in spinning and weaving.

As long as you're casting around for something new, why not take some half-day or day-long workshops in various things, just to "taste test" the possibilities? Cooking? Woodworking? Calligraphy? Gardening? Sewing? Stained glass? Bookbinding? Jewelry?

Whatever you choose, have fun!

[spokewench]

Pie, I think baking home made pies, from scratch that would be a great hobby.
Sometimes major craft stores like "Micheal's" have knitting and other classes for free or cheap and also local yarn shops usually have classes.
Good Luck,
Jones

Baking home made pies is a great hobby - but it is not great for the waist line! I've been baking pies since I was pretty young. We learned from Grandma. My sister has even won first prize for her apple pie at the County Fair that is held in Pleasanton California.

It's just not something you can do every weekend if you want to watch the weight!

[three]

I've been knitting and crocheting for quite some time - it's such a wonderful hobby. Like cycling, it can often be what I'd call 'active meditation'. There's bound to be a yarn shop (or two, or three) in your area and that's where I'd go for classes. Here's a shop in Newburgh (I found the listing in one of my knitting books), maybe they can point you to a shop in your area:

http://www.thevillageknitter.com/

As for other hobbies, how about quilting? As a beginner, you can just cut a bunch of 4x4" squares and stitch them together. When you finish the entire quilt, you would just need to add some backing (and insulation if you want) and there, all done. This is one of those great hobbies because your first quilt and all the obviously newbie stitches will still look great - imperfect quilts are often the most appreciated. And, any old shirts, pants, towels or curtains can easily serve as material for a quilt. This is a great little craft project to do with kids, too.

[Zen]

I'd rather eat pies than bake them. i guess my hobby is foster dogs and learning yoga.
If I knew how to knit I could make dog sweaters!
Hmmmm....

[spokewench]

I'd rather eat pies than bake them. i guess my hobby is foster dogs and learning yoga.
If I knew how to knit I could make dog sweaters!
Hmmmm....

The perfect solution. If you move closer to me, you can eat them and I will bake them!

Actually, my hobbies are cooking (baking) and playing tennis. I have yet to take up an in the house hobby except cooking

spoke

[bacarver]

I've really enjoyed reading all the ideas and suggestions. Thanks! Taking a class would jump-start me for sure. I know that I could go to Newburgh IN for various crafts, but my full-time job means that will wait a few more years. Enjoy creating. Barb

[kerrybelle]

DH just got me started in archery. It's pretty fun, especially since I seem to have a knack for it. If I get my butt in gear and practice, I might just give him a run for his money.

There's a variety of bows and targets out there. DH likes what they call a 3D archery. He say's it's like playing golf as there are many targets at varying skill levels set out in a wooded area. I'm eager to try it in the spring.

Not that I do it very often, but I enjoy baking. It's only the two of us so unless I really want to put on the pounds, I don't do it. I have a great apple pie recipe. Just wished I had more interest in cooking! I s*ck at that. Which is kinda funny since I like good food.

Kerry

[Duck on Wheels]

I spent my sabbatical year two years ago in an unfurnished apartment in an unfamiliar town all on my own. There was a yarn and quilting shop just across the street, alongside a bakery and café. I would pick up my daily breads and coffee and then browse among all the colors and patterns and textures of the yarns and materials. I did several knitting projects that year, including learning some unusual techniques such as moebius (sp?) strip knitting. Then just before heading back home I took the one quilting course they offered where you didn't have to bring a sewing machine with you -- a course on color and design. After the course I bought a couple of books, some cutting tools, materials for a quilt, and got to work when I got back home to my machine. I gave the first one (you could call it "The G@y Olympics Cycling Flag quilt") to my sister (Trek420). Then made another (a quilted, patchwork messenger bag) for my daughter (UK Elephant), then another (in soft flannels with inset photos printed on muslin) for my grand-nephew. Now I'm about to start on a rock-climbing themed quilt for my son. In the course if 1 year, I guess it's turned into a new hobby, and with retirement looming a few years down the line that's probably a good thing. If you can sew at all, quilts are surprisingly simple to make, so I've discovered, and can give impressive results in spite of numerous simplifications and even downright mistakes. Here are my very first three: nr. 1 overview, nr. 2 finished and in use, and nr. 3 front and back. [announcer's voiceover: Only the mistakes are hidden to protect the incomptent.]