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- Due to the novel coronavirus, many people are following self-isolation guidelines and spending more time at home. Crafting can be a fun and engaging way to fill your time or a helpful way to unwind at the end of a busy week.
- But crafting isn't just for quarantine – now can be a great time to start a lifelong hobby.
- Here are our suggestions for the best crafts for adults to try, along with the best kits to buy to get started.
Country-wide shelter-in-place orders due to the novel coronavirus have recently spurred many people to pick up a new hobby. From bread baking to knitting, people are looking for fun ways to fill all that time now being spent at home. But crafting and its benefits go far beyond just killing time. A relaxing craft can actually reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and even help you sleep a little more restfully.
Benefits aside, crafting is also fun. It's enjoyable to make something with your hands and express your imaginative side, especially if you spend most of your day at a computer- or desk-based job. Crafting encompasses a wide variety of artistic disciplines, so anyone with a need to get creative can probably find an enjoyable new pastime if they're willing to give one a try. Crafting can be a lifelong hobby or something you enjoy sporadically when you have a little extra free time.
Whether you're looking for a new way to express yourself or just something fun to do when you need a break from work, check out the suggestions below for crafts to consider trying.
Read on for the 33 best crafting kits for adults:
Knitting
Knitting is having a hipster renaissance, which is great news for people getting into the hobby. Major companies selling kits, yarns, and tools have gone online, and knitting materials have expanded into free-trade wool in bright colors, recycled blue jean fibers, and super-chunky weaves for making thick blankets. Plus, learning is easy thanks to days worth of YouTube videos and hundreds of blogs dedicated to the pastime.
- Quarantine Scarf Kit from Sh*t That I Knit, $65: This small company sells mainly completed knit products, like hats and sweaters, but their new quarantine kits are ideal for trendy knitters stuck at home. The scarf kit comes with needles, instructions, and sustainable yarn in a surprise color like highland green or summer sky heather.
- The Benjamin Snood Kit from We Are Knitters, $43.20: This kit comes with everything you need to make a light and breezy snood (also known as an infinity scarf) that's perfect for chilly evenings. You choose your preferred colors of the brand's soft Pima cotton.
- Wrap Up Blanket Kit from Wool & The Gang, $154: Already know the basic stitches? Then start on a larger, more time-intensive project like a cozy throw blanket. This one will take you about eight to ten hours to complete, so it should get you through the next month or so of spending evenings at home.
See more great knitting kits here
Jewelry making
You can make jewelry out of just about any medium, so you're not limited to just beads and metals. You can weave bracelets and create statement pieces out of feathers, stones, and pom-poms, among other materials. A word to the wise: If you decide to try your hand at making a piece, it's best to have a dedicated work area (or at least a secure storage container) since it's easy to lose smaller materials like clasps and spacers.
- Bead Artistry Kits Dahlia Necklace - Natural at ArtBeads.com, $73.75: This website sells plenty of kits for making statement necklaces and bracelets, but the Dahlia necklace is especially likely to score compliments at your next (eventual) dinner party. While making this beaded necklace, you'll learn detailed beadwork techniques that you can use to create your own one-of-a-kind jewelry afterward.
- Jolitac Jewelry Making Supplies Kit on Amazon, $32.99: This surprisingly affordable kit comes with everything you need to make various pieces, including a storage basket, jewelry-making tools, wire, clasps, cord, and, of course, plenty of beads. The only thing it doesn't come with is instructions. However, you can find plenty of tutorials for beginner projects on various blogs and YouTube channels.
- Akola Build-Your-Own Bracelet Set at Neiman Marcus, $50: The Bracelet Kits from Akola are perfect if your style takes inspiration from cultures around the world. Among other items, these kits include hand-rolled paper beads and raffia tassels handmade by artisans in Uganda. The best part? Akola is a non-profit company and 100 percent of the profits go back to community development and sustainability programs.
Watercolor painting
Watercolor painting started to become an accessible pastime in the mid-1700s when men and women of means could buy dense cakes of paint they could dilute with water on a palette. Some artists think watercolor is one of the most challenging painting styles, while others enjoy the sometimes unpredictable colors and forms that tend to appear on the paper. If you decide to give it a try, you can buy plenty of kits to help teach you the basics.
- Kassa Watercolor Set at Amazon, $26.95: This modern watercolor set comes with a variety of watercolors, brush-tipped pens, and paper. The brush-tipped pens hold water in an internal reservoir, so you don't need to bother dipping your brush in a cup of water between strokes.
- Sloth Watercolor Kit from Let's Make Art, $15: Let's Make Art may be best known for their subscription boxes, but you can also buy the contents of the boxes separately rather than committing to a monthly fee. And with beginner watercolor kits starting at under $10, it's worth giving it a shot to see if you enjoy the process. Dozens are available, but the sloth kit is especially endearing and easy for beginners if you follow the online tutorial.
- AR Illustration Watercolor Kit on Etsy, $40: If you're new to the art world, this Etsy kit is a great buy. In addition to the paint and rolls you need to get started, it includes some basic information about color theory (helpful for mixing colors) and a tutorial that will walk you through the basic concepts, strokes, and techniques.
