Textiles Research Editor
Clara Webb
Clara's approach to craft research is borderline obsessive. She tracks every UK crochet, knitting, embroidery, and sewing course she can find — platform by platform, instructor by instructor — cross-referencing syllabi, student reviews, and pricing until she's confident something belongs on Hobbify. Her background is in textile education; she knows what good instruction looks like and has little patience for anything that doesn't earn its recommendation.
15 articles by Clara Webb
Sewing
Do I Need an Expensive Sewing Machine?
No — here's exactly what a beginner machine needs, what to ignore at the top end, and specific picks at every price point.
Sewing
Hand Sewing vs Machine — Which Should I Start With?
A fair comparison — cost, speed, learning curve, space, and what each one is actually for.
Sewing
Can I Teach Myself Sewing?
Yes, you can teach yourself sewing — but more than any other craft we cover, a structured course genuinely saves weeks of frustration. The machine has a re
Knitting
Can I Teach Myself Knitting?
Yes — most knitters are self-taught. Here's how to learn from YouTube and books, a realistic beginner timeline, and when an in-person class is worth it.
Embroidery
Can I Teach Myself Embroidery?
Yes, easily. Embroidery is arguably the most beginner-friendly craft to self-teach, because every stitch is visible as you make it and there's no comp
Crochet
Can I Teach Myself Crochet?
Yes — and most crocheters do. Here's the fastest self-taught path, plus the mistakes that add weeks to the learning curve.
Sewing
How Long Does It Take to Learn Sewing?
A realistic timeline from threading a machine to wearing something you made — plus what speeds it up or slows it down.
Embroidery
How Long Does It Take to Learn Embroidery?
A realistic timeline from your first running stitch to a frame-ready botanical hoop — plus what affects how fast embroidery sticks.
Knitting
How Long Does It Take to Learn Knitting?
A realistic timeline from your first cast-on to your first finished jumper — plus what affects how fast it sticks.
Crochet
How Long Does It Take to Learn Crochet?
A realistic timeline from your first chain stitch to finished projects — plus the variables that speed things up or slow them down.
Embroidery
Embroidery vs Cross Stitch — What's the Difference?
Both use thread, both use a hoop. Here's what actually separates them — and which one to start with.
Comparison
Crochet vs Knitting — Which Should You Try First?
The honest comparison nobody else gives you — difficulty, cost, what you can make, and which one actually suits your personality better.
Knitting
Is Knitting Hard to Learn?
A fair answer — what makes the first hour awkward, how long until it clicks, and the specific sticking points that trip up beginners.
Embroidery
Is Embroidery Hard to Learn?
The honest answer — what the first hour of embroidery actually feels like, where beginners get stuck, and how quickly your work starts looking real.
Crochet
Is Crochet Hard to Learn?
The honest answer — what the first hour actually feels like, where beginners get stuck, and how quickly you'll be making something real.