Tips & Inspiration

A calm way to shop in the Black Friday rush: how to match a craft kit to the person, pick the right size and difficulty, and choose between cross stitch, color by numbers and a photo mosaic.

Filling an advent calendar for a grown-up? A full craft kit will not fit in a pocket — but a mini cross stitch bundle splits neatly across four doors, and one proper kit makes a brilliant door 24. Here is how to build it honestly.

Halloween crafting for grown-ups: a black cat cross stitch, moody color-by-numbers sets and a photo mosaic. Atmospheric rather than childish, with a table to help you choose.

The week between Christmas and New Year has no agenda and no rules. Here is how to spend it well: slow, screen-free things to make at the table, and how to pick between cross stitch, color by numbers and a photo mosaic.

An Easter gift for grown-ups that is not chocolate: cross stitch, color by numbers or a photo mosaic. Which craft suits whom, what the real spring designs are, and what it costs.

Color by numbers in autumn: a screen-free hobby for darker evenings. Autumnal themes, which size and color level to choose, and how to color your own photo.