Is It Easier To Learn To Knit Or Crochet?
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see some answers to the question – Is it easier to learn to knit or crochet?
If you’re starting to learn to craft using yarn, you might be wondering whether it’s better to begin by learning how to crochet or learn how to knit.
Both of these crafts have similar skills; however, there are noticeable differences between crochet and knitting that set them apart.
Knowing the characteristics of both will help you to decide which one to pick first.
What’s The Difference?
The two skills differ mostly in the methods and the tools required.
Both knitting and crochet use balls of yarn to craft items like blankets, sweaters, and socks, however, knitting uses two needles and crochet just one.
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What Is Knitting?
Knitted items are created by knitters using basic knit stitches and purl stitches using two needles, with your work held on one of the needles with a row of stitches.
Knitted items are produced by weaving additional stitches onto the initial row of stitches (otherwise known as casting on).
A knit project like a shawl or garments can be created knit flat on two needles and seamed or in the round which is seamless.
There are many knitting patterns out there for beginners that allow you to easily learn basic knitting stitches and create a textured knitted fabric.
Cons of knitting
Sometimes in knitting, you make mistakes (and in crochet) but they sometimes feel harder to fix in knitting.
You will often need to keep a crochet hook handy in case you need to pick up dropped stitches.
Plus using straight needles can sometimes hurt your hands and wrists (leading over a long period of time to arthritis).
Many people prefer to use circular needles for most projects, even when knitting flat as they take the weight of the knitted fabric.
What Is Crochet?
Crocheted items are created with looped stitches one at a time, meaning no need to keep the stitches on a crochet hook.
Instead, you work into the crocheted piece by looping and pulling the thread through using your crochet hook.
There are many crochet projects out there for you to choose from including scarves, amigurumi, toys, granny squares, crochet blankets, baskets, pillows, and coasters.
Most beginners start learning with single crochet and double crochet stitches to create their first crochet fabric samples.
Knitting vs Crochet
Both crafts use yarn to make items, however, knitting uses two knitting needles and the stitches are loops.
Crocheting, on the other hand, uses one crochet hook and the stitches resemble small loops or knots.
If you need a new hobby, then learning how to knit or crochet or both is a great way to spend your free time.
Types Of Yarns
You will find that most yarns that can be used for knitting can also be used for crocheting, and vice versa.
Many yarn labels will include information for both knitting and crochet crafts.
You will often find that due to the nature of the stitches, specific yarns work better for different knitted or crochet projects.
Threads and stitches…
The type of item you are knitting or crocheting will have a more significant influence on the kind of thread you will need to use, and not whether you are choosing to crochet or knit.
Often you will find that knitting lends itself best to more delicate items, as the stitches are marginally flatter than those in crochet.
Crochet stitches are slightly more ‘bumpy’, and therefore are great for projects such as washcloths, bath puffs, or even face scrubbies.
You can see similar projects here.
Is Knitting or Crocheting Easier?
The skills of crochet and knitting have many similarities, and it’s a longstanding argument as to which one is easier to learn first!
From my point of view, there’s no hard and fast rule as to which method you should begin with.
One deciding factor if you’re torn between the two crafts is crochet can be slightly quicker than knitting, and you’ll begin to see your items take shape much faster than you would with knitted projects.
Worth bearing in mind if you’re someone who likes to complete their projects quickly!
Try both and see what you can make…
What I would recommend is to try out both before settling on one method, and see which one feels most natural to you.
Many beginners enjoy control over their knitting with two knitting needles, and some prefer the freer technique of crocheting.
Learning both methods can also be very useful for times when you would like to finish off an edge neatly with crochet stitches.
Whichever craft you decide to pick up first, teach yourself how to knit or how to crochet with my step-by-step guides and patterns in knitting basics or crochet basics.
