There’s something about the cold weather that makes me want to craft. Whether it’s collaging, crocheting, doodling or painting, crafts are a cozy way to stay busy while the pace of life slows down and the days are dark and frigid. Crafts are also great because while you can do them from the comfort of your own home, they’re also a way to connect and be in community with others, which is sometimes hard to do during the winter months. So whether you’re an avid crafter or a newbie, these local events are great spots to get out of the house, make a few friends and create some art.
1. Fiber Arts With Friends
NEXT EVENTS MAY 15 AND JUNE 12 AT MPL TIPPECANOE BRANCH
Craft and make friends at this monthly fiber arts get together. Bring projects related to knitting, crochet, tatting, sewing, mending or other fibers. All experience levels are welcome. Runs from 4:45-5:45 p.m.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
3. Crafty Adults @ Zablocki
NEXT EVENTS JUNE 30, JULY 28 AND AUG. 26 AT MPL ZABLOCKI BRANCH
Milwaukee Public Library’s Zablocki Branch has monthly craft nights for adults with pre-planned crafts. For this event, you have to register ahead and space is limited. Materials will be provided.
4. Craft, Chat & Chill
NEXT EVENTS JUNE 5, JULY 3 AND AUG. 7 AT MPL EAST BRANCH
You can bring your own craft or make one of the rotating provided crafts at this chill crafty evening from 3:30-5 p.m. at the MPL East Branch. It’s open to teens and adults.
5. Yak-n-Yarn
NEXT EVENTS MAY 15, JUNE 19 AND JULY 17 IN RIVERWEST
NEXT EVENTS JUNE 1 AND JULY 13 IN BAY VIEW
Yak-n-Yarn has two crafting meetups per month: one in Bay View and one in Riverwest. The specific locations vary, but the vibes are the same – all ages and skill levels are welcome and you can bring any kind of (indoor) craft you want.
6. Scrap & Yap
NEXT EVENT FEB. 4 AT STATION 1846
Hosted by 414Flea, Scrap & Yap is a community event for people to socialize and make art together (the upcoming event runs 6-8 p.m.). Attendees are encouraged to bring their own craft projects to work on, whether it’s scrapbooking, knitting, painting or something else, but there will be some shared supplies as well. The venues regularly rotate, so check the website for details for future events.
7. Yarn Night East Side
NEXT EVENTS FEB. 5 AT VON TRIER AND FEB. 19 AT POMONA CIDER CO.
Yarn Night East Side gets together the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 6-9 p.m. It’s bring-your-own supplies, and all craft types and skill levels are welcome. Feb. 5 is “Newbie Night.”
8. Crafting Club
NEXT EVENT FEB. 6 AT MPL VILLARD SQUARE BRANCH
All the materials are provided at this afternoon crafts event, which runs from 1-2:30 p.m. This event is for adults, and attendees will learn how to make fun paper craft projects.
9. Crafting Connections
NEXT EVENTS FEB. 10 AND MARCH 3 AT MPL BAY VIEW BRANCH
Bay View’s MPL branch hosts a monthly craft program for adults, with pre-planned crafts that you will learn how to make. All materials are provided. The February craft is Venetian party masks and the March craft is mossy-top birdhouses.
10. Tooth + Nail Queer Craft Night
NEXT EVENTS FEB. 16 AND MARCH 9 AT TOOTH + NAIL STUDIO
Tooth + Nail Studio is hosting free monthly craft nights for LGBTQ+ folks to come together in community and create art. There will be supplies for collage, button-making, painting, drawing, beading and more, but you can also bring your own crafts to work on as well. It’s BYO snacks and drinks, and masks are required.
11. Bad Art Night
NEXT EVENT FEB. 18 AT MPL EAST BRANCH
This is the art night for those who don’t want the pressure of their art looking good. The goal is to make the most ugly art you can out of random weird supplies. Then, your art will be displayed in the Bad Art Exhibit, where folks can vote on their least favorites and compete for the title of worst art at the library (and you get an ugly tiara as a prize).
12. Tight Knit Cactus Fibers Club
NEXT EVENTS FEB. 19 AND MARCH 12 AT CACTUS CLUB
The Cactus Club is hosting a series of fiber arts craft nights in 2025 at 4 p.m. on one Wednesday each month. The all-ages event welcomes all mediums and all experience levels.
13. Crafty Adults
NEXT EVENTS FEB. 3 AND MARCH 3 AT MPL CENTER STREET BRANCH
Milwaukee Public Library’s Center Street Branch has a few upcoming art nights for adults from 6-7 p.m., with supplies included. The February craft is potato stamping, the March craft is wire jewelry and the April craft is clay coil pots.
