Crocheting vs. Knitting

[Dangerously Amused]

After falling in love one too many times last night with all the cool stuff I have seen the local crocheting/knitting textile artists make, I have finally decided that it is about time I learn one of these skills so I can make cool stuff, too. But as an absolute beginner I am clueless as to the finer points. Are there advantages/disadvantages to one skill over the other?

Any and all advice/thoughts/comments greatly appreciated. Thanks! :hi:

[Bunny]

1. I like to crochet, but I'm not able to do much beyond beginner afghans and the like.

I am too dum to learn knitting, which seems to be more versatile than crocheting.

[Dangerously Amused]

5. Okay, so knitting is harder to do/learn, but you can make more things with it?

That's good to know. Thanks!

[LaurenG]

2. I learned to knit and crochet as a child and I hated having to sit still

and work on a project, as I got older it became a lot more fun. I think you would find both equally fun.

My grandmother did something called tatting, which I wish I had learned as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting

[Dangerously Amused]

6. Tatting, wow.

Those things are sooo intricate and delicate and beautiful! I do not think I would have the patience, though. Probably get halfway into a project and run screaming into the night. They'd say "Yep, she survived eight years under the Bush regime, but it's tatting what finally put her over the edge."

Kudos to your G'ma though. Nerves of steel, those women had. :toast:

[buzzard]

8. My Aunt is a tatter if that is what one who tats is called she has a website with help if you are

interested in it.
http://www.gagechek.com/slb/index.html

[Dangerously Amused]

10. Wow, she DID all those beautiful things?

:wow:

Amazing! I am bookmarking the site so I can take a closer look later on. Thank you!

[buzzard]

62. Yes she did all these and many more not posted, she is quite talented. I have a gift from her for

our wedding of a lake here done in petit point I think that is quite beautiful.

[Dangerously Amused]

67. That lake in petit point sounds just amazing!

I think that is what I like best about the concept: being able to give people handmade gifts, designed with them in mind, that they will always cherish.

My favorite gift ever is a scarf my little niece made for me when she was about seven. It is in rainbow colors and done in that really big yarn that little kids use when they are learning. I looove it! :)

[joneschick]

18. Thank you!

my g'mother taught me to tat when I was ten. I failed knitting. I knit so tightly I broke the needles. I buy tatted stuff whenever I find it--it's a sort of rescue mission thing. :hi:

[azmouse]

14. My grandmother tatted also.

She made beautiful bookmarks that I still use today. She tried to teach me but I could never get the hang of it.
When she passed on I got her tatting materials but I still haven't been able to do it. It's nice having the stuff though as a reminder of her.

[Lavender Brown]

3. I think you can finish crochet projects quicker

I have seen beginning crocheters finish blankets really fast, whereas it can take a beginning knitter a while to knit a scarf. I enjoy knitting myself, but I haven't moved on to really complicated things.

[Dangerously Amused]

7. It seems to me that knitting stitches are tighter in general,

and that there is a lot more "play" in crochet stitches. Maybe that accounts for the longer time.

[hippywife]

4. I just want to learn to crochet those

kitchen dish cloths that the elderly ladies at work make and give to me. They really are nice to use.

:hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

9. Gotta love those sweet and generous elderly ladies!

Me, I want to make hats and scarfs like the ones I saw last night, for me and for all my friends. They have such beautiful yarns out there these days.

:hi:

[Arkansas Granny]

11. I've always found crochet easier to do, therefore my crocheting skills

are much better than my knitting skills. I really need to practice more with my knitting because there are some really cool things I'd like to knit.

That being said, with either crochet and knit, there are many attractive stitches and patterns that can be learned quickly by a complete novice. You can make some beautiful accessories and afghans with just a few basic stitches. I have found the internet a great place to find patterns and instruction.

[Dangerously Amused]

12. That seems to be the consensus, that crocheting is easier to do/learn.

The easiness factor is a strong motivator for me. Thanks!

[Lavender Brown]

13. You might like this site and forum

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/index.php

It has both crochet and knit ideas to gawk at. I can't do most of this stuff, but I like to look at it. :)

[Dangerously Amused]

27. Wow, some of that stuff is just gorgeous!

Yeah, I'll be sticking to the standard "scarf" project for a while, I'm sure.

:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

31. Also check out

ravelry.com

:)

[Dangerously Amused]

41. Oh, wow!!

I just signed up for an account, I guess it takes a few days, but... just on the first page, those mittens! And that rainbow colored cashmere yarn! Gorgeous!

Man, I will have to take on a second job just to keep me in cool yarn. :/ lol.

[KatyaR]

58. WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE . . .

it won't be long before you've got a stash that fills an entire room and have moved on to the harder "drugs," spinning, dyeing, and weaving. Next will be one sheep, maybe two, and then you'll be buying an acreage and filling it with sheep, alpaca, rabbits, goats, and llamas. Seriously!

