Are you heading to a sunny beach down south this year? Or climbing the Alps in those snazzy new hiking boots? One thing’s for sure: days off are craft days! And when you swap your sunny “backyard beach” for warm Mediterranean scenes during your vacation, it’s important to take a few things into account as a craft enthusiast. What exactly? You’ll find out in this blog! ;)
On a beach chair, lying on a towel, with a breeze ruffling your hair and a cocktail on the little table. What’s missing from this picture? Your new project on your lap! If you want your crafting to be just as relaxing as the rest of your vacation, keep the following Tips in mind:
Tips for a Great Trip...
Hauling
The title says it all. I take the yarn out of my suitcase and put it in my beach bag, then lug the yarn and needles to the buffet, the beach, and the pool. And when the day is over, the bag goes back to the room. That is, if you can manage it… with those sore shoulders and tired arms. Be honest: are you still having a relaxing vacation?
So choose your new project carefully! Because if you need a ring (for a wall hanging) or are working on something like Amigurumi, you’ll have to lug more than just some yarn and a needle or two to locations A, B, C, and D. So do yourself a favor and go for a “to-go” project this vacation—one that’s easy to pack, take with you, pick up, and put away again! :) Take the Joly Bag, for example: three balls of cotton yarn, two Crochet Hooks, and a clear pattern. What more could we ask for?!
No stress!
Besides lugging around all your craft supplies, choosing the project itself can also cause you quite a bit of stress. A challenge every now and then isn’t a bad thing, but vacation is a time for relaxation. Getting worked up because you haven’t quite mastered a stitch yet or can’t figure out a pattern doesn’t help you adopt that laid-back attitude you should be embracing on your vacation. So make that scarf for the hundredth time or use a stitch that’s been sitting in your stitch library for a while. As long as you’re enjoying yourself—because crafting is all about having fun. Nothing less than that! ;)
Think BIG
If you’re lucky enough to be able to squeeze in a few weeks off, you’ll have the time (provided you’re not going on a hike or a retreat to a faraway place) to make up a lot of lost ground on your craft project or, conversely, to start a somewhat larger project. Consider, for example, the beautiful summer special from Dream Blanket 4.0!
Just keep in mind that you’ll need quite a few balls in the trunk if you want to make significant progress on the new project. If you’re going camping (or glamping) this year and there’s still some room in the trunk, it’s definitely worth considering a big project!
New crafting skill
If you’re not in the mood for a big project or using the same stitches or crafting technique, there are always plenty of other crafting styles to choose from! Maybe you’d like to learn a new craft skill? A new technique (like switching from crocheting to knitting or vice versa) or a new stitch? Consider, for example, the Yarn and Colors Simple Scarf Knitting/Crochet Kit or the Yarn and Colors Clean Cloths Knitting/Crochet Kit. You have the time, so why not? But remember: no stress. Only happy thoughts! :)
Check out our tutorials and "Stitch of the Month" blogs to find your new stitch!
Hot, hot, and hot
If the weather is absolutely perfect and it’s that time of year when wearing a swimsuit isn’t just a luxury, then the choice of yarn for your project plays a very important role. After all, you don’t want to be strolling along the beach with a huge ball of wool or Acrylic under your arm. Not only is it less charming, but it’s also incredibly warm. So go for (shiny) Cotton and put those knitted socks aside for the winter!
For example, go for the Yarn and Colors Epic and Must-have (minis), the BudgetYarn Cotton DK, or one of the many other cotton yarns!
I'm going on vacation and I'm bringing...
Wandering through the authentic streets and alleys of that one picturesque village somewhere in a Southern European country. Isn’t that what we all want? But if you find yourself short on supplies while crafting under the blazing sun, it can be a challenge to find a little shop that can provide you with everything you need. That’s why we recommend always packing the following items:
- Nice carry-on bag; sturdy handle, not too heavy, and easy to fold up and pack in a suitcase.
- Extra yarn;
- Stitch Markers;
- Small pair of scissors;
- Row Counter;
- Ergonomic Crochet Hook.
And all that's left for us to say is: Have a wonderful (craft) vacation!