☞ Question of the Week: How much time do you spend on crafts?

How much time do you have, or how much time do you set aside each day or week for crafts? How much time would you like to have?
Please also mention whether crafts are a hobby for you or if you earn money by making items or creating tutorials.
 

As you know, I create patterns, so I actually spend most of my day doing crafts. I spend the rest of my time at the computer working out my designs and patterns.
If it were up to me, the day would have to be 48 hours long so I could bring all my ideas to life. ;-)

Since I have to work during the day and also have household chores and family responsibilities, I usually only have the evenings to knit. Every now and then I also write up patterns; I jot them down as I go and then flesh them out properly at the end. If nothing else is on my plate, I start knitting around 8:30 p.m. and stop around midnight. My day is definitely way too short—with as many ideas as I have in my head, I’d really need a 48-hour day.

It depends on whether I have to work or am at home all day. Since I unfortunately only have a €450 mini-job at the moment, I have more time to crochet. So during the day, I crochet from about 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m., with breaks for meals; then around 6 p.m., I write the patterns on the computer, and at 8 p.m., I go back downstairs and continue crocheting. Because I have a lot planned for this year.

Unfortunately, there’s far too little time left for crocheting—I’d love to do it full-time. I try to use every free minute to crochet a few stitches here and there. For the patterns, I only have the weekends—and even then, not always.

I use the time in the evenings—that’s when my husband watches TV and I knit on the side.
If I wake up pretty early in the morning, I often even get up at 6:00 a.m. and knit for 1 1/2 hours. Some people might think I’m crazy because of that. But what am I supposed to do—just lie there—if I can’t sleep anymore? I’d rather make use of the quiet time when my mind is sharp and I can concentrate well.
I wish my day were twice as long. Knitting doesn’t make me tired at all. It’s just that the osteoarthritis in my thumb joint sometimes slows me down a bit. Then I have to take a break for a while.
It’s funny. I used to never finish my crafts. Suddenly, I’ve developed an interest in them. My mother knitted a great deal—every pattern imaginable. (And she sewed, too—she was a seamstress.) I’d love to see the mountain of yarn she’s already knitted up. At least I did inherit that from her after all.
Knitting is the best form of relaxation therapy and good for the brain. Because some of those patterns have nearly driven me crazy, and I’ve read and tried them over and over again until it finally “clicked.”

Hi everyone!

In the morning, I always tackle the housework first.
In the afternoon, when I have time, I make cards, gift packaging, and other things with paper.
In the evening, I settle comfortably onto the sofa and crochet.

I’m a homemaker, mother, wife, and part-time worker. And for just under two weeks now, I’ve also been a pattern designer. For me, crocheting is a hobby, a way to relax, an emotional outlet, and now also part of my job. Last year, too, I spent every free minute with yarn and a hook, but since I’m no longer working just for myself, I actually still manage to find a little extra time. :-) All in all, I’d guess that on a typical weekday, I spend about 6–10 hours working on my crafts.

For me, my hobby—handicrafts—has gradually turned into a career.
I’ve been designing my own pieces for about 5 years, and I’ve been writing patterns for them for almost as long.
About half a year ago, I took the next step and opened a small yarn shop.
I feel right at home surrounded by wonderful yarn and everything else you need for crafting. Plus, I really enjoy the direct contact with my lovely customers, and it’s wonderful to be there for them with advice and support.
I also teach knitting classes two evenings a week, and it’s fascinating to see how differently the participants sometimes put the ideas into practice—and it’s a great way to spot where there might be issues (e.g., in the patterns).

So all in all, I’m busy with crafts almost the entire day—probably about 12 hours a day.
In the evenings, while relaxing on the sofa, I’ll work on a few projects for myself or create a new pattern.

I’m lucky that my family is totally supportive and stands behind me all the way.

Interesting topic
I knit every free minute. My husband and my children, and even my grandchildren, have always known me with my knitting. Every now and then I knit for 48 hours straight; I'm a night owl too.
Yes, and when I want to knit, I sometimes even
leave the housework undone. Luckily, I have an understanding husband.