I took up knitting for good about six years ago. I now have a room full of yarn and spinning fiber, two spinning wheels, and I just bought a small rigid heddle loom. Oh, and then there's the unprocessed fiber and the dyeing materials, all the books and magazines . . . .

But really, if you want more information, find a really good yarn shop (not a Michael's, etc.) and go in and ask. A good shopkeep will be happy to help you "join the program."

:bounce:

[Dangerously Amused]

65. Wow, you are REALLY into it!

How wonderful that you have found an avocation that you love so very much. And yeah, I am pretty sure that I will become a devoted disciple in short measure. :) I think it's especially cool that you spin. I have always been intrigued by the idea of making stuff with alternative fibers ("alternative" meaning not the usual machine-spun poly blends but things like the hand-spun animal fibers, etc.)

What are your favorite things to make?

[KatyaR]

69. I don't have the animals, but I'm getting close to having everything else!

I don't like to knit big things, I mainly do socks and scarves and such, but I've really come to love the spinning and weaving. I have a friend at work who sucked me right into the well the first day I worked with her, so I have someone to blame!

I've been spinning about 3 years, and it's such a Zen thing to do--it's so relaxing and calming. Right now I'm spinning alpaca from a friend's farm, with the ultimate goal to use it to weave a shawl. Her farm is only a couple of miles from the farm where I grew up, so that makes the process just that much more special to me.

The weaving is new, since Christmas, but I'm loving it as well. There's a big learning curve even using something so simple as a rigid heddle loom, so I've enjoyed that. And anything that gives me an excuse to get my hands on yarn or fiber is a good thing in my book. We're so lucky in that we have so many different fibers to choose from, both animal and plant (ever heard of bamboo yarn? there is such a thing, and it's lovely) and so many ways to learn.

Get thee registered at Ravelry, and poke around on the internets and find out if there are any fiber festivals or clubs in your area. Having a good group of fiber friends to have fun with and learn from is the best.

Good luck to you, and welcome to the clan!

[Dangerously Amused]

73. When you finally do get the animals it'll be charming and only a mild obsession.

But when you start to keep the animals in the house with you, I'm really going to worry. ;)

Thanks again for all the encouragement and great advice! :hi:

[pengillian101]

75. I just signed up for an account, I guess it takes a few days,

I just signed up also. That is so weird - 3 days to get an account. Very odd.

[azmouse]

15. Crochet is useful for around the house items like

doilies, tablecloths and afghans. Knitting is useful for clothing items.

I'm an avid crocheter. I wish you lived nearby as I'd be happy to teach you. It's an inexpensive and fun hobby.
I've found crocheting to be much easier than knitting. There are just a few main stitches to learn and then it's all in the way you combine them to make some really amazing items.

Any craft store should have classes in either hobby or you can get a book and teach yourself. Just be patient with yourself as you learn. I've been crocheting with yarn since I was only 6 but it was only a few years ago that I taught myself to crochet doilies using the very thin cotton threads. For as long as I've been crocheting it still took me a while to get good with thin thread and I look at my early efforts and laugh. Save your first projects so you can see your progress. You'll be surprised at how fast you get good. :)

[Dangerously Amused]

28. Aw, I wish I lived closer too; I would love to learn it from you!

:pals:

Currently I'm inspired by 1) the fact that my 7 year old niece knitted a beautiful scarf for me one year for Xmas, 2) I just started reading a very funny true story (book) about a woman going through a divorce who started knitting as a sort of therapy -- and then kind of became obsessed with it, and 3) a few friends my age who crochet/knit such beautiful things. Oh, and in my box of memories there is one small yarn square that I crocheted in high school as part of a home ec class, so I know I can do it, even though I've forgotten how.

Anyway, I like your idea of keeping my early projects to compare my progress.. and laugh at later on. :7

[VenusRising]

16. I do both.

I am far more proficient at crocheting than knitting, but I've been crocheting for years. I've only taught myself to knit in the last six months (mostly via YouTube, which is an excellent source for tutorials). There are a few differences that are important to note, I think. Like a lot here have said, crochet is much faster. It just doesn't take as much time to crochet something as it does to knit something. I can crochet a hat in a couple of hours. Another thing is that you use more yarn when you crochet. That might not be much of an issue, but if you have to spend an extra 10 bucks for yarn for a project, it can get kind of pricey.

I have to say, though, I enjoy knitting more than I do crocheting even though I'm a better crocheter. I would advise going to YouTube and checking out the different tutorials for knitting and crocheting. I think it will better help you decide by really seeing the mechanics of each one.

