intro post/ low spoons craft recommendations?

[matsushima]

Hi, everykindofcraft! I'm excited about this community because I am a "every kind of craft"-er! I love trying new crafts. Right now, I am teaching myself how to cross-stitch:My go-to, however, is always crochet:As much as I love crochet, it's hard on my hands - I have chronic pain and already require regular nerve block injections in my dominant hand to keep it functional. I tried cross stitch because I thought it might be easier on my thumbs/wrists.

What are your favorite low spoons crafts?

Comments

[nuh_s]

The cross stitch looks neat! If you get into that, you might also enjoy beading/bead embroidery.

I've started to develop some hand/wrist problems in the past couple years though thankfully it hasn't yet kept me from crafting with them. For me, low energy art tends to be drawing, especially with markers. But that's more because it's the most familiar, practiced one rather than greater physical ease. Though I will say that markers are nice in that they don't require a hard grip or pressure to use.

[matsushima]

That's good to know about markers! Writing by hand is difficult for me but markers do have a smoother feel, so it might be easier to doodle with - and maybe even write with, too!

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

Low-spoon crafts include:

* collage
* scrapbooking
* stamping
* no-sew (e.g. knot-edged fleece blankets)

You might also explore crafts that use completely different motions, especially larger arm motions, such as:

* macramé (especially with thick rope and large embellishments)
* wet-felting
* paint pouring
* abstract painting (e.g use masking tape to mark sections and paint them different colors)
* stenciling

Re: Thoughts

[matsushima]

I had done some paint pouring but maybe I should get back into it- like you said, larger motions, less fiddly on my thumbs and wrists and not much grip strength required!

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

There are tons of videos about paint pouring on YouTube that are fun to watch, with dozens of different techniques. I like how you can use a hair dryer to A) chase paint across the canvas and B) cause cells of different colors to bloom.

In addition to plain paintings I have seen:
* series of 2-4 canvases used as a set
* magnets, coasters, and other small decor
* earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry
* cheese boards
* a lazy Susan that we bought.

[lilacsigil]

I also have hand problems and cross-stitch is great, but on larger things I have a standing frame to hold the fabric so I don't hurt myself. The only thing I have to watch out for is that the pinching action of holding a needle can set things off after a bit, but it's definitely not as dangerous as crochet!

[matsushima]

Thanks! I love rainbow crochet because it looks nice but doesn't require much visual imagination or colory theory (both of which I lack). The blanket behind Paloma (the doll) is based on a picture book I'm querying!

[florianschild]

I love your crochet, especially the color choices. I have the same issue with it being too hard on my hands though.

I second the markers suggestion as a low spoon craft! Alcohol markers are super satisfying to use and the result is really beautiful. There's so many advanced skills you can develop with alcohol markers but even as a total beginner they're fun and easy.

[uncaged_butterflies]

Looks like the "learning" part of your cross-stich journey is going well, this looks super neat! Love the crochet too ♥

As I don't have physical problems, "low-spoon" for me is "low mental effort", which doesn't seem to be what you're looking for, but just in case it helps brainstorming: for me personally it takes less energy (and interestingly, less focus too) to follow a pattern than to improvise something, but I don't doubt for one second that it's the opposite for some persons. Maybe finding a craft, or a specific way of crafting, that allows you to be more mentally at ease would help being less physically tense and thus help limit the pain?

(My own low-spoon craft is crochet, with a pattern, bonus if it's a no-sew pattern because the sewing part is always more difficult for me. It doesn't force me into a specific position, unlike my other favorite, friendship bracelet, that needs to be anchored somewhere.)

[matsushima]

Oh, you should see the back, tho - it's a huge tangled mess! (I've embroidered before and that was always messy, too.)

I'm actually one of those people for whom following a pattern is harder. It's much easier for me to wing it and make things up as I go - but I mostly crochet blankets, not anything 3D, so it's not as complicated.

[uncaged_butterflies]

We Don't Talk about the back of projects that have a clearly defined front x'D

[the_broken_tower]

Oh wow. What did you use for the doll-size crochet square?

I've gotten into kumihimi (Japanese braiding) and it's mostly shifting a circle around, moving threads from one slot to another, and untangling the ends. I wonder if that'd work okay for your hand.

- Finn Amara (he/him)

[matsushima]

The doll-sized square was worked up with some scrap yarn (probably Red Heart Super Saver because that's what I have the most of) and a 4mm hook. It's not what I'd use to make a doll-sized sweater but it worked best for the photo! The mini crochet hook Paloma is holding was part of a keychain set I found.

I think my mum has a kumihimo kit at home and I'm visiting family this summer, so I'll ask if I can try it!

[scintilla10]

Oooh, I really love your colourful crochet projects! And your cross-stitch looks so fun. :)

I like stamps, markers, and playing with washi tape to be fun low spoons crafts for me!