Crocheting is making a comeback in today’s fast-paced world.

That’s a bit surprising because it was once considered old-fashioned and a fading art.

In year’s past, crocheting was done primarily for decorative purposes, on doilies or trim work for Sunday dresses. But, in today’s world, crocheted items are extremely popular clothing items, purses, jewelry, tablecloths, curtains and toys as well as decorative items.

“Crocheting is making a comeback,” said Sallie Fenn, who is a member of the crochet class at the Colley Senior Complex. “People like crocheted sweaters, vests, scarves and even socks. Crocheted clothing is popular and fashionable.”

The crochet class is taught by Betty Renfroe from 1 until 3 p.m. on Mondays at the Colley Senior Complex. The class is open to all who want to learn the art or just hone their skills.

“We enjoy sitting and talking while we crochet,” said Mildred Franklin. “And we learn from each other.”

The ladies said there are hundreds of crochet patterns and just about that many stitches.

“There’s the single stitch, the double stitch, the half double, the double-double, the triple, the triple-triple and so on,” Fenn said. “Then, you can combine those stitches to make other stitches.”

Renfroe said she was having a problem with the Picot stitch until her friends showed her how it was done.

“Now, that I’ve learned it, it’s as simple as can be,” she said.

Crocheting may be “as simple as can be” for those who know how to crochet but, for beginners, it can be intimidating.

Knitting doesn’t scare people as much because the knitting needles are so much larger and the thread so much thicker.

“Anything that can be knitted can be crocheted,” Fenn said. “If you learn one, you can do the other.”

Fenn learned to crochet as a young girl growing up in Pittsburg, Penn.

“We had neighborhood moms who took the girls aside and taught us things like crocheting to keep us out of trouble,” she said, with a smile.

Franklin learned the art from her grandmother and Renfroe “picked it up” after she married.

They all learned in different ways but they have all come to the same place.

“We enjoy being together to crochet and talk and we welcome others to join us,” Renfroe said. “Anybody that wants to learn to crochet just needs to get some yarn and a needle and join us. We’ll do our best to show them how.”