Good luck to you, and if you need/want any more info, please feel free to PM me. :)

:hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

29. Hey, I am always happy to get free advice from a pro. :D

I will indeed check out the tutorials at youtube. Thanks!

[bicentennial_baby]

30. I'm still waiting for you to try Cat Bordhi's

short row wraps. :P

Series! It's genius! :bounce:

[VenusRising]

44. You're such a pusher!

:P

I will go watch the video again and see what I can do. ;)

[laconicsax]

17. laconicspouse suggests this video on the subject

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcUjYpjKZs

Also she says that knitting is way better.

[Dangerously Amused]

32. I didn't know what to expect... but that was freakin' HILARIOUS!

:rofl:

The Underground Crochet Movement, lol! Love it! Thanks!

:hi:

[ThomCat]

63. That is Wonderful!

knowing both Crocheters and Knitters, and being someone who is vainly trying to learn to crochet, I think that is totally hillarious!

:rofl:

[SeattleGirl]

19. I prefer crocheting over knitting.

It's easier (I think), you only need one needle as opposed to two, and for me, it's more calming than knitting.

:hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

34. Hey you!

Looks like I will start out with crocheting, and maybe work my way up to knitting.

[SeattleGirl]

40. Hey yourself!

This thread is making me want to start crocheting again. It's been about 5 years since I have.

[Jeep789]

20. I just recently took up both and find both easy and relaxing

It is amazing how fast one can finish a piece with the newer and bigger needles and hooks. The only downside is that the materials are costly. You can usually purchase an item cheaper than making it.

[Dangerously Amused]

35. That was one of my thoughts about the purchase vs. create price.

Especially since I am a big fan of thrift shops. But then again I,m drawn to the idea of making stuff in colors and designs that I like instead of waiting and hoping to find something else out there. Plus I think handmade gifts with the recipient in mind are the best kind of gifts, and I would like more options for the stuff I give to people.

[gblady]

21. avid knitter here....

I think the basics are really easy...there are only two stitches with a ton of variations...
I do mostly simple knitting...with an occasional challenging project thrown in.
I find it very relaxing...it's my comfy...(like sucking my thumb as a child.)

My gramma tatted. I have the cutest tatted no finger gloves she made for me when I was 5.

[Dangerously Amused]

36. That's one of the things I like best about the idea of learning to knit/crochet:

the handmade gift aspect. I mean I love that you still have and cherish those tatted gloves from your childhood, and I bet gramma would be thrilled, too.

[wovenpaint]

22. I think crochet is easier to learn at first

and makes knitting better understood when you're ready to give that a try, too.
Another thing...crochet uses more yarn per stitch than knitting. I agree with watching tutorials on YouTube-lots of great information and inspiration there-how did we ever live without it!
:hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

37. Thanks for the suggestions, and I will definitely check into the youtube vids!

:hi:

[trof]

23. Granny used to 'tat'.

I have no idea what that is.

[yellowdogintexas]

25. my Granny did tatting also, but somehow I never got any of her stuff. My great grandmothers

both crocheted and did quilts. One of my aunts did crochet and knitting.

I learned to crochet very quickly but my knitting was bad. Every so often I toy with taking a knitting class but never quite seem to get there.

Probably having 3 cats in the house is what holds me back

[trof]

26. Does anybody make afgans any more?

My maiden great aunts used to.

[Arkansas Granny]

33. Afghans are my favorite thing to crochet. I've made them for everyone in

the family and for friends and they just love them. I have 4 that I've made this winter from scrap yarn alone. I don't know yet who will get them, but they are certainly colorful and I'll find a home for them soon. My 20 yo granddaughter still has the one I made for her before she was born and she still likes to use it as a throw to curl up with. I don't know how many hundreds of times it's been washed over the years, but it retains it's shape and colors.

[Dangerously Amused]

38. I think it means that she was a tattoo artist.

:hide:

[bicentennial_baby]

24. I think knitting is more versatile, personally

You can make almost anything with knitting. While it is possible to crochet garments, it takes a certain skill and knowledge of how certain fibers in different weights will drape once knitted up, etc.


I <3 knitting. :)

[Dangerously Amused]

39. Hey, cool. I was hoping you would check in.

Since imo you're pretty much the Lounge knitting guru/aficionado.

That was one thing I wondered about, how one learns the correct types of fibers to use in particular projects. I suppose you just look to see what has worked for others, and/or learn by trial and error.

