Who’s taken up a new hobby in Covid times

I discovered cross stitch during lockdown and really enjoy it. I've finished two large pieces which have just been framed.

I became a gardener. My late husband said I had a black thumb. I moved here in August 2019. Gardens where over grown. But decided there where only a couple of shrubs I liked. So stripped both back and front gardens. Took months but when I was in the garden hours flew by. My husband would have cried if he saw how I used his chisels. Because of lack of strength in my limbs had to devise a way to do things. Getting through tough roots especially very old rose bushes was a chisel and hammer job. Took me 3 days each to get the 3 bushes out. Even painted the fence that took 4 days. Never painted a fence before.

Raised all the soil levels replanted. Had all the paving redone so it was flat both front and back. Also soak ways put in as the gardens flooded with heavy rain. Not anymore.

Even brought a green house. Grew tomatoes, sweet potatoes,french and runner beans and courgettes. Know what mistakes I made so next year will get a better harvest.

Did lots of cross stitch taking on bigger projects and reading more.

I have taken to doing jigsaws. My sister and i do them on a Saturday moning when she comes for breakfast and a catch up. We sit at the table chatting and try to complete. Then during the week if i have nothing better to do i will pass and hour or so doing a bit more. Apparently jigsaws are supposed to be good for your brain, not sure how as they can be.... quite frustrating!!!

I gardened like a mad thing during the first lockdown then took up knitting - after forty years, during the second.

I'm amazed how addicted I've become.

merlotgran i agree knitting is so addictive but relaxing too. I never just sit in the evenings without doing mine. Sometimes i have several projects on the go. I dont claim to be brilliant but i can manage to knit basic garments and i find it intriguing trying to work out new patterns as sometimes the instructions defeat me. Luckily i belong to a knitting group and usually someone there knows the answer if i get really stuck.

I've started art classes. I have absolutely no talent but as I have no expectations either I'm really enjoying myself. I'm on a table of four with three other complete beginners and we are all supportive and friendly. It's very relaxing too.

I picked up learning Polish. I don't need it as I would have done back when I first started some 10 years ago, but they say it keeps your brain agile. With 7 cases and 4 or 5 varieties of gender it's quite a challenge. Plus which, all the words being of Slavic origin, they have no relationship at all to any of the Latin or German based languages. And don't get me started on the pronunciation!

I'm doing it with Duolingo which really isn't a very good system, but, as I say, I don't need it really.

Crochet. It’s fifty years since I last crocheted a shawl but I fancied trying again. I cannot get on with starting with a chain, I’m just not precise enough and continually lose count however I discovered lots of things I can do. All of my granddaughters now have crocheted cushions and the little ones have blankets. The granny square and anything starting in the corner is my friend, I’ve made several large blankets and a couple of cowl/shawl type thingies, even a bag in which to keep my work in progress.

Up cycling some furniture with chalk paint during lockdown was quite a soothing occupation. I’m not much good with needles of any description - too ham fisted. As lockdown became easier I discovered Pétanque and joined a local club. Really into it- outside with new friends, wonderful views and fresh air but infuriatingly I recently knackered a knee whilst pulling up some hefty roots in the garden and can’t play for a while - the crutches impede progress ?

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I've re-doubled my crochet output! For something new I've been learning Gaelic. My background is Scots rather than Gaelic but I just fancied trying.

Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig. Tha e gu math inntinneach ach tha e glè dhoirbh/I am learning Gaelic. It is very interesting but it is very difficult.

Whiff I am so impressed with what you've achieved!! I hope you enjoy your new garden very much. You must be so proud of it.

I'm doing a similar thing in my garden and know how much hard work it is.

You might not need it now, but a brilliant tool for getting out shrub roots is a mini mattock. They're small, easy to use and I wouldn't be without mine.