Crocheting or knitting?

Hi everyone 😊

I’m actually more of a crocheter “by nature,” but right now I’m finally discovering the whole wonderful world of knitting for myself.
I learned both crocheting and knitting quite early in my childhood, and I enjoyed both immensely.
Now, I never needed patterns for crocheting; for some reason—it’s probably just a “talent”—I was able to figure everything out on my own.
With knitting, that wasn’t the case. Small items like simple hats, scarves, etc., without patterns other than garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and ribbing, always went well.
But then I wanted more—I wanted to knit beautiful patterns—and I failed. Because my knitted pieces always looked different from the samples I was using as models. My stitch definition was different and didn’t show what I had knitted, even though I followed the patterns exactly.
I thought I simply lacked any talent when it came to knitting “properly.”
For years and years, I’d repeatedly give up and put my knitting needles away because it just wouldn’t work out.
Then, thanks to the ever-growing selection of patterns in video format, I got the idea to just watch some videos for absolute beginners…and lo and behold, a “miracle” happened. I figured out what my problem was…
I’d learned twisted stitches as a child. And I’d always thought those were the “normal” stitches. So I watched the videos over and over again and adjusted my technique—which was a real struggle, because changing a technique that had been used “wrongly” for years is truly a mental challenge.
And ever since then, I’ve been able to work with patterns too.
I’m really diving deep into this right now, experimenting with different types of stitches—trying this and that—to create awesome patterns. And it’s working.

What about you?
Are you a crocheter or a knitter?
Or do you enjoy doing both?

Best, Nina

I enjoyed doing both, but with knitting it was similar for me as it was for you—except I wasn’t clumsy at it; I just always knitted very slowly, so I rarely finished anything, and that regularly drove my mother and my needlework teacher up the wall. According to both of them, I was too dumb to knit, so I didn’t touch a knitting needle for decades. I didn’t really start knitting properly until after my mother passed away. When knitting socks, my daughter had to show me again how to do the heel flap, because when it comes to the boomerang heel, I really have two left hands and ten thumbs on each—I just can’t do it to save my life. But that’s no big deal to me; I can live with that.
These days, I can neither crochet nor knit with thinner needles—my arthritis in my hands goes crazy and runs amok. From size 4 or 4.5 upward, it works and I manage fine, because I don’t have to grip so tightly as I do with 2.5 or 3, and my fingers don’t cramp up either.
My oldest daughter already said to me:*“Mom, if you need new socks, just let me know—I’ll knit you some.” :-) But it seems I wisely knitted up a good запас for myself in advance, because there are easily 30 pairs of hand-knitted socks for me in my drawer—in all colors and solid shades. By the time I’ve used them all up, I most likely won’t need any more anyway :-)

Love, Inge

Nina,
I learned a lot from an aunt of mine. However, her knitting never looked particularly nice.
  That was because she always knitted twisted stitches. 
She always knitted in such a way that she wrapped the yarn around the needle for every stitch. I can’t really explain it exactly. 

I enjoy doing both, but I tend to prefer knitting because it somehow feels more automatic—you can knit a stitch so quickly.

When it comes to writing patterns, knitting is definitely easier for me. A knitting chart is quicker and easier to create than a crochet chart.

I’m a crocheter. I can knit, but I’m not very good at it and don’t really enjoy it either. I used to knit—mostly simple things, sometimes lace shawls—but it’s just not really my thing.
A few years ago, I discovered crocheting. The last time I’d done it was in school, making pot holders like everyone else, I suppose :-). Now I’m pretty good at it—practice makes perfect :-).
I do think that knitted items drape better—I like to crochet tunics—but I always use fairly thin yarn with a larger hook and steam the piece afterward, so it drapes well too. The one thing that’s easier about crocheting is unraveling it if I make a mistake. When I used to lose a stitch while knitting, I’d get a little frustrated—but maybe that’s just because I lack experience.

I enjoy doing both and switch back and forth regularly to give my hands a break. Since then, I haven’t had any more inflammation.

I’d say knitting takes precedence for me. I don’t have to be as careful with it. For me, knitting stitches is easier than always getting the stitch exactly right when crocheting.

So I do both.
Crocheting goes faster—you see progress more quickly. That said, I like the stitch pattern from knitting much better.
I agree with Michie: creating knitting charts is also much easier for me than creating crochet charts.

I’d also like to knit more again, since I feel there aren’t as many patterns for knitting as there are for crocheting. Plus, for me personally, knitting has the advantage that I can do it while watching TV, because when I knit, I can “feel” the stitches.

The only downside to knitting for me is that if you drop a stitch, you often have to rip it out. And that’s harder to do with knitting than with crocheting.

I really enjoy doing both and often switch back and forth.

My knitting style differs from many others in that I hold the yarn in my right hand instead of my left.
I learned this from my mother, who was from the Saarland. That’s probably why I call it “French knitting.”

Some things just look better—to me—when they’re knitted.
I’m thinking specifically of cable patterns. Even though I find them interesting when crocheted as well.

Since I can’t knit: crochet :D 

But as I’ve been saying on the forum for years, I really want to learn to knit. I like knitted garments such as sweaters much better than crocheted ones. A lot of knitted shawls are wonderful too! Maybe someday in this lifetime I’ll finally manage it :) 

I took a knitting class in third or fourth grade. We knitted a skirt. It was never finished. Like so many things: just before the end, I lost interest.

