Over the last year, we’ve all spent more time at home than ever before. Well, most of us have anyway! With so much free time on our hands, many of us have taken to new hobbies, crafts, and activities to fill the time. Some of us have even managed to find our true passion during all the time in lockdown. In this article, we’re going to discuss a few of our favorite DIY crafts you can try in your own home with very little equipment or knowledge requirements.

These are things that a huge amount of people have been trying, and are some of the most Googled crafts of the last 12 months. So, let’s get into it.

Sewing and Embroidery

Without a doubt, one of the most popular home crafts of the last year has been sewing – in its many forms. You only need to spend a very small amount of money to purchase a simple sewing kit which makes it one of the most accessible craft ideas on our list today. There are, of course, many types of sewing. One of the simplest things to learn is embroidery. Embroidery involves following a pattern to create pictures using thread pulled through a piece of fabric. Not only is embroidery extremely satisfying when done, but it is also a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon at home.

If you aren’t sold on the idea of embroidering pictures, how about learning to repair and patch up clothing? Fixing a pair of jeans or a shirt pocket is so simple once you’ve got the stitch down, and with so many instructional videos online, you’ll be repairing and upgrading your clothing in no time! Give it a try today, all you need is a needle and thread.

Pottery

Moving into ever so slightly more complex home craft ideas; let’s take a look at pottery. Pottery involves the molding of clay into the desired object. It’s up to you whether that’s something useful like a cup or plate, or something novelty like a Morph-style man for your bookshelf. Pottery is slightly more equipment and labor-intensive than sewing but can obviously create much larger or more complex pieces. Without a pottery wheel – which are quite expensive pieces of equipment – you will probably find it hard to create perfectly round vases or plates, but who cares?! Have some fun with some clay that’s suitable for hardening in a home oven and see what you can create.

Woodwork

Don’t be daunted by the sound of woodwork, it doesn’t have to be a huge project! Woodwork can be small, simple, straightforward, and satisfying all at the same time. Projects can be as small or large as you want them to be. If you don’t have much experience, we recommend starting small. With only a small saw, a screwdriver, and some screws, you’ll be able to make simple things like plant boxes or a simple shelf. Once more confident, you can branch out into crafting benches, chairs, or picnic tables for your garden.

Knitting

Back to another simple homely pleasure now, knitting. Knitting has for years been viewed as something old ladies do in their armchairs at home. Well, no more! Knitting is cool now. It’s cool because it’s fun, it’s relaxing, and it’s creative, all the things our Grandmas have been telling us for years.

As with many of our suggestions, there are plenty of free patterns and resources online to help you knit your first scarf, glove, hat, or jumper. Why not return the favor and knit something for your parent or grandparent? After all, we’ve almost all got a jumper knitted by grandma! Plus, what says “I love you” more than a handmade gift?

Upcycling

Here’s an area where you can get super creative in any part of the home. Upcycling is the process of modifying or changing old items to turn them into something new. You could refer to it as repurposing, transforming, or upgrading an item. For example, consider an old sideboard or desk you have in your home. With some sanding and painting, or removal of doors or shelves, you can transform it into a statement piece or dressing table. Another great and often-used idea is to turn old bricks, blocks, or containers into modern-looking planters. With a bit of imagination, the possibilities are endless. Plus, you can save yourself a fortune on decorating!

These are just 5 of our favorite home DIY crafts we think everyone should try. Most of these activities are fun for the whole family, too. Though, be careful with needles and scissors around little ones! If you’ve lost your creative spark or simply want to try something new, give these a try at home today.