Crochet

We have a confession to make. Those crocheted baby blankets and booties that moms-to-be have been receiving for decades? They're heartfelt, one-of-a-kind, and a little . . . well, outdated. But crocheting is surprisingly trendy right now, even among the 20- and 30-something set. We're not saying you need to run out and buy your own crochet hooks, but if you like the look, check out these 10 modern, creative interpretations of the craft.

Most people are on the fence about crochet; it either reminds you of the easy, bohemian sensibilities of hippie-cool style icons like Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, or it calls to mind your grandma and her mystifying obsession with doilies. Though it may have folksy connotations, crochet doesn't have to be a total blast from the past — we love how a knit dress or pair of shorts looks over a bikini for a day at the beach, and you can really never go wrong with an open-weave crocheted top either. You can also glean inspiration from the Spring 2012 runways of Rag & Bone, Jenny Packham, Valentino, and Rebecca Taylor, all of which incorporated an artful, grown-up version of crochet into their collections. Just click through to see 15 summery pieces that might just make you a crochet convert.

The French word crochet literally means hook and refers to the instrument used to create the intricate knots of yarn or rope used in a crochet pattern. I'm sure many of you have memories of a grandmother crocheting, and while many patterns were definitely granny-style, as we've seen before, crochet is constantly being updated and modernized.We've rounded up some incredible crochet art, as well as pieces that you can add to your home, that take crochet to a thoroughly modern level.

Crochet can get sold short; for some, it conjures up memories of hippie-chic style icons like Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, and for others, it can be a reminder of our Grandma's favorite pastime. Though it may have folksy connotations, crochet doesn't have to be a total blast from the past. Case in point: Rose Byrne — she recently hosted Zimmermann's Resort collection dinner wearing the designers' super sweet knee-length dress with gorgeous crochet detailing at the neck, and an almost patchwork crochet design throughout. You can also glean inspiration from the Alexander McQueen Resort collection, and Spring '11 offerings from Malandrino; both lines infused artful crocheting into their looks, bringing an easy, bohemian sensibility to the sometimes-intimidating fabrication. Just click through to see 10 pretty pieces that might just make you a crochet convert.

To celebrate Father's Day, I wanted to feature an artist whose work honors masculinity while also turning it on its head. Crochet artist Nathan Vincent was raised in the Midwest and later attended art school in California before moving to New York City, where he found his true calling: questioning gender norms through working in a very cozy medium.

Nathan explains,

The works shown here focus on the contradiction between medium and subject matter. The objects created were inspired by memories of attempts to be masculine. Men I have known spent much of their time in the garage with tools getting greasy and doing the heavy-duty lawn work. They watched Sunday afternoon football on their recliners with the remote in hand. My uncle was a body builder, which to me was the physical epitome of masculinity. I remember my father getting home from work, propping his briefcase on the bed and removing the paperwork. And, I distinctly remember longing to be tall enough to use the urinal in the men's restroom like the big guys. By crocheting the objects that are linked to these masculine ideas, I am breaking down the barrier of traditional gender permissions. The objects are no longer rough and manly, but soft and inviting. They evoke the feminine. The nontraditional sculpting process of crochet allows me to draw attention to the challenges of defining gender identities.

See more of Nathan's work in the slideshow, and learn more about the artist in this video on Road Trip Nation. Through June 26, catch his work in the exhibition The Mysterious Content of Softness at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Seattle.

>> Designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Alberta Ferretti showed off crochet and eyelet looks on their Spring runways, so we're looking in a similar direction to beat the heat. In hopes of staying cool this season, we scoped out the best batch of pieces — that simultaneously achieve fashion and function — from Alexander Wang, J.Crew, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Thread Social. Click the slideshow for more inspiring and breezy warm weather dresses, tops, and accessories.

Etsy is one of my favorite places for fun, uncommon treasures — and when it comes to shopping for gifts, it's one of the first places on my list. I'm definitely eyeing this hand-crocheted clutch ($117) and funky feathered statement necklace ($65). If you're on the hunt for unique holiday finds for friends and family, look no further — Etsy has you covered. Click through for 15 fashionable finds from the popular online marketplace.