Well friends, we’re well into the second wave here in BC. Since we’ve already mastered baking sourdough, gardening, and crying in the shower, we thought we’d look into some new ways to keep ourselves busy this winter. Not only do crafts, but keep our hands and minds occupied! Plus, crafts always make for great holiday gifts…. OH and they pair REALLY well with Craft Beer….
The first step to any new project is to pick up supplies and load up a tutorial on your favourite streaming service. While you’re out gathering what you need, don’t forget to stop at your local BC or Private store for a Craft Cooler 12-pack. Obviously, the best pairing for your newest hobby is our Craft Cooler – see what we did there?
Our 3 favourite crafts for this winter are Macrame, Cross Stitch, and the always classic knitting. So, grab your supplies, get that craft beer in the fridge and have a look at our best tips and tricks for crafting with craft (beer).
ALWAYS MACRAME WITH A KNOTTY BLONDE IN HAND…
What is macrame, other than tying fancy knots? So really, it’s a no brainer that you should have our crisp, clean, Knotty Blonde Ale on hand while tying up your newest plant hanger. Or maybe try your hand at a beer holder or custom coaster! Get a little crazy with it!
WHEN MEASURING YOUR CORD, ALWAYS CUT 4-TIMES THE LENGTH OF THE FINISHED PROJECT…
This should be easy to remember. After all, there are 4 beers in the Craft Cooler. Coincidence? We think knot!
GIVE YOURSELF LOTS OF SPACE – AND DON’T FORGET THE COASTER!
You’ll be starting off with long cords, so make sure you have plenty of space at your workstation. You’ll need a comfy seat, and your most important tools close at hand. That coaster you tied up last week will come in handy as well, so you’ll always know where you put your beer down and to help avoid spills.
CROSS STITCH ISN’T JUST FOR YOUR GRANDMA ANYMORE!
Another classic craft making a huge comeback is cross stitch, and we’re loving the contemporary patterns that are popping up everywhere. There really is something for everyone out there, from classic florals to the best of the nerdy fandoms, heartfelt inspirational sayings to some that are a bit more, uh…sassy.
WHEN CHOOSING YOUR PATTERN, CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE BEER…
There’s really no wrong choice when picking your favourite beer from the Craft Cooler. But for a true Craft experience, we recommend matching your cross stitch to your beer. With all the gloomy rain lately, we’ve been feeling our West Coast IPA. What better way to stay warm and cozy than to spend a day stitching up the badge from the can! Want the pattern? Keep an eye out for the release of the full series of badges. They’re being charted up as we speak and will be released soon!
Colour harmony is key
We highly recommend matching your project to your colour palette. But what to do if you run out of smooth and tropical Moon Dance Mango Wheat halfway through? Here’s our super-secret, OYB pro tip: If your design has all the colours, you can choose any beer you’re in the mood for!
Lockdown getting lonely? Knit yourself a friend!
Knitting isn’t just about bulky, itchy sweaters anymore. If you’re anything like us, you might need a new face at home to talk to, so why not knit yourself one? Now, if we could just find a Sasquatch pattern, we’d be set….
No matter what you try this winter, make sure you share your projects with us! Tag us @oldyalebrewing on Instagram or Facebook and show us how you craft with craft.