Crafternoon Delights! 6 Easy-Peasy, Beginner-Friendly DIY Kits
- Words by Emma Mulholland
If you happen to have a little time on your hands, we have just the thing to fill it with: six soul-nurturing projects that will have you stitching, knitting and knotting in no time at all. So, whether you’re new to the crafting game or a seasoned stitcher looking for something to do while you rip through Bridgerton, we have just the thing to keep those idle hands busy…
ABOVE: CRAFT CLUB CO’S STRAWBERRY DREAMING RUG MAKING KIT
1. NOT YOUR NANNA’S NEEDLEWORK
Take it from the bloke who designed comfy chairs for a living: embracing the good life takes work. And you’ll have plenty of time to mull over Charles Eames’ wise words when you set about stitching this needlepoint project from Unwind Studio. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, but if you know what you’re doing opt for a PDF of the charted design – it’s yours for only 17 bucks.
2. JOIN THE GANG
Knitting newbie? Step this way. Cardigang’s Ollie Placemat + Coasters Knit Kit will have you dropping stitches (and picking them back up) in no time. They’ll send video tutorials to help you along, plus a super-sweet “Made by Me” tag (to ensure your guests leave the dinner table knowing you’re a creative genius).
3. LEVEL UP
So, you’re the kind of beginner who doesn’t have time to mess around with making scrunchies and pincushions. If you’re planning to bite off more than you can chew, let Common Stitch hold your hand as you do it. The Fawn Dress sewing kit comes with everything you need to make a lovely linen frock, including fabric, a printed pattern and instructions (plus, there’s a “Sew With Me” YouTube video that will walk you through the process).
4. CUTTING CORNERS
Starry-eyed sailors of yore whiled away their days carving intricate “lovespoons” for their sweethearts back home. Of course, unless you happen to spend your days on the high seas, you probably don’t have time for all that wood-chopping and knife-sharpening. Luckily for you, BeaverCraft makes it easy to express your love with this nifty (and nice-looking!) kit that will have you whittling away in no time.
5. KNOT SO HARD
If tying a knot is the extent of your crafting abilities, you may want to consider a life at sea (see above). Or you could fashion yourself a retro shag rug with a super-sweet, easy-as-pie latch-hook kit from Craft Club. Once you’ve mastered the process, you’ll be able to turn your hand to matching totes and cushions.
6. SOMETHING BORROWED
Wattle&Loop’s Slow-Stitching Kits might take a little longer to complete but once you put down that embroidery needle, you’ll have a truly unique piece. That’s because owner Kylie fills the kits with precious fabrics from all over the world, scouring French flea markets and hitting up American collectors.
“I make a point of trying to use fabrics that may not be of much use to other sewers or crafters because of holes, stains, tears and worn-out embroidery,” she says. “I believe it is these ‘imperfections’ that add the magic, personality and story to each artwork.” She even encourages you to incorporate beloved fabrics of your own, like Grandma’s old lace hankies. Awww.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
