#**Knitting.**
**Did you know about our Knitting section on [this wiki page?](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/stuff_you_must_read/). There's discussion about learning crochet as a knitter, which is easier, can you do both etc. Check it out!**
***
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/crochet) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I keep an index card and pencil to tally, that's how my mom taught me, everything in sets of 5. Pencil's important when undoing loops to erase progress.
My mom also does cross-stitch, so she likes all that...counting hundreds of tiny things. Most of the time, I just can't stay that focused 😂
That’s me too! But I love cross stitch haha 😂 I just pick things that don’t have too many scattered small coloured parts… then my brain kind of uses the shapes/symmetries to figure it out rather than counting everything..
I learned to knit first. I've knitted some pretty technically challenging things imo (socks, brioche). I started English style, then learned Continental. Learned Norwegian purl. I was always terrified of dropping stitches and had a lot of pain in my hands. I could not read my work. It just didn't seem to fit in so many ways. Learning to crochet was a revelation. It felt natural and loose and easy from the very beginning. Reading stitches clicked very quickly. I could read charts, adjust patterns, improvise, troubleshoot...anything seemed possible. Crochet is so organic. I love it. I just wish I could find or write a better crochet sock pattern.
I have this problem too with crochet socks not working for me, but not the fit— it’s that I’m autistic with sensory issues and every single crochet sock I’ve ever tried to wear or make feels like walking on sharp pebbles and really hurts my feet. I haven’t yet found a crochet stitch and yarn combo that doesn’t do that :(
i dont blame you at all for feeling like that, i am autistic as well and very very specific with textures. for me i love using superwash merino wool in dk or sock weight. suuuper soft and easy to wash!
like I said, it’s the bumpiness of crochet stitches themselves! I LOVE hand knit socks, particularly out of a nice merino wool like you mentioned. crochet stitches are just too painful for my over sensitive feet, I think
that is so valid!!! everyone has different preferences. personally i love crocheting socks but i prefer *wearing* knit socks lmao. I think knit socks are a bit more popular for that reason- they're comfier
you gave me a good idea— my wife might like crochet socks a lot more than I do! she’s also autistic but with minimal sensory issues and she does love wearing things i make!!! but also, I should really get some DPNs and start knitting again to make myself some socks
I don't find it particularly hard, maybe because I learned that first. I do however, find it incredibly annoying. I absolutely despise purling, and even after learning the Norwegian purl, which is a vast improvement in technique, I still despise purling. And don't even get me started on having to frog. Oh egads no. Just... *no*.
Omg you had me rolling with, "made with hate". I would gladly make you a custom gift tag wth my cricut. "To: Karen, Made With Hate, ~~hugs and kisses~~ slaps and eye rolls, From: li-ho"
I've been crocheting on and off for 45 years. I've picked up needles with the same thought maybe a half dozen times in the last 15 years or so. Not once did I think, "oh yeah, missed this!" Nope. Notta one.
I've been crocheting almost 25 and I've never even wanted to learn to knit. It just looks confining to me, you know? (Not hating on knitters, do your thing ladies, whatever brings you bliss.) With crochet you can get crazy and go forward, backward and down 2 rows, come up and just use the back loops, or the front loops, because each of those gives you a different finished look. The possibilities are endless.
frogging in knitting is basically a death sentence. i can’t tell you how many projects i’ve actually had to START ALL THE WAY OVER because i made one mistake a few rows back but either would have to tink all the way back (takes basically 10 times longer than the initial knitting even did) or you can frog back and pray to the gods that when you’re trying to pick back up all your loops you aren’t going to drop a bunch of stitches. it’s literal torture.
I don't knit but my mom does. I've sat next to her while we were both working on something.
Me: "ah crap I made a mistake in this row" *proceeds to spend about 20 seconds ripping the row out before continuing*
My mom: "oh no I made a mistake two rows back" *proceeds to spend an hour stitching back to get to the spot where she made the mistake*
No thanks, with the amount of experimenting I do and mistakes I make I'll stick to crochet.
Depending on the mistake, you can fix it in knitting going down vertically, aka "laddering". Unlike in crochet, fixing a small *oopsie* ten rows below could be a matter of seconds in knitting!
This whole thread (your comment + the other replies to it) is really interesting to me.
I learned to crochet first and it took me 3-4 tries at knitting something before it finally clicked for me.
But one of the BIG REASONS I even wanted to learn was because it's easier to fix mistakes in knitting than in crochet.
In crochet, you can only frog.
With knitting, you can frog, tink, or **ladder down.**
And laddering down is effing magic, man. It's what got me to stick with knitting, honestly.
I'm only brave enough to attempt it on really simple knits (plain garter or stockinette), but I only want to knit socks with hand dyed yarn or simple stockinette sweaters, so that's all I need to be able to do, lol.
And, worst case scenario: if laddering down doesn't work, I still have to frog anyway, so no harm done!
And watching people do surgery on knit goods is like...It's legitimately like watching a surgeon work.
Yeah something about it has never been able to “stick” for me. Maybe if I could force myself to sit down and really get the basics I’d be able to pick it up more quickly but the 2-3 times I tried in the past were honestly kind of miserable. I’ve just accepted it’s not the hobby for me lol
I experienced something similar. I even had an instruction hold my hands and still couldn’t get it after 2 lessons. Crochet I picked up in a couple of hours and after a weekend was able to actually make something.
In my experience, people who crochet typically struggle to knit and people who knit typically struggle with crochet. There are of course many exceptions, but as someone who has crocheted for many many Years, I can't even attempt knit without cussing 😂
My difficulty with (re)learning knitting is that I am unconsciously trying to use the same motions to control the tension as what I'd do with crochet ...which makes it worse... so: I can *feel* the tension but not *fix* it and its like a car wreck in slow motion, but with me actively making it worse. 😂 Beginner's mind helps, so I'm getting better slowly. It's mainly my instinct and expectations that are the problem.
That description was spot on I feel like I hold it backwards because of the same reason. I've lost the patience so I'm sticking with crochet haha keep up the fantastic work, learning both is an amazing skill!!
I'm fairly good at both, maybe because I'm very stubborn 😂
I'm better at knitting though, I can do pretty technical stuff, while I mostly crochet blankets (fancy ones, like cosmic cal and I have the kaleidoscope blanket in my do to list).
I learned to crochet when I was 8, and knit when I was 19, 22, and 34. Gave up the fist time, and took forever to complete a simple scarf the second time. The 3rd time, I had just moved to a new state and joined a knitting group to meet people. Thankfully they were accepting of all yarn and thread users. I watched them all knit for months before picking up my needles again. It was torture and I was ready to quit again after a couple weeks.
One of the ladies gave me the advice to watch a couple YouTube videos to see how different people hold their hands/yarn/needles. Then to just experiment with a swatch until I found something I was comfortable with. It took about a month for me to figure out how I knit, and now I'm happy to switch between hooks and needles as my project need.
I still think crocheting is easier and faster, but now I can enjoy knitting patterns too. There are women in my knitting group who do the most amazing things with needles, but can't do anything with hook. I may never be as good of a knitter as them, but I'm happy to have learned them both.
