Women have been breaking down male stereotypes for years, and the time has come for men to reclaim some of that ground. Yes, my friends, men around the globe are picking up needles and knitting. Throwing machismo out the window, men are creating knitting circles and discussing the best knitting patterns over beer and cigars. So we ask you, are you man enough to pearl?

Knit NY, a lower Manhattan knitting store, hosts a men-only knitting night. Once a week, men get together to eat hot dogs, drink beer and become part of the 'Knit and Bitch Nation.' (FYI - Stitch 'N Bitch Nation is a book by Debbie Stoller, the ultimate yarnoscenti. Her book has launched a bunch of cool knitting phrases. Our favorite is the Pre-knitual which is an agreement that boyfriends of knitters must sign, committing them to speak honestly about knitted presents.) When one looks at the latest Lycos searches related to crochet and knitting, it is evident that men are actually looking to knit.

Also, the web has once again become a communal place for like-minded male knitters to meet and discuss the fad that has reached epic proportions. The web site, Men Knit.net, has the motto -- which we borrowed for the title of this column --"Man Enough to Knit, Strong Enough to Purl." Over at Amazon, two of the top selling DVDs include The Art of Knitting and The Art of Knitting & Crochet 2. The first DVD was so popular that they released a sequel. Women aren't the only folks buying them either.

Men have been knitting for centuries. Many folks believe that ancient fishermen who tied knots on their nets were the first to knit. During the filming of "The Legend of Zorro," Catherine Zeta-Jones supposedly taught Antonio Banderas to knit as a way to occupy him in between takes. Some macho California knitters use tackle boxes and tool boxes to store their needles and yarn. Snowboard and Skateboarders are the latest group of men breaking the knitting stereotypes. A skateboarder we heard about had such an itch to stitch that he made crocheted beanies with ear flaps to keep him warm while imitating the latest Tony Hawk move. Hey I wonder if Tony Hawk would join my knitting circle.

The most-requested Knitting & Crochet searches by Lycos users for the week ending February 11, 2006:

1. Knitting
2. Crochet
3. Crochet & Knit Patterns
4. Easy Crochet & Knitting Patterns
5. Free Crochet Patterns
6. Free Knitting Patterns
7. Knitting Needles
8. Knitting Yarn
9. Winter Gear Knitting Patterns
10. Circular Knitting Machine

11. Crochet Beanie Pattern
12. Knitting Instructions
13. Crochet Poncho
14. Magic Crochet
15. Wool Crochet
16. Knit Baby Booties
17. Knitted Clothing
18. Crochet Flower
19. Celebrities Who Knit
20. Free Baby Knitting Patterns

TUESDAY: Presidential Query Doppelgangers...

Additional reporting by Mir Hasan Ali who is still trying to crochet a scarf.

Dean Tsouvalas can be reached at dean.tsouvalas@lycos-inc.com