This week my Grand Rapids Press art & craft column is about Drew Emborsky, a.k.a. “The Crochet Dude.”

I first interviewed Drew for episode 15 of the CraftSanity podcast, so it was fun to check in with him again.

He’s come a long way since we recorded the podcast and still crocheting up a storm.

Here’s how the column starts:

As a shy teen walking the halls of Saugatuck High School in the early 1980s, Drew Emborsky never imagined he would be receiving fan mail two decades later about his passion for crocheting.

“When I was in high school, I didn’t go around saying, ‘I crochet,’” he said.

Now he’s the Crochet Dude, and can’t stop talking about it.

Read the rest of the column.

I wasn’t popular in high school either, so I LOVE stories about people finding their groove later in life. God bless the Internet and the way it lets us craft geeks unite.

Drew co-authored “Men Who Knit and the Dogs who Love Them,” (Lark 2007, $24.95), and his first solo book, “The Crochet Dude’s Designs for Guys: 30 Projects Men Will Love,” (Lark 2008, $19.95) was released in November.

Drew has contributed to several books and magazines in addition to his work as a pattern designer for several yarn companies. He’s also appeared on several HGTV and PBS television programs and most recently was cast as the crochet expert on PBS’ “Knit and Crochet Today” for seasons three and four. (I got to meet up with Drew and the rest of the cast when they were taping the show in Detroit. So fun!)

Free Pattern! Get out your crochet hooks, folks. In the spirit of holiday giving, download Drew’s free crochet pattern for coffee sleeve and make one for yourself and a java-loving pal. Thanks Drew!