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10 crafts to keep you entertained if you're quarantined for coronavirus

Break out the scissors and glue! It's time to start crafting

Credit: Lia Griffith / Harry Potter: Knitting Magic

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After a couple days of sitting on your couch, binge-watching Netflix, chances are you’re going to be really bored of self-quarantine. Personally, I like to keep my hands busy when I’m stuck at home, and what better way to do that than by crafting?

Not only will these 10 crafting projects keep you busy for hours, helping to pass the time as you’re stuck inside, but once you’re finished, you’ll also have functional and decorative items that you can use or give to friends. Win-win!

1. Complete your first knitting project

We are Knitters
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Now's the perfect time to take up knitting.

Knitting is a great way to keep your hands busy as you lounge around all day, and there are so many cool projects you can make. If you’re new to the craft, I’d recommend starting out with a simple project like a scarf—I almost always have a half-finished scarf laying around for when I get bored. They’re hard to mess up, and the finished project is extremely functional, to boot!

All you need to get started knitting is yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Then, just look up a tutorial that explains the basics of knitting, and start your creation. Our editor Courtney Campbell tried We Are Knitters and swears by the service, saying the kits were easy to follow and contained everything you need for each project.

Shop We Are Knitters knitting kits here

2. Then knit something more ambitious

How cute are these Harry Potter projects?!
Credit: Harry Potter: Knitting Magic

How cute are these Harry Potter projects?!

Once you’ve figured out your knit and purl stitches, you can move on to more advanced projects. There are hundreds of free patterns floating around the internet, or you can order a book of knitting projects, like this super cool Harry Potter-themed collection.

"Harry Potter: Knitting Magic" contains 25 magical projects like Hogwarts house scarves, a knitted version of Hedwig, and Mrs. Wesley’s Christmas Sweaters. If you have a Potterhead in your life, any one of these projects would make a perfect gift for them. Reviewers say the book itself is gorgeous, and the patterns are well-suited to experienced knitters.

Get "Harry Potter: Knitting Magic" from Amazon for $26.92

3. Make concrete planters

Concrete planters
Credit: Getty Images / Jusakas

You can make concrete planters like these in just a few steps.

If you’re looking to grow your collection of plants (no pun intended), why not make some cool DIY concrete planters to display them in? I’ve done this craft myself, and there’s lots of room to be creative, changing up the shape, size, and style of your pots.

All you need is a bag of concrete and a bunch of different sized plastic containers—ideally ones you’re not overly attached to. Coat the containers with cooking spray, then fill a larger form halfway with concrete. Press a smaller container into the wet concrete to create the inner form. (You’ll want to fill the inner container with sand or rocks to make sure it stays in place.) From there, it’s just a matter of waiting for the concrete to dry, then popping off the outer and inner containers.

4. Press some flowers and make art

Pressed flowers
Credit: Getty Images / Cecilia Bajic

Pressed flowers make for pretty artwork.

I spent a lot of time pressing flowers with my mom when I was growing up, so this craft makes me feel super nostalgic. To press flowers, simply arrange them between two sheets of paper towels, then place a bunch of heavy books on top of them. After a week, your flowers will be flat and dry, and you can glue them to a piece of cardstock to create custom rustic artwork.

Need flowers? We've tried a few flower-delivery services, and we recommend ordering from 1-800-Flowers. You'll get a few days of beautiful flowers, then you'll have a fun flower-pressing art project once they're on the way out.

Shop flowers at 1-800-Flowers

5. Create a boho wall hanging

This book contains all sorts of fun macramé projects.
Credit: Macramé at Home

This book contains all sorts of fun macramé projects.

Macramé wall hangings are all the rage right now, but if you want to buy one on Etsy, you’d better be ready to pay a pretty penny. Alternatively, you could use your newfound spare time to create your very own bohemian wall hanging using one of the patterns from "Macramé at Home."

There are 20 projects available in the book, many of which are tailored toward beginners. If you’re patient and pay attention to the details, you’ll be able to make your very own Etsy-worthy macramé. Each pattern comes with a list of materials needed, but at the very least, you'll want to pick up three-strand rope and a surface your macramé can hang from.

