FashBlog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

Creating scarves, mittens, caps, ponchos, and a wide variety of other accessories from yarn is a growing renewed trend. Both knitting and crochet is making a comeback like no other time in the history of handcrafts. Gone this time is the stigma of wearing something handcrafted. In its place is the proud feeling to own and wear something created with one's own hands or by those of a loved one. For those who have not yet learned to knit or crochet, and are not fortunate enough to know someone who does, you can always buy these lovely creations at a craft or art fair, or better yet, learn one of the arts yourself.

Whether you live in a large city, small town, or in a rural community, chances are you can easily find someone willing to teach you one or the other. Be warned though that once you learn, you will join the ranks of millions who knit and crochet obsessively. You will find yourself with yarn and needles in hand in waiting rooms, sitting in the carpool lane, on vacation, and in your own living room night after night. I even know a woman who carries a small project in her purse so that she can crochet if she has to stand in line at the grocery store for longer than thirty seconds or so. As she told me, it makes the wait not so bad, as she knows she is at least accomplishing something. I always thought I was the queen of crochet until I met her! In addition, take note that once others know that you know how, request for items will start to pour in. Last year alone I quit counting at an even dozen for ponchos I crocheted for several young girls from toddler to teen.

With the huge variety of threads and yarns available on today's market, you can find a color or finish to match anything your heart desires. No longer are your only choices a few colors of some fine baby-weight yarn and a few others in a heavy worsted weight with some dull, drab colors in wool tossed in for extra measure. You will have at your disposal literally thousands of colors and styles. Fun fur has been all the rage the last few years and does not seem to be losing any of its popularity. A yarn suitable for everything from scarves and mittens to the trim on a poncho, fun fur is as its name implies. Fun colors, fun texture, fun. It lightens the mood of the person creating with it, and continues to brighten the day of the person lucky enough to wear it. Truly, a stress reliever no matter which way you approach it, and we all need as many of those as we can uncover.

If you are looking for a hobby, which will produce something you can brag about, check out knitting or crocheting. Men, women, even children enjoy picking up a hook or set of needles, and turning a few balls or skeins of yarn into something they can proudly say they made. Do not be left behind, get on track and find out for yourself just how rewarding these two crafts can be.