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DiscussionKnitting vs Crochet
Posted August 20, 2021 by [Deleted] in ArtsAndYarns

It's time for some fibre craft rivalry >:) (just kidding). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each craft? Which one do you prefer?

35 comments

[Deleted]August 20, 2021

I prefer crochet -- but only because it's what I do best. I learned to crochet 35+ years ago, and I only learned to knit a couple of years ago and can barely knit. Crocheting feels very natural to me while knitting is a struggle. I can crochet darn near anything but can only knit ... a scarf. lol.

Personal preferences aside:

  • Knitting produces a thinner fabric, generally speaking while crocheting produces a thick, sturdy fabric (could be a pro or con, depending on the project).
  • Crocheting can be used to create tiny objects -- such as cat toys -- and ornate designs and patterns.
  • Knitting is great for different types of yarn that would tangle my hook up like crazy (ask me how I know!).
  • Crocheting is wonderful for quirky things, like fun octopus hats or silly jellyfish with boingy dangly things.
  • Knitting = socks.
  • Crochet is super durable, and if something gets snagged or damaged, you can more easily repair it without the whole thing unraveling.
  • Knitting requires less yarn.
WatcherattheGatesAugust 20, 2021

Yes, that's a very accurate list!

BJ581August 21, 2021

Knitting can also be done by machine, while crochet can only be done by hand. I’m a crocheter myself but I’ve considered getting machines to knit for me because it seems like it would be nice for certain things. I had a friend who used a small one specifically for hats and I liked it a lot.

MaplefieldsSeptember 15, 2021

Which knitting technique did you learn? I learned Continental from my mom and then I tried the Western version and it was so cumbersome. I feel the Continental one wins hands down because you’re not throwing a yarn over the needle every loop and making extra hand movements.

[Deleted]September 11, 2021
LunarMooseAugust 20, 2021

I prefer knitting for garments. I can crochet a little (I made a blanket) and think it works better for that. If you tried to crochet a sweater (and you sure could), the resulting fabric wouldn't be as flexible or light (so it could be less wearable)

somegenerichandleAugust 20, 2021

I only knit. It seems like a lot of guess work to me where to put the needle for crochet.

tamataAugust 21, 2021

I keep trying to pick up crochet and maybe it's just me but it's really difficult to teach myself how to do it. I keep wanting to ask someone, "hey, I know I did this wrong, but I don't know what exactly. Can you show me my mistake?"

[Deleted]September 30, 2021

I know it wouldn't be as helpful as having someone in your life to ask for advice, but there is this crochet forum called Crochetville where you can ask anything you want about crocheting and get some good answers. Maybe that could help you?

tamataSeptember 30, 2021

Lol, it's like you sensed my fingers once again tingling to give crotchet another go. I'm checking Crotchetville out now, thank you!

[Deleted]September 30, 2021

You can always dm me questions with pictures of your mistakes too!

shewolfoffranceAugust 21, 2021

Um, it's a hook? I feel so invalidated.

somegenerichandleAugust 21, 2021

sorry hook! If it helps i recently had to buy a new set of DPNs, and I seriously considered paying extra for the matching crotchet hooks.

shewolfoffranceAugust 21, 2021

I got some DPNs years ago and still haven't used them :( I wish I were a more skilled knitter.

somegenerichandleAugust 22, 2021

You might try looking up "Judy's magic cast-on" I use it for socks and gloves.

[Deleted]August 20, 2021

Fiber Craft Fight Club - let's goooooo

I prefer knitting overall. More variety in patterns, better looking designs. Crochet is faster, though, and I prefer it for making blankets.

TheCakeIsALieAugust 20, 2021

I love the hang and feel of knits, but to me it's more difficult. The projects take longer to make and mistakes are much more unforgiving. I've wrecked lacework with dropped stitches before I learned to add lifelines. I'm a big fan of knitting socks and toddler sweaters. Someday I'll make myself a sweater with nice wool and hope that I'm still the right size by the time I finish.

Crochet tends to be bulkier and less stretchy, but much easier to frog and redo a row if you make a mistake. There are so many types of stitches to keep things interesting, I feel like I'm always learning something new. I love making shawls, stuffed animals and blankets with crochet.

This may not be of interest to you, but I enjoyed practicing stitches with cotton yarn and making dishcloths. I have a stack of thick, absorbent cloths in various colors and patterns of knit and crochet that I use as a substitute for paper towels. They work up quick and are super functional.

[Deleted]August 21, 2021

omw, yes, dish scrubbies! I'm obsessed with dish scrubbies right now. I work them up in the car pickup line while waiting for my kids to get out of school. I can't stand just sitting there with nothing to do, but I also don't want to do just a partial project. A scrubby works up so fast!

