Easy Stress Relieving Craft Ideas for Millennials

I don’t know about you, but these past few weeks have been hella stressful for a variety of reasons. It’s gotten to the point when I read, watch, and/or listen to the news I visibly flinch. Yikes.

When my anxiety starts taking over like Ken takes over BarbieLand from his Mojo Dojo Casa House, that’s when I know that I need to step away from my screens and do something – anything! – else to calm myself down. Although baking is one of my stress relieving go-to’s, I’ve also found working on a craft project really helps occupy my hands and mind so that I can focus on something productive and pretty.

Although Joann Fabrics is on the way out (RIP), there are still plenty options available at Michaels and on Etsy, among other online retailers, that offer options for crafters of all skill levels – from novice to expert. Here are a few of my favorites for beginners to help ya’ll get started!

Cross Stitch & Embroidery

I’ve become a big fan of cross stitching. It’s fairly cheap, easy to pick up, and there are some really cool patterns that can be used. From pre-made kits with everything you need to create a cross stitch or embroidery project to making your own patterns and executing your projects off of them, it’s a fun way to let your creative juices flow. Just try not to stab yourself while doing it.

Many patterns are available in books about cross stitching, which can be found at your local library or bookstore, as well as online at various crafting sites like Etsy and beyond. If you’re a true beginner, there are also kits available with everything you need to get going on a project.

Stitch Sampler Beginner Kit – Clever Poppy

Although on the pricier end, this kit has pretty much everything you’d need to get started from scratch with cross stitching and embroidery, including a storage box, embroidery hoop, scissors, cross stitch fabric, a pack of 6 needles, 10 thread colors, digital quick reference guide, pattern card, pattern template, and more.

Flower Embroidery Kit – Etsy

This kit includes four different pattern options, as well as an option for a hoop or no hoop (IMO, you’ll need a hoop – trust me…trying to cross stitch without one is awful). It also includes illustrated linen fabric with patterned drawings to make it easier for beginners to navigate, as well as 2 embroidery needles, a set of threads, and a set of step-by-step instructions.

Etsy has a lot of other cross stitch kit options, as well as patterns to use for projects, so I highly recommend just taking a look around the site to see what kit(s) and/or pattern(s) appeal to you!

Star Wars Character Cross Stitch Kit – Box Lunch

We’re big Star Wars fans in our house, and this kit just looks so stinkin’ fun and cute. Just try not to use too much “force” with your needle and thread (see what I did there? *wink*). This kit includes a hoop, thread, needle, and fabric, as well as instructions to create 10 different Star Wars characters – including my favorite, the badass known as Princess Leia. Yes, I’ve dressed up as Leia for at least two Halloweens (Hoth and Endor Leia; IYKYK).

Here’s a little ditty I completed last year, juxtaposing my love of tacos with my loathing for war.

It’s hanging on our front porch. It makes me smile. Like the taco I cross-stitched.

Knit or Crochet

I’m a knitter. Many people I know prefer to crochet. Potayto, potahto.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both, it really just depends on your preference and what you’re trying to accomplish. For me, although it’s super annoying when I drop a stitch while knitting, when I get into the zone I really enjoy the smooth motion that knitting allows.

This hobby can be a bit pricier depending on how crazy you want to get with it, since there are many different sizes of crochet and knitting needles – not to mention allllll of the yarn options! – but there are starter options available as well as pre-made project kits that can make it easier and more affordable.

You can also check out YouTube to learn how to make certain stitches – I’m a visual learner and watching videos really helped me out when I was learning how to do the cable stitch, which can be tricky to figure out!

Learn to Knit Kit – Purl Soho

This one is recommended by the NY Times, and for good reason. Instead of using crappy cheap-o yarn, this kit uses two skeins of merino wool (which is the créme de la créme of the wool world – super soft and not itchy, unless you’re allergic to wool), which makes it a more rewarding and enjoyable introductory knitting experience.

The kit also includes instructions, a learn to knit pattern that teaches you how to knit that includes patterns for 3 simple scarves, a pair of US wooden size 13 knitting needles, and a yarn needle. Speaking from experience, you’ll want to use the wooden knitting needles instead of the metal ones since the metal ones are really slippery and tend to drop stitches – trust me!

Basic Crochet Starter Kit – Annie’s Attic

This kit is a great way to get all of the essential crochet tools to get started, including 9 crochet hooks (US sizes B/1 to J/9), 9 tapestry needles, colorful stitch markers, folding scissors, zipper carrying case, and 6 skeins of yarn in various shades.

Although there are no patterns or instructions included, Annie’s Attic also has a Beginner Crochet Kit Club that’s a monthly subscription that sends subscribers the hooks, yarn and patterns to crochet easy projects that also includes video instructions.

Here is a headband that I knitted a few years back.

It started life as an unfinished scarf. Then I had a baby. I returned to finish it a few years ago when said baby grew older but ran out of yarn, and couldn’t find any that matched at any stores. So, it morphed into a cute headband instead.

Watercolor

I used to be more of an acrylic gal, but lately I’ve been more into watercolors. In my opinion, it’s easier, more accessible, and lends an almost dreamy quality to whatever it is I’m painting. What’s not to love?

There are a lot of options here – from paint-by-number kits to books on watercolor technique and beyond. Here are a couple of options for those who already have watercolor paints, brushes and paper on hand, and those who don’t.

Watercolor Painting Kit – Flower Girls

This kit is so stinking cute – it’s compact and portable, with everything packaged together in a tin painting box. It includes four different painting outlines on watercolor paper, a paintbrush, and watercolor paints and a color guide. They also have a citrus fruits version that looks like fun!

Flowers Watercolor Gift Set – Weston Table

I’ve seen these in stores, and they’re so cute I just want to buy all of them. Alas I’m typically too cheap, but if you feel so inclined feel free to invest in this one. It includes paper, a paint set with 12 colors, set of 5 paint brushes, and a flowers watercolor workbook that includes instructions and outlines.

Here are some watercolor fruit attempts that I made last year.

Are they perfect? Nope. Was it fun and stress relieving? YES.

Of course there are lots of crafting options out there, but these are some of the easier and affordable options that most of us can pick up pretty quickly. Whatever crafting endeavors you choose, just make sure that they relieve stress and don’t add to it.