Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that their lives are so much more interesting and exciting than our own and that we have little or nothing in common with the Hollywood crowd.

Well, it may surprise you to know that at least some of today's hottest stars enjoy perfectly normal leisure activities that we might acquaint more readily with something your grandmother enjoys doing.

I'm talking about crafts. More specifically, knitting and crocheting. These two activities are especially hot in recent years and Hollywood stars and other celebrities are certainly not immune to the lure of a relaxing evening spent with a crochet hook or knitting needles and a skein of yarn or two.

Indeed, some stars seem to be particularly captivated ? some might even say addicted --by these old-time traditional activities. Julia Roberts, for example, is now well-known as a knitting enthusiast who loves to knit sweaters and was once photographed knitting on the set of a movie she was working on.

Other well-known knitters include Madonna, Sandra Bullock, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Swank. Not to be left out, some well known celebrity men have decided that knitting is not just an activity for women. Tough-guy actor Russell Crowe and former NFL player Rosie Grier have made no secret of the fact that they enjoy it as well.

And who didn't see the TV footage of Martha Stewart and her now-famous "Coming Home" poncho that she was wearing during her trip home to Connecticut after completion of her sentence at Alderson Federal Prison in West Virginia?

The poncho was reportedly crocheted especially for Martha by one of her fellow inmates and after it appeared on TV, it seemed every knit and crochet addict in the country had to have the pattern. There was so much demand for the pattern that it crashed the server that hosts Lion Brand's web site soon after they posted a version of the pattern there.

And it's not just celebrities that are knitting and crocheting in record numbers. Manufacturers of yarn and other craft supplies report that sales are way up in recent years. One of the best-known yarn manufacturers, Lion Brand, reports that their sales have doubled in the last year alone. Granted, celebrities have a lot of money, but still, I don't believe they are solely responsible for Lion Brand's recent success!

It's hard to know just what may have triggered all the recent interest in these activities that have been around for so many years. Some believe that the terrible events on 9/11 have influenced people to focus more on home life and simple, more traditional activities. Others suggest that these activities are a nice contrast and welcome respite from lives that have become far too hectic in the wake of the new millennium.

Enthusiasts report that knitting or crocheting can be a very relaxing activity that also provides a nice sense of accomplishment upon the completion of a project. It's also a great way to create gifts for friends of loves ones that have that personal touch ? so much more so than something purchased at the shopping mall.

Some also cherish the traditional aspect of these activities and still harbor fond memories of a beloved relative that took the time to pass along a skill that has endured through countless generations. A skill that they intend to pass down to their children as well.

Whatever the motivation, there's no question that these traditional activities are experiencing a revival of sorts. There are many possible explanations, however I suspect that speculation and statistics don't interest these enthusiasts as keenly as their plan for the next project they intend to tackle just as soon as the finishing touches have been applied to the current project.

Randae Radford is webmaster for Learn Crochet Now, a producer of quality instructional videos that teach crochet.

---

Starting A Coin Collection

The best place to start collecting would be with pennies, we will focus on the Lincoln Cent for the years 1909 through 1958, which are the Wheat... Read More

Antiques From Europe...Is It Really The Goose That Layed the Golden Egg?

Many dealers and auctioneers have been bringing container loads of antiques from Europe for years now. The lure of getting "fresh to the market" antique furniture and... Read More

Embroidery Designs and Thread Colors for Machine Embroidery Sewing

I wish that I had a nickel for each time I've been asked for the "exact" colors I used in aan embroidery design or for a conversion... Read More

Organize That Stash!

Do you control your stash or does it control you? I have become the master of my stash. When my husband found out that his sock drawer... Read More

Why Chainmaille Jewelry Craft

Jewelry is very prevalent, but jewelry that directly compliments your personal style or makes your statement for you perfectly is not prevalent. Find out some ways this... Read More

Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that... Read More

Craft Fairs, Bazaars & Flea Markets?Oh, My!

Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft Fairs, Bazaars, Flea Markets and Swap Meets are a few names you can find. Whatever the name?they... Read More

Embroidery Digitizing Software

Embroidery Magic 2 software is very easy to use to make lettering, it is also easy to learn to use the digitizing part of the program but... Read More

Getting Rid of Messes and Mistakes in Your Scrapbooks

No matter how careful you are, you will undoubtedly find a mistake, mark, or mess on your finished scrapbook page. This is just part of the process... Read More

Fun with Origami!

Storing origamiThis is a great question. Many people want to hold on to their special crafts for years to come. While there is no specialized container that... Read More

The Power Of Scrapbook Journaling

By journaling your pages you will transform an ordinary collection of photographs into a vibrant and visual storyboard - telling the stories behind the pictures, revealing hidden... Read More

Tips for Attending Gemstone Shows

If you've been to gem shows, you know how overwhelming and daunting they can be. Although it's difficult to narrow down all those tempting options, your jewelry... Read More

Capturing the Craft Show Market

Finding the right product to sell at a craft show is extremely important in finding success on the craft show circuit. You may already have an excellent... Read More

Ever Wanted to Make Your Own Themed Gift Baskets?

If you've always wanted to know how to make your own gift baskets, this article will give you some tips to get started. Gift baskets are such... Read More

Scrapbooking on a Budget

Memories are priceless, but the cost of preserving them can be high. Here are nine tips for making the most of your scrapbooking budget.1.Be on the lookout... Read More

Embroidery Basting Frames Use for Stabilizing Designs

Using a basting frame around designs can do a great deal to help prevent fabric puckers around a design, aid in positioning multiple or split designs and... Read More

Comic Book Collecting, Oh What An Enjoyable Past Time It Is!

Have you ever read a comic book before? I imagine just about everyone, at some time in their life, has read at least one comic book. But... Read More

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls. One school of thought believes that Kokeshi dolls have their origins in the practice of... Read More

How To Create A Collage Journal

Creating a collage journal is a unique and fun way to personalize and enrich your journal. Making a collage journal is something that everyone can enjoy. If... Read More

The Art of Cutting and Cropping for Your New Scrapbook

Often photographs aren't quite the right shape and size or the photographic image is improperly centered. Having oversized or off centered photographs creates an air of unprofessionalism.Carefully... Read More

Scrapbooking Those Memories!

You will find scrapbook supplies for photos and pictures in a craft store or online. Scrapbooks are used to combine photos and pictures to make a picture... Read More

Woodworking Beginners: Secret Tips To Start Right

Woodworking: Where To Start - Tips From Experienced WoodworkersWoodworking encompasses a broad area of skills, specialties, and applications. Some beginners take on too much too soon or... Read More

Collectible Action Figures - Is About Fun Memories And More Money

Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of department stores and toy stores nearly 35 years ago. Constructed of various kinds of plastic and clothed in uniforms,... Read More

Starting Your Own Scrapbook Club

Before I discovered the world of scrapbooking, I was inexplicably drawn to my local office supply store. I loved to stand in an aisle surrounded by the... Read More

More Than A Memory- A Legacy

Everyone has that box of pictures either in a close or in a garage. Even worse yet in a magnetic album. Years go by and unless there... Read More

How To Make a Pinata

MATERIALSA Large Round or Oval BalloonNewspaper, torn into 1 inch by 6-8" inch stripsWhite computer paper or paper towels, torn into stripsFlour and water mixture for paper... Read More