Hobbies

life hacks Dec. 29, 2023

You’re Never Alone With an AudiobookTrust me: This year, I spent more than 2,000 hours listening to them to drown out the silence.

By Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz

new year’s resolutions Dec. 29, 2023

I’m Done Resolving to Be More ProductiveThis year, I’m leaning into hobbies I’m actively bad at.

By Katja Vujić

gifts they might actually want Oct. 27, 2023

The Best Gifts for Knitters, According to KnittersWhether they’re beginners or serious crafters.

By Katherine Gillespie

¡hola papi! July 14, 2023

‘What if My Partner Judges Me for Writing Smut?’He doesn’t have to read it or get super into the genre, but he does have to respect it, and respect you.

By J.P. Brammer

gifts they might actually want Oct. 14, 2022

The Best Sewing Gifts, According to People Who Love to SewEverything a sewing enthusiast would actually need (and use).

By Rachael Griffiths

group text July 22, 2022

I Make Ceramics to Keep My Hands BusyNo one wants to get clay all over their phone, you know?

By Joanna Nikas

pleasure July 22, 2022

I Need to Be a Wine PersonPleasure, give me pleasure.

By Bindu Bansinath

fitness July 22, 2022

Pole Dancing Helped Me Regain Control of My LifeIt started with a Groupon — now it’s a lifestyle.

By Christina Sullivan As told to Colleen McKeegan

sleep July 21, 2022

Dream-Journaling to Have Hard ConversationsConfronting my subconscious has taught me how to get real with my present.

By Emma Firth

diy July 21, 2022

I’m Not ‘Good’ at Crocheting, and That’s FineIt’s about the journey, not the blanket.

By Olivia Luppino

road trip July 20, 2022

Life Is a Highway (Finally)Learning how to get behind the wheel in my 30s kept me young.

By Ginny Hogan

sports! July 19, 2022

I Rock Climb to Prove I Can Do Hard ThingsI feel apocalypse-ready — and not a moment too soon.

By Andrea Bartz

hobbies July 19, 2022

I Became a Birder to Shut My Brain UpWho has time to spiral when you’re staring at a common yellowthroat?

By Jennifer G. Sullivan

water July 18, 2022

My Summer Crush Is the OceanConsider me a cross between a fangirl and a marine biologist.

By Michelle Santiago Cortés

gifts they might actually want Sept. 29, 2021

The Best Gifts for Artists, According to ArtistsWe’ve reached out to several artists – from sculptors, painters, illustrators, and even a curator – to help you choose the perfect gift.

By Natalya Lobanova

this thing’s incredible Apr. 26, 2021

I’ve Hiked Thousands of Miles with Dozens of Packs, and This Is My Go-ToPopular among seasoned backpackers, the brand remains off the radars of commercial retailers, but I saw it a lot while hiking the Appalachian Trail.

By Maggie Slepian

recommended by experts Mar. 11, 2021

The Best Art Easels for Kids, According to Art Educators and ParentsFrom a $20 (art-teacher-approved) easel to a model more appropriate for teens who are getting serious about their work.

By Lauren Ro

piano Mar. 5, 2021

Purchasing a Piano: A First-Time Buyers GuideFrom a brand-new Steinway to a found-on-Craigslist Baldwin Grand.

By Karen Iorio Adelson

everything guide Mar. 5, 2021

The Everything Guide to Picking Up the Piano As an AdultSpecific advice for everyone — whether you simply want to tackle the classics, or you’d rather create Marie’s Crisis in your living room.

By Jacqueline Detwiler-George

this thing’s incredible Mar. 1, 2021

I’ve Made 1,200 Face Masks (and Quilts and Slippers) With This Sewing Machine“It sits right at my dining table, like a sixth member of my family.”

By Jessie Randall

compulsive shopping Dec. 14, 2020

I Can’t Stop Buying (and Building) Escapist Lego SetsSince I can’t really go out and see the world right now, building a shrunken Statue of Liberty and replicas of city skylines is the next best thing.

By Mxmtoon

hobbies Dec. 14, 2020

These Designers Have an (Emoji-Inspired) Basketmaking ClubLast week, they each wove something based off the peach.

