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Winter in the northern Midwest is not gentle. It’s cold, snowy, dark, and very committed to making you stay indoors. We just had our first big snowfall of the year. It was over a foot... and once that happens, I know it’s officially time to hunker down. In THIS VIDEO, I took full advantage of a winter storm!
Honestly? I don’t hate everything about it.
Winter is my favorite season for crochet creativity. It’s the time of year when staying home feels justified, when warmth and comfort become priorities, and when making things with my hands feels extra meaningful. WATCH THIS VIDEO about how crochet has helped me deal with seasonal depression.
Letting the Seasons Guide Your Making
I’ve learned over the years that going with the flow of the seasons makes my crafting feel more natural and enjoyable. In the summer, I don’t want a heavy wool blanket on my lap while I’m crocheting. But in January? Absolutely.
Cold weather inspires:
Thicker yarns
Warmer fibers
Texture, cables, and cozy stitches
Fuzzy, velvet, or wooly yarns (read THIS BLOG POST if you struggle with velvet yarns!)
Winter is the season where I lean fully into comfort.
Wearing Handmade Without Feeling “Weird”
One of my favorite things about winter is that nobody questions your handmade wardrobe choices. Big sweaters, shawls, cowls, hats: people don’t think you’re eccentric, they just think you’re cold.
If you’ve ever felt shy about wearing your crocheted or knitted garments, winter is the time to do it. It’s the perfect excuse to wrap yourself in something handmade. Read THIS BLOG POST if you need hep figuring out why you don't wear your crochet. If you still need help, WATCH THIS VIDEO, even though it's older and my editing needs some improvement!
Current Projects & Seasonal Shifts
Right now, I’m working on a beautiful gradient cotton shawl in turquoise and orange...very much my colors. But with the extreme cold settling in, I may set it aside temporarily to focus on smaller, warmer projects.
Winter naturally pulls me toward:
Anything that makes me feel warm and cozy becomes a favorite project this time of year.
Favorite Winter Drinks & Flavors
One thing that carries over beautifully from fall into winter is my love of hot chai. I prefer the concentrated cartons mixed with oat milk. It's not overly sweet, just warm and comforting.
Another winter classic I used to love is eggnog. If you’re into it, you know! It’s basically melted cinnamon vanilla ice cream. Sadly, dairy and I no longer get along, so that one’s off the table for me.
The winter flavor I still absolutely love? Cranberry.
Cranberry ginger ale, cranberry treats, cranberry anything... I love the tartness and the way it shows up everywhere this time of year. It’s one of those seasonal flavors I fully embrace while it’s available.
Check our all of my Fall Favorites IN THIS POST.
Handmade Holidays & Nostalgia
Some of my deepest winter inspiration comes from nostalgia. I made a video last year decorating my Christmas tree, filled with ornaments my grandma made or ones I found that reminded me of her work. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!
She was incredibly talented and poured so much love into making things for others. Handmade holidays were her specialty, and those memories still shape how I experience winter and creativity today.
She would be over 100 years old now if she were still alive, and I’ve shared a couple of videos about her over the years because she truly made life, and holidays, special. Read about her HERE or watch THIS VIDEO.
Why Winter Is My Creative Season
As the days get shorter and the nights get darker, I don’t want to spend all my time just watching TV. Winter gives me permission to slow down, stay inside, and create.
Crochet keeps my hands busy, my mind calm, and my heart warm - even when the weather outside is anything but.
If winter is your creative season too, you’re not alone. And if it isn’t yet, maybe this is the year you let yourself embrace it.
Thanks so much for talking yarn with me!
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| Watch the video here! |