The last few years, I’ve learned to lean in to the idea of cozy. As someone who has always possessed strong hibernation instincts, I’m realizing more and more just how much we need to “winter.” Living by the seasons is more than eating what is growing in the garden at any given moment, it’s also recognizing the seasons’ impact on our lives.

This time of year, when the days are short {although gaining daylight!} and the temperatures tend to be the bone-chilling kind, when you can smell snow on the wind and everything is resting, dormant … Now is the prime time for cozy. Oversized sweatshirts, soft blankets, warm drinks sipped while reading on an overcast afternoon. Puttering around the house: catching up on deep-cleaning, or rearranging furniture; organizing desk drawers, and debating your method of shelving books. And making.

What could be more cozy than making something warm and, well, cozy?

Last winter, in the process of tidying and rearranging, I discovered a treasure trove of yarn. Leftover balls from various projects, in a wild array of weights and colors and textures. Emptying a basket to hold the balls, I decided to relearn how to crochet. The goal? Make a scrap-busting afghan.

I’ve had to work on it in spells {my wrist does not always like prolonged crochet sessions, especially if it’s been a busy computer week}, but progress has been made and the afghan is very nearly complete. It’s heavy and comforting and colorful – and gloriously imperfect.

My stitches started out all kinds of wobbly and inconsistent, my transitions from one yarn to the next are untidy {I have many “tails” to trim}, and some of my rows are different lengths. But as I got more comfortable with the rhythm and pattern of the stitches, results improved. With every row – every turn and new yarn worked in – the process became smoother, I became more confident. I can’t help thinking that the same is true of living in general, especially when learning something new: it starts out messy, but the more we go on, the smoother and easier it all becomes. The more I work on making things cozy, the cozier my home – my life – feels.

As I’m preparing to finish this project {a few more rows, then a simple border around the outside to help shore up some of those wobbly early rows}, I’m already planning my next endeavor. Something a little more challenging, but still comfortably within reach {I hope!}. And another one after that, and hopefully I get a little faster with every afghan, but even if I don’t – this is a quest for cozy, and cozy is slow and steady and comforting.

Are you taking advantage of the season to winter and lean into all the cozy vibes? {Fair disclosure: I’m really a fan of cozy no matter the season; summer cozy just looks a little bit different}. What about making – are you into crochet or knitting or any of those other lovely fiber crafts? Or maybe you’re simply a fan of blankets. Tell me how you make your life cozy.