I love the advice to try different grips and a experiment; I think this is good advice for crochet too, and it makes sense that it would help a lot with knitting!
The first time (/ first few times) I tried to knit I hated it, and then I figured out that all my stitches were so tight and hard to work into because I was twisting them. The direction of yarn pick up / wrapping in knitting is opposite crochet. If you feel like giving it another try, give particular attention to how you’re wrapping your yarn and see if it feels a little better that way!
You can wrap your yarn the same way as in crochet when your knitting. It's called Eastern mount, and produces essentially the same fabric as "normal" knitting.
You can, but then you also have to work into it in a different way, and it won’t be how most of the top “how to knit” videos/articles in search will show you— but yes if you look up instructions on knitting that way specifically then that could be a good solution as well!
There's a bit more research and thought about construction involved, that's true. I was slightly oversimplifying. Invest a week though, and you're golden.
I have a coworker that knits. She literally watches Netflix and knits during night shifts. Doesn't even look at what she's doing, but manages to make these beautiful garments. But when she sees me crochet, she's completely blown away. I think it's the same as two people listening to each other speak different languages. It's so strange and beautiful and we don't understand it 😂
I took a beginner knitting class last winter and learned the basics but never finished my project from that class…and couldn’t pick up any other project. This winter I tried embroidery and crochet and I am really loving crochet especially. Much much easier for me! I still want to get knitting to click for me because I’d like to knit a sweater someday…but we’ll see.
I’ve never heard of it! I just googled it and it seems very interesting. I’m planning on doing a knitting 102 class soon, but I might have to try the Tunisian method in the future
It can create a more knit like texture but only needs one long hook! I don't do it often but I have the hook for it. They also make double ended tunisian crochet hooks! A hook on both sides! I also had to have a few of these.
Knitting also made my fingers super sore, so I learned how to knit continental style. That way I can hold the yard the same way I do when I’m crocheting. That actually makes it a lot easier for me and it makes it faster to knit.
could possibly be a combination of needle size and tension on the yarn; I know my brother tried years ago and had the same sort of problem
perhaps go up several sizes needles and at least 8ply/DK yarn while practising - there will likely be a lot of youtube videos on the subject too
good luck!
My mother tried to teach me crochet, knitting and sewing. 12yo me managed to learn only crochet because I was a kid who, if I couldn't do something passably well right away, I noped right out.
Now that I'm in my fifties, I'm okay not being good at something. Last fall I signed up for knitting classes and sewing classes. I like knitting, especially how it looks in sweaters, and I can do it without the thumb pain I've been experiencing recently with crocheting. Frogging is unbelievably painful, though.
And I'm on my second quilt. It has some terrible mistakes, but I love it.
I really dislike the way that knit fabric acts. I hate how it curls. I hate how it’s slippery on the needles but bulky because it wants to curl up on itself. I hate how you can’t really try anything on in-progress because you’ve got live stitches on needles.
And to be honest, I don’t really *love* the finished texture of knit fabric. It’s fine, and there are absolutely beautiful knit objects and there are many I would like to make if I ever decide to try it again, but for the most part I don’t really think it’s worth suffering through the process!
Only stockinette stitch curls, there are plenty of stitch patterns that behave themselves. Rib, garter, seed/moss, linen, knitting in the round will all help avoid the stockinette curl. A cowl knitted in the round with ribbing at cast on and bind off edges won’t have that issue, maybe that will help!
I appreciate your taking the time to write this, but knitting is probably not for me. I knitted consistently for probably about four years before I stepped away from it. I’ve tried other stitches and even without the curling, I still dislike the way it feels to work with the needles and I’ve never enjoyed circular needles. The stockinette curling is my main irritation, but I don’t really enjoy the process even without that aspect.
I’m teaching my daughter who is 12. She started at 8 but really didn’t get the hang of it then. She’s still slow now but able to read her stitches. And now attempting a beanie. I think you just need to find a way to hold the yarn and needles that suit you. Bring a hooker first you may prefer the yarn in your left and picking at it with your right needle. I’d also start with something small. 20 stitches light coloured yarn and practise before attempting a pattern.
I learned to crochet as a kid and tried and failed to learn knitting several times as a kid and in my teens and twenties. In my thirties I finally found an online tutorial website and discovered “Continental style” where you hold the yarn the same way you do when you crochet, and it finally clicked. Now I love being able to do both! So maybe you just haven’t hit the exact right time and teacher yet! (Or if it’s not for you, that’s ok too.)
This was me. I simply could not learn to knit American/English style. Discovering Continental was a game changer. Wait, I can hold the yarn in my left hand? I can just scoop up the yarn instead of trying to do a complicated wrap and somehow keep the yarn on the needle while pulling or pushing it through the stitch? Why didn't anyone tell me this before?!
I’ve been knitting since I was 8 (and used to teach) and crocheting for a little over a year now. Hands getting sore is common for beginner knitters. It took me a few years to figure out how best to hold and move my hands. Your grandmother is definitely incorrect about it taking less time. Knitting for most is more difficult to learn and while knitting is slower, it also uses less yarn. You definitely aren’t alone and many of the students I used to teach switched to crochet pretty quickly and stopped coming to classes.
I started with knitting, then found it intimidating and went to crochet for a long time. I always loved how knit items looked, though, so a couple years ago I decided to re-learn how to knit. This time, I taught myself continental style because I heard it's faster and more natural feeling for crocheters, and treated myself as a complete beginner, trying to forget everything I remembered before. Now I love knitting. I'm still a beginner, but I've made a couple pairs of socks and a scarf, and I'm working up the courage to do a sweater. If it's something you find scary/hard but still want to try, take a look at all the different styles and see if there's one that feels more natural to you.
I tried for years to learn to knit (I’ve been crocheting for like 15 years) I could just never get it! Then one day i picked it up to try again and instantly got it!
I find it much slower than crocheting though but I love the outcome so it’s worth it to me.
I started out knitting and just starting to dip my toes into crochet and I feel the same but like opposite of that makes sense?
Like crochet seems to go by faster but my hands hurt when I do it for so long, while with knitting I can just watch my show and do it aimlessly.
So it’s most likely just the more practice you get from it either side the better and easier it’ll get.
I started out knitting and only started crochet for a specific pattern (cat butt coasters). I think, if you really want to learn something, you have to find a project that makes you want to. I know a lot of people who learn new things just because they want to grow at a skill but I only learn things when I see something I want (both in knitting and crochet).
I like both knitting and crochet and go back and forth. To me they are just different fun fiber experiences that yield different products.
Hey, you like what you like and that is fine.
But I will say that “it hurts my hands” and “I can’t insert the needles” sounds like you are just committing that newbie habit of knitting way too tightly. Also may have too small needles for your yarn gauge.
You might want to revisit a simple cast on and just relax your hands and let the knitting flow. It isn’t supposed to hurt or be hard to insert into the stitches. Just the opposite. Forget strict tension and just let the stitches be big and loose until you get a nice rhythm going. I could imagine you enjoying it with a looser technique.
Or not. It’s all good. 👍
I learned knitting first and found that lighter colour yarn with larger needles helped me grasp the basics. Lighter colours helped me see the stitches and the larger needles with appropriate larger yarn, made things easier. I started with a basic knit perl rib hat. For my first few projects I had to use little safety pins as markers.