Have you seen this book?: I just picked it up at a used book store, it is very funny and well written enough to be engaging even for non-knitters:

[bicentennial_baby]

48. It comes with experience

And even experienced knitters know, there's always more to learn. That's why I'm getting into spinning my own yarn, so I can really learn more about fiber. When you start out, use the yarn that a pattern calls for. Or, once you're on rav or on Knitty Coffeeshop, you can ask the groups about what yarns are good substitutes. :)

And yes, buying yarn is addictive. I am awash in a sea of yarn that will last me forever. I have 3 pairs of socks, 2 shawls, 1 sweater and 1 toy on the needles right now. :crazy:

If you have ANY questions, please PM me anytime. If I don't know the answer, I can at least point you in the right direction.

Oh, and once you're on Rav, let me know and I'll add you as a friend over there. :pals:

[Dangerously Amused]

50. Aw, you are the coolest!

:pals:

I will definitely come lookin for you when I get on Rav. Thanks!

[Lars39]

42. I used to do the kind of crochet work that'll send ya blind:

Magic Crochet magazine was *the* best source for patterns. :)

[Dangerously Amused]

43. Oh man, that's incredible stuff!

Did it ever give you a headache to have to focus on such fine, close-up detail for so long?

[Lars39]

45. No, no headache...just wrist strain.

:)

[azmouse]

46. I have issues of that mag that go back to the early '80s.

My grandmother had a subscription and she never threw away an issue. I have all the issues, and even a few small booklets that date back to the '40s. Cool stuff.

I love when I look through them for projects and find the patterns for doilies that she made and gave to me.

[Lars39]

51. Neat!

Didn't realize the magazine had been around that long. :)

[Grey]

47. One of the BEST places to look & learn....

Knittinghelp.com

Come on over and watch the videos, read the comments, ask all your questions.

This is a great place for anyone wanting to learn to knit. They will also help if you
choose to Crochet. Great bunch of people.

[Dangerously Amused]

49. I just went there, thanks!

A very friendly website. I will join up and explore later, but I love it already. :)

Wow, knitting/crocheting folks are really sweet and helpful!

:hi:

[azmouse]

52. It's 'cause we're fanatics and love to include others in our obsession.

:D

[Dangerously Amused]

53. Uh oh. This is gonna be like a cult, right?

Oh well. There's worse religions to join.

:)

[Grey]

54. Another super, simple thing to do is....

Take a trip to your Local Yarn Shop. ( LYS) (If you have several in your area, spend a little time in each)
They can show you several different ways to knit. English, Continental Combined, etc.
They also usually have classes or a 'Knit Night,' where you can learn all sort of stitches,tips, tricks, and
how to knit SOCKS. Beware of the Sock. Known to be habit forming.....
I like to spend time at a table in the back corner of our LYS drinking coffee and chatting with others,
just remember to drop some change in the coffee jar.

[bicentennial_baby]

55. Don't get me started on sock yarn!

Let's just say my feet will be toasty after the apocalypse. :rofl:

[KatyaR]

59. Hee . . . .

My goal is to have enough yarn and fiber to pack myself in a coffin tightly. I want to be surrounded by fibers.

I'm not sharin' nuthin' with nobody!

[bicentennial_baby]

60. Hahahaha

I'm a proud member of the Selfish Knitters group on Ravelry. :D

[KatyaR]

61. Ooo, I'll have to look that one up,

I definitely fit into that category. Thanks!

[surrealAmerican]

57. Socks are definitely a good way to start.

You can knit just about anything else once you've mastered socks.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

56. I'm finding knitting to be easier than crocheting.

But maybe it's because I've become more patient in my old age. ;-)

[Dangerously Amused]

66. My nieces learned knitting when they were like, 7.

So I'm thinking there might be hope for my oldster brain, too. :hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

70. Waldorf schools use knitting to teach kids math

:D

I think it's Waldorf, could be Montessori.

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

64. I do both but prefer crocheting; once you've learned the basics of a granny square

there are zillions of variations and things one can make with them.

Right now I'm getting into lots of 3 dimensional stitches and making a lovely boucle afghan for my new apartment.

Just wait till you walk into a boutique yarn shop; it's amazing the choice of raw materials out there!

[Dangerously Amused]

68. 3D stitches sounds pretty advanced; kudos to you!

I know what you mean about the boutique yarn stores though. I will walk into them without having a clue how to use the stuff, and still marvel at all the colors and textures. Bead stores, too.

[blondeatlast]

71. Not really all that hard once you learn the basics. By then you are hooked (snicker).

:rofl:

[TheCentepedeShoes]

72. I did some knitting when I was

about 13 or so. Sweater vest IIRC.
My mom knitted me an entire dress when I was in HS...I know, sounds weird, but it came out really well, got lots of complements on it.
Never tried that crotchety thingy although if Mr 'pede doesn't make the dog stop licking the armrests on his chair I will tell him I am getting some antimacassars.

[Dangerously Amused]

74. Some of those sweater vests I see at the art fairs are really cool.

I would love to make my own clothes in the styles and colors that I like.