By Diana Budds

gifts they’ll want in a pandemic Dec. 4, 2020

This Weaving Loom Saved Me When All My (Pre-Pandemic) Hobbies DisappearedWhen I couldn’t make ceramics or play in my community orchestra, I turned to the Schacht Lilli Loom.

By Nikita Richardson

gifts they’ll want in a pandemic Dec. 1, 2020

Making Friendship Bracelets Kept Me Occupied (and Productive) During LockdownIt’s a surprisingly fun, screen-free hobby.

By Karen Iorio Adelson

trust me i should know Nov. 20, 2020

I’ve Taught Many a Friend to Knit Using These (Very Giftable) KitsYou can buy them to make gifts for someone else, or as gifts for a knitter in your life.

By Kerri Kenney-Silver

recommended by experts July 22, 2020

Everything You Need to Get Into Macramé, According to Artists“If you can tie it into a knot, you can tie it into your macramé piece.”

By Kayla Levy

trust me i should know May 8, 2020

I Turned My Tie-Dye Hobby Into a Side Hustle. Here’s What I Use to Dye at Home.From the rubber bands, to the squeeze bottles, to the dyes, to the best blank sweatshirts, socks, and baby onesies to tie-dye.

By Michelle Rizzi

recommendations Apr. 30, 2020

Have You Tried Yodeling Through an Open Window?And other bizarrely soothing stay-at-home activities suggested by the Swiss government.

By Hannah Gold

personal project Apr. 24, 2020

A Good Quarantine Playlist Will Last You ForeverNew York DJ Venus X offers a step-by-step guide for creating the soundtrack to your life right now.

By Emilia Petrarca

hippocrates don’t lie Apr. 23, 2020

Shakira Studies Philosophy in Quarantine As You Feebly Feed Sourdough StarterThat’s one “hobby.”

By Rebecca Alter

personal project Apr. 18, 2020

Knitting to Keep My Hands BusyIt’s a good project, and it keeps me from constantly checking the news on my phone.

By Madeleine Aggeler

personal project Apr. 17, 2020

I Want to Grow EverythingHow I came to care for a sourdough starter, a kombucha scoby, and too many pothos clippings to count.

By Amanda Arnold

personal project Apr. 17, 2020

The Way I Used to Read RecipesReturning to childhood cookbooks in isolation.

By Kerensa Cadenas

personal project Apr. 17, 2020

My Only Hobby Is Being PettyI know it’s not good, but it feels like the only thing I have left.

By Emily Gould

personal project Apr. 17, 2020

I Spend My Nights Sewing to Help Keep My Friends SafeI felt frustrated and helpless until I started making masks for people I know.

By Bridget Read

personal project Apr. 16, 2020

My Kids Think I’m the Best Artist EverHaving kids gave me the pretense I needed.

By Meaghan O'Connell

personal project Apr. 16, 2020

I Just Want to Be Able to Do One Pull-UpRevisiting a goal that has eluded me my entire life.

By Amanda Arnold

personal project Apr. 15, 2020

All the Ways I Failed at Self-ImprovementHow could anyone possibly get through weeks of terrorized confinement without coming out the other side a worse version of their former self?

By Molly Young

personal project Apr. 15, 2020

How to Bartend for OneAn idiot’s guide to making a martini.

By Emilia Petrarca

personal project Apr. 15, 2020

Now Is a Great Time to Hand-Wash Your ClothesAs far as domestic chores go, washing your clothes by hand is actually one of the more enjoyable.

By Erica Schwiegershausen

personal project Apr. 14, 2020

I Hope You Like My Teeny Tiny PaintingsToo thoughtful — and small! — to justify throwing out.

By Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz

style Apr. 14, 2020

Painting My Nails Is the Only Time I Don’t ThinkWhen we’re done social distancing, I’d like to paint my friends’ nails, too.

By Katie Heaney

personal project Apr. 14, 2020

Sitting on the Couch Is My New Favorite HobbyEnjoy your sourdough starters! I will not be doing that.

By Josh Gondelman

trust me i should know Apr. 13, 2020

Parker Posey’s Guide to Getting Into NeedlepointThe longtime needlepointer on everything a beginner needs to know, including the eyeglass-case kits that quickly made Cameron Diaz capable.

By Parker Posey As told to Anthony Rotunno

personal project Apr. 13, 2020