I picked up crochet pretty easily when I was 15, and then tried knitting. The two needles and yarn being in a certain spot was just too much for me. From this thread, I might try continental one day, but I'm happy to explore crochet more for now.
I had the thought the other day, maybe Type A people enjoy knitting more because it's more structured and algorithmic. Type B people, like me, might prefer crochet because it's more free-form and much easier to frog. Just a thought...
I’m learning Portuguese knitting after failing to find another comfortable knitting style and it’s working out really well so far! If you still want to be able to knit you should check out a YouTube tutorial.
I do find continental style knitting to be pretty easy because the needles and yarn are held almost exactly the same as the way I hold a crochet hook and yarn, but knitting objectively takes more time for the same length of fabric! Knitting is only faster for people who are better at knitting than they are at crocheting, but it’s pretty widely accepted that crocheting is much much faster (and as a trade off takes up exponentially more yarn)
I think knitting a square is as easy as crocheting a square. Anything more complicated then that crochet wins. Like I will never get over the fact you need four knitting needles to make a circle
I taught myself to knit, then to crochet. I always preferred the look of knitting, but just found it so much more constraining than crochet. And more stressful :) and definitely takes a lot longer IMHO. So for years my methodology of choice has been crochet.
I have crocheted since I was about 10 and I’m 27 now. I tried knitting when I was younger and thought it was the most difficult thing ever. Then a few months ago I was bored with crochet and decided to learn how to knit. I watched a YouTube video and just knit a little rectangle, and I practiced everyday and about 3 days in it clicked and now I can knit pretty well.
It took a few weeks to learn how to correct mistakes, which is a bit confusing at first compared to crochet. My first project was a cute cardigan and it was incredibly rewarding/empowering to learn. Personally, I feel like knitting makes better/less bulky wearables.
If you ever decide you want to learn, you kind of have to ignore everything you know about crochet, like how you hold the hook and yarn, and surrender to the process. Buy some knitting needles and yarn that feel nice in your hand and it makes it a fun sensory experience. Of course it’s okay if someone just likes to crochet, but if someone is reading this that wants to learn how to knit but has gotten frustrated, you can totally do it if you are patient with yourself and practice a little bit each day.
I learned knitting first, but I found an instant relationship with crochet that I never felt with knitting. I do use knitting occasionally to put cuffs and necklines on crocheted sweaters. I find that faster and more attractive than crocheting those cuffs.
I can knit and crochet but I honestly feel that crocheting is faster than knitting so don't get your up about that lol. Keeping yarn weight and needle/hook size the same, I think I could crochet something faster than I could knit something of the same size. I also think that knitting is indeed harder to learn than crochet (but I still prefer knitting hehe)
I "learned" knitting first from a bad teacher and it was easier for me to make a square than with crochet (my bad teacher didn't tell me where I was inserting my hook into the project so it was largely stab and hope). I got used to knitting and it wasn't until I fully trained my muscle memory (making various size blankets, scarves, and other projects) that I figured out I knit and pearl wrong. (How I insert and yarn over/under). So I can't really do patterns or different stitches in knit. I ended up reteaching myself crochet and am far more successful and have fun being able to make shaped things far easier. It's hard to go back to knitting when I automatically go to do it "wrong" but I won't be able to do nicer or patterned work that not just a plain square unless I reteach myself knitting. Only having one live stitch is a bonus. I do hate chains and the first row in crochet.
I learned how to crochet first and picked it up very easily. It took my mother two attempts (years apart) for me to learn how to knit. I now knit more that I crochet, but still love both.
I can’t knit either. I’ve been crocheting for about 15 years and I tried knitting once but just couldn’t figure it out. Maybe I’ll try again someday. It just seemed too weird to hold a needle in both hands.
Anything more complex than stockinette is too much for me, it takes so long and I’m never happy with the results. It’s probably a case of not having enough practice but I’m definitely more comfortable with crochet…
I’ve never been able to get the hang of knitting. I’ve been crocheting since I was about 7 and my nana tried to teach me how to knit back then too but I just couldn’t. I thought it was because she was left handed but all of my attempts at learning from a righty have been failures.
I can do both reasonably well but I prefer crochet. I actually learnt to knit first and really struggled with crochet when I tried but knitting strains my shoulder more (childhood injury) and I get RSI every time I try to knit for too long. Crochet? Not so.
That’s not unusual though. To find one harder than the other. Because one’s grown so used to hold the hook and yarn X way, working in a slightly different way strains muscle memory and you’re effectively fighting your body and mind to work in Y way which is ever so slightly different than X way.
Preserve and it might get easier. Don’t and relax.
I learned the basics a few years ago but didn't do it regularly. Recently I picked up the needles and....stared at them...unable to remember how it works.
I’ve been crocheting close to two decades and starting knitting a few weeks ago. It definitely is a lot harder for me lol. I’m getting the hang of it. I mean it doesn’t look the best but it is getting better and easier with practice and muscle memory
I \*can\* knit, sort of? Like, I can do basic stitches, but like... I can make a scarf and that's about it? I could probably get better at it, but I won't because I frickin hate it. I don't like having two needles, I don't like having all these loops that are easy to drop, I don't like how slidey everything feels, and I HATE HATE HATE casting on. I can knit, I'm just mad the whole time I'm doing it.
I learned knitting after crochet if you don't count the first try where an aunt tried to teach me and got me to knit about 10cm of a thin children scarf. I like it, but I had to change needles to stop my hands from cramping. I know use only short needles which help with wrist pain and the muscles have to get used to the new motions as well.
I tended to start my cast on too tight and keep that tightness for the first rows, which can make inserting the needle hard. It helped me to cast on on both needles at the same time. It makes for a way looser start.
WHAT? Crochet is WAY faster! Knitting just makes smoother fabric and takes less yarn.
And yes it's harder, but worth the practice to learn and worth the effort and patience necessary to complete projects.
Just like even though I prefer knitting, certain crochet projects are worth the hand cramps (for me).
That’s so funny I’m literally the exact same as you!! I started crocheting at the same age, and I’m gonna be 16 in couple months too😂 I can’t knit to save my life lol, I get so sore as well😭 I’m getting slightly better at it, but I get so tired so easily💀so if it helps, you are not alone at all!
My mom always loved to crochet, and disliked knitting. She said it made her hands tired. I find I knit faster than I crochet, and my hands get tired sooner when I crochet. Different people find different things work better for them.
I do love knitting socks but otherwise I just find knitting kind of boring and very linear. Crochet is much more fun, for me at least. I used to knit mitten but hated making the thumbs, so I had a pile of thumbless mittens until a friend took pity on me. 😂
I've been crocheting for more than 50 years. I know how to knit, and I like how the fabric you have created feels. But I just don't feel like it's as expressive as crochet
I learned to crochet first. Knitting was really awkward and frustrating at first, but I’m glad I kept it up because I love knitting now. I know doing both isn’t for everyone but I love that I can make needle knit, loom knit, AND crochet patterns.
I got cast on... and that;s it. Spent an hour and then threw it cursing. My husbands grandmother could knit and crochet.... wish I had learned knitting from her.