  I learned to crochet in a program at the employment office. Half the group did crossword puzzles, and the other half crocheted: curtains and doilies. Of course, during breaks, we crocheted.

Right now, I prefer crocheting.

Best regards, Gabi 

I’ve definitely turned to crocheting, even though I can do and enjoy both.

I used to knit a lot—baby clothes, socks, sweaters, skirts, etc. A few years ago, my fingers started to “fall asleep” when I knitted for long periods. Because of that, I almost exclusively crochet now.
My needlework teacher always used to say, “Girl, you’ll never finish a decent pot holder in your whole life.” (They always ended up looking more and more like triangles after a few rows.) Unfortunately, she had just passed away by the time I crocheted my first christening gown at age 16.
Every now and then, I like to knit a dishcloth or something similar—something I can do on the side while watching TV.
But crocheting is my true passion. So many people have already received crocheted curtains—but I haven’t yet. I’m not giving up hope, though.

Dear Nina,

you described that smoldering ambition very well. I’m sure many people can relate. You really want to be able to do it and keep trying every now and then—but ultimately, there comes that one perfect moment, that one spark of inspiration, and then it clicks. And then, just like that, you suddenly realize what the problem always was. You fought your way through it and can now explore the world of knitting.

At some point, crocheting became second nature to you, and you wanted to learn something new: knitting. That’s great—people want to keep growing creatively. In any case, I hope you have a lot of fun with your knitting projects.

I was—and still am—in a similar situation to yours. I know how to do many kinds of needlework. I used to love crocheting. But when you work with fine yarns and perhaps quite tightly to make the stitches delicate, you always have to crochet tightly—and my worn-out cervical spine doesn’t take kindly to that.

That’s why I’ve preferred knitting for quite some time now. With knitting, I have two tools in my hands, and each hand has something to do. Visually speaking, there are things that look better when crocheted (or can only be made that way), and some are simply prettier and smoother when knitted.

TODAY, however, I’ve reached the point where I want to learn something new. For me, that’s sewing. Just as the world of knitting is opening up to you right now, dear Nina, so is the world of sewing for me. People simply need new creative challenges, and once the spark has been ignited and you’ve taken the first steps, you gain new momentum.

Of course, I’ll continue to knit and crochet, but right now, my attention is focused on sewing.

Warm regards, Ina

For me, it changes from time to time. I used to knit almost exclusively, aside from the mandatory pot holders in school. I made all my own sweaters and jackets, and later even knitted children’s sweaters for my niece, but then at some point I stopped completely.
During the first lockdown, I started crocheting and had a lot of fun with it again; except for a pair of knitted socks here and there, I’ve been doing nothing but crocheting. But now I’d like to get back to knitting.
Sewing—yes, I do that every now and then, too—but it’s not as easy or spontaneous; it’s often too much of a hassle for me to set everything up and take it down again. But I also have sewing patterns and fabrics on hand in case the urge strikes me again.

I love to switch things up: After crocheting a few Easter baskets (almost all of which I’ve already given away) and an unfinished amigurumi project, I just had to cast on a new knitting project—right now, preferably DF. When it comes to clothing, I definitely prefer knitted items because they drape more softly, and knitting is usually easier while watching TV. 

I can do both and enjoy them both. However, when I crochet, my arm starts to ache after a while. Knitting, on the other hand, I can do for hours and actually prefer it. Especially for clothing, it’s much more elastic. Very tiny items, however, are better suited for crocheting, as are decorative pieces.

If I had to choose, I’d definitely prefer knitting.

Yeah, and I’m also planning to start sewing again. I used to sew a lot of things for myself and my son. I’ve got the talent (probably from my mom). I just somehow lacked the motivation to start again. Today, I actually bought two patterns here for children’s clothing. I’m going to start off simple—with a summer hat and a little skirt. I’ll probably sew them from clothes I don’t wear anymore. That’s a great way to put them to good use.

Dear Monika, I’m so glad you’re getting into sewing now, too! Our new sewing community is growing. Maybe I’ve inspired you with my baby pants. I hope you have lots of fun.

Warm regards, Ina

Yes, dear Ina, you’re part of the reason, too, when I see what beautiful pants you’re currently sewing for your little one. In general, it seems like sewing fever has broken out here. That’s actually very inspiring. I’m already on the hunt for fabric and will definitely show you the result.

In my early 20s, I went through a brief knitting phase, then took a forty-year break. One day I saw a crocheted hat that I really wanted but couldn’t afford. So I looked into whether I could make something like that myself. Ever since then, I’ve been crocheting hats, socks, scarves, sweaters, and decorations. My friend, who knitted a lot, kept trying to talk me into knitting, but I quickly gave up after my one and only attempt. Now that my fingers don’t work as well as they used to, I’ll probably stick to crocheting.
My mother was really skilled with the sewing machine. Today, I regret not having her teach me more. I only use my machine for mending.

I’m better at crocheting, but I prefer knitting right now.
My grandma taught me both. Crocheting is just faster, but knitted clothes are simply prettier 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m okay at sewing. I can sew a waistband, replace a zipper, and make hats. Thanks to YouTube