There’s something uniquely satisfying about those slow mornings spent with a cup of tea in one hand and a skein of yarn in the other, or afternoons lost in the soothing rhythm of paintbrushes and needlework. These moments of unhurried creativity feel like a quiet rebellion against the busyness of life, a gentle reminder that not everything needs to be done quickly.
Yet, as timeless as these experiences feel, there’s no shortage of delightful, old-fashioned words that perfectly capture the essence of this slow, creative time. From “pottering” to “slow stitching,” these terms have a way of adding a touch of charm to our favourite crafting rituals. Let’s explore a few of these cozy, colloquial gems that make time spent crafting sound as lovely as it feels.
The term "hurkle-durkling" is a playful, old-fashioned term that means to linger, dawdle, or laze about in bed when one should be getting up. It’s often associated with those mornings when you know you need to get up but instead, you keep cozying under the blankets, half-awake and half-asleep. The time between Christmas and New Year always feels like the perfect hurkle-durkling time in my house. An opportunity to rise slowly and take some time to continue with a crochet project, or to read a book, or journal. The phrase has an almost whimsical, quaint quality to it, with roots in old Scots or dialect English. Though it's not commonly used today I think it should make a resurgence!
"Pottering” is another term that feels like a warm hug. To potter means to move about leisurely, engaging in small tasks—without the pressure of a schedule or a to-do list. It’s not about getting things done efficiently; it’s about savouring the process. Pottering could mean organising your fabric stash, sorting buttons by colour, perusing your yarn stash in preparation for your next project, or tinkering with that cross-stitch pattern you’ve been working on for weeks. It’s the perfect word for those mornings when the clock doesn't matter, and your hands guide you from one gentle project to the next.
"Slow stitching" is more than just a technique; it’s a philosophy. This term has found its way into the hearts of many who love embroidery, quilting, or any needlework that benefits from a thoughtful pace. Slow stitching is all about enjoying the materials you are using, the meditative repetitive motion of making each stitch, and the satisfaction of a project that grows stitch by stitch. It’s a far cry from the hustle of modern life—a chance to settle into a rhythm and let time melt away. Slow stitching is all about savouring the mindful moments of your craft.
The word “tinkering” might bring to mind a watchmaker carefully adjusting gears, but its charm extends far beyond that. Tinkering is the perfect term for those times when you’re adjusting, refining, and making small changes to a project without the pressure of perfection. It’s when you add just a few more details to that knitting pattern or try a new brushstroke technique in your watercolour painting. Tinkering is all about the little, satisfying improvements—tiny acts of creativity that might seem trivial but make the process all the more enjoyable. I love this term as it reminds me of my Grandpa and the hours he would spend tinkering away in his workshop or in the garden.
Though originally tied to the art of carving wood, “whittling away” has evolved into a poetic way of describing any slow and steady effort. When you whittle away at a creative project, you’re making progress bit by bit, letting the time slip by naturally. It’s the kind of activity where you look up and realise that hours have passed, yet it feels like no time at all. Whittling away is the perfect phrase for those moments when you chip away at a quilt, add a few more rows to your crochet, or slowly piece together a jigsaw puzzle.
Do you have any other words you use for these slow moments of mindful crafting delight? I'd love to hear them in the comments. Stay crafty, friends!
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