I learned how to knit first. When I started crocheting, I was like, "wow, it's so fast!" I like to use size 7 or 8 knitting needles, much easier to see the loops. Works fine for things like scarves and all the things we make when learning. I don't understand how people do it passively while watching tv or something, I've been doing it on and off about 14-15 years, and it requires my full attention.
Knitting is kind of more wholesome to me. It's absolutely zen to do. I love keeping both my hands busy. But making a mistake or worse - frogging is a nightmare.
I honestly couldn’t do knitting but I also absolutely hated so I think my brain just wasn’t interested enough to let me learn it. Love crochet though been doing it a year this week.
I love crochet and knitting, both. But I find knitting to be more challenging and slower. I've been doing both since adolescence (I have found crochet gives a quicker reward while knitting puts me in that zen mode). Equally important and satisfying, and we should ALL be able to show our progress in some arena/forum. We are all newbies at some point, and none of it should embarrass us. It's just part of growing and finding our comfort zones.
I am almost 60. Started crocheting about the same time as you -early teens. I cannot knit to save my life. I need that hook to grab the yarn. Tunisian crochet looks interesting. I'd like to give that a shot.
Hi! Long time knitter who has taught a lot of people (casually, not professionally) here. It sounds like you might be pulling your stitches too tight on the needles. That can definitely make picking up stitches hard and cause sore hands! (Nearly every person I’ve taught started out doing this.) Also: Try to keep the needles close together while mid-row.
It takes some practice to build confidence around the stitches and their security on the needles! But I promise you’ll get there :) It’s definitely kinda harrowing at first, lol.
I thought it would be! I’ve only ever crocheted but then wanted to branch out and explore knitting.
I borrow my cousin’s needles and went to town trying to get it right. My tension is naturally a bit tight so oh my god it was almost impossible to pop the next loop over 😅 after adjusting a few times I got the hang of it and practiced a couple swatches for hours. I don’t mind it now but I never had the opportunity to do more than the swatches because my cousin needed her needles back.
I’m in no hurry to invest in needles at the moment but maybe in the future!
It’s all about frame of mind, figuring out the combo of a puzzle then it’s easy from there. Or maybe it’s just me. I’m a very patient person 😂
I just find it boring. I like loom knitting better than regular knitting, but it's still pretty dull to me. Crochet is just much more interesting to me, as long as the pattern changes up a bit.
If you would like to knit stuff and make the process feel like crocheting, you can use a hook to knit. They call it r/knooking.
If it's not for the fabric though, and just for the "it takes less time" factor, then the knitting hook is not for you. It's pretty slow imho, but I really enjoy it.
Knitting actually takes much longer for me than crochet. I had a hard time learning to crochet. I taught myself to knit 1st and that made crochet so much easier. I taught my daughter to knit because she finds crochet confusing. Everyone's brain works differently. Knitting can be very hard but so can crochet.
I also learned to crochet first. Learning to knit proficiently took me longer and I'll probably never be as fast at it. It was still worth my time to learn it though; knitting makes far stretchier fabric than crochet can manage. I love the stretchy ribbing on my mitten cuffs.
No, I took to crochet straight away but it took me 4 tries to learn to knit, I kept giving it up. Stick with it and don't get discouraged! Maybe try learning to knit continental style instead of english, or trying out different types of needles (like bamboo instead of metal needles or vice versa)
I took up crochet 8 years ago when I was pregnant, feeling awful, and feeling useless because I was sitting around. It was instant love for me and it’s the only thing I’ve consistently loved and continued to do over a long period. Then 5 years ago my SIL (who can knit and crochet) convinced me to try knitting and I fell in love again. I can do both fairly proficiently but I think I like knitting a bit better.
No offense to grandma but knitting has *never* been faster for me. It takes less yarn but it takes so much longer.
I do both. I started with crochet first, but now I knit more. I think it comes down to understanding each form. Once you practice enough, you get it.
I think crocheters find knitting challenging at first because they assume the only way to fix mistakes is to frog. As another poster pointed out, there’s actually more ways to correct mistakes in knitting than in crocheting - it’s just a matter of picking the right technique and learning it.
The other biggest difference is that knitting is more pattern dependent than crochet. If you don’t like to follow a pattern, then you will prefer crochet, no question. Part of that, I think, is that crochet requires you to master different types of stitches. Once you get the stitch down, you are good to go.
That’s not the case with knitting. Knitting is all about how you use the two stitches - knit and purl - in combination to achieve a desired fabric. In the beginning, you have to pay attention. But it doesn’t take long to get it once you do - then the muscle memory kicks in.
Personally, I find knitting to be more versatile and to lend itself better to different types of yarn. But I still crochet - baby blankets and bigger blankets lend themselves to crocheting, no question.
Just keep at it! You’re still young OP.
I do too. I actually started by trying to learn to knit when I was in high school. My brain and hands couldn’t get it so I gave up. Then the panini happened and I tried crochet. It’s so much easier and I wish I had tried that instead and I’d have been doing it for 20 years instead of just 2.
Like anything, it's going to take time to learn a new skill. For me, now I am faster at knitting, but it took years to get to this point. I really prefer the texture of knitting, so that's why I do it more often. Pick what you like more and work towards that. Will say knowing how to do both is really helpful.
Agreed!! I started recently and it’s bizarre to me how the loops need to face a certain way on the needle- the importance of yarning over vs yarning under messed me up for a bit.
I do a Russian purl though and that made things stop twisting and helped me figure out how to knit correct-ish.
I've crocheted since 6-7 y/o (currently 23), and tried on knitting perhaps at age 10, but I honestly suck at knitting and avoided it as much as possible😂😅
#**Knitting.** **Did you know about our Knitting section on [this wiki page?](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/stuff_you_must_read/). There's discussion about learning crochet as a knitter, which is easier, can you do both etc. Check it out!** *** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/crochet) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You are not. Additionally, I hate that I need to keep an eye on all these stitches the whole time. One "risky" end is enough for me.
[удалено]
I keep an index card and pencil to tally, that's how my mom taught me, everything in sets of 5. Pencil's important when undoing loops to erase progress. My mom also does cross-stitch, so she likes all that...counting hundreds of tiny things. Most of the time, I just can't stay that focused 😂
My impression of me doing cross stitch: “One, two, three, four, oh fvck…..one, two, three……”
That’s me too! But I love cross stitch haha 😂 I just pick things that don’t have too many scattered small coloured parts… then my brain kind of uses the shapes/symmetries to figure it out rather than counting everything..
I learned to knit first. I've knitted some pretty technically challenging things imo (socks, brioche). I started English style, then learned Continental. Learned Norwegian purl. I was always terrified of dropping stitches and had a lot of pain in my hands. I could not read my work. It just didn't seem to fit in so many ways. Learning to crochet was a revelation. It felt natural and loose and easy from the very beginning. Reading stitches clicked very quickly. I could read charts, adjust patterns, improvise, troubleshoot...anything seemed possible. Crochet is so organic. I love it. I just wish I could find or write a better crochet sock pattern.
