Homestead Craft Projects for Cozy Fall Days

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, I find myself spending more time indoors, looking for ways to stay productive and creative. Fall is the perfect time for homestead craft projects that not only bring a bit of warmth to the house but also make use of the natural materials you might find around the property. Whether you're looking to cozy up with a blanket and a knitting project or want to try your hand at something a bit more hands-on, I've got a few ideas to share with you. These projects are great for a slow fall afternoon, and many of them can be done with materials you likely already have on hand.

Homemade Candles from Beeswax

If you keep bees, you might already have a stash of beeswax ready to be transformed into candles. If not, beeswax is readily available, and there’s something about the natural scent of beeswax that just says fall to me. Making candles is simple—melt the wax, add a wick, and pour it into molds. But there are ways to take it a step further.

Tips for Unique Beeswax Candles:

Scented Candles: Beeswax already smells wonderful, but you can add essential oils like lavender, cinnamon, or pine to create a cozy fall atmosphere.

Layered Candles: Pour the wax in stages with different colors or scents to create a layered look. This can be a fun way to get creative with your candle designs.

Natural Decorations: Before the wax hardens, press dried flowers or herbs (like rosemary or thyme) into the sides of the candles to give them a rustic, homestead feel.

These homemade candles also make great gifts as the holidays approach. I love giving a jar of honey along with a beeswax candle—it’s a little piece of the homestead wrapped up in one thoughtful package.

Knitting or Crocheting Cozy Winter Gear

As the evenings get chillier, now is the perfect time to pick up some knitting or crocheting. Even if you’re new to it, there are plenty of beginner-friendly patterns out there for scarves, hats, or blankets. I love working with natural wool from local farms, and there’s something deeply satisfying about making your own winter gear that will keep you warm during those long northern winters.

Pattern Suggestions for Beginners:

Chunky Knit Blanket: These are trendy and perfect for beginners. Using thick yarn and large needles means you can finish a cozy throw in just a few evenings. They also make excellent gifts.

Simple Beanies: Once you learn the basics, a simple hat or beanie is an easy project. You can embellish it with a pom-pom or use natural dyes to give the yarn a unique color.

Socks and Slippers: If you’re more experienced, homemade wool socks or slippers are the ultimate cozy project for fall. They also help cut down on energy costs by keeping you warm indoors.

Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover yarn from other projects. Each piece tells a story and serves as a reminder of the work you've put into preparing for the cold months ahead.

Rustic Wooden Signs

If you’ve got some scrap wood lying around from summer projects, why not turn them into rustic signs for your homestead? I like to sand down old planks and use stencils or freehand painting to create personalized signs for the garden, barn, or even the front porch.

How to Make Your Wooden Signs Pop:

Aging the Wood: You can easily age newer wood by using a vinegar and steel wool mixture. It gives the wood a beautiful, weathered look.

Custom Messages: Use meaningful quotes or seasonal sayings, like “Welcome Fall” or “Gather” to reflect the changing seasons.

Wood Burning: If you have the tools, wood burning designs or lettering adds an extra rustic feel to your sign.

It’s a simple way to add a bit of personality to your space and repurpose old materials. Whether you're marking the herb garden or adding a welcoming touch to your front porch, homemade signs are easy, cost-effective, and charming.

Pinecone Fire Starters

If you forage around your homestead, you’ll likely find plenty of pinecones this time of year. These make excellent fire starters for wood stoves and fireplaces during the winter. All you need to do is dip them in melted wax (any old candles will do), let them harden, and store them in a basket by the hearth.

Add-Ons for Your Pinecone Fire Starters:

Add Scent: When melting the wax, add a few drops of cinnamon, clove, or pine essential oils to make your fire starters smell amazing when burning.

Sprinkle with Herbs: Before the wax hardens, sprinkle crushed rosemary or sage on top of the pinecones for a subtle, pleasant scent.

Colorful Flames: For a fun twist, add a few household chemicals (like borax or salt) to create colored flames when the fire starters are lit. It’s a great way to surprise guests or add a little extra magic to a cozy night in.

These pinecone fire starters are not only practical, but they make beautiful decorations when displayed in a rustic basket.

Homemade Soap with Foraged Herbs

If you’ve foraged herbs like wild mint, lavender, or sage this fall, consider incorporating them into homemade soap. Soap making can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be, but the basics are combining oils, lye, and your chosen herbs or essential oils. I love the idea of using foraged items in self-care products; it brings a little bit of the outdoors into your daily routine.

Soap-Making Ideas:

Infuse Your Oils: Before making soap, infuse your olive or coconut oil with dried herbs or flowers to give it a subtle, natural scent.

Layered Soap Bars: Like with candles, soap can also be layered with different ingredients for added texture. For example, use oatmeal on one layer for exfoliation, and a smooth layer of lavender soap on top.

Holiday Gifts: Package the soap in burlap or muslin bags and add a sprig of rosemary or lavender for a homemade gift with a personal touch.

The scents of fall can carry you through even the coldest winter mornings, and there’s nothing like knowing you’ve made the soap you use with ingredients from your own land.

DIY Wreaths from Natural Materials

There’s nothing more welcoming than a beautiful, handcrafted wreath on the front door. This fall, take a walk around your property and gather materials like grapevines, pine branches, acorns, or dried flowers.

