Is It Easier To Knit Or Crochet?

Did you finally decide to get crafty and learn something new? Well, it makes us happy that you’ve decided to join the ‘Yarn Family’! But, in case you are unable to choose between knitting or crocheting, let us help you answer the most important question, “Is it easier to knit or crochet?”

Well, the answer is both are easy to learn, and once you cross the teeny-tiny learning curve, you can master both crafts. But that certainly is an unhelpful answer! So, let’s go into a little bit about what is knitting and crocheting.

What is knitting?

Knitting is a process of creating a continuous string of loops using a pair of knitting needles to create a fabric. In knitting, several stitches are cast on a needle, and they become the live stitches. These live stitches are then worked on as they move across the needles. Once the project is completed, the live stitches are cast off, and that ends the knitting.

In knitting, there are two basic stitches – knit and purl. If you learn these two knitting stitches, you can knit lots of fancy patterns in your projects.

Knitted fabrics are generally smooth, soft, and have a uniform look. Knitting is a great skill to learn if you want to make pullovers, sweaters, babywear, shawls, etc.

What is crocheting?

Crochet creates a ‘chain’ of fabric rather than a row of live stitches. Unlike knitting, there is only one live stitch, and a hook is used to work on that single loop. And though having a single stitch to work on is easier, the tricky bit is learning where to put the next stitch. Once you master that, you’ll be crocheting like a pro!

There are five basic stitches in crochet – slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and treble crochet. All the other types of stitches are a variation of these five. So, once you master these, you can create anything!

Crochet is ideal for projects that require relatively bulky stitches like hats, scarves, toys, blankets, and more.

Is knitting or crocheting hard?

As a beginner, you can choose to either knit or crochet as both require a little bit of practice before you excel. Both have a different set of techniques, tools, and lingo that you will learn.

Once you learn and gain a bit of knowledge of the skills, the rewards, and the sense of achievement of completing something will be amazing!

And this brings us back to the most important question!

Is it easier to knit or crochet?

Both handicrafts are about bringing yarn together to create something new. But, there are certain fundamental differences in both techniques.

In knitting, the stitches are interlinked and form a ‘V’ shape, while in crochet, they are more like knots. Knitting involves having live stitches cast on a knitting needle and working on them, back and forth, across the needles. There is only one live stitch in crochet, and you work on that before moving on to the next stitch. So, there’s only one stitch to deal with in case you make an error.

As knitting involves moving loops from one needle to another while crochet works with a single loop and a hook, it makes crochet much easier to work with than knitting!

If you are looking for versatility and convenience, crochet is easier, especially if you are a beginner. Minimal tools and techniques make it more accessible.

If you are looking to learn a wider range of tools and techniques, consider going for knitting. As you keep on learning, you can knit quite sophisticated designs.

But, even as we say this, the choice is quite subjective. Your own choices and personality might also play a role in helping you choose between the two handicrafts. For example, if you like quicker projects, crochet may seem the best option. Similarly, if you are a patient individual and want to learn lots of different patterns and don’t mind the time spent to make each project, knitting may be the choice of craft for you!

Final words

So, no matter whether you choose to knit or crochet, we are happy that you made a choice! They are both simple and, essentially, ways to manipulate a ball of string (yarn) into something awesome!

To help you out further in your quest to learn either of the new crafts, here are some resources that will be helpful in your journey to become a master!

• Common Terms & Symbols in Crochet & Knit Patterns
• Size Conversion Charts for Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks
• Guide to Types of Crochet Hooks – How to Choose the Right Type for your Project
• Types of Knitting Needles
• Types of Yarns and Everything Else You Need to Know About Them!

And if you are choosing to knit, here are several beginner-friendly patterns that you can try out as you learn to knit from our series, Knit with Aabhar!

Look forward to our collection of crochet patterns as well in an upcoming series, Crochet with Aabhar!