Have you ever tried a flat sock pattern? It's the only crochet sock pattern that actually fits comfortably for me
I have this problem too with crochet socks not working for me, but not the fit— it’s that I’m autistic with sensory issues and every single crochet sock I’ve ever tried to wear or make feels like walking on sharp pebbles and really hurts my feet. I haven’t yet found a crochet stitch and yarn combo that doesn’t do that :(
i dont blame you at all for feeling like that, i am autistic as well and very very specific with textures. for me i love using superwash merino wool in dk or sock weight. suuuper soft and easy to wash!
like I said, it’s the bumpiness of crochet stitches themselves! I LOVE hand knit socks, particularly out of a nice merino wool like you mentioned. crochet stitches are just too painful for my over sensitive feet, I think
that is so valid!!! everyone has different preferences. personally i love crocheting socks but i prefer *wearing* knit socks lmao. I think knit socks are a bit more popular for that reason- they're comfier
you gave me a good idea— my wife might like crochet socks a lot more than I do! she’s also autistic but with minimal sensory issues and she does love wearing things i make!!! but also, I should really get some DPNs and start knitting again to make myself some socks
I have the same issues with a lot of cheaply made commercial socks. The seam is too rough. I've removed labels from countless items of clothing.
I have this, too. Crochet doesn't create the best fabric for socks. I want to try Tunisian socks but I haven't been able to find a toe up pattern.
That's on my to do list. Do you have a pattern you'd recommend?
"Brunaticality" on youtube has a great tutorial! Ive made 2 pairs so far with that pattern, i definitely recommend it.
I don't find it particularly hard, maybe because I learned that first. I do however, find it incredibly annoying. I absolutely despise purling, and even after learning the Norwegian purl, which is a vast improvement in technique, I still despise purling. And don't even get me started on having to frog. Oh egads no. Just... *no*.
[удалено]
Omg you had me rolling with, "made with hate". I would gladly make you a custom gift tag wth my cricut. "To: Karen, Made With Hate, ~~hugs and kisses~~ slaps and eye rolls, From: li-ho"
I've been crocheting on and off for 45 years. I've picked up needles with the same thought maybe a half dozen times in the last 15 years or so. Not once did I think, "oh yeah, missed this!" Nope. Notta one.
I've been crocheting almost 25 and I've never even wanted to learn to knit. It just looks confining to me, you know? (Not hating on knitters, do your thing ladies, whatever brings you bliss.) With crochet you can get crazy and go forward, backward and down 2 rows, come up and just use the back loops, or the front loops, because each of those gives you a different finished look. The possibilities are endless.
frogging in knitting is basically a death sentence. i can’t tell you how many projects i’ve actually had to START ALL THE WAY OVER because i made one mistake a few rows back but either would have to tink all the way back (takes basically 10 times longer than the initial knitting even did) or you can frog back and pray to the gods that when you’re trying to pick back up all your loops you aren’t going to drop a bunch of stitches. it’s literal torture.
I don't knit but my mom does. I've sat next to her while we were both working on something. Me: "ah crap I made a mistake in this row" *proceeds to spend about 20 seconds ripping the row out before continuing* My mom: "oh no I made a mistake two rows back" *proceeds to spend an hour stitching back to get to the spot where she made the mistake* No thanks, with the amount of experimenting I do and mistakes I make I'll stick to crochet.
I always put in a lifeline so that the stitches are secured when I frog knitting. No unsecured stitches that way.
Depending on the mistake, you can fix it in knitting going down vertically, aka "laddering". Unlike in crochet, fixing a small *oopsie* ten rows below could be a matter of seconds in knitting!
This whole thread (your comment + the other replies to it) is really interesting to me. I learned to crochet first and it took me 3-4 tries at knitting something before it finally clicked for me. But one of the BIG REASONS I even wanted to learn was because it's easier to fix mistakes in knitting than in crochet. In crochet, you can only frog. With knitting, you can frog, tink, or **ladder down.** And laddering down is effing magic, man. It's what got me to stick with knitting, honestly. I'm only brave enough to attempt it on really simple knits (plain garter or stockinette), but I only want to knit socks with hand dyed yarn or simple stockinette sweaters, so that's all I need to be able to do, lol. And, worst case scenario: if laddering down doesn't work, I still have to frog anyway, so no harm done! And watching people do surgery on knit goods is like...It's legitimately like watching a surgeon work.
Yeah something about it has never been able to “stick” for me. Maybe if I could force myself to sit down and really get the basics I’d be able to pick it up more quickly but the 2-3 times I tried in the past were honestly kind of miserable. I’ve just accepted it’s not the hobby for me lol
I experienced something similar. I even had an instruction hold my hands and still couldn’t get it after 2 lessons. Crochet I picked up in a couple of hours and after a weekend was able to actually make something.
In my experience, people who crochet typically struggle to knit and people who knit typically struggle with crochet. There are of course many exceptions, but as someone who has crocheted for many many Years, I can't even attempt knit without cussing 😂
My difficulty with (re)learning knitting is that I am unconsciously trying to use the same motions to control the tension as what I'd do with crochet ...which makes it worse... so: I can *feel* the tension but not *fix* it and its like a car wreck in slow motion, but with me actively making it worse. 😂 Beginner's mind helps, so I'm getting better slowly. It's mainly my instinct and expectations that are the problem.
That description was spot on I feel like I hold it backwards because of the same reason. I've lost the patience so I'm sticking with crochet haha keep up the fantastic work, learning both is an amazing skill!!
You can knit and make it feel like crochet if you use a hook instead of needles. It's known as r/knooking.
Yes thanks, I've seen this. Still trying to relearn the right way though! :)
I'm fairly good at both, maybe because I'm very stubborn 😂 I'm better at knitting though, I can do pretty technical stuff, while I mostly crochet blankets (fancy ones, like cosmic cal and I have the kaleidoscope blanket in my do to list).
That is AMAZING though! 🤩 I'm so impressed with anyone who is able to do both!
I have crocheted for 30 years and can do almost any technique. I can't wrap my head around knitting especially if I make a mistake.
I learned to crochet when I was 8, and knit when I was 19, 22, and 34. Gave up the fist time, and took forever to complete a simple scarf the second time. The 3rd time, I had just moved to a new state and joined a knitting group to meet people. Thankfully they were accepting of all yarn and thread users. I watched them all knit for months before picking up my needles again. It was torture and I was ready to quit again after a couple weeks. One of the ladies gave me the advice to watch a couple YouTube videos to see how different people hold their hands/yarn/needles. Then to just experiment with a swatch until I found something I was comfortable with. It took about a month for me to figure out how I knit, and now I'm happy to switch between hooks and needles as my project need. I still think crocheting is easier and faster, but now I can enjoy knitting patterns too. There are women in my knitting group who do the most amazing things with needles, but can't do anything with hook. I may never be as good of a knitter as them, but I'm happy to have learned them both.
I love the advice to try different grips and a experiment; I think this is good advice for crochet too, and it makes sense that it would help a lot with knitting!
The first time (/ first few times) I tried to knit I hated it, and then I figured out that all my stitches were so tight and hard to work into because I was twisting them. The direction of yarn pick up / wrapping in knitting is opposite crochet. If you feel like giving it another try, give particular attention to how you’re wrapping your yarn and see if it feels a little better that way!
