[kat]

Knitting? It can be cheap (as opposed to stained glass which I didn't know was expensive?!) and knitting groups are very friendly, social, helpful, and encouraging. I think you will always find people doing activities better than you, but all the knitters/crocheters I've ever met are willing to stop and explain things to beginners, or at the very least commiserate over mistakes. Despite the old-lady stereotype, all the knitting groups in different cities I've attended have been all ages and all abilities.