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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 updated Thu. February / 09 / 2012
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Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012Uinta County HeraldHer 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, ... |
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Learn a New HobbyAbout - News & Issueshobbies 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 ... |
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Valentine tea to honor membersTimes-Standard... vice president, progression coordinator and is currently parliamentarian. She volunteers for the Sons of Norway, and is a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka. Her hobbies are gardening, cake decorating, arts and crafts, and painting.and more » |
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Farm show resultsReading EagleMary 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. |
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When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepointToronto StarI'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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Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby?Patch.comThe 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 ... |
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For hobbyists, it's creative playtimeSanta Rosa Press DemocratThe 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, ... |
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Victorian era full of Valentine'sRepublican & HeraldWhile 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 » |
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