Knit or Crochet: Which one is for you?

knit or crochet

Knit or Crochet?

“”KNITTING vs. CROCHETING? I am a completely inexperienced at both, but I’d love to be able to turn a ball of yarn into a cute little cap or shrug for my daughter. What should I focus on learning to do? Are there any websites with tutorials that you’d suggest?” -Jessica”

{These tips and suggestions were taken from this thread on the Craftaholics Anonymous Facebook page.}

  1. CROCHETING is much easier to start! then you can move to knittng. – Hanna H.
  2. Crochet!!! Any of the yarn companies have tutorials, but check out Mickey on YouTube. He’s fabulous!!! – Christina V
  3. I like both and started knitting first. But if you have little to zero experience and want to do a project quickly without getting burnt out or discouraged, I’d say crochet. – Darcie G.
  4. Crocheting is easier to get the hang of. – Melissa R.
  5. I agree with Hanna. Learn to crochet first. It is much easier. Youtube is full of tutorials for crocheting. You will be able to pick up on it in no time at all. – Amber B.
  6. I agree with Hanna! Crochet is much easier! I’ve tried countless times to knit and I just can’t seem to get the hang of it! Although I do LOVE the circular knitting looms! I can knock out a beanie in an hour and love it! – Chris T.
  7. I crochet and a lot of basic google searches will find you a pattern or “how to do this stitch video”. Also most of the yarn companies have free patterns on their site as well as what each abbreviation stands for so you know what stitch to look up.
  8. I used to know how to knit but I honestly found that harder so it never stuck with me; crocheting I can stop for years and then just pick back up easy. – Christina P.
  9. I have heard that crocheting is easier too. I took a class at Joann’s once and enjoyed crocheting, but found it very difficult and that was only with one needle (knitting uses two). – Abbey D.
  10. I’m a hands-on person and took both classes at Joann’s. I can tell you as someone who learned both recently, knitting was more difficult for me to grasp than crocheting. It seemed like once I got the hang of crocheting, it was pretty easy. – Sara B.
  11. I taught myself to crochet and wish I had picked knitting… it is so much cuter as a finished project. Crochet IS easier but I think knitting is more versatile. – Miranda M.
  12. I teach to both adults and kids. I find everyone is different. Some do better with crochet, some with knitting. I learned crochet first and then taught myself knitting. – MaryAnn B.
  13. Some of the craft stores (Michaels/JoAnns) have beginner classes. – Liz V.
  14. CROCHET!!!! Crochet Geek (you tube) walked me through an entire process for a hat for my daughter and she LOVED it. I often go to you tube for video tutorials. Attic24 is a great blog for inspiration and Ravelry is a great community site for both. – Andrea B.
  15. knitting yarn and hooks

    photo from Knit One One

  16. I am a knitter and LOVE, LOVE it. You can find a lot of help on you tube. – Marsha L.
  17. Crochet! It’s super easy to learn! :) – Andrea P.
  18. Crochet first for sure, but don’t stop there… once you’ve got it down move on to knitting! For either one, start with Pinterest, of course! :-) Make It and Love It also has a learning to knit series when you get to that point that has helped me. – Kandice M.
  19. I think it depends on which you learn first. My knitting friends have a heck of a time transitioning from two needles to one, and my crocheting friends have the opposite problem. I taught myself to knit using the video tutorials at knittinghelp.com. They have right and left handed tutorials, even. I LOVE knitting. It’s so relaxing. And you don’t have to worry as much about the tension of the yarn as you do with crochet. – Heidi J.
  20. I’m an avid crocheter and tried knitting but couldn’t get the hang of it. I think whatever you learn first is easier, since knitting and crocheting are so different in technique. If you’re wanting to make wearable things (other than scarves and hats) I would choose knitting. – Heather T.
  21. I prefer knitting. There are some great quick tutorials on YouTube! I have heard knitting referred to as yoga with your hands, very relaxing… I love it! – Kristin E.
  22. I started off knitting but found it to be harder than crochet. I’d start off crocheting then progress to knitting :). I am mastering crochet before I return to knitting :) – Ali H.
  23. Crochet :) you can find patterns for hats and scarves for freer on Ravelry and look up virtually every stitch type on YouTube. A real live teacher is best if you know someone, but I used YouTube a lot to learn new stuff. – Clare R.
  24. I tried crocheting first and couldn’t figure it out for the life of me, but knitting came easy peasy. – Janet P.
  25. I much prefer knitting. I always heard crochet was easier, but knitting came more easily to me first. Once I could knit, crocheting was a cinch. Crochet is much quicker, but also can be more costly as it eats up more yarn. – Erica M.
  26. I bought some looms and I am loving them. Perfect for those of us who can’t get the hang of anything else lol – Christian M.
  27. I find that crocheting is a lot easier and more forgiving than knitting. But that is a matter of opinion. Try both and see what you think!! Maybe you’ll chose both. :)) Happy yarning! – Kim M.
  28. Crochet!! Its so much more versatile and easier to learn in my opinion (I’ve attempted both) when I taught myself how to crochet, youtube was my best friend (I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner so seeing as I’m doing was perfect) – Renee M.
  29. Crochet first!! So easy :) good luck! – Sue A.
  30. I’ve taught myself both using books or you tube and I have to say that crochet is the way to go for me. I am a person that needs instant gratification and crochet goes MUCH faster than knitting. I’ve completed countless crochet projects in the 6 months I’ve been crocheting but in the 6 years I’ve known how to knit I’ve completed 3 things I think… – Ashley D.
  31. Crochet! I crochet beanies for cancer kids. Once you get the hang of it you can do one an hour!! – Tammi S.
  32. Crochet. I taught myself to crochet. People said that left-handed people can’t crochet. I have made bedspreads, pillow cases, pillow shams & still crochet afghans. – Ellen B.
  33. Try both… it seems that people are either good at one or the other :) the only way I learned to crochet (finally) was by watching YouTube videos. Have fun! – Amy P.
  34. I’ve heard a lot of people complain that because crochet is easier. It is harder for them to get the hang of knitting if they have only known crochet. I taught myself to knit from knittinghelp there are great free videos and I have to say I find the Continental method easier than the English method so watch both and see what works for you! – Bailey C.
  35. Crochet for all the reasons already stated. I have been doing it for 20+ yrs & can almost do it with my eyes closed. I am a self taught knitter and find it WAY more complicated. – Tracy C.
  36. I love both but find I don’t have to concentrate as much when I crochet…and mistakes are easier to fix :) – Cindy L.
  37. As a lefty, I struggled greatly trying to learn how to crochet, but I caught on to knitting on my first try! Once I felt comfortable with knitting, I was able to crochet without any problem, and crocheting is now more comfortable to me. There are lots of YouTube videos that I learned from. – Melanie S.
  38. Self taught knitter who can not for the life of me figure out crotchet even though I’d love too. I found knitting a lot easier. – Mel L.

You can find the complete thread that these responses were taken from here.

Have a Craft related Question? Post it on the Craftaholics Anonymous facebook page!

happy crafting,

Linda

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Linda
Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

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