Seven Free Craft Projects to Do in Isolation
- Words by Peppermint
Proving that creativity and crafting can’t be contained, there’s been a steady stream of free craft projects and DIYs popping up around the interwebs.
From sewing and crochet to slow stitching and upcycling your old clothes, you’re likely to find something fun whatever your creative desire – and material supply – extends to. So whether you’ve always got a project on the go or you’re one of the many that previously ‘never had time’ for craft, here’s a roundup of seven free #isolationcreation projects to occupy idle minds (and hands).
PHOTO ABOVE: PETALPLUM
Corona crochet club
A bit of contextually sensitive, tongue-in-cheek humour can be a salve to crisis-induced anxiety, and this free COVID-19 themed amigurumi pattern, from self-confessed crochet nerd Claire of Once Upon A Yarn, is no exception. The Japanese practice of crocheting or knitting animals and creatures with super kawaii (cute) faces – known as amigurumi – is therapeutic on a few fronts. Firstly, concentrating on counting loops and following the pattern will get you into the mindfulness flow. Secondly, creating a visual reminder is helpful in the psychological battle against the invisible virus. And finally, according to Claire, adding a cute face takes the big scary feelings away – without trivialising or diminishing their importance – and helps everyone understand their impact.
A slow stitch in time
In Ellie Beck (aka PetalPlum)’s free online video course, the considered art of slow stitching begins with making a cup of tea and ends with the creation of a dreamy (and functional) wrap-up pouch for you to use. Along the way, you’ll learn the meditative art of embroidery, slow stitching and string-making with a bit of natural dyeing, basic design and colour theory thrown in.
Sew good
Your opportunities to show off snazzy new outfits might currently be confined to the check-out assistant or your Insta following, but that doesn’t mean we need to stop sewing (or wearing) said outfits! Treat yourself to some new isolation threads with this super cute top from DIY Daisy – with just the right amount of sass and a universally flattering wrap, this ruffled delight is made for your next Netflix, Zoom or Hangout party.
From A to beeswax wrap
Is there anything beeswax can’t do? From lip balms and body butters to these DIY beeswax wraps from Peppermint friends Biome, it’s hard to argue with its appeal (unless you’re vegan of course, in which case, you could try swapping the beeswax for candelilla or soy wax). If you haven’t made the switch to zero-waste food wrapping alternatives, now is the perfect time, so you can make food stretch further, reduce supermarket treks and continue to fight climate change from the kitchen.
All rugged up
Is your rag pile growing at an exponential rate? If you’ve been hoarding leftover material and offcuts like some kind of sustainable bowerbird, then our functional – and colourful – rainbow rag rug is here to help. Use fabric strips, rope or rattan and add a jumbo crochet needle, and – hey presto! – you’ll get a pretty little rug to jazz up your floor.
Stuck on you
Now that we’re all working from home, beautifying our spaces has never felt more important. Show your fridge some love by clearing it off and creating some simple clay magnets by DIY queen Geneva Vanderzeil of Collective Gen (in the hue of the moment, terracotta) to hang momentos, photos and reminders of the outside world. Or, you could create a vision board with all the things you wish for the world once we’ve done our bit to #flattenthecurve and we’re allowed out again!
Dyeing to craft
Part science experiment, part craft activity, the magical, alchemic process of natural dyeing is a fab way to freshen up old wardrobe faves. Forage for your ‘dye’ in the backyard, on your socially distant exercise outings, or from your very own kitchen scraps. This guide to the fun, free craft of natural dyeing – from homemade lifestyle blog A Beautiful Mess – is a great place to start, with various hues shown and a guide to accessible mordants (colour fasteners) found in your home.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
More articles
Hang out with us on Instagram
On the 14th of April 2013 the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, tragically killing 1134 workers and injuring over 2,500 more.
Every year we commemorate this devastating and avoidable loss of life and advocate for better working conditions for all during Fashion Revolution Week, which runs from 22nd-28th April in 2026.
This year there are different themes for each day of the week, with the annual Mend In Public day falling right in the middle, on Saturday 25th April.
This is your cue to gather your community, settle in and commit some time, attention and creativity to mending your clothes in the pursuit of extending their life in your wardrobe. Be it patching, embroidery, sewing or stitching, there are many ways to resolve structural and aesthetic issues in your garments that will see you donning them for years to come!
If it’s a bit tricky to get mending on the day itself (it will be ANZAC Day here in Australia) then fear not. Any time is the right time for mending so if you need to take needle in hand on another day that will do just fine!
Comment below if you know of any events you`d like to share happening in your community.
Learn more and get involved:
@FashionRevolutionAustralia
@Fash_Rev
FashionRevolution.org
#FashionRevolution #WhoMadeMyClothes #MendInPublicDay
“This is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out.” ❤️
And we’re so glad you did, Emma!
From @CinnamonDaisyStudio:
No biggie, I’m just in a really cool magazine 🥹
When @Laura_The_Maker reached out to me last year to ask if I’d be interested in being featured in @PeppermintMagazine I didn’t hold back. I 100% fan girled 🤣 it was obviously a yes!
Getting to talk about the positive impact sewing your own clothes has on your body image is the BEST. I started sewing my own clothes because the standard doesn’t fit me. But I wasn’t expecting to heal my body image at the same time. What a wonderful byproduct ❤️🩹
So this is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out ❤️
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
Our lovely community manager Em, runs us through the offer.
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription!
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio!
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
Calling all brands who give a damn! 📣
Bookings for our wonderful Sew&Tell digital issue are now open – if you are an awesome creative brand that fits right in with Peppermint`s ethos of style, sustainability, sewing and substance, get in touch. Or if you know of one who might be keen – tag them below. We have packages for budgets both big and small, but spots are limited, so don`t wait too long to get in touch!
Drop us a line at Mandy@PeppermintMag.Com for a chat with Mandy, our lovely advertising manager – she`ll help you find the best way to share your good work with our awesome audience.
We`d sew love to work with you! ✨️🧵✨️
#PeppermintSewAndTell
💛 BFF GIVEAWAY 💛
Generous, messy, creative, spiky, warm, enigmatic… our best friends come in many flavours. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a far better, more interesting place to be.
Inspired by Sam and Sadie’s complicated ‘forever’ bond in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by @GabrielleZevin (a firm Peppermint fave ‘friendy’ read), we’ve rounded up some iconic fictional duos from books, movies and TV - the ride-or-dies, bosom buddies, chosen family, the ‘you’re-my-person’ people.
They all remind us that the non-romantic kind of love is always worth the effort (and it’s often the kind that lasts!). Think Anne Shirley and Diana Barry, Calvin and Hobbes, Snoopy and Woodstock, Eloise and Penelope… Head to the link in bio to read the full story and meet them all!
We’ve got two copies of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow to gift to one lucky Peppermint reader and their bestie, thanks to @PenguinBooksAus.
To enter:
✨Follow us and @PenguinBooksAus
✨Tag your best friend in the comments
✨Tell them why they’re so darn great!
Because as Sadie tells Sam: true collaborators in life are rare. And very much worth celebrating.
Winner drawn Tuesday 21 April 2pm. Australian addresses only. Good luck! 📖
#BFF #BookGiveaway #TomorrowAndTomorrowAndTomorrow
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
It`s almost time to celebrate that special person in your life who has motherly energy – mum, aunty, single parent, queer parent, grandparent, caregiver... or maybe just someone who happens to love getting chocolate treats (and hey, maybe that someone is YOU!).
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio 🌟
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
