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Knitting Vs. Crochet
Knitting and crochet are both great hobbies! I'm absolutely in love with both crafts, but sometimes, there can be some tension between the two. If you've just started looking into either crocheting or knitting, you might find a divide between the two crafts. Some people identify as either a knitter or crocheter and NEVER intend to learn the other. Sometimes, there can be drama between the two groups, with arguments over which craft is best. Well, here's my answer: they're both amazing! There doesn't need to be a crochet vs knit divide when both crafts are great. I crochet and knit, and I love them both equally. Gasp! I know, but I honestly can't choose just one.
Knitting and crocheting are closely related because they both involve working with yarn to create something amazing. However, the two crafts are actually very different. Crochet uses a hook, and knitting uses two needles. The finished fabric is even very different. The two seem very similar to someone with no knowledge of either knitting or crochet. I've given up correcting my family on whether I'm knitting or crocheting. "Hey, what are you knitting?" as I'm holding a crochet hook in my hand never gets old. I'll give them credit, though; they know they are two different crafts but need help to differentiate them.
I love knitting and crocheting for different reasons. I love knitting because of stranded colorwork, and I love crochet for making plushies. Stranded colorwork in knitting is easier for me than with crochet, so I usually opt for my knitting needles when making something with intricate colorwork designs. On the other hand, I'll always reach for my crochet hook for amigurumi. Many people knit stuffed animals, but I find it easier to crochet them. I cannot pick a favorite because I love knitting and crocheting for different reasons.
In this post, I'll dive into the difference between knitting and crochet so you can figure out which one is right for you (or hopefully both!). I'll briefly describe the differences and basics of each, and then talk about some pros of each (neither have true cons). All of the pros are my own opinions, and many crocheters and knitters will not agree with me, and that's totally fine! I urge you to do more research on both crafts to pick which one is best for you,
Knitting
I'll start with knitting. I learned to knit and crochet around the same time, but knitting is what sparked my interest first. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many others, I was looking for something to keep my mind occupied at home. I watched a few videos on how to knit, and then I used two pencils as needles to see if I could even knit. Once I felt like I could invest in some knitting needles, I made my first purchase, and I've been addicted ever since. I highly recommend starting on real needles and not pencils!
The key difference between knitting and crochet is the tools used. Knitting uses 2 needles, and crochet uses 1 hook. With knitting, you'll use two knitting needles at the same time. You hold one in each hand, which can feel a bit funny at first, but it's easy once you get the hang of it. All of the stitches are always on the needles. The stitches are passed back and forth between needles as you knit.
A major pro of knitting is that it uses less yarn than crochet. Yarn can get surprisingly expensive, and it becomes a true addiction collecting all of the beautiful colors. The difference in yarn usage isn't drastic, but it's definitely noticeable. I do appreciate that knitting takes less yarn than crochet, but that does typically result in a thinner fabric.
I find knitting to be faster than crochet. However, this is strictly personal, and it depends on the project. A simple knit scarf will take me less time than a simple crochet scarf. Many people are the exact opposite, though, so it will vary from person to person. As a result of it being faster for me, I like knitting for garments such as sweaters and scarves. The knitting fabric is also much more forgiving and has more "drape" than crochet fabric, which is a huge plus when making clothing.
And, of course, I can't talk about knitting without talking about stranded colorwork. Stranded colorwork, or Fair Isle knitting, is my absolute favorite thing to knit, which is evident by the number of patterns I have available. The possibilities are endless, and I love experimenting with all of the different ways to make my designs come to life. Many people do crochet or mosaic colorwork, which I love, but stranded colorwork is easier for me to knit.
One con of knitting that I will mention is dropped stitches. Since all of the stitches are "live" or on the needle simultaneously, it is possible to drop a stitch. When a stitch is dropped, it unravels down, creating a gap in the fabric. Using a crochet hook is a good way to save that stitch, but it can be frustrating. I'm pretty bad about dropping stitches. I do it way more than I would like to admit, but again, that's a personal issue and no fault of knitting itself.
If you decide that knitting is the right choice for you, then you won't be disappointed. There are so many beautiful patterns available that you'll have an endless supply of projects to work on.
Pros
Uses less yarn than crochet
Great for garments (sweaters, scarves, etc.)
The fabric has more drape
Stranded colorwork is stunning!
Crochet
Next up is crochet. So, what is crochet? While knitting is worked with needles, crochet is worked with a crochet hook. The yarn is looped around the hook with each stitch to create the finished project. Only the active stitch is on the hook, which is completely different from knitting. Learning how to crochet is easy because you only have to worry about one stitch on your hook at a time.
I learned how to crochet quickly after learning how to knit while I was still looking for things to do during the pandemic. Honestly, I learned how to crochet because of amigurumi patterns. Amigurumi are crocheted stuffed animals that you've probably seen before. They are adorable, and I found it much easier to learn how to create amigurumi stuffed animals than I thought.
In my opinion, it seems like crochet is the more trendy of the two crafts at the moment. With the rise in popularity of crochet fashion and crochet stuffed animals, crochet is appealing to the younger generation. This might be part of the divide between knitting and crochet. Knitting might be seen as a craft for older people, while crochet is quickly appealing to younger people. I'm 24, and I love them both. Crafting has no age limit.
Making stuffed animals is a significant pro of crochet. Another pro is that there is only one active stitch at a time. As I mentioned, with knitting, stitches can slip off of the knitting needles, resulting in fallen stitches. This isn't a concern with crochet. The only stitch that is "live" is the one on your hook, and the fabric unravels much differently than knitting. If you accidentally pull the stitch out, you are only losing a few stitches instead of a few rows with knitting. For that reason, I prefer to travel with crochet as it is easier to keep it all together and not at risk of being unraveled.
I also love playing around with different crochet stitches. There are a lot of different crochet stitches to play around with. I love adding different stitches to projects to add a fun pop of texture. In my opinion, crochet has the better option for textured stitches.
One con of crochet that I have already mentioned is that it uses more yarn than knitting. Depending on the project, there is not always a very noticeable difference. However, you can quickly use up your yarn with stitches like the puff stitch or bobble stitch. Stitches like these are called "yarn eaters," and they do just that. However, the stitches are so pretty that it's usually worth spending a little extra on yarn to achieve the pretty look.
If you decide that crochet is right for you, then you will have countless options available to you. With amigurumi patterns on the rise and crochet fashion becoming popular, the crochet pattern selection is growing by the day.
Pros
·There is only one active stitch.
·Great for stuffed animals.
·The more "trendy craft."
·There are a lot of different stitches that can add texture to your project.
Free Beginner Knitting And Crochet Patterns
Ready to get started? I have knit and crochet patterns that are great for beginners. Once you know the basics of either knitting and crochet (I recommend watching a few videos to get the hang of it), then you are ready to tackle these beginner-friendly patterns.
Tweedledum Beanie - Crochet Pattern
Simple Speckle Headband - Knit Pattern
Baby Capybara - Crochet Pattern
Scrappy Scrunchy - Knit Pattern
