Knitting Or Crochet – Which Is Better?

“What should I try first – knitting or crochet?” This is a commonly asked question from new crafters as it’s possible to confuse the two, but in truth, there is no one answer that fits all. The craft that’s best for you really depends on what type of person you are and what you hope to make, so if you’re keen to get going but you’re not sure where to start, take this quick quiz to find your calling.

My main aim is to make clothing

A) Yes, I’d love to create things I can wear

B) Not really, I’d rather make toys and homewares

This is an important question to ask yourself, as there is a distinction between the two. Knitted material is generally lighter, thinner, denser and more form-fitting than crocheted material, and therefore can make more flattering clothing. In addition, colour distinctions tend to be neater, which is another key consideration. On the other hand, it’s easier to make toys and homeware with crochet, as you can work in the round to achieve cleaner shapes and easily create motifs. In general, crochet stitches are more durable as well and are perfect for creating bulkier projects that will be subject to more wear and tear.

I really want my projects to be portable

A) Yes, this is crucial as I travel a lot

B) No, I do most of my work at home anyway

If you answered A, then crochet wins this round. Depending on the project, it is of course possible to take either one with you, but a crochet hook is usually more convenient than two long knitting needles. An added benefit is that you can remove your crochet hook from a project at any time, whereas the results can be dire if your knitting needles fall out. Finally, crochet hooks are definitely a go-to if you plan to take your work on the plane with you, as they are far less likely than knitting needles to be confiscated by security!

I prefer people to know my projects have been made by hand.

A) Yes, this is very important to me

B) No, as long as the end product looks good I don’t mind either way

If you answered A, then you may be leaning towards crochet. Why? The answer is simple – while knitting can be both hand-made and machine-made, there are many crochet stitches which can only be completed by hand. Although there are machines that can make similar stitches for mass production, closer inspection will reveal that they aren’t true crochet stitches at all. However, if you answered A but knitting still appeals, this isn’t a dealbreaker. It will be easy to tell that your project has been hand-made, even if the stitches aren’t so obvious - and there are plenty of ways to personalise your projects and make them your own.

I am meticulous in everything I do

A) Yes, accuracy has always been my forte

B) No, I tend to learn by trial and error

If you chose A, then chances are you’re a knitter in the making. Attention to detail is extremely important in knitting, as there are several ‘live’ stitches to keep track of at once and it can sometimes be difficult to fix mistakes. Crochet is more forgiving in this respect as you can go back and fix things far more easily and there are fewer live stitches at a time, which makes it easier to keep track of in the first place. And although you’ll have to undo stitches to make corrections in both crafts, with crochet this is far easier. To correct a stitch in knitting, you’ll need to go through the finicky process of threading every loop back onto your needle, while in crochet you’ll only need to work with one. That said, it’s still possible to make mistakes in crochet, so see here for a few helpful pointers https://www.topcrochetpatterns.com/blog/5-crochet-mistakes-to-avoid

I want to see immediate results while I'm learning

A) Yes, or I may get discouraged

B) No, I’m happy as long as I get quicker with practice

Did you choose A or B? If you picked A, then crochet will be better to start with, as your projects will initially take less time. However, many experienced knitters actually find that knitting is faster in the long run, as you can learn to knit by feel and won’t need to look at each stitch. It’s really down to personal preference.

I like my work to be a conversation starter when I'm out and about

A) Yes, the social side of crafting is all part of the fun!

B) No, if I keep answering questions I’ll never get anything done

If you answered A, then crochet is perfect for you. Though most people will instantly recognise a pair of knitting needles, take out your crochet hook and you’ll be sure to get some curious glances. That’s not to say people won’t ask you about your knitting project (after all, crafting on the go will always draw more attention than taking out your smartphone) but for whatever reason, knitting is simply more recognisable.

So what were your results – mostly knitting or mostly crochet? You may find you have a clear preference for one, but if your results are split evenly it’s not a problem, as both are worth a try. Happy crafting!

Looking for crochet patterns? Try these 11 patterns for new crocheters