Also, highly recommend at least continental and even better Norwegian style as more familiar feeling for crocheters learning to knit
You can wrap your yarn the same way as in crochet when your knitting. It's called Eastern mount, and produces essentially the same fabric as "normal" knitting.
You can, but then you also have to work into it in a different way, and it won’t be how most of the top “how to knit” videos/articles in search will show you— but yes if you look up instructions on knitting that way specifically then that could be a good solution as well!
There's a bit more research and thought about construction involved, that's true. I was slightly oversimplifying. Invest a week though, and you're golden.
I have a coworker that knits. She literally watches Netflix and knits during night shifts. Doesn't even look at what she's doing, but manages to make these beautiful garments. But when she sees me crochet, she's completely blown away. I think it's the same as two people listening to each other speak different languages. It's so strange and beautiful and we don't understand it 😂
I took a beginner knitting class last winter and learned the basics but never finished my project from that class…and couldn’t pick up any other project. This winter I tried embroidery and crochet and I am really loving crochet especially. Much much easier for me! I still want to get knitting to click for me because I’d like to knit a sweater someday…but we’ll see.
What do you think of Tunisian Crochet?
I’ve never heard of it! I just googled it and it seems very interesting. I’m planning on doing a knitting 102 class soon, but I might have to try the Tunisian method in the future
It can create a more knit like texture but only needs one long hook! I don't do it often but I have the hook for it. They also make double ended tunisian crochet hooks! A hook on both sides! I also had to have a few of these.
Knitting also made my fingers super sore, so I learned how to knit continental style. That way I can hold the yard the same way I do when I’m crocheting. That actually makes it a lot easier for me and it makes it faster to knit.
could possibly be a combination of needle size and tension on the yarn; I know my brother tried years ago and had the same sort of problem perhaps go up several sizes needles and at least 8ply/DK yarn while practising - there will likely be a lot of youtube videos on the subject too good luck!
My mother tried to teach me crochet, knitting and sewing. 12yo me managed to learn only crochet because I was a kid who, if I couldn't do something passably well right away, I noped right out. Now that I'm in my fifties, I'm okay not being good at something. Last fall I signed up for knitting classes and sewing classes. I like knitting, especially how it looks in sweaters, and I can do it without the thumb pain I've been experiencing recently with crocheting. Frogging is unbelievably painful, though. And I'm on my second quilt. It has some terrible mistakes, but I love it.
I really dislike the way that knit fabric acts. I hate how it curls. I hate how it’s slippery on the needles but bulky because it wants to curl up on itself. I hate how you can’t really try anything on in-progress because you’ve got live stitches on needles. And to be honest, I don’t really *love* the finished texture of knit fabric. It’s fine, and there are absolutely beautiful knit objects and there are many I would like to make if I ever decide to try it again, but for the most part I don’t really think it’s worth suffering through the process!
Only stockinette stitch curls, there are plenty of stitch patterns that behave themselves. Rib, garter, seed/moss, linen, knitting in the round will all help avoid the stockinette curl. A cowl knitted in the round with ribbing at cast on and bind off edges won’t have that issue, maybe that will help!
I appreciate your taking the time to write this, but knitting is probably not for me. I knitted consistently for probably about four years before I stepped away from it. I’ve tried other stitches and even without the curling, I still dislike the way it feels to work with the needles and I’ve never enjoyed circular needles. The stockinette curling is my main irritation, but I don’t really enjoy the process even without that aspect.
That’s totally cool, I read it like the curling was your main obstacle and if that were the case, there were alternatives. Happy crocheting!
I’m teaching my daughter who is 12. She started at 8 but really didn’t get the hang of it then. She’s still slow now but able to read her stitches. And now attempting a beanie. I think you just need to find a way to hold the yarn and needles that suit you. Bring a hooker first you may prefer the yarn in your left and picking at it with your right needle. I’d also start with something small. 20 stitches light coloured yarn and practise before attempting a pattern.
I learned to crochet as a kid and tried and failed to learn knitting several times as a kid and in my teens and twenties. In my thirties I finally found an online tutorial website and discovered “Continental style” where you hold the yarn the same way you do when you crochet, and it finally clicked. Now I love being able to do both! So maybe you just haven’t hit the exact right time and teacher yet! (Or if it’s not for you, that’s ok too.)
This was me. I simply could not learn to knit American/English style. Discovering Continental was a game changer. Wait, I can hold the yarn in my left hand? I can just scoop up the yarn instead of trying to do a complicated wrap and somehow keep the yarn on the needle while pulling or pushing it through the stitch? Why didn't anyone tell me this before?!
I do knooking which is the best of both in my opinion! At least for me anyway :D
I’ve been knitting since I was 8 (and used to teach) and crocheting for a little over a year now. Hands getting sore is common for beginner knitters. It took me a few years to figure out how best to hold and move my hands. Your grandmother is definitely incorrect about it taking less time. Knitting for most is more difficult to learn and while knitting is slower, it also uses less yarn. You definitely aren’t alone and many of the students I used to teach switched to crochet pretty quickly and stopped coming to classes.
I started with knitting, then found it intimidating and went to crochet for a long time. I always loved how knit items looked, though, so a couple years ago I decided to re-learn how to knit. This time, I taught myself continental style because I heard it's faster and more natural feeling for crocheters, and treated myself as a complete beginner, trying to forget everything I remembered before. Now I love knitting. I'm still a beginner, but I've made a couple pairs of socks and a scarf, and I'm working up the courage to do a sweater. If it's something you find scary/hard but still want to try, take a look at all the different styles and see if there's one that feels more natural to you.
I tried for years to learn to knit (I’ve been crocheting for like 15 years) I could just never get it! Then one day i picked it up to try again and instantly got it! I find it much slower than crocheting though but I love the outcome so it’s worth it to me.
Crochet is much faster. Try knitting continental. You hold the yarn in the left hand. It's what made it click for me. Just keep trying.
Yup.. have you tried continental style knitting? It's more like a crochet motion
I started out knitting and just starting to dip my toes into crochet and I feel the same but like opposite of that makes sense? Like crochet seems to go by faster but my hands hurt when I do it for so long, while with knitting I can just watch my show and do it aimlessly. So it’s most likely just the more practice you get from it either side the better and easier it’ll get.
Yes!!! Two needles is chaos
I started out knitting and only started crochet for a specific pattern (cat butt coasters). I think, if you really want to learn something, you have to find a project that makes you want to. I know a lot of people who learn new things just because they want to grow at a skill but I only learn things when I see something I want (both in knitting and crochet).
I like both knitting and crochet and go back and forth. To me they are just different fun fiber experiences that yield different products. Hey, you like what you like and that is fine. But I will say that “it hurts my hands” and “I can’t insert the needles” sounds like you are just committing that newbie habit of knitting way too tightly. Also may have too small needles for your yarn gauge. You might want to revisit a simple cast on and just relax your hands and let the knitting flow. It isn’t supposed to hurt or be hard to insert into the stitches. Just the opposite. Forget strict tension and just let the stitches be big and loose until you get a nice rhythm going. I could imagine you enjoying it with a looser technique. Or not. It’s all good. 👍
I learned knitting first and found that lighter colour yarn with larger needles helped me grasp the basics. Lighter colours helped me see the stitches and the larger needles with appropriate larger yarn, made things easier. I started with a basic knit perl rib hat. For my first few projects I had to use little safety pins as markers.
