Category
Crafts & hobbies
Making, mending and learning something new.
- How to crochet for beginners: chain and double crochet (UK terms) Learn the slip knot, chain and double crochet, the building blocks of most patterns, and how to tell UK from US terms so you don't get muddled.
- How to cross stitch for beginners Read a chart, prepare your Aida fabric and stitch neat crosses without knots. A kit is the easiest way to start.
- How to darn a hole in a jumper or sock Fill a small hole in knitwear with a woven patch of yarn. It's quick, saves a favourite jumper, and can be invisible or a deliberate splash of colour.
- How to hem trousers by hand Shorten trousers neatly without a sewing machine using a measured double fold and an almost invisible blind hem stitch.
- How to knit a scarf (beginner's guide) Learn to cast on, knit and cast off by making a simple garter-stitch scarf in chunky yarn. It's the classic first project and needs only one stitch.
- How to press flowers Press flowers and leaves flat in a heavy book or a simple homemade press, ready for cards, frames and bookmarks.
- How to sew on a button Sew a flat (two- or four-hole) or shank button back on by hand in about ten minutes, with a thread shank so it buttons easily and stays put.
- How to take better photos on your phone Simple habits that make a real difference: clean the lens, use the grid, tap to focus and set exposure, find good light and hold steady.
The crafts & hobbies toolkit — the tools and supplies these guides call for.