Crochet or Knit Which is Easier

There are always some doubts to choose between crochet or knitting, before choosing the best technique to start learning discover the advantages and disadvantages that each one provides.

If you are just starting out and are in doubt between learning to knit or crochet and wondering if there is any difference between the two, don’t worry, here you can clear up all your doubts.

There are some differences between the two techniques and both require a certain amount of practice to bring out the skill. To know the difference between knitting and crochet is very complicated for those who are beginners, because both have the same methods of sewing yarns together, but their methods are quite different.

Knitting technique

This technique is well known for its method in which the yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric. Knitting can be done by hand or machine which allows for volume creation to create many types of clothing.

Knitting versus crochet uses long needles to form the stitches, thus forming the loops of a “V”-like set, while in crochet the stitches are knotted together.

Knitting needles

Knitting needles usually have a long tapered shaft at their end. The principle is the basic one where the long shaft holds the active stitches, thus preventing them from unraveling, while the tapered ends are used to form new stitches.

Needles are categorized by size and are determined by their diameter and then by their length and the type of stitch that can be made with them. The larger the diameter the better for making large stitches for certain projects, such as a knitting cap, and the smaller the diameter the tighter the stitches, perfect for sock caps and amigurumi.

The length of a needle determines how many stitches it can hold at one time. For very large projects such as a blanket with hundreds of stitches it may require a longer needle than a small project such as a bootie or scarf.

Knitting yarn

Knitting yarn is found as balls or ball yarns and is easily found on the internet and in craft stores. They are usually sold with a yarn band, a label that describes the yarn weight, length, fiber content, and suggested needle size.

The thickness or weight of the yarn is what will determine the tension and gauge. For thicker needles require thicker yarns and for thinner needles thinner yarns are used but thicker needles can also be used.

Crochet technique

This is another well-known technique where crochet requires the use of a hook that is used to interweave loops of yarn. The main difference between crochet and knitting is that each crochet stitch is completed before the next one begins, while knitting keeps many stitches open at the same time.

The most commonly known stitches in crochet are single, double and treble stitches. Crochet stitches resemble a chain of small knots and once you have mastered these stitches you can create a variety of projects.

Crochet Hook

A crochet hook is basically a round shaft pointed at one of its ends, with a lateral groove behind it. The shape of its tip makes it easy to insert which allows you to pull a loop back through the material.

When choosing a hook you can use the size of the stitch required as a basis, as a small hook is ideal for a smaller yarn weight and a larger diameter hook uses a larger yarn weight.

Crochet thread

Crochet yarns are usually known and made from mercerized cotton, the vast majority of yarns are produced from cotton and have a denser fleece and a smaller diameter than ordinary yarn.

The yarns are usually found on spools. The vast majority of crochet yarns are found in thicker diameters than sewing threads, which enable them to withstand considerable tension from hook pulls.

When starting a project you should consider which yarn to use with the ideal hook that is usually marked on its label. There are other types of yarns, acrylics, nylon, metallic and silk are options that many people look to as an alternative to cotton in crochet.

Crochet or Knitting! Which one to choose to learn?

After learning the difference between the two methods there is a difficult decision, both are yarn sewing methods. After comparing the two techniques we suggest for those who are beginners and seek practicality crochet is the best option and starting to learn the basic crochet stitches, because it is easier to work than knitting.

The tools are a little more accessible and the techniques more minimized, and you can find many tutorials to help you develop your career as a craftswoman.

Now for those looking to master a wide range of tools the best alternative is knitting, as it supports more sophisticated designs and more advanced techniques. One more advantage is that you can find knitting machines and crochet is only done by hand.

After reviewing the two techniques we hope that we have helped you decide on the best technique to start learning your first stitches in the world of crochet.