As the seasons shift and the pace of daily chores on the homestead begins to slow, I’ve found myself with a little extra breathing room—and I’ve decided to use it wisely. Winter is a natural time for reflection, creativity, and learning new skills, and this year I’m leaning into that rhythm by exploring a couple of new (and very fitting) hobbies: crochet and beeswax candle making.

Finding Joy in Slower Seasons on the Homestead

Life on a working homestead is often dictated by planting schedules, animal care, harvest windows, and weather patterns. When things finally slow down, it can feel strange—but it’s also a gift. These quieter moments allow space for creativity, skill-building, and personal growth that often gets pushed aside during busier months.

Instead of filling that time with more to-do lists, I’m choosing hobbies that feel cozy, productive, and aligned with the homestead lifestyle.

Learning to Crochet (and Sticking With It!)

First up: crochet. I’m still very much in the practice phase, but I’m proud to say—I’m sticking with it. Anyone who has tried learning to crochet knows it takes patience, repetition, and a willingness to unravel your work (sometimes literally).

Yesterday, I took a small but exciting step and headed to the craft store, where I picked out a bundle of multicolored yarn that instantly sparked inspiration. There’s something incredibly motivating about beautiful materials, and this yarn is begging to become a fun, cozy scarf. Scarves feel like the perfect beginner-friendly project—practical, forgiving, and deeply satisfying once complete.

Crochet has already become a calming evening ritual, especially on cold nights when the fire is going and the animals are settled for the night.

Turning Honey Harvests Into Beeswax Candles

The second hobby I’m diving into feels like a natural extension of life with honey bees: making beeswax candles. With multiple beehives on the homestead, it would be a shame not to put every part of the harvest to good use—including the beautiful, golden wax left behind after extracting honey.

Beeswax is a remarkable material. It burns cleanly, smells faintly of honey, and creates warm, natural light. In the coming days, I’ll be trying my hand at melting, filtering, and pouring beeswax into candles for the first time. I fully expect a learning curve (and possibly a mess or two), but that’s part of the fun.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming raw materials from the homestead into usable, handmade goods—and who knows, this may eventually grow into another small offering alongside honey and eggs.

Embracing Creativity as Part of Homestead Life

Homesteading isn’t just about food production and animal care—it’s about building a life rooted in purpose, creativity, and sustainability. Hobbies like crochet and candle making may seem small, but they add richness to the everyday rhythm of homestead life and help carry that sense of intention through the quieter seasons.

As I experiment, learn, and (hopefully) succeed, I’ll be sharing the process—wins, mistakes, and all. For now, I’ll gladly accept any well wishes… and maybe a little luck too.