4 Portable Crafts to Help You Find Calm on the Go

Travelling by bus, boat, train or plane? Tune out the chatter and dig your hands into a fuss-free craft that will help pass the time and encourage a clear mind. 

Whether you’ve got a sun-soaked holiday booked or a daily commute, picking up a portable craft is a wholesome way to enjoy a little headspace on the go and prepare yourself for the destination that awaits you – whether that’s a big day at the office or a sunset stroll along the beach! 

Take flight with a new hobby and claim back your time with these travel-friendly crafts… 

Draw your way to your next meeting

With a sketchbook and pencil, the world is your oyster! You can capture your surroundings and feel yourself become more aware and present than ever before. Whether you’ve got an appointment to get to or you're jetting off to the other side of the world, drawing can be enjoyed for any length of time, making it a convenient way to indulge your artistic side wherever you are and wherever you’re going. 

Before you go…

Draw yourself to a blissful state or roll up your sleeves and dive headfirst into your new hobby by learning the techniques – drawing can be as relaxing or as challenging as you’d like it to be! You can go down the sketching route and forge the foundations at an art class, or try drawing as a well-being tool by treating your mind to one of our mandala drawing classes.  

Your packing list…

• Paper 

• Pencil

Travel Tip: invest in a sketchbook that you can easily fit in your everyday bag so you can whip it out whenever you feel inspired! 

Macrame your way to a mini-break 

Pack some cord in your carry-on and you can come home with a handmade memento of your trip (the perfect way to beat post-holiday blues!). Macrame is a mindful and compact craft that will have you engrossed for hours. With a nifty craft like macrame in-hand, you can relax and sink into your journey without a screen in sight. 

Before you go… 

One of the greatest things about macrame is that it’s super easy to get into, you don’t even need to build yourself up to a project – you can just dive right in! With a mini DIY kit like this one, you’ll get some simple instructions on a little leaflet which you can pack in your bag and refer back to. Knot away whilst enjoying some poolside lounging or waiting for a drink at the bar and feel the stress of life back home melt away! 

Your packing list... 

• Cord

• Wooden dowel or driftwood

Travel tip: wrap your cord around some cardboard so it doesn’t get all tangled up! 

Origami your way to the office 

If you’ve got a chunk of your day that involves being tied to public transport, origami could be your one-way ticket to adding a slice of zen into your day. Arrive at the office with your origami triumph and win a smile from a colleague or maybe even your boss – or keep it on your desk as a happy reminder of your wonderful new commute-friendly craft!  

Before you go… 

Start easy with a simple design such as a paper heart and build your way up to the infamous origami lion or dragon. If you’re serious about making origami your new travelling routine or holiday pastime, you could even take an origami class and learn all the essential techniques in the company of a pro. 

Your packing list…

• Origami paper 

Travel tip: pop your paper in a book to keep it crinkle-free! 

Crochet your way to a city break

With increased circulation and mood-boosting benefits, crochet is not only a low-cost and portable craft, but it’s also it’s really good for you. So, if you find yourself fidgety on flights or long journeys, it’s time to don some hooks and craft yourself a new coin purse or water bottle holder (ideal for that summer vacay). If you’re heading off somewhere a little more chilly, get yourself hooked up with a new scarf, hat or jumper to keep you cosy.

Before you go…

Crochet is a great beginner craft to sink your fingers into. Once you’ve got the basic stitches underway, you’ll be able to begin a project of your own to take away on your journey. If you want the foundations under your belt before setting off on your trip, we’d recommend attending a local crochet class that’ll start you off on a project. Alternatively, why not order a DIY with instructions that you can take away with you. 

Your packing list…

• A crochet hook 

• Yarn