The best winter crafts to keep you busy on the go

With the holidays approaching, many of us are preparing for long journeys home or away, with plenty of spare time on or between trips. Whether you’re taking a train ride, or if you’re simply out and about with some time to kill, this extra time can be the perfect opportunity to do something productive. You could work on an essay or catch up with some reading you’ve been putting off. However, if you’re as burnt out as I am, you might prefer something more recreational. Simple craft projects are perfect for this. So, here are a few crafting essentials guaranteed to keep you occupied on the go.

While knitting can take some time to get used to, it doesn’t require too much concentration, and you can easily multitask while you knit

Knitting is one of my favourite seasonal hobbies. It’s easy for beginners to get into, and once you get the hang of it, it can be a mindless pastime that’s effortless to do on the go. Not only is it a relaxing craft, but you can create something both cute and functional. My latest knitting project is a scarf for a friend, and I make a surprising amount of progress on long trips. While knitting can take some time to get used to, it doesn’t require too much concentration, and you can easily multitask while you knit. It’s the perfect chance to watch a show or listen to an audiobook. But if working on a long knitting project is too mundane, small crochet projects are trending, and they’re always a good alternative. Crochet is usually far more versatile than knitting, and you can easily finish crocheting a small stuffed animal, a scrunchie, or a coin purse in one trip.

If, however, carrying several skeins of wool around is too much extra weight, something like cross-stitch or embroidery can be a fun pastime that won’t take up much space in your bag. Cross-stitch and embroidery sets often come with a wooden hoop that can hold your fabric in place while you work, which makes them super manageable when you’re travelling. Apart from the hoop and fabric, all you’ll need are a few coloured threads and some needles to get started. You can find some patterns in craft stores for usually £1.50, or you can look online for some inspiration. They’re among some of the easiest crafts out there, and they’ll end up looking beautiful no matter how advanced you are.

What makes watercolour one of the best media for on-the-go painting is that it’s practically weightless, mess-free, and affordable

If you prefer creating art on paper, though, small watercolour tins are definitely ideal for trips. There are plenty of compact sets in stores that come with a variety of paint colours, a paintbrush, and a palette to mix the colours. All you’ll need is a small cup of water and a sketchbook with some watercolour paper and you’re all set!  It can easily be layered, and you can return to it to change and correct it, should you wish to. What makes watercolour one of the best media for on-the-go painting is that it’s practically weightless, mess-free, and affordable. And when you’re out and about, there’s plenty to take inspiration from.

If you’re travelling, perhaps visiting a new country, a great craft project to keep you busy and create something memorable can be scrapbooking. You can collect Polaroid photographs, maps, leaflets from hotels, and postcards, and use them to make a collage that you can look back on. You can use a regular scrapbook for this or a travel journal that has space to glue pictures and write down memories.

By keeping your crafting essentials simple and compact, you can easily turn long journeys into opportunities to create something wonderful

If you don’t want to carry around anything non-essential, though, digital art can be a great and versatile option. An iPad with a stylus is one of the best on-the-go tools for digital art. Some great paid apps to use with it are Clip Studio Paint and Procreate. But if, like me, you’re not willing to spend money, one of my favourite free apps is Adobe Fresco. If you don’t have an iPad or tablet, I would recommend graphic drawing tablets that you can connect to a laptop—you can find inexpensive ones online that still work very smoothly. Otherwise, with enough patience and some getting used to it, digital art is even possible on a mobile phone. With a stylus and an app like ibisPaint, you can create some fantastic art.

Crafting on the go is a fantastic way to make the most of your time during winter travels. Whether you’re knitting, crocheting, painting, or creating digital art, these portable projects are perfect for staying productive and creative on your travels. By keeping your crafting essentials simple and compact, you can easily turn long journeys into opportunities to create something wonderful.