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.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
