Deciding on which yarn craft to choose can be difficult. To help you decide, this article will go through things like which craft is faster, which uses more yarn, and most importantly whether crochet is better than knitting.
Knitting and Crochet are both forms of needlework that involve making loops on a string or yarn using needles. They’re similar in many ways, but there are also differences between the two crafts.
Knitting uses 2 needles to move a set of loops from one needle to another. Crochet uses a single hook to attach the loops together directly on the piece. This difference makes crochet much easier to work with than knitting.
I can hear both sides of knitters & crocheters exclaiming how each one of their crafts is better than the other. This has been an age-old argument. Go to any fiber Facebook group & ask that question. I fight will surely break out.
Is learning how to crochet hard? I’m going to give you the fact covering both topics & my experience.
Which is easier to learn knitting or crocheting
As a whole, crochet is easier than knitting. Crochet uses one hook & doesn’t require the movement of stitches between needles, and is less likely to unravel. After learning the 5 basic crochet stitches, crocheters observe that their project works up more quickly.
Crocheting & knitting have relatively easy stitches, but crochet has a bit more depth. As with everything worth doing, you gain a bit of knowledge and motor control of the skills needed.
Is crochet hard
If you’re wondering if crocheting is hard, It’s not hard at all. Millions of people of different ages, backgrounds, incomes, and education enjoy this craft from around the world. With the use of YouTube & free crochet pattern, crochet is a hobby that takes little time to learn.
But I’m sure you are looking for a more specific answer than this. The journey of each beginner crocheter is different, therefore what is easy to some may be difficult to others.
I learned how to crochet at the age of 7. That same year, I got in trouble for using chewing gum on my wall in place of tape…. So it’s not about brainpower.
I’ve had many types of crochet students. I had a young man take to it like a fish to water, and another student (same class) give up and never try again.
Crochet is the process of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn, thread, or other material using a crochet hook. Crochet can be done with any type of yarn that can be used to create a sturdy yet flexible fabric.
Unlike knitting which uses two needles, crochet only evolves a singular hook and works with one active stitch at a time, unless you are doing Tunisian crochet.
What’s easy about crochet
Compared to knitting, the items work up faster due to the larger stitch. Once you learn your first beginner stitches, you can immediately make your first project.
If all you know how to do is a chain and single crochet? You will be ready to make blankets, dishcloths, & scarves. Squares and rectangles are your friends.
All you need to know is the most basic of math when you begin to crochet. And when I say basic I mean “1,2,3,4,5”. You just need to know how to count
If you ever get stuck. There are tons of YouTube videos online to help. When I learned how to crochet in the 80s, I didn’t have that luxury. Information is at your fingertips.
Once you learn the 4 basic stitches, you are no longer a newbie. People will claim to be a newbie crocheter for years, not realizing what they can do with it. All it takes is a good pattern to follow.
What’s hard about crochet
For some people, getting used to holding the hook and yarn together can take getting used to. But like any new skill, it will take practice.
Getting past the “I can’t do it” phase. Depending on how much you practice. This can last a few days to a month. I have taught people who took to it like a fish in water. The most resistant are the ones who don’t practice and give up.
Basically, it all comes down to “how much do I want to learn how to crochet”. If you really want to, you will stick to it. If you truly want to know if crochet is hard or not. Pick up a hook and give it a try for at least a month. Hooks and yarn is very inexpensive. You basically have very little to lose, but an awesome talent to gain.
Differences between knitting and crocheting
There are two differences between knitting and crocheting. The first one is that when you knit stitches, they usually go from left to right across the row on the needle. Whereas when you crochet, the stitches go from right to left on the chain.
The second main difference is that when you knit, your work stays on the right-hand needle while you’re working with it. Whereas in crochet, your work gets placed onto a new hook each time you make a new stitch/row and then placed back onto the right-hand needle for knitting together.
Does knit or crochet use more yarn
As a general rule, when crocheting, you will need 1/3 or 33% more yards than when knitting a project. Things that make a difference are needle and hook sizes, type of project, even the crocheter’s tension.
There are so many people out there who think that one type of yarn is only suitable for one particular craft. But this is not always the case.
Some people seem to be under the impression that most yarn shop owners are knitters, but they’re actually just more knowledgeable about their craft than the customer.
Since they aren’t always as skilled at crocheting, crocheters often rely on large retail companies to get what they need.
