Does anyone care to guess why February’s full moon is called the Snow Moon? It’s pretty easy to see why Native Americans named it that, because in the olden days, February in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states was routinely blanketed by the stuff. You might notice that we use the term “the olden days”, since things have changed a lot since then, thanks to global warming. Nonetheless, it is still a fairly “frigid” month for a lot of us and, on average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. For makers, it’s the season of crafting coziness.
Knitting needles, crochet hooks and even punch needles of late come in handy for some cozy crafting sessions. The quiet energy of the Snow Moon encourages slowing down, reflecting, and creating warmth from within, whether through warm knitted merino wool accessories, textured punch needle art, or simple crochet blankets. And, with the celestial moon comes inspiration for all kinds of craft projects!
Snow Moon and its various names
Native American tribes had a variety of names that reflected their connection to the natural world. The Cree traditionally called this the Eagle Moon, in honor of the noble birds whose hunting skills were well respected. The Dakota called it the Raccoon Moon and certain Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon.
Interestingly, there’s an old European folklore tale regarding the groundhog. Legend has it that the groundhog emerges on February 2nd to predict the end of winter. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter follow; if not, spring will come early.)
The Cherokee named it the “Hungry Moon”, since game and food were hard to come by during February. If you live in an area where you are able to feed birds, please remember them. There are plenty of non-migrating birds that depend on us for food and help.
Snow Moon and Crafting Inspiration
Coming right after the holiday season, it is also a time of year when many of us hunker down – if not for a cozy winter’s nap, at least for a bit of quiet time. The Snow Moon invites you to slow down, reflect and prepare for the seasons ahead. You can begin by crafting a gift for your Valentine, a short token of gratitude for Mother’s Day, a special gift for Easter and more. It’s a great time to consider what can be cleaned out, donated or given away. You might think about your favorite charity and see what they can use in the way of objects or clothing.
At this time of year, many of us who are more homebound like to turn to indoor activities, and it’s a good time to make things by hand. Those who love to knit or crochet just naturally navigate to their yarn stashes. Veteran knitters and crochet fans know that nothing is better than merino wool when it comes to making warm clothing or accessories. The cozy fiber has been in use for ages and is still revered for its softness, warmth and comfort. With time, merino wool has been transformed into extrafine
Just in case you like your fingers toasty but free to knit with, here’s a free pattern: Sophia Cuffs for some feminine striped hand mitts.
For cozy cowls, explore simple garter stitch with faux cables, such as the Adagio Reversible Cowl.
More Celestial Crafting Inspiration
Here are some additional astronomical happenings to be aware of in February:
On February 17, 2026, a solar eclipse will occur during the “new” moon — but not a total eclipse. Instead, the Moon will be a little too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, creating a “ring of fire” known as an “annular eclipse”. This happens because the Moon is near the far part of its orbit and appears a bit smaller in the sky.
Jupiter will be especially bright and prominent in the night sky during February 2026! Here is why: Jupiter reached opposition on January 10, 2026 — meaning that the Earth was directly between the Sun and Jupiter, so Jupiter appears brightest and is visible to the human eye for most of the night. It rises around sunset and sets around sunrise.
Make sure to look for the next Moon Chronicle in February, in anticipation of the March full moon (March 3, 2026). Known as the “Worm Moon”, it is all about Springtime anticipation!