Have you tried punch needling? It is similar to rug hooking in it’s finished look but made with a different action (and tool). It’s fun, meditative, and surprisingly easy. The technique is forgiving and it’s easy to go back and fix mess-ups, like adding stitches.
I made this cute walrus last year for Bluprint. It’s an easy starter project, and winter is the perfect time for a cozy indoor craft! You can click over to their site to get the full how-to, including a video.