Cozy season is rapidly approaching, and I’m sure I’m one of many looking forward to autumn evenings spent curled on a couch with a good read. Lately, I’ve been almost entirely consuming my books in audio form (thank you, Libby), and this frees up my hands and my eyes for another one of my favorite cozy activities: cross stitching.
I’ve been cross stitching for years, and have an almost complete DMC floss collection and a pile of finished projects to prove it. This is my go-to grandma hobby, the affectionate nickname for any craft that calls to mind kind older women. Knitting, crocheting, quilting, the list goes on. Needle work has been mine ever since I figured out I could take video game sprites and turn them into art. It’s been something I’ve done while multitasking, usually watching a show while my hands keep busy.
The two together are a wonderful way to spend a cozy evening. I love to continue both my current read and current project in tandem, the two pairing together like a nice and wine and cheese (or so I’m told, I’m allergic to wine and don’t like cheese). I think that anyone who likes one should try out the other, and I guarantee that you’ll enjoy the combo, too.
If you’re one who likes to crochet or knit and you personally struggle with audio books, try pairing the two. My ADHD can make it hard to focus on audio stimulus sometimes, and having my hands move makes this easier to manage. I always like to have my hands busy, making it less likely for my mind to wander. Try picking audio books that you are familiar with to start, and work your way up to some new novels. It may seem a little silly to think about training your mind to listen, but anything new requires effort and change. Go easy on your brain!
The opposite is true as well. If you’re an audio book master, listening during every free moment like commutes or chores, but want to also enjoy the format while relaxing, try picking up a cozy craft! While I do love listening to audio books while I do the dishes, I also want them to accompany me while I do something enjoyable. I owe a lot of my crafting progress to my enjoyment of audio books, since it frees enough of my mind to paint, stitch, and doodle. And while I often need to pause the book to count or look at a pattern, the disruptions are minor and are quickly remedied. When I have a bit more time, space, and money for supplies, I really want to get into crochet. You bet that once I get the basics down, I’ll be listening to my books while I work on granny squares and other projects.
There are many out there who combine their love of crafts and books to make some amazing pieces of art work. Cross stitch characters or scenes, crochet dragons, recreations of works of art, there is no end to the creativity of those inspired by the works of art that they love. Cosplays are another form of art that needs to be praised, and while I don’t know if I’d consider cosplay a grandma craft, it still deserves a mention.
I think that the pairing is perfect for this time of year especially. I love cool evenings where I can settle in with hot chocolate and just enjoy my evening. One of my throw blankets will never be free from spare scraps of thread. This fall, I hope we all have the chance to multitask and enjoy both creating and engaging in literature.
Before I sign off, I want to share some cool book related projects I’ve seen recently that may inspire new pieces of creation! Check out these posts, and give the creators some love!
Thank you for joining me on this cozy journey. If you want to see some of my own pieces of work, check out this week’s accompanying post on my Instagram. Fall is officially here, and for the next few months, you’ll likely find me with my headphones in and my hands stitching away.
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