6. Start a bullet journal

Bullet Journal
Credit: Poluma / Zicoto

Bullet journaling is surprisingly fun!

At the beginning of the year, I decided I was going to start a bullet journal, and to be honest, I expected to get tired of it after a few weeks. However, I’m still going strong with my journal three months later, and I recommend the craft to anyone who likes to stay organized and also doodle.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, the Bullet Journal Method is a style of journaling that uses shorthand to keep track of to-do items, events, appointments, and so on. While the concept itself is pretty bare-bones, the artsy people of Pinterest have taken bullet journaling to another level, turning it into an art form. Today, people use bullet journals as planners and/or art journals, creating incredibly colorful, beautiful designs to help organize their daily lives. I definitely recommend picking up a dotted grid notebook, stickers, and a set of colorful pens (this set has more than 7,000 reviews on Amazon).

7. Teach yourself embroidery

Just be careful not to stab yourself with the needle.
Credit: Caydo

Just be careful not to stab yourself with the needle.

Apparently, “grand-millennial” is the new up-and-coming design trend, and if you’re all about grandma-chic vibes, embroidery is the perfect craft for you! There are all manner of fun, cute, and sassy embroidery patterns out there, and this starter kit includes everything you need to make three pretty plant-themed designs. It’s a great way to try out a new craft without having to buy all the materials separately.

If plants aren't your taste, or you try this kit and end up falling in love with cross-stiching, Amazon has a massive selection of embroidery kits you can choose from.

Get the Caydo Embroidery Starter Kit from Amazon for $16.99

8. Create a paint-by-number masterpiece

No one ever has to know you didn't paint it freehand.
Credit: iCoostor

No one ever has to know you didn't paint it freehand.

I’m going to guess that if you’re reading this list, you’re probably not an experienced painter, but even if you lack the most basic painting skills, you can still create a masterpiece thanks to paint-by-number. This childhood pastime has experienced a revival lately, and there are all sorts of intricate paint-by-number products tailored to adults now.

Whether you want to paint an Italian countryside or recreate Starry Night by Van Gogh, there’s a kit that will walk you through it. The best part is that these kits are incredibly affordable, and the intricate work will keep you busy for several days. Reviewers note that this kit requires a bit of commitment, but that's a pretty big plus side here—this project will take up time and leave you with a gorgeous painting, what's not to love?

Get the iCoostor Paint by Numbers DIY Acrylic Painting Kit from Amazon for $13.99

9. Make homemade skincare products

Homemade lotion is the perfect gift for someone's birthday!
Credit: Urban Kangaroo

Homemade lotion is the perfect gift for someone's birthday!

If you run out of hand lotion while you’re stuck at home, don’t stress! You can just make your own. Some recipes use as little as two ingredients—like this one for Whipped Coconut Oil Lotion—so see what you have hanging around in the pantry!

Alternatively, you could get yourself a lotion making kit like this one from Urban Kangaroo, which will guide you through the process of making amazing lemon-scented lotion at home. It comes with step-by-step instructions and amber jars you can use to store your creations. One Amazon reviewer writes: "I've become interested in soap making and thought lotion-making was a lateral move. I thought a DIY kit was the way to go since I had no idea what I was doing, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! The packaging is really cute which endeared me to the product already, but the scents were a m a z i n g!"

Get the Urban Kangaroo DIY Luxe Lemon Sugar Moisturizing Lotion Making Kit from Amazon for $19.95

10. Decorate your home with paper flowers

These paper flowers look just like the real deal.
Credit: Lia Griffith

These paper flowers look just like the real deal.

Finally, you can add a little brightness to your home with fun paper flowers! This is another craft that requires a lot of attention to detail, but if you take your time and follow the directions carefully, your paper flowers will be able to pass for the real thing!

This Paper Flower Kit from Lia Griffith comes in a variety of flower types, including roses, peonies, poppies, and more, and it has everything you need to get started. However, if you already have a closet full of crafting supplies (guilty), you can also find tutorials on Pinterest or just make flowers freestyle. One reviewer praised the video tutorial that came with this kit, adding that buyers should consider picking up a paper curling tool to take their creation to the next level.

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