The Gift of Beginning: Why January Is Perfect for Learning

January carries a particular energy. The decorations come down, the diary opens fresh, and there's space for something new. It's the month when more people decide to learn a new skill than any other.

But here's what I've noticed after years of teaching: the people who thrive aren't the ones who arrive confident. They're the ones who arrive curious.

Confidence is overrated, actually. It suggests you already know what you're doing, which means you're not really learning. Curiosity is different. Curiosity says "I don't know how this works, but I want to find out." That's the mindset that makes a first-time turner into someone who can't wait to get back to the lathe.

The Crafts Council in the UK reports that 73% of people who try a craft activity describe it as beneficial for their mental health. A large international survey of knitters found they experienced reduced stress, increased happiness, enhanced confidence, and improved concentration. These aren't minor benefits – they're the foundations of wellbeing.

What's interesting is that these benefits come from the process, not the outcome. You don't have to make something perfect to feel the satisfaction. In fact, the imperfection is often where the learning lives. Every mistake teaches you something about how the material behaves, how your body moves, how attention and relaxation need to balance.

“What are you curious about this year?”

Class Recommendation: The Two Day Beginners Class gives you the space to move past that initial uncertainty and into genuine skill. Over two days, you'll make three projects and discover what happens when curiosity meets practice.