Warm Up to Crafts in November and December

As the temperatures outside drop, head to your library for fun indoor activities to keep your hands warm and your creativity flowing — and maybe even DIY a few gifts to start crossing names off your holiday shopping list! From social gatherings and jewelry making to DIY wrapping paper, ornaments and more, many branches have crafting projects and events for kids and adults alike taking place throughout the season. See the full, up-to-date list of events in the library calendar, and check out some crafting highlights below. Asterisk (*) indicates registration required.

Learn, Make and Take

• Handcraft Club Open House
  Monday, November 18, 7 p.m. at Oakton
  Drop in anytime and bring your favorite handcrafting project or start a new one. Learn from other handcrafters about skills like crocheting, knitting, weaving, and jewelry making. Beginners welcome. Teens-adults.
• Make and Take*
  Wednesdays, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 5 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m. at City of Fairfax Regional
  Reuse materials and craft supplies to make your own unique masterpiece. Age 6-12.
• Let's Fly Away!*
  Wednesday, November 20, 4:30 p.m. at Sherwood
  Make some paper airplanes and learn about flying. Grades 4-8.
• Make Your Own Pet Rock
  Wednesday, November 20, 4:30 p.m. at George Mason Regional
  Transform an ordinary rock into a book character like Dog Man or Harry Potter, or make a one-of-a-kind pet. Supplies provided. Ages 6-12.
• Treat Yo'Self 101: DIY Lip Balm*
  Friday, November 22, 5 p.m. at Sherwood
  As part of the teen Treat Yo'Self 101 series, you'll learn how to make your own lip balm using a few simple ingredients and a microwave. Grades 7-12.
• Saturday Crafterday: Marimo Moss Jars
  Saturday, November 23, 2 p.m. at John Marshall
  Make your own terrarium with Marimo moss (while supplies last). Adults and teens.
• Crafternoon
  Wednesday, November 27, 3 p.m. at Patrick Henry
  Don't spend your day off from school moping around at home — head to the library to make crafts galore. We'll provide the supplies and space, you provide the creativity. All ages.
• Handcraft Club Speaker Series: Toothbrush Rug Braiding
  Tuesday, November 26, 6:30 p.m. at Herndon Fortnightly
  Learn the art of making a Toothbrush Rug using an old Scandinavian technique. Feel free to bring your own lightweight fabric and scissors or use what we have available. The fabric will be torn into 1-inch strips and pieced together and you will leave with coaster. Adults.
• Passport to Fun*
  Friday, December 6, 4:30 p.m. at Chantilly Regional
  Travel the world exploring different languages and cultures through crafts and games with the Chantilly High School Language Honor Societies. Grades 1-6.
• Crafternoon
  Saturday, December 7, 2:30 p.m. at Dolley Madison
  Make and take a unique statement necklace that is as fun to make as it is to wear. Space is limited. Adults and teens.
• Make a Gift with Perler Beads
  Saturday, December 7, 2:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson
  Create key chains and magnets of your own design out of Perler beads. Teens.
• Pottery with Clay Cafe Studios*
  Saturday, December 7, 2:30 p.m. at George Mason Regional
  Make a mug for yourself or as a gift in this pottery workshop by Clay Cafe Studios. Kids will be given a 30-ounce mug that they can decorate. Grades 3-6.
• Jewelry Making*
  Monday, December 9, 7 p.m. at Reston Regional
  Tania Ebrahimian will teach the basics of jewelry making and participants will create an original piece in this hands-on workshop. The library will provide the materials. Adults.
• Saturday Crafterday: Paper Circuit Cards
  Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m. at John Marshall
  Make your own light-up card with copper tape and LED lights. Supplies provided. Adults and teens.

Stories and Crafts

• PJ Library Book Buddies*
  Wednesdays, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m. at City of Fairfax Regional
  Enjoy storybooks and crafts about Jewish holidays and values. Cosponsored by PJ Library and Growing Jewish Families of the JCC of Northern Virginia. Age 6 months to 5 years with adult.
• The Snow Queen Celebration
  Saturday, November 16, 2 p.m. at Pohick Regional
  Celebrate Hans Christian Anderson's epic tale, "The Snow Queen" — the inspiration for many frozen princesses and snowmen — with storytelling, treats, crafts and games. Costumes encouraged. All ages.
• Stories and More*
  Tuesdays, Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m., at Martha Washington
  Fun with stories, crafts and activities for preschoolers. Age 3-5 with adult.
• Toddler Storytime
  Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. at Woodrow Wilson
  An interactive storytime for toddlers with songs and a craft. Age 18 months to 3 years with adult.
• Pajama Party Storytime
  Tuesday, November 26, 6:30 p.m. at Herndon Fortnightly
  Wear your pajamas, listen to bedtime stories and make a simple craft. All ages.
• PJ Library Book Buddies Storytime*
  Thursday, December 5, 10:30 a.m. at Chantilly Regional
  Enjoy stories and fun with movement and crafts that relate to Jewish culture traditions and holidays. Age 2.5 to 5 with caregiver. Siblings welcome.

