The Day My Friends and I Became Hookers.

The first time I heard my best friend say she was going over to a friends' house for a knitting circle, I thought to myself, "Oh! hell no, I am not doing that. Knitting is for older people, I am only 49 and I am not growing old gracefully."

Take a deep breath, I get it now - sorry Grandma - my bad.

I decided that even if I was not going to knit, I might as well go along for the ride and enjoy a nice glass of wine with my "BFF'S". My original intention was to poke some harmless fun at them and even had a few "you know you're getting older when" jokes lined up. When I got there, I realized that I couldn't do it. It was the first time, in a very long time, that I have seen my two best friends so relaxed, I suppose in some ways I was envious.

Even if it was for just a little while, neither of them were in the kitchen cooking and/or worrying about guests. They were sitting on the couch enjoying some wine. I did the only thing a real friend could do, I grabbed a glass of wine, jumped on the couch, put on my granny slippers and proudly showed off the knitting skills I had acquired when I was a child.

To be honest, knitting was never really my thing, but it was fun just to be a part of this moment.

It seems that I wasn't the only one with a knitting issue so our friend suggested we try crochet instead. We did, and it was at that very moment our mutual love affair with crochet began and my friends and I officially became "hookers."

Crochet allows you to quickly see the patterns appearing like paint on an artist's canvas and this is exactly what I needed to motivate myself. I suppose I am just that kind of person, I need to see the immediate results of my ideas. This is probably the reason that I am a web design and marketing consulting too.

I did not know just how trendy "hooking" was until I began researching ideas for things to make. I was amazed at the number of websites, videos, groups, and amazing projects and tutorials that were available online. It doesn't take long before you begin to realize that hooking isn't just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!

A new hobby offers you more than you think!

For an interior designer, a handcrafted knitted or crocheted afghan like the ones seen in the images throughout can add a much-needed punch of color into an otherwise lifeless room. They are beautiful pieces of artwork and an important part of history. I think that every home should have at least one, perhaps I am just biased because I am a "hooker."

Make no mistake, unlike in the days when moms and grandmas made these types of blankets, mitts and rugs for mere pennies, crafting with wool is expensive. A beautifully handcrafted small blanket can cost hundreds of dollars and is considered by many to be a luxury item. The reason for this is twofold; the cost of the materials and the fact that modern lifestyles do not afford us with the luxury of wasting time. As a result, crafting itself has become a valued commodity.

What I love most about this new hobby is that my friends and I now have a common bond that offers us more opportunities to share our lives together and I am proud and honored to be a part of a movement to re-introduce crafting to the world. Wool crafts remind me of my mother and grandmother and that is precious to me.

Since that first day, my friends and I have found the time to get together, added a few new people to our circle and committed to doing so at least once a month. March's event will be held at my home where we will try our hand at using weaving sticks.

I do not know what the future holds for me with this hobby. What I can tell you is that I look forward to the time spent with my friends, I feel proud of what we have accomplished and I now get excited whenever I see my favorite brand of wool on sale. For now that is enough for me.

A hobby really does offer you more than you think:

• It can decrease stress in your life.
• It can provide you with a purpose and help you focus.
• Allows you to meet new people, be active and be social.
• It helps improve dexterity, increases memory and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
• Improves your self-confidence and promotes a positive outlook.
• Can create an income generating source.
• Encourages creative thinking.
• Can be used to improve design, color, warmth and textures in your home.
• Most of all, it's fun!

The crafts seen throughout this page have been created by my friends. I think they are awesome, what do you think?

Do you have projects of your own? I would love to see them, post them in the comments below.