• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms

  • Portfolio
  • Freebies
  • Shop
  • Basket

knitting

Is it Better to Learn to Knit or Crochet?

2nd January 2017 by Caroline

Knitting and crochet are both popular hobbies for people wanting to make blankets, toys and household items. There are so many inspiring pictures, sometimes it’s difficult for a newcomer to decide which they want to learn. It becomes even more confusing when department stores label clothing inaccurately (grr).

At first, knitting and crochet can look similar – both use sticks and yarn to make fabric. There are differences and you may find that one suits you more or you prefer the results of one craft. Let’s take a look.

Equipment

A knitted fabric is made using yarn and a pair of knitting needles. You hold one needle in each hand, with the yarn typically over the right index finger. Crochet uses the same type of yarn and a single crochet hook. In this case the hook is typically held in the right hand and yarn over the fingers of the left. None of this is set in stone, and people generally find their own, comfortable style. Other equipment you need include scissors, yarn needle, stitch markers and tape measure.

Which is easiest?

That depends. I’ve been teaching for over 6 years, amd in my experience, people seem to just prefer one over the other. Sometimes it’s the one they remember from being a child, or have seen someone do. Sometimes not. Both are great for developing hand-eye coordination. 

Limitations

You may want to consider limitations, for example a wrist injury. Remember though, that this should not be the deciding factor. Some people with quite servers arthritis are able to knit comfortably by resting their hands on a lap pillow at an appropriate height.


Which results do you you like?

I suggest signing up for a free account on Ravelry. Use the search function to browse the Patterns for things you would like to make, and check whether they are knitted or crocheted. Pinterest can also be good for inspiration, but try not to get stuck in there.


Patience or instant gratification?

Crochet has the reputation of growing more quickly than knitting. It’s generally true, although that depends on the project, your skill level and the size of hook and yarn. One big benefit of crochet is that you have one working loop, which makes it easier to put down (if, for example, you need to rescue a small child).

Social and help!

What do your friends do? Are the exclusively knitters, and if so would it bother you to be the odd one out? How much help is available for you at groups and local yarn stores? Whichever you choose, there’s a great online community.

Up to you…

Whether you decide to try knitting or crochet, you can be sure of joining a warm, friendly, worldwide community. You aren’t stuck with knitting or crochet forever either – why not try both! I am happy to arrange a taster session for you and your friends.

Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: crochet, knitting, learning

Primary Sidebar

Follow us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Hello Beautiful!

I'm Caroline and I'm a multi-passionate artist in the North-West.

Being creative makes me really happy and I hope I can pass along my enthusiasm to you. Read More…

Subscribe to my infrequent newsletter!

Search…

Recent Posts

  • Behind the Scenes, Thursday 13th June 2019
  • Preston Mela Prep
  • Easter bonnets 2019
  • Craft group FAQ
  • New craft group launch!

carryyarncaro

connecting through creativity

Caroline at Happy Makes
Fun with colour and printing. Fun with colour and printing.
Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the ga Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the garden. Last year I watched the garden but didn't plant much, beyond working in the veg garden. I wondered if there were any bulbs or plants hidden, waiting for the right time  but nothing appeared.

It looks like I've been boring and lazy but I prefer to think of it as patient and considering.

I planted bulbs last Autumn, and they are started to pop up in places now, as are the roses I struggled to put in. I'm not sure they will take and maybe they would be better in pots, but I'll give it a go. Hopefully I'll be rewarded at some point.
I love making scarves like this with lots of colo I love making scarves like this  with lots of colour and texture. I weave intuitively and combine yarns as the mood takes me, so its always a surprise when I take it off the loom! 

I use different types of yarn in my weaving, including hand-dyed, naturally dyed, commercial and handspun on my Ashford traditional spinning wheel, and I choose yarn from small flocks where I know the sheep are well cared for.

There are a huge range of variations and I'm always happy to chat about alternatives, including sourcing vegan fibres. If you don't see the scarf of your dreams, please ask me and I can make something special just for you. (Prices for commissioned pieces from £90).
Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept very well in the ground.
A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :) A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :)
Shiny new book of prints i made last year... Shiny new book of prints i made last year...
It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if t It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if the change in date will magically return things to how they were,  like Cindrella's pumpkin coach.

Happy new year, anyway. :) 

I've been binding some of my prints from last year into a book so I can see my progress and tidy my heap of papers. With that done, it's time to start building a new pile!
Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodland Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodlandgarden and thank you for organising the swap Ruby @dottydelightful 
I love it!
Instagram post 17846593790452628 Instagram post 17846593790452628
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in