Chicago Craft Classes to Try When You're Looking for a New Hobby

If you’re determined to spend less time scrolling through your social media accounts and more time doing what you love, trying craft classes in Chicago is a great way to pick up new hobbies. Not only will you feel better about giving your phone a break, but you’ll also pick up new skills to enrich your life and boost your wellbeing.

Our creative workshops are for beginners as well as those who have plenty of DIY projects under their belt. Take a class with friends or family and spend time catching up while doing something fun together. If you’re looking for date night ideas in Chicago, you can’t go wrong with a class that’s an active alternative to grabbing drinks.

Not sure where to start? Check out these picks to bring out the crafty side of anyone.

Make a chunky knit blanket

Knitting is trending again, or maybe it never went away! If you thought you’d never be able to learn, think again. With the guidance of an expert, you can make a cozy blanket out of chunky yarn using arm knitting techniques.

It’s a lot easier than learning how to knit with needles and you’d be surprised how quickly this project comes together. If you can pass yarn through loops on your arms, you can knit this blanket. This is also an ideal class to take with a friend or with colleagues as a team building activity. Knitting is a relaxing hobby and great for small groups. You can socialize as you sit and knit, making it a bonding activity for everyone in the class.

Before you know it, you’ll have a completed blanket that will add texture to your sofa or favorite chair. Best of all, you can settle under your handmade throw for movie nights at home. 

Learn rug tufting

It’s one of the more trendy crafts at the moment but it’s a hobby anyone can learn. Take our tufting workshop and make a colorful rug or wall hanging to decorate your space. Get excited about wielding a tufting gun to create your own design. With your teacher’s guidance and your own steady hands, you’ll be able to make a rug by the end of class.

You don’t need any special skills and all of the supplies will be ready for you in the studio. Once you’ve punched your yarn on your canvas backing, you will trim your project to give it a beautiful finish. No one will blame you for taking pictures of your finished product to show off on Instagram, but you’ll appreciate putting it aside for a few hours!

Get hands-on with a ceramics class

Pottery might be one of those crafts that seems intimidating to learn but you’d be surprised how easy it is to learn the basic techniques. Your teacher is an experienced potter who will demonstrate hand building or wheel throwing, depending on what you want to learn. Then you’ll get plenty of guidance as you try it for yourself. 

Don’t feel intimidated because you’ll be in class with other beginners. Go at your own pace and just enjoy the process. With a ceramics class, you can start making mugs and planters while perfecting your skills with each item you make. Imagine all the beautiful pottery you can make to give as gifts or to fill your home with your own creations.

Tie one on with a macrame class

This retro craft has seen a modern resurgence and it’s easy to see why. Macrame is easy to learn and anyone can make easy DIY crafts once you get the hang of it. With just rope and different types of knots, It doesn’t take long to make a plant holder. If you find yourself loving this new hobby, you can create impressive wall decor with just a bit of practice.

Doing a craft project like macrame will help you slow down and put your focus on a hands-on activity. Even if you find yourself missing your phone initially, once you commit you’ll love swapping out screen time for creative time.

Work on a handmade leather project

Do you look for belts or bags at shops and wish you could just design your own? If that’s you a leatherworking class could be your next hobby. An expert teacher will show you how to make handcrafted leather goods to enhance your wardrobe and level up your craft skills.

You’ll work in a studio with all of the tools and leather you need to make a clutch or a belt to your specifications. Try this class with your partner if you are looking for couples activities in Chicago. You just might learn something new about each other.

When you are done with class, not only will you have a customized leather good to wear proudly, you’ll have the knowledge to keep going and make more advanced projects. Have fun, meet new people, and come away with a sense of accomplishment! 

Eager to know more? Here are more Chicago craft classes you need to try!