“Crocheting is a skill anyone can pick up easily – once you know the basic stitches, everything is possible,” says Laura Cohen, the GHI’s head of accreditation, who has made her own handmade blankets. Pillows, bags and even tops are so easy once you master the single crochet square.
“Some find it challenging to know how much yarn you need, but this convenient measured kit eliminates that issue, and leaves you with a beautiful handmade bag, as well as a newfound understanding of crochet,” Laura says.
This sewing machine is a good option for beginners as you get a bundle of essentials with it, such as threads and pins, to help you get started. It’s one of the more affordable machines on the market, too, yet boasts a variety of stitch selections, ideal for making anything from cushion covers to shortening hems.
“I wish my gran was still around to show me the ropes on my sewing machine, but I’m learning lots from trial and error,” says the GHI’s lifestyle writer, Maddie, who hopes to be able to make her own clothes one day. If you’re already at that level, then the Singer Heavy Duty Machine scored top for dress making in our best sewing machine test at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
“I’m such a big fan of punch needling because it's a really forgiving craft!” says Melanie Giandzi, our multiplatform content manager.
“I started it a few years ago during lockdown and love that you can easily trace your design onto the cloth or just go freestyle and let the colours take over. It's also very therapeutic and satisfying punching the fabric through,” she adds.
This set makes it even easier, as it provides all the materials you need, as well as the smiley face sunshine pattern to trace, so you can literally punch away!
Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, loves doing something sentimental for her friends on special occasions. “For my best friend’s 30th birthday, I collected letters from 30 of her best friends and her immediate family to put in a scrap book for her,” she says.
“I spent almost a year working on it, using different materials for each page to represent the different eras of her life that each friend or family member represents. I couldn’t have done it (at least not on a budget) without Hobbycraft. For the more expensive bits, I love Choosing Keeping stationery store in London, too.”
Lifestyle Writer, Maddie ironically began modelling clay after seeing a video come up on her Instagram, showing someone making £140 coasters using air-dry clay and chrome spray paint. “I’ll often get stuck down a hole of crafting videos, which feels counter-intuitive,” she says. “However, I do spend a lot of time with the clay, too and it’s incredibly soothing and satisfying.”
You can save a trip down to the kiln with this kit, and instead spend your time making mugs, animals and trinkets that dry over a few days before being ready to paint over.
You can also purchase multi-coloured clay if you don't fancy painting, and there are even kits for specific animal designs. Personally, huge fans of this adorable penguin one.
More ‘granny hobby’ kits to try
This is a great kit for relaxed (and soothing) crochet sessions, with a bunch of soft daisies and leafy stems to create. It’s ideal for people with a basic knowledge of crochet and everything you need is included in the kit.
If you want generous blooms you can display (and feel proud of) for years to come, we recommend doubling up for twice the flowers and calming crochet moments.
This digital crafting machine takes personalisation to another level, as you can print out bespoke labels, stickers, iron-on prints, cards – the list is endless. It’s perfect if you have a big event coming up and want to craft bespoke decor, such as personalised place cards, without spending a fortune. GHI Senior Homes Writer, Megan, is planning to invest in one ahead of her wedding.
As well as the printing device, this essential bundle has everything you need to get started, such as drawing and scoring tools, vinyl sheets and smart iron-on material. Warning, once you own one of these, you will have the urge to personalise and sticker all of your belongings.
Sewing two pieces of material together to form a pillowcase in textiles class is a rite of passage for many of us, but this is a step up. The boring part is already done for you, and instead, this kit gives you everything you need to cross stitch an appealing design onto the front.
It's a pre-printed canvas that you follow using the threads included, and results in a beautiful blue floral design – perfect for your own home or for gifting.
If you don’t know your backstitch from your basting stich (neither do we) and are looking for an easy starting point, then this felt sewing kit is the one for you. Everything you need is included and pre-measured, and you only need to stitch the two main parts together.
When it comes to the fiddly bits, aka the eyes, ears and mouth, you simply stick them on. And the result is an adorable miniature golden retriever.
Before you’re able to go off-piste and embroider patterns directly onto jackets or bags, start with this hoop kit, which lets you build up your skills by tracing the provided flower patterns.
There are four different patterns to choose from – we’d start with your least favourite one, so you’ll have finessed your skills by the time you reach your preferred pick.
Channel your inner Vincent Van Gogh with this paint-by-numbers sunflower kit. The step-by-step guide means you don’t have to worry about drawing, or the colour wheel, as you simply follow the base pattern and colours according to the code. Hang it in the Louvre.
There are two other designs to choose from – Blooming and Houseplants – and £2 from every sale will be donated to the mental health charity, Mind.
This beginner’s kit is the perfect entry point into the world of crochet, and a cute one at that. It comes with the yarn, stuffing and crochet hoop – the only thing you need is scissors and a can-do attitude.
There are five different animals to choose from, including a bee, owl, cow, whale or lion. This makes a thoughtful present too.
When you've got yarn and knitting needles coming out of your ears, you're going to need somewhere to store them, and where better than a self-embroidered bag that showcases your skills at the same time.
We love the bright design and empowering message of this one from the Women's Institute, which also receives a donation from each purchase.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.