A lot of yarn brands include information about both knitting & crochet. The label measures how the yarn will behave and includes the needle or hook best suited for it and how many stitches can be created per 4 inches
Benefits of Crochet
Crochet has many versatile qualities which make it great for improving health and well-being. These benefits are not just limited to your hands, but also your mind and body as well.
Crocheting can help you improve dexterity, relieve stress, sharpen focus, promote better sleeping habits, reduce high blood pressure levels, and much more!
It helps relieve stress and reduce anxiety. The repetitive motions of crocheting are super relaxing, but not the only stress reliever. While crocheting, you are able to take your mind off the stress of the day. You’re redirecting your focus to something more productive.
Crochet is calming, of course. I said it reduces anxiety, but how about ADHD, asthma & bipolar.
Helps relieve pain. In one study, knitting offered both physical relief and social support, which significantly helped reduce feelings and effects of chronic pain.
Teachers are using knitting and crocheting in the classroom to calm disruptive or violent behavior and deal with students with ADHD. Even those suffering from asthma are able to manage the panic.
The rhythmic movements immediately instill a feeling of familiarity that gives you great comfort. Thereby successfully coping with less medication than they might otherwise have needed.
Interestingly, those suffering from bipolar disorder (manic depression) tell me that knitting and stitching help to even out their moods
Knitting those first stitches is really easy and can be done in a matter of hours. But it could take some time before you’re ready to start with shawls or socks. It’s not as complicated as it might seem, but it does require practice. When you try a new skill, your body & mind need time to adjust.
For complicated patterns, you might need anywhere from 200 to 300 stitches on your needles, and each stitch will be different. You’ll be working with both hands at the same time, and you have to keep track of the pattern and your yarn (sometimes more than one). Remember, this will take some practice.
Beginner Crochet Tips
Crochet is my first love, but I didn’t perfect my skill until I discovered YouTube. I went from a beginner crocheter to advanced. Once you learn the 4 basic stitches, you are basically an expert!
All you need is a great pattern to showcase your skills. Even if you can’t read patterns, YouTube allows you to follow along as you go. Make sure you check out the links in the description for the written pattern. Looking at the pattern & following along to the video is the best way to learn how to read a pattern.
The biggest tip I can give you is to make a gauge swatch. This is the only easy to ensure the proper sizing.
What’s easy about knitting?
It does take some practice to get the hang of casting on and the stitches (there are 3 main stitches you would need to know, everything else is a variation on these stitches:
- Knit
- Purl
- Yarn Over
The great thing about knitting is that starting is relatively uncomplicated, however, there are more skills to make more complicated things that can be acquired over time, There are different techniques for casting on or casting off and for different stitches, knitting in the round, on double pointed needles etc..
For a first project, I would suggest starting with something square and small and one color of yarn knitted on two needles. (A scarf is a great first project!). Once you get the hang of it, It will likely have a few flaws, but most knitters call those “design elements”.
Beginner knitting tips
As with crocheting, I recommend checking out YouTube to perfect your skill. Give yourself time to understand what you’re doing. Most things are difficult the first time you try them.
I recommend beginner-friendly knit projects such as washcloths & scarfs!
Is crochet faster than knit?
A study from the University of Colorado Boulder measured the time it takes to make a simple scarf with each technique. The participants were given different weights of yarn and crochet hooks in order to test their skills. The results showed that crocheting was faster than knitting.
Which should you choose to learn?
For beginners, we would recommend crochet. The tools and techniques are minimal and so slightly more accessible than other crafts. It’s really easy to pick up as a self-taught hobby too. For people looking to master a wider range of textiles, we would recommend knitting or sewing.
Kids who start learning to knit as early as possible can develop more complex skills. The best thing about knitting is that it supports more intricate designs. Some projects combine techniques. And you could always consider Tunisian crochet, which is a technique that combines the best of both herringbone and crochet.
Teaching yourself to crochet or knit
If you see a yarn craft and think, “I wish I could make that”, don’t wish, do it! Gone are the day you are the need for crochet or knit books to teach you. Or waiting on that talented person you know to teach you.
Thanks to the internet, learning how to crochet or knit is only a button click away. YouTube offers some of the best free patterns online. It’s almost like having someone teach you one-on-one.
Did I mention I also make Crochet YouTube tutorials (shameless plug). If you want to learn some crochet basics, then check out the videos below.
If you enjoyed this article, find out if your favorite craft is hurting your hands here
Psst… If you love free crochet patterns (who doesn’t???) make sure to follow the blog on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest! Littlejohn’s Yarn posts original designs and free crochet pattern round-ups often for you to enjoy.