Should You Start With Knit or Crochet?

A question I get asked more than a lot is whether or not knitting or crochet is better.

I love you all, but I hate this question.

I’ve heard a lot of people have a lot of opinions on the topic and all of them have valid points. Both crafts are great and I really enjoy both of them, so let’s throw another opinion into the throw and I’ll give you mine.

My personal bias

We all have our own bias so I figure I’ll lay mine out before we get too into it. I’ve been knitting since I was about nine years old. I am good at knitting. I can knit without looking at my project. If I’m watching TV, I’m probably knitting.

I first tried crochet at 13. It never really stuck until I picked it up again in lockdown. I’ve been doing quite well with it, and while I enjoy it greatly, I’m not as good at it so it definitely takes a bit more effort. Fun effort, but like, “I’ve seen every season of this show multiple times so I don’t need to look up often” effort.

What are the differences?

At the most basic level, knitting is done by creating a series of loops on top of other loops that are kept on the needles, or “live" stitches. It uses two needles and two main stitches that can be formed into different patterns.

Crochet makes a series of knots that connect with each other. It has one live stitch and uses a hook. It has six base stitches that can be made into different patterns.

Both of these cowls were made in the same cotton yarn. The knit one has an extra border because some knitting stitches aren’t as stable and tend to curl.

Which is easier?

I get prickly at this question. Many people swear crochet is so much easier than knitting. I think the perception has stuck because crochet does tend to go a little faster. The stitches stack up a little bigger, but… there are also six basic ones to remember as opposed to two. I’ve been trying to figure out why I find knitting easier. I wondered if it was because all my stitches are on the needles there’s less counting. Maybe it’s because my Grandmother taught me in person so I got corrected by a human right there. Truthfully, I think it is simply because I’ve been knitting longer and have more practice.

It is my definitive opinion that whichever you practice more, you’ll be better at. I wish the world didn’t keep coming down to practice makes perfect but alas, once again, here we are.

The Yarn World

This is where it gets a bit ~spicy~.

There are people who say the entire yarn world from blogs to yarn shops to just the humans involved in it are biased against crochet.

I wish I could say this is generally untrue… but I’ve seen it time and time again. When I worked at a yarn shop I was the only one who had any crochet experience and I’m a beginner. It didn’t stop the others from giving lots of advice about crochet which was often questionable at best. One woman insisted that everyone should go up a size crochet hook no matter what the pattern, ball band, or the person’s previous crochet experience said.

Now, I know not everywhere is like this and it is changing a bit in places that were. Crochet has become really trendy among the younger set so hopefully, that will be the catalyst to giving crochet the respect it deserves. I do think it’s something to be aware of, and if you are learning crochet and heading to a local yarn store- which, by the way, is an excellent way to start- make sure to talk to someone who actually crochets.

Other Weird Factors

I’ve heard crochet uses more yarn. In my experience, this is true; but, I’ve heard people swear up and down it’s equal meterage to knitting. I’ve already mentioned crochet goes faster- this one tends to be universally accepted as the stitches can be longer. I’ve even heard people say crochet makes yarn feel rougher… I’m not sure about that one. Any sort of fibre craft does tend to fall into the “ask ten people get eleven answers” category. Even in knitting alone whether you hold your yarn in your right or left hand can spark a massive debate. I think it comes down to passion. When you’re making something you’re putting so much time and love into it if anyone does things differently it can feel like they’re attacking you personally. I’m not saying they never are because, well, some people, but most of the time I think it’s fairly innocent.

So, Which Should I Start With?

Well, the answer is it depends on what you want to end up with. My biggest strategy would be to make an account on Ravelry.com - the hub of knitting and crochet patterns. Click on patterns, advanced search, and under sort by pick hot right now. You can also search Pinterest- I find Knitting Crochet Patterns gives the best scope.

Pick out ten to fifteen projects you like and compare the number of knit projects and crochet projects you selected. Start with the craft that has more things you like the look of. If you’re making things you want you’ll be happier with your finished projects and will be more likely to keep it up.

And, fair warning, at some point you just might fall so in love you pick up the other. Then Tunisian crochet. Then yarn dyeing. Then spinning. Then, the very valid hobby of looking up small farms so you can buy your own sheep and just completely skip the middle man and wow, that one has a room that’s big enough for a floor loom…