Hang Out and Create

• Maker Table
  During open hours at Chantilly Regional
  Create, Invent and Learn: Visit the Maker Table behind the Information Desk for self-directed projects that change each month. STEAM activities often included. Supplies provided. All ages.
• Teen Chill Zone
  Thursday, November 21, 3:30 p.m. at Centreville Regional
  Take a break from homework and hang out at the library. Grab a snack, try some relaxing crafts and activities and chat with other teens. Grades 7-12.
• Teen Chill Zone: Virtual Reality
  Thursday, November 21, 4:30 p.m. at Chantilly Regional
  Feeling stressed out? Take a break at the library! This month there will be Virtual Reality and Google Cardboard sets available to play around on, plus the usual board games, relaxing crafty activities and snacks. Come with a friend, or meet some new ones. Grades 7-12.
• Craft and Chat
  Thursdays, Nov. 21 and Dec. 19, 7 p.m. at Kings Park
  Work on your favorite craft or try out a new one in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere. Refreshments served. Adults.
• Teen Chill Zone
  Fridays, Nov. 22 and Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m. at City of Fairfax Regional
  Head to the library to hang out, play games or do a craft activity. Age 13-18.

Celebrate the Season

• Adult Holiday Craft Event: Book Folding*
  Saturday, November 23, 1:30 p.m. at Herndon Fortnightly
  Make and take a tree or heart using donated books; they're perfect for a holiday decorating. Adults.
• Family Winter Wonderland
  Saturday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. at Lorton
  Celebrate the start of winter with winter-themed crafts and games. Light refreshments provided. All ages.
• Holiday Open House
  Saturday, December 7, 1-4 p.m. at Great Falls
  Enjoy festive musical performances by the Langley High School Madrigals, crafts for kids and adults, holiday games and seasonal treats. All ages.
• Adult Craft Night: Light Up Holiday Cards*
  Thursday, December 12, 7 p.m. at Martha Washington
  Create a unique holiday card that lights up. All supplies provided. Adults.
• Wheel of the Year: Yule
  Saturday, December 14, 3 p.m. at John Marshall
  It's the shortest day and longest night. Make a craft with us to celebrate the yuletide. Supplies provided. Adults.
• Noon Years Eve Party
  Tuesday, December 31, 11 a.m. at Kingstowne
  Celebrate the New Year with arts and crafts and a countdown to noon. All ages.
• Holiday Bookmarks
  Tuesdays, December 3 and 10, 7 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson
  Make colorful, glittery, festive bookmarks, celebrating any holiday or event of your choice. All ages.
• DIY: Holiday Ornament Making
  Friday, December 6, 1 p.m. at Reston Regional
  Make and take home personalized holiday ornaments. All materials are provided. Adults.
• Holiday Gifts Make and Take
  Thursday, Dec. 12, 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. at John Marshall
  Make a gift for someone special or even for yourself. Ages 5-11 with Adult.
• Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
  Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson
  Get artistic this year and create your own wrapping paper. Transform plain white butcher paper into personalized gift wrap using crayons, markers, stickers, glitter and more. All ages.

Knitting

• Chantilly Knitting Club
  Tuesdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional
  Bring your knitting or other crafting projects. Share tips and enjoy conversation. No formal instruction, but chances are someone in the group can teach you to knit, or help you when you get stuck on a project. Adults.
• Yarn-aholics
  Wednesday, December 4, 7 p.m. at George Mason Regional
  Calling all knitters and crocheters: join fellow yarn-aholics to discuss, learn and share ideas and projects. Teens and adults.
• Knitting Group for All
  Monday, December 9, 1 p.m. at Patrick Henry
  Bring your knitting projects, share tips and enjoy conversation. Adults.
• Twisted Stitchers
  Tuesday, December 10, 7 p.m. at Burke Centre
  Get together to knit, crochet, loom or craft while meeting new people. We make items for ourselves as well as items for donation to charity groups. Adults.
• Knit 2Gether
  Tuesday, December 17, 7 p.m. at Centreville Regional
  Bring your knitting projects, share tips and enjoy conversation. Adults.

*Registration Required