Tips for Long-Lasting Wreaths:

Use a Sturdy Base: You can purchase a wreath frame or make one from grapevines, which are abundant in the fall. Start by weaving the vines into a circular shape, securing with wire as needed.

Preserving Materials: To make your wreath last longer, consider spraying dried flowers or pinecones with a clear varnish or hairspray to keep them intact through the changing weather.

Personalize It: You can add ribbon, burlap, or even small signs to make it feel more festive. Change up the design for the season—incorporate berries, fall leaves, and small pumpkins in the autumn, then switch to pinecones and holly for winter.

Hang your wreath on the door, and it’s sure to be a lovely reminder of the abundance of fall.

Homemade Herbal Sachets

Got some lavender or rosemary left over from your summer garden? Dry them out and make little herbal sachets to freshen up drawers, closets, or even your boots after a long day outside.

Making Herbal Sachets:

Dry the Herbs: Start by drying your herbs in bunches, hanging them upside down in a warm, dry place. Once they’re completely dried, you’re ready to make sachets.

Fabric Choices: Use cotton, muslin, or linen scraps you have lying around to sew small pouches. These fabrics allow the scent to escape while keeping the herbs inside.

Add Some Extras: For a stronger scent, mix the herbs with a bit of dried citrus peel or a few drops of essential oil before sewing the sachets shut.

It’s a simple, relaxing project that leaves your home smelling great all winter long. You can also tuck these sachets into shoes, work boots, or gym bags for a natural air freshener.

Leaf Pressing and Art

One of my favorite simple projects in the fall is collecting colorful leaves and pressing them. Once they’re pressed and dry, you can use them to create framed art, bookmarks, or cards.

Steps to Press Leaves:

Gather the Best Leaves: Look for vibrant, freshly fallen leaves that haven’t dried out yet. The more colorful, the better.

Press the Leaves: Place the leaves between sheets of wax paper or newspaper, and then weigh them down with heavy books. Let them sit for about a week until completely dry and flat.

Use for Crafts: Once pressed, the leaves can be glued to cardstock for homemade cards, framed as art, or laminated to make durable bookmarks. You can also make a nature collage using different leaves, flowers, and even bark or seeds you collect.

It’s a great way to preserve the beauty of fall and keep a little bit of the season around, even when the trees are bare and snow is covering the ground. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can combine leaf pressing with other crafts like wreath making or candle decorating. Pressed leaves can even be used to embellish homemade soaps or candles for a truly personalized, seasonal touch. This is a great project for families too—kids love the hunt for the most colorful leaves!

DIY Bird Feeders

As the weather turns colder, food becomes scarcer for the birds around the homestead. Making simple bird feeders is not only a fun project, but it helps the wildlife get through the winter. You can make feeders out of pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed or go for a more traditional wooden design if you have the tools and materials.

Different Types of Bird Feeders:

Pinecone Feeders: The classic pinecone feeder is easy to make with just peanut butter and birdseed. Tie a string to the top of a pinecone, spread peanut butter over it, then roll it in birdseed. Hang it up near a window to watch the birds come flocking.

Upcycled Feeders: You can make bird feeders out of almost anything, from old teacups to repurposed jars. Try making a feeder from an empty milk jug or even a tin can by cutting a hole for the birds to perch and filling it with seed.

Wooden Feeders: If you’re handy with tools, try building a simple wooden bird feeder. It’s a more permanent option and gives you the chance to use up any leftover wood from other projects. You can even get creative with the design, painting it to match the colors of your home or barn.

Bird feeders are a great way to give back to nature while enjoying the wildlife that surrounds your homestead. Plus, they provide entertainment through the colder months when the birds rely on your generosity to stay fed.

Handmade Potpourri

With all the wonderful scents of fall—cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, and pine—making homemade potpourri is a simple and rewarding project. Not only does it bring the outdoors in, but it also helps use up foraged or garden-grown materials that might otherwise go to waste.

Steps to Make Potpourri:

Gather Ingredients: Start by gathering fragrant items like dried orange peels, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, cloves, and dried herbs. You can also forage for pine needles, rose hips, and dried berries.

Dry the Materials: Spread everything out on a baking sheet and let them dry naturally over a few days, or use an oven set on low to speed up the process. You can also use a food dehydrator if you have one.

Add Essential Oils: Once the materials are dry, add a few drops of essential oils to intensify the scent. Mix everything together in a large bowl and let it sit for a few days so the scents can meld.

Display: Place your homemade potpourri in bowls or fabric sachets around the house. You can also package it in small jars or bags for a homemade gift that brings the smell of fall to the recipient’s home.

Potpourri is a great way to bring warmth and comfort into your home, especially as the colder months roll in. It’s also a beautiful, natural decoration for tabletops and shelves.

These homestead craft projects are the perfect way to embrace the slower pace of fall while still staying creative and productive. Whether you’re foraging for materials, repurposing old items, or learning a new skill, these projects bring a little bit of handmade warmth into your home as the weather turns colder. Fall is a season of abundance, not just in the garden but in opportunities to make your living space more welcoming and personal.

So, what are your favorite fall craft projects? I’d love to hear about them in the comments or see pictures if you try any of the ideas I’ve shared! There’s nothing like spending a crisp autumn afternoon surrounded by natural materials and turning them into something beautiful.