NILES — Just in time for the cozy season, one Niles woman found one more way to keep her hands busy and others warm.

Sue Ryan, of Niles, has spent much of her limited free time since October mastering a new skill — handknitting blankets to sell to the masses.

“I make hand-knitted throws. They’re not as big as a full-size blanket would be, more of a smaller throw,” Ryan said. “I also make a stroller blanket, like a baby blanket size.”

Ryan’s new craft of choice stemmed from a personal interest during a shopping trip.

“I saw this yarn at a local craft store and had always wanted one of those chunky knit throws, so I just found a video online,” she said.

Unlike blankets knit or crocheted with needles, the yarn used for Ryan’s blankets is much larger, which creates thicker blankets. Ryan’s blanket-making technique is a popular trend recently, though each artisan uses their own technique to create the blankets.

“Some people make these blankets on their arm, using their arm as a needle,” she said. “Mine is with my hand, making loops with your fingers.”

Like many crafters, Ryan said she does not specialize in any one craft, but enjoys making things in general.

“I really enjoy doing crafty things,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I’m a master at anything. I like trying a bunch of different things. This is one of those things where I thought, are they nice enough that people will consider buying?”

As it turns out, the answer was a resounding “yes.”

Though new to the craft show market, Ryan, who spends her work week as the director of public relations for the University of Notre Dame, found quick success with her business, which she titled, “Country Roads Cozy.”

Ryan spent the fall preparing for her first craft show, which was hosted by friend Tracey Hossfeld at the Niles F.O.P in November.

“I went there with about 20 blankets, and I tried to have at least one in every color and multiple versions of colors that I thought might be popular, and I also had a couple baby blankets that had been finished,” Ryan said. “At the show, I sold 13. I was really happy with that, and I have since sold the remaining blankets that I had done for the show.”

The throw blankets are about 30 by 50 inches long and take several skeins of yarn to create. Ryan said throw blankets start at $60, and smaller stroller blankets are $25. She has taken custom orders for larger, full-size blankets, but said she prefers to keep her business local due to high shipping costs for the heavy blankets.

“I have a Facebook page, and that’s primarily all I’m doing right now,” Ryan said of her web presence for Country Roads Cozy. “I’ve had people ask if I’m planning to do Etsy or Instagram, and I don’t think I have time to commit to doing all that right now. … Right now, I’m really just focused on local family or friends, or friends of friends.”

As Ryan continues to grow her business, she looks forward to other craft shows and potentially other crafts made with the large yarn.

“My craft room is full of yarn right now,” she said with a laugh. “I have to use up my yarn inventory so I can use my craft room again. Now that I’m in a rhythm of how long it takes me to make one, and I know what colors are popular for the future, I’ll know how to pace myself to prepare for shows in the future.”

Ryan is pleased with her quick success, and has one piece of advice for fellow craft enthusiasts.

“I would encourage people that if they have an interest in branching out and testing their creative skills to go for it,” she said. “Give it a try!”