I'm not particularly the artsy type. I cannot even paint the side
of a barn without getting myself covered with paint. My imagination
is hopelessly mired in the here and now. But particularly since DG
and I stopped smoking, I like to keep my hands busy. The Darling
woman taught me to crochet a few (8) years ago. Then she pointed
me at one particular book and a yarn store and I was off.  The name
of the book is Crochet your way.  It was written by Gloria Tracy and
Susan Levin.  If you want to learn to crochet, buy this book.
Make the afghan they suggest in the book.  (Trust me, you will never
have to make another afghan again if you don't wanna.)  When
finished, you will have an afghan and you will be a confident
crocheter.  That is a lot to ask from one book and one afghan. 
Of course, I LOVE books and have dozens of crochet books, but
this is the one I go back to over and over.  It's a keeper.  I just
say that because I just loaned my copy out.

Now I almost always have yarn and a hook with me.

I'm only capable of one tool at a time, so crochet really works well
for me.  It is soothing on some very deep level. The motions are
methodical and repetitive, almost hypnotic. Loops and yarn overs
and pull throughs comprise some lovely things. Take a look -




This is a phone bag that I made in a couple hours while watching TV.
My hands were busy and my mind was OK with getting most of the
work done while commercials were playing. Besides, now I know
the location of my doggone phone. Next on my agenda is another,
with a different color of yarn.

My Darling friend, Kimberly, is far more accomplished with a hook.
Take a look-



This is a long sleeve coat, and it is AWESOME.  Crochet is both
an art and a craft.  Kimberly works on an entirely different level
than I do, but she is an artist.  I'm just a worker bee.  Still, for me,
it fills a place that nothing else does.