However, grandma was actually setting future trends. Today, the lost art of knitting has turned into one of the hottest hobbies that is sweeping the nation. Today, television and movie stars, like Julia Roberts, along with millions of average Americans are embracing this hobby. In addition to making the traditional scarves and sweaters, they are making trendy accessories, gloves, hats, and pocketbooks.

Everyone from famous fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi to my teenage sister Eva find knitting to be a satisfying creative outlet, a way to make personalized gifts, and a fun activity to do while you watch television. "It’s addictive," says fifteen-year-old Eva, with a laugh. "You lose track of time and get into a zone of making pearls and knits. Then you realize, ‘I’ve been knitting for two hours?’"

Knitting has taken Hollywood by storm. Lauren Ambrose, from the hit television show "Six Feet Under," was a guest on the effervescent "The Isaac Mizrahi Show." She showed fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi the lovely multi-colored scarf she’d made. Mizrahi, an avid knitter himself, devoted a segment of his stylish show to knitting with the actress while she dished about the perils of Hollywood. These two trendy personalities engaging in an old-fashioned hobby makes knitting popular with all age groups.

In addition, "All My Children" soap opera star Rebecca Budig (who plays Greenlee) has popularized knitting. She visited Barbara Walter's hugely successful daytime talk show "The View" to give the all-female hosts a knitting lesson. Two of AMC’s biggest stars, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Josh Duhamel (Leo), came out sporting the hand-made knitted gifts from Budig. Budig showed her varied soap opera audience, which ranges from adolescent girls to adult women and even to men, that knitting is a cool hobby.

Consequently, Hollywood has inspired millions of average Americans to pick up knitting needles. This includes my fashion-conscious sister, Eva, who loves clothes and admires how they are made. She started crocheting before knitting, which, she says, "helped me understand how knitting works." Later, she discovered she liked knitting even better than crocheting. She expertly knitted her first sweater within months. Today, she sports her angora red sweater and is currently knitting more scarves and tops. Her favorite part of knitting is that you get to "use your hands to make something."

How can you get started knitting? Eva recommends learning the basics of crocheting first and purchasing a basic book on knitting from your local craft store. The book should include basic stitches, patterns, and technique, like learning how to hold the needles. She also recommends finding someone to help you through the learning process. Better yet, get your grandmother or mother to lend you a hand if she’s an avid knitter!

Knitting is a great hobby for all ages. It helps people tap into their creativity and make personalized gifts for themselves, their friends, and their family. Knitting gives you a sense of accomplishment and even helps you to save you a lot of money. No matter how busy your schedule is, you can still find time to knit!

Go ahead, start knitting a new trend!

Doggie Diva in Seventeen Magazine
by Joanne Spataro
A young impressionable homeschooling dog takes an impromptu picture in the backyard. Through the efforts of her homeschooling human companions, she now graces the pages of Seventeen magazine in the June 2002 issue.
Has success gone to her head?
Will she ever eat regular dog food again?
Find out as we trace her canine journey from obscurity to her fifteen minutes of fame!!

"Safe Dieting for Teens"
by Linda Ojeda
hosted by Joanne Spataro
Many teenagers wish they looked better in the mirror. The result can be extremely frustrating and a real self-esteem nose dive. When they carry some extra pounds, they feel unattractive. But you will appreciate the realistic advice from nutritionist Linda Ojeda's book, "Safe Dieting for Teens." Ojeda gives us the lowdown on fad diets, working towards your goal in healthy steps, and, especially, feeling good about yourself. In this interview she describes how she learned about dieting through first hand experience; the "new" high protein diet; how teens can feel good about themselves; how to fight junk food cravings; bulimia & anorexia; role of parents for dieting teens; and that teens have a real choice and that being overweight is not inevitable. Feeling motivated? Join our FREE online support group!!

My Special Cloth Book

All children enjoy having ownership in their work, and they especially like to complete projects which focus on themselves. Bookmaking can be a fun and easy way to help children at various ages and ability levels to communicate through writing.

Faces of Home Education Profile
The Pattern of Success
Homeschooler sews her way to a successful business
hosted by Joe Spataro

Homeschooler Jennie Chancey was able to take advantage of the flexibility offered by homeschooling to learn how to sew. She has turned this love into a successful business called Sense & Sensibility. I had the opportunity to interview Jennie and ask her a few questions about homeschooling, her vintage dressmaking business and how she is helping other homeschoolers to share in her love of vintage dressmaking.

Kntting for Dummies
Read the FREE excerpt:
"Knitting Primer"

Kids Knitting
Read the FREE excerpt:
"Getting Started"