Find more great art supplies here
Woodworking and wood arts
Whether it's whittling and carving or building birdhouses and home decor out of wood, woodworking is a broad category. While every wood craft uses the same base material, what tools you'll need depends on the type of art you're aiming to create, as well as the type of wood you're working with. Woodworking tools can be expensive, so it's best to buy some affordable basic options if you're new to the hobby. If you end up enjoying the process, you can invest in some better tools.
- Wood Sign Painting Kit from DIY Art in a Box, $45: This cute kit has the wood, paint, and brushes you need to get started wood painting, plus a stencil in a message of your choice. There's a long list of options, including "The mountains are calling, and I must go," "Be the person your dog thinks you are," and even "They see me rollin', they hatin'." They sell blank pallets in case you want to paint without stencils, too.
- Whittling Adventure Box on Etsy, $59: If you don't mind a little dust, you may enjoy whittling. You only need a few basic tools and this kit has all of them, including protective gloves and a book tutorial of beginner projects. Whittling is a good choice for artists who enjoy spending time outdoors, as it's easy to find little pieces of wood when you're on the trails or around a campfire.
- Tenor Ukulele Kit at StewMac.com, $179.95: This kit is really two hobbies in one since you'll likely want to learn to play the ukulele after you're done constructing your own from high-end wood. You'll need just a few basic household tools and plenty of time; the kit includes full-color instructions to help walk you through the process.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy and hand lettering has become rather trendy recently, in part due to the demand for Instagram-able signage and decor at weddings and social events. It requires very little to get started: just a calligraphy pen (or brush and ink) and, ideally, some nice cardstock or paper. Budget-conscious artists can pick up beginner supplies for under $15.
- Calligraphy Pen Writing Set at US Arts, $29.96: Opt for this kit if you prefer ink and tipped brushes to pens. For under $30, you'll get multiple ink colors, several different tips for different lettering styles, and an instruction book to help you learn the basics.
- Brush Lettering Calligraphy Kit from Amazon, $42.50: This kit comes with several pens and pencils, plus instructions and thick cardstock. The instructions will walk you through basic lettering and fonts and reviewers praise how easy the kit is for beginners to use.
- Tombow Beginner Lettering Set on Amazon, $11.44: This pen set is great for price-conscious buyers. The brand offers instructions and downloadable practice sheets on its website, and you can teach yourself the rest through various YouTube videos and tutorials.
Painting
Painting doesn't have to mean just acrylic paint to canvas. Sure, it's fun to set up outside and paint landscapes on an easel, but you can also paint furniture, rocks, or even paint-by-numbers. Just about any surface can be painted and since there's no right or wrong style, it doesn't matter if you've mastered color theory or if you shine when it comes to splatter and abstraction. Just be sure to have the right kind of paint for your surface to prevent chipping and staining
- Artist's Loft Easel Set at Michaels, $84.99: There's never been a better time to paint in your backyard or local park, and this kit has the basics beginners will need. It comes with several different mediums, like pastels, acrylics, and watercolors, along with tons of other tools, including a carrying bag.
- Falling in Art Painting Set on Amazon, $32.99: For artists planning to paint only occasionally at home, this kit should be plenty. It doesn't have an easel or carrying case and the plastic palette won't last as long as a wooden one, but it's a good starter kit if you're just dipping your toes (or brushes) into the hobby.
- DIY Oil Paint by Numbers on Amazon, $36.99: There's no shortage of highly detailed, adult-focused paint by number kits online, but if you want to hang your finished work at home, buy one on a stretched canvas with a wood frame. This particular kit includes an easel to hold the canvas while painting.
Drawing
Drawing is another hobby with plenty of variation. Though charcoal and pastels are quite popular, colored pencils are perhaps the easiest medium to work with. Drawing is generally less messy than working with paint and can be a good hobby to pick up now and practice in the future. Once travel is safe again, sketching landscapes while on-the-go can also be a wonderful way to spend time outdoors in a new destination.
- Bellofy Professional Drawing Kit on Amazon, $29.99: This travel charcoal drawing kit won't take up much space in your bag, making it easy to sketch while traveling or while out on a walk in the woods. It has a carrying case, sketch pad, and sharpening tools, in addition to charcoal and graphite pencils.
- iskn Slate 2+ Digital Drawing Pad from Best Buy, $149.99: High-tech artists will love this digital drawing pad that automatically converts whatever you sketch into digital files. It's a modern way to share your art with friends and family when you can't connect in person.
- Rembrandt 15-pack Extra Fine Half Pastels at JOANN, $48.99: Rembrandt brand pastels aren't the cheapest available, but they're highly rated and won't flake or snap as you draw. Full and half-size kits in various color combinations are available. Don't forget to pick up a basic sketchbook, too.
Find great adult coloring books here
Textiles and weaving
Knitting isn't the only option if you're into fiber crafts and textiles. Needlepoint kits now come in edgy and hip patterns, and weaving kits are available from artsy retailers like Etsy. Another option is punch needling, which is a bit like a cross between weaving and cross-stitching.