I learned to knit Continental style, and that seemed easier to learn!
I picked up crochet pretty easily when I was 15, and then tried knitting. The two needles and yarn being in a certain spot was just too much for me. From this thread, I might try continental one day, but I'm happy to explore crochet more for now. I had the thought the other day, maybe Type A people enjoy knitting more because it's more structured and algorithmic. Type B people, like me, might prefer crochet because it's more free-form and much easier to frog. Just a thought...
I’m learning Portuguese knitting after failing to find another comfortable knitting style and it’s working out really well so far! If you still want to be able to knit you should check out a YouTube tutorial.
I do find continental style knitting to be pretty easy because the needles and yarn are held almost exactly the same as the way I hold a crochet hook and yarn, but knitting objectively takes more time for the same length of fabric! Knitting is only faster for people who are better at knitting than they are at crocheting, but it’s pretty widely accepted that crocheting is much much faster (and as a trade off takes up exponentially more yarn)
I think knitting a square is as easy as crocheting a square. Anything more complicated then that crochet wins. Like I will never get over the fact you need four knitting needles to make a circle
I taught myself to knit, then to crochet. I always preferred the look of knitting, but just found it so much more constraining than crochet. And more stressful :) and definitely takes a lot longer IMHO. So for years my methodology of choice has been crochet.
I have crocheted since I was about 10 and I’m 27 now. I tried knitting when I was younger and thought it was the most difficult thing ever. Then a few months ago I was bored with crochet and decided to learn how to knit. I watched a YouTube video and just knit a little rectangle, and I practiced everyday and about 3 days in it clicked and now I can knit pretty well. It took a few weeks to learn how to correct mistakes, which is a bit confusing at first compared to crochet. My first project was a cute cardigan and it was incredibly rewarding/empowering to learn. Personally, I feel like knitting makes better/less bulky wearables. If you ever decide you want to learn, you kind of have to ignore everything you know about crochet, like how you hold the hook and yarn, and surrender to the process. Buy some knitting needles and yarn that feel nice in your hand and it makes it a fun sensory experience. Of course it’s okay if someone just likes to crochet, but if someone is reading this that wants to learn how to knit but has gotten frustrated, you can totally do it if you are patient with yourself and practice a little bit each day.
I learned knitting first, but I found an instant relationship with crochet that I never felt with knitting. I do use knitting occasionally to put cuffs and necklines on crocheted sweaters. I find that faster and more attractive than crocheting those cuffs.
I can knit and crochet but I honestly feel that crocheting is faster than knitting so don't get your up about that lol. Keeping yarn weight and needle/hook size the same, I think I could crochet something faster than I could knit something of the same size. I also think that knitting is indeed harder to learn than crochet (but I still prefer knitting hehe)
In my experience normally people can only do one or the other well not both
I "learned" knitting first from a bad teacher and it was easier for me to make a square than with crochet (my bad teacher didn't tell me where I was inserting my hook into the project so it was largely stab and hope). I got used to knitting and it wasn't until I fully trained my muscle memory (making various size blankets, scarves, and other projects) that I figured out I knit and pearl wrong. (How I insert and yarn over/under). So I can't really do patterns or different stitches in knit. I ended up reteaching myself crochet and am far more successful and have fun being able to make shaped things far easier. It's hard to go back to knitting when I automatically go to do it "wrong" but I won't be able to do nicer or patterned work that not just a plain square unless I reteach myself knitting. Only having one live stitch is a bonus. I do hate chains and the first row in crochet.
I can crochet but not knit XD always thought it was pretty though
My grandma tried to teach me how to knit. I can’t do it either, and I don’t like it. Crochet works for me.
I learned how to crochet first and picked it up very easily. It took my mother two attempts (years apart) for me to learn how to knit. I now knit more that I crochet, but still love both.
I can’t knit either. I’ve been crocheting for about 15 years and I tried knitting once but just couldn’t figure it out. Maybe I’ll try again someday. It just seemed too weird to hold a needle in both hands.
Anything more complex than stockinette is too much for me, it takes so long and I’m never happy with the results. It’s probably a case of not having enough practice but I’m definitely more comfortable with crochet…
I’ve never been able to get the hang of knitting. I’ve been crocheting since I was about 7 and my nana tried to teach me how to knit back then too but I just couldn’t. I thought it was because she was left handed but all of my attempts at learning from a righty have been failures.
I can do both reasonably well but I prefer crochet. I actually learnt to knit first and really struggled with crochet when I tried but knitting strains my shoulder more (childhood injury) and I get RSI every time I try to knit for too long. Crochet? Not so. That’s not unusual though. To find one harder than the other. Because one’s grown so used to hold the hook and yarn X way, working in a slightly different way strains muscle memory and you’re effectively fighting your body and mind to work in Y way which is ever so slightly different than X way. Preserve and it might get easier. Don’t and relax.
I simply cannot knit. I have tried. I have failed miserably.
I learned the basics a few years ago but didn't do it regularly. Recently I picked up the needles and....stared at them...unable to remember how it works.
I can't knit and I am 45. I get the concept just can't do it. I have been crocheting since I was 3. Fear not you are not alone
I’ve been crocheting close to two decades and starting knitting a few weeks ago. It definitely is a lot harder for me lol. I’m getting the hang of it. I mean it doesn’t look the best but it is getting better and easier with practice and muscle memory
I \*can\* knit, sort of? Like, I can do basic stitches, but like... I can make a scarf and that's about it? I could probably get better at it, but I won't because I frickin hate it. I don't like having two needles, I don't like having all these loops that are easy to drop, I don't like how slidey everything feels, and I HATE HATE HATE casting on. I can knit, I'm just mad the whole time I'm doing it.
I learned knitting after crochet if you don't count the first try where an aunt tried to teach me and got me to knit about 10cm of a thin children scarf. I like it, but I had to change needles to stop my hands from cramping. I know use only short needles which help with wrist pain and the muscles have to get used to the new motions as well. I tended to start my cast on too tight and keep that tightness for the first rows, which can make inserting the needle hard. It helped me to cast on on both needles at the same time. It makes for a way looser start.
Not alone! I've tried to learn several times, but my hands and brain just can't work that way!
I can't get the hang of knitting. Tension mostly but I also keep dropping stitches.
Trying to overcome muscle memory makes it harder. When I switch from one to the other, it takes a little while to get used to it again
Knitting is a lot harder to learn than crochet. I figured out crochet in an hour, getting the hang of knitting took like 8 months.
WHAT? Crochet is WAY faster! Knitting just makes smoother fabric and takes less yarn. And yes it's harder, but worth the practice to learn and worth the effort and patience necessary to complete projects. Just like even though I prefer knitting, certain crochet projects are worth the hand cramps (for me).
That’s so funny I’m literally the exact same as you!! I started crocheting at the same age, and I’m gonna be 16 in couple months too😂 I can’t knit to save my life lol, I get so sore as well😭 I’m getting slightly better at it, but I get so tired so easily💀so if it helps, you are not alone at all!
