Over three years ago, I wrote a post sharing my thoughts on crochet vs. knitting. You can find that original post HERE. I had just learned how to knit, so it was perhaps a little premature to make the comparison, but I wanted to share how I initially felt about the two yarn crafts. I had been crocheting for over a year and was excited about testing the knitting waters. I’ve now been crocheting for just over four years and knitting for just over three, so I feel like I can make a better comparison and offer some tips, patterns, tutorials, and other resources if you’d like to pick up one or both of these creative hobbies.
I’m going to go through the same comparison questions I wrote in my initial post, share my previous answer, and then what I think now.
crochet vs. knitting – which one is easiest?
Original answer – “I think this question is a tough one and I’ve had readers and followers weigh in on both sides. I don’t think one is necessarily easier than others, but rather knitting is easier in some ways and crochet is easier in other ways. I think the motion of knitting is easier and the “knit” and “purl” stitches are easier to perform than crochet stitches. Crocheting involves more “yarning over” and pulling yarn through loops in a particular order. Someone who is easily confused by all of the movements of crochet might find knitting easier. When you get mixed up in knitting, I’ve found it’s much harder to go back and correct the mistake. You unravel it just as you would in crochet, but you have to thread your needle back into all of the loops and I have found that to be tricky.“
I think this answer is pretty much the same three years later. I will make one addition, though. I have found knitting patterns to be much easier to follow. I’m not really sure why that is, but I get lost pretty quickly on a written crochet pattern if it gets too complicated, but I can follow and envision a knitting pattern just by looking at the Ks and Ps. That doesn’t necessarily make knitting easier than crocheting, but I do feel like I have more freedom to take on new patterns if I can easily understand them.
chunky crochet cotton potholder pattern & video tutorial for beginners
ruffled-edge crocheted dishcloth pattern & tutorial for beginners
Crochet vs. knitting – which one has the easiest beginner projects
Original answer – When I learn something new – anything new, I want to do something productive with that new skill as soon as possible. With both knitting and crochet, you can make easy beginner projects like dishcloths, potholders, and scarves. I have found crochet to be a little bit easier when it comes to going beyond that, though. Maybe I just need to get further into knitting, but I find I’m a little slower at moving into knitting in the round for projects like mittens, socks, and hats. I’m heading in that direction, though.
Now that I’ve done more knitting, I think I produce higher-quality pieces sooner simply because it’s easier to keep track of your stitches. Since knitting stitches stay on the needles, it’s pretty difficult to add or drop stitches, resulting in a wonky end product. With crochet, many of my early endeavors were very wonky. For example, the mittens I made ended up being two different sizes and shapes! Knitting keeps me on track and results in pieces I actually want to wear or feel good about gifting. And, as I shared above, I personally find knitting patterns easier to follow.
I would still encourage absolutely beginners to start with things that are very forgiving so you can have success right off the bat. I mean, who cares if a dishcloth is a trapezoid and not a square?
vintage/farmhouse style glass cozy crochet pattern & tutorial
crochet vs. knitting – which one looks better?
Original answer – I included this question because it has come up a lot when I’ve shared about crochet over the past year. Many people expressed that they prefer the look of knit projects over crochet. I actually love the texture you get with crochet, but I also love the flat braid of a traditional knit. I think this is a total preference thing and I plan to use knitting and crochet depending on which is best suited for the project. The biggest contributor to a finished piece looking nice is selecting the right yarn. I think even the most beautiful work can look bad with cheap yarns in crazy, clashing colors. On the flip side, I think beginner’s work can be elevated by a beautiful yarn.
One cool thing about crochet is that it can’t be done by a machine while knitting can. A crocheted piece will always be something that’s handmade and I sort of like that.
I agree with these thoughts still. I like the look of both and plan to keep crochet hooks and knitting needles in my sewing room. I do tend to gravitate towards knitted items to wear and chunkier crocheted items for things like the popcorn garland I made last Christmas or the chunky snowflake ornaments/present toppers. I also still firmly agree with my statement above that the right yarn makes all the difference. Choose your yarns and colors well and even imperfect, beginner pieces will look great.