- Artilife Beginner Embroidery Cross Stitch Kit on Amazon, $9.99: This budget-friendly cross-stitch kit is a great choice for beginners as it comes with the hoop, canvas, and color-coded threads and instructions. A few different patterns and sayings are available, all of which are well-suited to beginner stitchers.
- FiberHuis Weaving Loom Kit on Etsy, $65: This small loom kit will teach you the basics of weaving as you make a set of fabric coasters. If you end up enjoying the process, you can buy a larger loom and make wall hangings, pillow covers, rugs, and other textiles.
- Haoun Punch Needle Starter Kit on Amazon, $24.99: This basic kit has everything you need for a very simple punch needle project in your choice of designs. It's not fancy, but it does come with a small, A-frame easel to display your work when you finish.
Find embroidery kits ideal for beginners here
Pottery and sculpture
Although it can be on the messier side, creating pottery or sculpting can be an excellent stress-reliever. Manipulating a piece of clay into elegant pottery is an instant way to feel a sense of self-accomplishment. Because you'll almost certainly have wet clay flying around if you opt to throw pottery, it's best to set up in a workspace that's easy to clean (so, not your living room).
- SKYTOU Pottery Wheel on Amazon, $228.99: This tabletop pottery wheel is ideal for artists just starting out. Opt for one much smaller or cheaper than this, and you're risking getting into the category of children's toys, rather than legitimate art supplies. This is just the wheel though, so you'll also need to pick up some throwing clay and a basic tool kit.
- Couple's Pottery Kit on Etsy, $66.15: This cute kit comes with everything you and a partner (or roommate) need to start making basic crafts out of clay. The clay is air-drying, so you don't need a kiln or pottery oven. It includes tips and pointers on proper technique, but what you choose to make is totally up to you.
- Monster Clay Maquette Sculpting Kit from Stan Winston, $129.95: For a truly unique hobby, try this all-in-one monster modeling kit from the Stan Winston School of Character Arts. It'll teach you how to make movie-quality clay models and includes an in-depth video course on proper technique.
Nature crafts and gardening
The natural world provides plenty of inspiration for creativity, and if you're looking for a way to spend more time outside, a nature-inspired craft project could be the answer. Most plant-based projects take a while to start growing, but the rewards are endless if keep your plants healthy and happy.
- Lettuce Grow Farmstand at Lettuce Grow, $499: If you're interested in maintaining a modern garden, these vertical lettuce gardens are an aesthetically appealing choice. You'll plant seedlings in the gardens, instead of starting from seeds, which helps ensure all your veggies will grow. Since it's a vertical garden, you don't need much floor space to successfully cultivate a dozen or more plants.
- Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit from Uncommon Goods, $30: Not being able to forage in the woods is no excuse for not having fresh mushrooms thanks to this mushroom-growing kit, which will sprout shiitake mushrooms from the growing log. The kit comes with instructions, but make sure you're patient — it can take seven months or more of care before your 'shrooms start sprouting.
- Flower Press Kit at Amazon, $30.39: For frequent hikers, dog walkers, or gardeners, a flower press kit may be just what you need to make nature-inspired art for your home. This kit includes everything you need to press flowers, leaves, and more. Try to find recently fallen plants to press rather than picking flowers and leaves in the prime of life.
Discover the best gardening and landscaping tools here
Beginner crafts
There's really no limit to the artistic creativity of the human mind, and not every craft fits neatly into a category. With the right raw materials and an inventive spirit, just about anything can become a work of art. If you're a newbie crafter and have no idea where to start, here are some easy ideas to get going.
- Woolbuddy Felting Kit on Amazon, $24: Felting is an excellent craft for adults and kids since it can be as easy or complicated as you'd like, depending on whether you make simple decals or detailed stuffed animals. Children can make small toys and finger puppets, while adults can make home decor and textiles. This is a beginner-friendly kit that will teach you the basics of the craft by making a few clay pot creatures that'll add some fun to your work-from-home office desk.
- The Complete Origami Kit at Walmart, $11.95: Origami is one of the easiest hobbies to take up. Bored on a conference call? Sitting around at the doctor's office? Just find a piece of paper, and you're good to go. Learn paper folding basics with this kit, then scour the internet to find out how to make everything from boats to dragons to flowers.
- Basic Perfume Kit from Vetiver Aromatics, $100: For those who love to wear the perfect scent, this is a fun and unique project. Try your hand at making a custom perfume blend with this luxury beginner kit. Once you've gotten the hang of it, you can buy additional essential oils and vials to make aromatic gifts for friends and family.
Suzie Dundas Freelance Reporter, Insider Picks Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor. She focuses primarily on travel and outdoor adventure, though she's written about everything from van-life culture to the latest high-tech coffee gear. Her work has appeared in Playboy, Fodors, Forbes, TripSavvy, SkyLife Magazine, and many more. When not writing or traveling, you can find her hiking, snowboarding, mountain biking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. Follow her on Instagram at @hikeupyourskirt or twitter at @suziedundas. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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