[Deleted]August 20, 2021

I started out in crochet as a child but seem to have become an entrenched knitter. I did crochet myself a shoulder bag a few years ago, and it was thicker, stiffer, and took a lot more yarn than knitting would have for the size and shape, but I suppose that's a good thing for some projects. I only used it for the one summer and ended up tearing it up and knitting a hat with the yarn – no idea if I'll wear it or not. The bag itself was kind of nice.

DiabolicalPinkBunnyAugust 20, 2021

I prefer crochet any day, for 2 simple reasons: I find crochet easier than knitting, especially when you start going into complicated stitches. And you can't drop a stitch like in knitting. There is nothing worse than knitting something, and seeing you dropped a stitch way back in the beginning.

On the other hand, when I want to use fluffy wool, knitting is better. It is hard to get around all the fluff with a crochet hook.

HollyhockAugust 20, 2021

I knit and prefer it mostly for the look and the physical experience of knitting - though crochet seems a better look for non-clothing items and cute stuffed animals or little toys. However, as much as I adore knitting, fixing mistakes is enough to send me running over a ledge, banging a pan against my head.

LunarMooseAugust 20, 2021

do you know how to ladder down? (you don't have to tink! You can ladder down and fix a mistake. Or ladder up if you drop a stitch)

HollyhockAugust 20, 2021

no! Any good Youtube videos?

LunarMooseAugust 20, 2021
HollyhockAugust 20, 2021

This might save me this winter (when I knit the most - too hot to handle wool in this weather!). THANK YOU

[Deleted]August 20, 2021(Edited August 21, 2021)

I tried a crochet class years back but couldn’t understand it at all, I still don’t know how you keep tension in the yarn. I make all my own knitwear but have never done lacework, yarnovers are too damn difficult (also, with cats, I suspect lacework would soon look awful). Crochet is quicker than knitting but also uses more yarn, which is a disadvantage if you’re trying to cut down your yarn budget!

JernsaxaAugust 20, 2021

I started to learn knitting, and the bit I learned was nice, but it required way more concentration than crochet. Crochet is just easier, and it's easy to go back if you make a mistake ☺️ they give two rather different looks/results, but I prefer crochet so far. I should probably try out knitting again, though.

LumosAugust 20, 2021(Edited August 21, 2021)

I also do both. I prefer the look of knitting, but would rather crochet. I think rows of straight crochet stitches (like all dc or sc) are kinda ugly, I need more of a stitch pattern.

I’d say think of the type of things you want to make and which look you prefer. You can always try both and see which you enjoy more, I think most people eventually learn both.

If you try to crochet get a light or medium colored yarn that isn’t fuzzy, it’s much easier to see and pull out.

edit I’d say the big difference is knitting is more structured and crochet is more freeform, in general.

Also two of the things I really don’t like about knitting is the weight on the needle when the project gets bigger and it’s harder to put down mid row.

[Deleted]August 20, 2021

I prefer the finished look of knitting. Crochet is faster though.

devushkaAugust 20, 2021(Edited August 20, 2021)

I prefer knitting because I find it easier to see the stitches. When crochet I always have a hard time counting my stitches and end up putting the hook in the wrong spot or accidentally adding a bunch of stitches as I go. I also knit way more and technically learned it as a kid so maybe it's just experience. I do think crochet is better for amigurumi.

edit: I forgot, it's also easier to undo crochet in case you mess up. So many stitches to tink back when you mess up knitting a shawl. T_T

shewolfoffranceAugust 20, 2021

I think crochet is superior for stuffed animals, rugs, and dishcloths. It makes a sturdier fabric. Knitting makes prettier fabric that drapes better.

FeministunderyrbedAugust 21, 2021

I’ve been knitting since I was 7 (and boy, are my arms tired). My grandmother taught me. I didn’t learn to crochet until I was an adult. I like knitting better for garments, but crochet is easier for small/bulky things. I freehanded a handbag in crochet when I was just starting out. That’s not something I could easily do with knitting.

ActualWendyAugust 21, 2021

Crochet is easier, but knitting more intellectually satisfying.

So many yarn teachers have videos on YT that I feel confident to take on any knitting project. And I keep a crochet hook handy to fix the dropped stitches.

bannedrui_resinAugust 21, 2021

I prefer knitting because that's what I learned first and I am now quite fast at it. And it can make a nice smooth fabric (ideal for sweaters) or something textured, whereas crochet always looks bumpy to me. Although, I do love looking at amigurumi. You can't do that with knit.

tahmahrahSeptember 30, 2021

The advantages of crochet are everything.

The disadvantages of knittings are that it's LAME and DUMB.