Do they cost the same?
Original answer – I would’ve answered yes until last week when I was trying to get outfitted with more needles! When it comes to crochet, you just need one crochet hook per project. For knitting, you obviously need to have two or more needles (which involves more material and costs a bit more.) You also might want to get sets of five double-sided needles for specific projects. The good news is that once you have the hooks and needles, they’ll last for a long time. The same yarn can be used for both projects, so that didn’t factor into this answer. As I’m playing with different yarns, though, I’m learning that I prefer some for crochet and some for knitting. I still need to do more experimenting, though!
Yep, I still agree with this. I think that knitting needles, especially nice ones, tend to run a bit more expensive than crochet hooks. I also have had to replace some of the double-pointed needles I use most frequently. Since they are on the slimmer side, they are prone to bending. I’ve also had a few tips break off of wooden needles and have had to replace those. As with any hobby, there is always something new to buy whether it’s needed or wanted!
So, which one do I like better – crochet vs knitting?
Original answer – I wish I could give you a definitive answer, but I don’t know, yet! I really enjoy both of them at this point. Knitting requires more focus and attention for me, but I think that’ll balance out as I gain more knitting experience. I am also doing a lot more unraveling and starting over in knitting than I did in crochet. I have found it’s a little less forgiving when it comes to just winging it. I am excited about getting into cables, Fairisle patterns, and making my own wool socks, though, so I’m going to keep working at it!
While I like both, I think knitting is my favorite. I have really enjoyed mixing yarn colors and I recently started making pieces with cables. I have been pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of knitting things that look complicated. I thought cables would be well beyond me, but they are pretty straightforward. I think the most difficult part of knitting is casting on. If you can master that and have a good system for keeping track of what row you’re on in the pattern, you’ll be well on your way to making beautiful pieces.
The cabled piece is going to be a headband/ear warmer to wear when I’m walking. You can find the pattern I’m using HERE and I made a few adjustments for the yarn I had on hand and wanted to use. Of course, it’ll be warm enough to not have to wear one by the time I finish, but I’ll have it for next year. I’d like to knit a couple of berets next. I inherited a big head from my dad and I always have trouble finding handmade berets that fit my melon, so I’ll make my own to the perfect size.
As far as other knitting/crochet updates, I am still keeping and adding to the notebook I started a few years ago. I clip patterns to pages, affix yarn bands along with samples and swatches to keep track of which yarns I’ve used, and make notes about needle size for specific projects, etc. It’s really helped me keep track of what worked, what didn’t, and which patterns I might want to make again.
And, I must say, it’s just a pretty little book in addition to being a great resource! It’s the kind of notebook I would be giddy over finding at an estate sale or auction.
As far as purchasing yarns, I buy yarn from a little bit of everywhere. There are a few I like from chain craft stores, but I buy most of my yarn from specialty shops. Whenever I share a tutorial, though, I always link to the specific yarn I purchased, where I bought it, and what needle size I use so you have a good starting point. A couple of knitting sites I particularly like are Ingebretsens and Purl Soho. I have a nice stash of yarn to pull from for projects I want to make on a whim, but I’m not buying new yarn unless it’s for a specific project.
Anyway, I hope revisiting this post and giving some updates will provide some good information for those interested in learning one or the other or perhaps picking up the hobby again.
Here are a bunch of tutorials, patterns, and posts if you’re interested in learning or making any of the things I’ve made…
Farmhouse Dishcloth Tutorial for Absolute Beginners
Crochet Potholder Tutorial for Beginners
So, you want to learn to crochet?