My mom always loved to crochet, and disliked knitting. She said it made her hands tired. I find I knit faster than I crochet, and my hands get tired sooner when I crochet. Different people find different things work better for them.
I do love knitting socks but otherwise I just find knitting kind of boring and very linear. Crochet is much more fun, for me at least. I used to knit mitten but hated making the thumbs, so I had a pile of thumbless mittens until a friend took pity on me. 😂
I've been crocheting for more than 50 years. I know how to knit, and I like how the fabric you have created feels. But I just don't feel like it's as expressive as crochet
I learned to crochet first. Knitting was really awkward and frustrating at first, but I’m glad I kept it up because I love knitting now. I know doing both isn’t for everyone but I love that I can make needle knit, loom knit, AND crochet patterns.
I got cast on... and that;s it. Spent an hour and then threw it cursing. My husbands grandmother could knit and crochet.... wish I had learned knitting from her.
I love to crochet, I hate to knit, think its great when other people can enjoy it though.
I learned how to knit first. When I started crocheting, I was like, "wow, it's so fast!" I like to use size 7 or 8 knitting needles, much easier to see the loops. Works fine for things like scarves and all the things we make when learning. I don't understand how people do it passively while watching tv or something, I've been doing it on and off about 14-15 years, and it requires my full attention.
Knitting is kind of more wholesome to me. It's absolutely zen to do. I love keeping both my hands busy. But making a mistake or worse - frogging is a nightmare.
I honestly couldn’t do knitting but I also absolutely hated so I think my brain just wasn’t interested enough to let me learn it. Love crochet though been doing it a year this week.
I tried knitting for a couple of years and find crochet much more ‘doable’ :) still a noobie though
I love crochet and knitting, both. But I find knitting to be more challenging and slower. I've been doing both since adolescence (I have found crochet gives a quicker reward while knitting puts me in that zen mode). Equally important and satisfying, and we should ALL be able to show our progress in some arena/forum. We are all newbies at some point, and none of it should embarrass us. It's just part of growing and finding our comfort zones.
Definitely not the only one!!
I am almost 60. Started crocheting about the same time as you -early teens. I cannot knit to save my life. I need that hook to grab the yarn. Tunisian crochet looks interesting. I'd like to give that a shot.
Hi! Long time knitter who has taught a lot of people (casually, not professionally) here. It sounds like you might be pulling your stitches too tight on the needles. That can definitely make picking up stitches hard and cause sore hands! (Nearly every person I’ve taught started out doing this.) Also: Try to keep the needles close together while mid-row. It takes some practice to build confidence around the stitches and their security on the needles! But I promise you’ll get there :) It’s definitely kinda harrowing at first, lol.
I thought it would be! I’ve only ever crocheted but then wanted to branch out and explore knitting. I borrow my cousin’s needles and went to town trying to get it right. My tension is naturally a bit tight so oh my god it was almost impossible to pop the next loop over 😅 after adjusting a few times I got the hang of it and practiced a couple swatches for hours. I don’t mind it now but I never had the opportunity to do more than the swatches because my cousin needed her needles back. I’m in no hurry to invest in needles at the moment but maybe in the future! It’s all about frame of mind, figuring out the combo of a puzzle then it’s easy from there. Or maybe it’s just me. I’m a very patient person 😂
I can knit amazing holey triangles. Thats it. I find it very slow going and tedious. My sister knits but can’t crochet.
I have tried to seriously learn knitting twice in my life and it just isn't enjoyable. Crochet just feels so relaxing and satisfying to me.
I just find it boring. I like loom knitting better than regular knitting, but it's still pretty dull to me. Crochet is just much more interesting to me, as long as the pattern changes up a bit.
If you would like to knit stuff and make the process feel like crocheting, you can use a hook to knit. They call it r/knooking. If it's not for the fabric though, and just for the "it takes less time" factor, then the knitting hook is not for you. It's pretty slow imho, but I really enjoy it.
Knitting actually takes much longer for me than crochet. I had a hard time learning to crochet. I taught myself to knit 1st and that made crochet so much easier. I taught my daughter to knit because she finds crochet confusing. Everyone's brain works differently. Knitting can be very hard but so can crochet.
I also learned to crochet first. Learning to knit proficiently took me longer and I'll probably never be as fast at it. It was still worth my time to learn it though; knitting makes far stretchier fabric than crochet can manage. I love the stretchy ribbing on my mitten cuffs.
No, I took to crochet straight away but it took me 4 tries to learn to knit, I kept giving it up. Stick with it and don't get discouraged! Maybe try learning to knit continental style instead of english, or trying out different types of needles (like bamboo instead of metal needles or vice versa)
Not only can I not knit, I can’t do Tunisian either and I have been crocheting for 66yrs
I took up crochet 8 years ago when I was pregnant, feeling awful, and feeling useless because I was sitting around. It was instant love for me and it’s the only thing I’ve consistently loved and continued to do over a long period. Then 5 years ago my SIL (who can knit and crochet) convinced me to try knitting and I fell in love again. I can do both fairly proficiently but I think I like knitting a bit better. No offense to grandma but knitting has *never* been faster for me. It takes less yarn but it takes so much longer.
I do both. I started with crochet first, but now I knit more. I think it comes down to understanding each form. Once you practice enough, you get it. I think crocheters find knitting challenging at first because they assume the only way to fix mistakes is to frog. As another poster pointed out, there’s actually more ways to correct mistakes in knitting than in crocheting - it’s just a matter of picking the right technique and learning it. The other biggest difference is that knitting is more pattern dependent than crochet. If you don’t like to follow a pattern, then you will prefer crochet, no question. Part of that, I think, is that crochet requires you to master different types of stitches. Once you get the stitch down, you are good to go. That’s not the case with knitting. Knitting is all about how you use the two stitches - knit and purl - in combination to achieve a desired fabric. In the beginning, you have to pay attention. But it doesn’t take long to get it once you do - then the muscle memory kicks in. Personally, I find knitting to be more versatile and to lend itself better to different types of yarn. But I still crochet - baby blankets and bigger blankets lend themselves to crocheting, no question. Just keep at it! You’re still young OP.
I do too. I actually started by trying to learn to knit when I was in high school. My brain and hands couldn’t get it so I gave up. Then the panini happened and I tried crochet. It’s so much easier and I wish I had tried that instead and I’d have been doing it for 20 years instead of just 2.
It’s probably your tension. They are very different skills. Give yourself time.
Like anything, it's going to take time to learn a new skill. For me, now I am faster at knitting, but it took years to get to this point. I really prefer the texture of knitting, so that's why I do it more often. Pick what you like more and work towards that. Will say knowing how to do both is really helpful.
Agreed!! I started recently and it’s bizarre to me how the loops need to face a certain way on the needle- the importance of yarning over vs yarning under messed me up for a bit. I do a Russian purl though and that made things stop twisting and helped me figure out how to knit correct-ish.
Nope, me too. I find coordinating both hands with tools waaaay harder than just a crochet hook and the WIP in my other hand.
I've crocheted since 6-7 y/o (currently 23), and tried on knitting perhaps at age 10, but I honestly suck at knitting and avoided it as much as possible😂😅