It’s time to hang up the gloves. The question of which is better–crocheting or knitting– has been discussed since the first sheep’s wool was spun into yarn.
Knitters hold their needles high as they offer delicate stitches and sweaters that took weeks to knit, while crocheters fight back with the functionality of their knotted work.
As someone who has been crocheting since she was 8 and knitting since she was 13, I want to end this argument for good.
Crocheting is Better Than Knitting. (Don’t tell me you couldn’t see that coming… I have a crochet blog.)
Here are 8 reasons why I believe crocheting is better than knitting:
1. Crocheting takes 30% more yarn than knitting. While some might view this as a disadvantage, I view it as a positive. Any compulsive crafter would have to agree. The bigger dent you make in your overwhelming yarn stash at one time, the better.
2. Crocheting uses one hook instead of two needles. Why finagle two things when it’s easier to hold just one?
3. Crocheting is faster. Knitters see patterns for 5 1/2-hour crochet afghans and cringe. They dream about the day they could make something that fast. For crocheters, making an afghan in two evening sittings isn’t anything new.
4. Crocheting is easier to learn. I’ll admit this one is subjective… but it’s factual and true.
5. You have more freedom when crocheting. Crocheters use one hook with one loop of yarn on it. Knitters, on the other hand, have perfectly aligned loops sitting obediently on their needles. Where’s the freedom? When crocheting, if you suddenly want to go over the side, go for it. Back the way you came? Sure – not a problem. Want to join something together? Just fold and stitch along the top. Folks, it doesn’t get more free than that.
6. You can easily make a crochet flower and other accessories. I put crochet flowers on pretty much every hat I crochet because I think they’re adorable. (In fact, I love making crochet flowers so much that I created a Video Tutorial on how to crochet a flower.) Patterns for knitted flowers involve no less than 12 steps and lots of sewing together. All that work takes the joy out of flowers.
7. There are less crochet patterns than knitting patterns. Also might seem like a downside, but the thrill of the hunt makes this a plus for crocheting. Finding a good crochet pattern is like finding GOLD. Hundreds of books have been written about knitting, but good crochet patterns are harder to trace down and more rewarding when you find them.
8. And finally, the most compelling part of the case: Crocheting creates a heavier, stretchier fabric. This heavier fabric is useful when making:
- Hats
- Scarves
- Afghans
- Baby Blankets
- Scrubbies & Dishcloths
- Dishtowels
- Bags
- Purses
- Cowls
- Socks/ Slippers
- Rugs
- Ponchos (are these still in?)
- Cozies (iPod, Coffee Cup)
- Pouches (Laptop, Cell Phone)
- Flowers
- Mittens or Gloves
- Amigurumi (little crocheted animals)
- Even Dog Sweaters are better crocheted.
Pretty much the only thing people would rather knit than crochet is a sweater. So for projects that are a sweater, pull out the knitting needles. For everything else, grab a hook because crocheting’s where it’s at.
And so, I think you will find that crocheting, as whole, is better than knitting. What’s your preference? Are you a one hook or a two needle crafter?
For an additional comparison between knitting and crocheting, read here: https://www.jjcrochet.com/knitting-vs-crocheting/.
Beth
August 9, 2011Love this post! Of course I come down on the crochet side too. I’m knitting something right now, and it’s so hard and time consuming. and making a mistake is practically an earth shattering event…it’s so hard to backtrack. I like to say that knitting is my hobby and crochet is my life.
Kat
August 10, 2011I vote for crochet. Learned to knit from my mother but it didn’t stick. Learnt to crochet simply by sitting opposite a leftie & copied what she did!
Sarah
August 10, 2011You missed out
* you can finish halfway through a row
* takes up less room in your handbag when you take it out and about with you – although some of those pro needles won’t take up much room either.
🙂
Violet
August 17, 2011Ha ha ha!!!! I love this post!!!! I agree crocheting wins hands down! I just found your blog. I think you are just about the cutest thing ever. I hope you don’t mind I added a link from my blog to yours. I can’t wait to try out your pattern for your hat! Thanks for sharing with us.
michelle
August 24, 2011just wanted to say thank you for the flower video i watched on youtube. i just started crochet a week ago and just made my 1st hat with 2 of ur cute flowers on it 🙂
JJCrochet
August 24, 2011Appreciate the comments – glad to see they’re all in favor of crochet! Beth, I think you said it best – “Knitting is my hobby and crochet is my life”. Ha – love it!
And thank you, Violet – I’m glad you’re putting the patterns to good use. Enjoy!
Traci
September 6, 2011Crochet is definitely the winner for me too. I CAN knit but prefer not to. I love how quick and easy it is to crochet a hat, scarf, afghan, etc… Knitting just seems like work whereas crochet is fun.
Lauren
September 9, 2011Yay team crochet!! I LOVE the freedom of crochet just make up a pattern as you go and it’s easy to fix what you don’t like!
Nancy
October 10, 2011Thank goodness someone feel as I do about crochet. I kind of get a hoity toidy attitude from knitters. The fun is in the finding.