Vintage-Style Farmhouse Glass Cozy
Helpful Resources for Beginner Knitting
What I Learned From Knitting My First Pair of Socks
knitting Selbu mittens for beginners
Selbu Mitten Tutorial Part 2 | Knitting in Two Colors
Selbu Mittens Tutorial Parts 3 & 4 | Making a Thumbhole & Finishing
This is fun! I was inspired by your Selbu mitten tutorials to pick up knitting, when you posted that a little over a year ago. My grandma taught me how to knit when I was young, but I found the purl stitch too hard to learn and the whole thing too slow and I never got beyond making wonky looking garter squares. I hadn’t thought much about knitting since, but when I saw your mittens I wanted them so badly that I looked at the tutorial and you made it look so easy that I decided to give it a go! (You may remember me – I asked a really silly question about whether or not my knits and purls had to stack for the ribbed cuff haha! I was going in with practically nothing.) Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I loved that so much that I’ve been knitting ever since! I don’t have much time for hobbies these days, so knitting has been the perfect portable hobby that fits in the cracks and satisfies my drive to be creative and learn new things. I’m so glad that you share your interests with us as you learn them! Thank you so much for inspiring me to pick up a craft that has brought so much joy (and a drawer full of handknit sweaters!) into my life.
A great resource for both knitting and crochet patterns and yarns is Ravelry. There are literally thousands of patterns to choose from-some of which are free. You can also keep track of all of your projects there. It’s free to sign up and you never get unsolicited emails or ads from them. There are millions of “ravelers” from all over the world! I would highly suggest that you check it out and join.
Yep, Ravelry is a great site! Another one is lovecrafts.com. They sell all kinds of yarn, and have lots of excellent patterns, some free.
I loved this refresher article. I’m a long time crochet-er. I tried to pick up knitting a few years ago but became very frustrated because there’s no hook on the end of the needle to catch the yarn. 😆🤷♀️ Your posts are always inspiring so maybe I’ll give it another whirl.
Have you tried Tunisian crochet? One long needle with a crochet hook end and a stop on the other. Gives a great texture and you only use one needle but it’s more like crochet.
I was a avid crocheter year ago and stop when I got into sewing. Your crochet mittens made want to make them. After tens pairs I decided to make a sweater. I love crocheting sweaters. I will never buy another sweater again. I agree the yarn makes the difference. I am currently working on a hooded sweater using double strand mohair lace hair yarn. It is gorgeous and looks so delicate and it is crochet. You can use a DK or sport weight yarn instead of the lace weight, but I am now going beyond my boundaries and challenging myself. I have become a yarn addict.
I have tried knitting years ago but I just had a hard time with it and tried crocheting and loved it and now loving it again thanks to your desire to make those mittens. It inspired me to try my hand at it and was once again in love with crocheting. Thank you for sharing and inspiring all of us.
I learned to crochet and knit because of you sharing these hobbies! I have completed 2
Pair of Selbu mittens and am working on my third, I just need to pick it up and get going. I must say, it takes me about 3 weeks of knitting every evening to make a mitten. It’s slow going for me, but enjoyable when I come back to it.
My now deceased father was 7 or 8 when his grandma taught him Tatting. I have memories of dad and his big hands making tatted lace, butterflies, and baskets. They are special reminders of dad.
I have an old DMC needlework craft book from the turn of of the century that shows many of these lost arts ,
Including Bobbin lace ,Battenburg, knitted lace Crochet and embroidery. What a treasure.
I can’t quite get the knack of crocheting, but I enjoy knitting and have made many beautiful things over the years. There is nothing I enjoy more than making cables, the fancier and more intricate, the better! Cables are so easy to make, and look so elaborate, it’s a great way to convince others that you are an “expert.” Cables also keep you much warmer when you wear them, as they thicken up a garment and trap heat.
My mom, years ago, was really into crocheting. I found most handcrafts like sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, etc. to be too slow and cumbersome for my interest. I love knitted items, crochet not so much. Now that I’m much older I wouldn’t mind trying to learn to knit. I love crafting but my interests are more into drawing, doodling, crafting with paper and glue, etc.
Great summary, Marion. The only thing I would add is that crochet uses more yarn than knitting, typically. Might add to the cost in that way.
For me it’s knitting all the way! When thrift shopping I’ll always be on the lookout for old knitting needles and knitting books. Pinterest is a go to for knitting tutorials and patterns which have been added to my board.