Never mind knitting, here's crochet

From Hollywood stars to first-graders, it seems everyone is knitting. But it's crocheting that's generating the buzz right now on crafting Web sites, blogs and even the fashion runways.

With a simple beginner stitch, you can make several projects, says Brett Bara, editor of Crochet Today magazine and host of the new PBS series "Knit and Crochet Today."

"It's kind of going through a renaissance," she said. "People used to think of crochet as the less fashionable of the two crafts, but it's really come into its own."

Thanks to new, improved yarn fibers and color choices, fashion designers are turning out crocheted halter dresses, bikinis, shawls, skirts and even jewelry. But Bara has seen as much interest in the retro look of Granny Square Afghans and baby blankets.

At Etsy.com, a Web site for buying and selling homemade wares, there are hundreds of pages of crochet projects, from throws and hats to cosmetic bags, wine totes and Japanese Amigurumi dolls.

"There is a great community aspect to crocheting and knitting," Bara said. She especially likes the new cafe and yarn shops where friends and strangers can gather around a communal table with their coffee and yarn.

"We connect so much over technology — you can really go for a long time and never hear someone's voice or see them in person," Bara said. "It's so nice to sit down, face to face, and do this really old-fashioned activity."

Bara suggests beginning with a basic square because you can put them together to make a number of projects. For good instructions on how to make a square, Bara recommends the Craft Yarn Council of America's Web site www.learntoknit.com/instructions—cr.php3.

Use worsted weight yarn, which is medium weight. Check the label for recommendations on crochet hooks, but Bara said a size H crochet hook is typically a good choice for that weight of yarn. You'll also need a small pair of scissors and a yarn needle with a big eye.

Your square size will depend on what project you choose. A 6- or 7-inch square is quite versatile, especially for a blanket or pillow. You can easily adjust the size down for smaller projects.

Once you've got the basic square down, Bara offered several ideas:

• Make 25, 6-inch squares and sew them together to form a blanket. Cut the number down to 12, and it's a baby blanket. Make the squares a variety of colors and arrange them in a pattern or scattered look. To add a flourish, choose a fringe from a craft store and stitch it along the edge. Or weave a ribbon through the open stitches, then tack it in place.
• Make eight squares and use four on each side to make a pillow. Buttons are a nice option for dressing up the corners or face of the pillow.
• With eight or 10 squares, depending on the size, you could make a tote bag. Approach the bag as you would the pillow but leave an opening at the top. Attach a strap for handle. If you crochet your squares tightly, you won't have to back the squares. If they are loose stitches or you'd like a more reinforced bag, back the inside with a fabric in a neutral or complementing fabric.
• Instead of large squares, make tiny ones, maybe 2 inches in size, and sew several together to make a case for your cell phone or iPod. Personalize it with a fun button. Make it larger, and you've got a laptop case.
• Using the basic stitch, you could forget the square and instead stitch rows for a scarf. Again, dress up the ends with ribbon or other fun fringe from the craft store.