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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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Hobbies - Google News

Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012 - Uinta County Herald


Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012
Uinta County Herald
Her hobbies included oil painting, knitting, crafts of all kinds, golfing and singing. Joan is survived by her daughter, Jan Pecenka, of Evanston; sons, Jeff (Sandy) Pecenka, of Cheyenne, James (Shaunna) Pecenka, of Evanston, Jay (Sandra) Pecenka, ...

Family and Health: Sugar craft students go back to school with amazing ... - Huddersfield Examiner


Family and Health: Sugar craft students go back to school with amazing ...
Huddersfield Examiner
Joanne, who lives in Netherton, is relying on the fact that cakes have a universal appeal and the demand for absorbing, stress-busting hobbies is on the increase. She has teamed up with Sue Foster, a fellow member of The British Sugar Craft Guild, ...

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FREDA M. RATHBUN - Hornell Evening Tribune


FREDA M. RATHBUN
Hornell Evening Tribune
In her younger days, Freda was a pro skater and her hobbies were crotcheting, knitting and many other crafts. She loved her shopping, especially the flea markets. In her quiet time, you could find her playing computer games. Her favorite one was Pogo.

Victorian era full of Valentine's - Republican & Herald


Victorian era full of Valentine's
Republican & Herald
While antique hair receivers are worth about $30 to $50 and are available at yard sales and flea markets, the hair crafts made from all of this saved hair are hard to find. Victorian women saved their hair in a small ceramic bowl with a hole in its top ...

and more »

Learn a New Hobby - About - News & Issues


Learn a New Hobby
About - News & Issues
hobbies resources here on About.com, I resisted putting painting first because it would seem biased. The skills from other crafts are always useful for multimedia too... Seriously, most creative people I know have a particular focus but work across ...

For hobbyists, it's creative playtime - Santa Rosa Press Democrat


For hobbyists, it's creative playtime
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
The public is also invited to come by and learn more about a range of hobbies, most focused around models, many radio-controlled. The word “hobby” can evoke a limitless range of pastimes, from collecting to scrapbooking, sewing to arts and crafts, ...

Downtown PHX's Spread the Weird Offers Smorgasbord of Life Lessons - College Times


Downtown PHX's Spread the Weird Offers Smorgasbord of Life Lessons
College Times
... crafts, and culinary arts. Spread the Weird Studio is what owners Denise and Jay Clayton call an "idea house." The studio, located inside a historic bungalow in the midst of Phoenix's art district, is a collision of all their life hobbies, ...

Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby? - Patch.com


Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby?
Patch.com
The other hobby I have is doing crafts with my children. They may not look that good when we are done, but sometimes it is the act of doing it that really makes it fun. Answer from Mom's Councilmember Emily (mother of 2): Some of my favorite hobbies ...

Farm show results - Reading Eagle


Farm show results
Reading Eagle
Mary Heffner, Fleetwood: four awards in the canned foods open category; first, baked products open; six awards in the crafts open category; third, hobbies. Julie Yoder, Mohrsville: third, canned foods open; second, baked products open.

When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepoint - Toronto Star


When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepoint
Toronto Star
I've dabbled with papermaking and encaustic, but never really took them up as hobbies. Lately, however, I've found great joy in exploring crafts with a rich history if not modern day popularity. Late last year, for example, I took an introductory ...

and more »

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