Crochet is a craft that has really taken off in recent years and has become more 'hip' these days. Perhaps it is because of people like Martha Stewart and some of the other celebrities who have talked about their passion for various craft activities such as knitting and crochet.

Something that many people may not know with regard to crochet is that there are a lot more things you can make than just blankets and sweaters. There is an amazing variety of items that you can create with just a crochet hook and a supply of yarn. For example, would you have guessed that there are crochet patterns for things like teddy bears, pillows, home decor items and jewelry?

Beyond the style of crochet that most people are familiar with, there are also other styles as well, For example, filet crochet uses thread to create much more delicate and intricate items than other methods. Filet crochet is often used to create items like place mats, doilies or table runners.

Tunisian or afghan crochet is quite different since it uses a much larger hook than traditional crochet, and is a good method for creating large items like afghans and rugs.

Bead crochet can really add some eye-grabbing bling to a project by incorporating beads into the project. This can be done with items like purses, jewelry and clothing.

Someone looking for a relaxing passtime which also has the benefit of creating useful items may find that crochet is the perfect choice for them. It is very inexpensive to get started and many find in quite addicting after they have been doing it for a while.

For me, the perfect relaxing evening is sitting on my couch working on a crochet project with a good movie on the television and a glass of wine. It really helps melt away the stress of a hard day at work.