Thanks. (hope I spelled h t right)
Brenda
October 31, 2011LOVE your blog!! I was super excited to see that you decided to post on something so “controversial” (lol). My grandma taught me how to crochet when I was 10 and I started crocheting again when I was 22 using whatever I remembered when she taught me! My mom taught me how to knit last month and well… I don’t remember a damn thing… When I first started again last year, I went to some knitting/crochet groups. Everytime I went to a crochet group, they were so welcoming of all crafts including knitting. But when I go to knitting groups, there’s always 1-2 girls that just have to bash on me for crocheting…. Your last reason for crochet being way more awesome is that I have NEVER met a mean crocheter 🙂
JJCrochet
October 31, 2011Hi Brenda – I’m glad you stopped by and found some interesting things, ha. I, too, got tired of knitters giving me flack when I pulled out my hooks and thought I’d set the record straight once and for all. Gotta show them who’s boss, ha! Keep those hoops going!
Colleen
November 19, 2011There is no reason for this “c is better than k” thing. It depends upon what you want to make. For me knitting for anything that I will wear that requires drape and subtle give – sweaters, scarves, socks. However, for a smart, boxy Chanel jacket, crochet gets the nod. Crochet is the go-to for curtains, toys or stuff that I want to have a firmer structure. I love fillet crochet and lace knitting. Knitting or crochet for afghans, accessories or edgings/trims will depend upon the look I want. Learn both and enjoy both. If you do have a favorite, fine. Nobody should give anybody flack whether they pull out the hook or needles.
WES
March 5, 2012I am a crocheter, I love crochet. I believe you are trying to be humorous and point out how silly the this craft is better than that craft but I take issue with it because I think you are spreading misconceptions.
1. Crocheting takes 30% more yarn than knitting.- WRONG, yes crochet takes more yarn but it is not 30% more and you need to make sure that you are comparing apples to oranges. Check out on Rav, Granny Square Myth Busting.
4. Crocheting is easier to learn. I’ll admit this one is subjective… but it’s factual and true. – REALLY? You were right the first time it is subjective, I have not been able to find a factual piece to say it is easier to learn one craft over the other. This is subjective, personally I found knitting (at lease the knit and purl stitch) easier than some crochet stitches.
8. And finally, the most compelling part of the case: Crocheting creates a heavier, stretchier fabric. – WRONG, because you imply it always creates a heavier and stretchier fabric. Sometimes it can and sometimes it won’t.
Neither craft is better or worse than the other. Both have good qualities and people will have preferences. I would have liked this article better if you focused on some of those misconceptions…like you cannot do cables in crochet, you can! Or that you cannot have a good fit in a sweater, you can.
Ruthann Piepenburg
March 5, 2012I both knit and crochet. One true positive for crochet is that you cannot, absolutely cannot drop a crocheted stitch. (Sometimes you might wish you coud….but very seldom.)
JJCrochet
March 5, 2012Hi Wes,
I appreciate your response. You certainly make great points, most of which I agree with. I wrote this article as a satirical piece, not seriously thinking that crocheting is better than knitting. Just something fun to read. I thought my humorous viewpoint came across clearly in my joking about crocheting being easier, “I’ll admit this one is subjective… but it’s factual and true,” but apparently my humor was missed. I’m sorry you took offense to that comment as that was never my intent.
I never want to propagate misconceptions about a craft we both love, and I wrote this simply to poke fun at both crocheters and knitters. I appreciate your comments, though. I hope you enjoy both crafts alike, same as I do. Keep your hooks and needles going!
Jayna
VoidWalker
March 7, 2012I would add another advantage: breathtaking crocheted lace is within the reach of the relative novice, whereas knitted lace is considered so advanced, that it practically requires a Ph.D. The magic of that alone can set a newbie crocheter to beaming with delight and excitement over such an accomplishment far earlier in their crafty career.
Notknitty
March 8, 2012Agree. Crochet is freedom and my love. Knitting is not as fast, not as fun. Knitting seems more like work. To me crochet says, rebel!!!!!
Jayn
March 22, 2012Crochet being faster is either an up or a down for me, depending on my mood. It’s nice to be able to see fast results, but the slower pace of knitting is fascinating in its own way. And sometimes I don’t WANT a quick project, I want something that’ll take me a while because I’m trying not to spend ALL my money on yarn.
I can’t believe people actually knit toys though. I’m starting to get into knitting as an actual craft (rather than because I thought I was supposed to, as a child), but I don’t see myself ever knitting a teddy bear or the like. Small rounds on needles just sucks.
Mandy
October 13, 2012Well Wes,
I believe that if you try a size .06mm needle and hook and use the same yarn and the same stitch (ex, stitch with same thickness or more typical stitch like single and knit for example) you might see that crocheting uses the yarn up faster and the fabric is slightly thicker and knitting creates a stretchier material
Bannef
November 20, 2012Personally I found learning how to crochet a billion times easier, but I think that might be because I learned how to knit first so I knew what to look out for. I was excited to read this article, because I just started crocheting and wasn’t sure if it really was faster – I want to make an afghan for my grandma, but Christmas is quickly approaching. 🙂
Honestly, I think the reason I took so long to learn how to crochet is because of how the patterns look. It’s not just the lack of patterns (although as a new crocheter I am finding that challenging), it’s just that I tend to prefer patterns that don’t look “handmade,” and the thicker and stretchier material of crochet often looks more “rustic.” Sometimes I love that – it reminds me of the afghans my grandmother left us (not the one I’m crocheting for, my mom’s mom), but that isn’t what I usually want to make. However, I do love making stuffed animals, which tend to rely on circles a lot, and for that crochet is the way to go.
JJCrochet
November 28, 2012Nice way of describing it, Bannef – crochet can be quite “rustic” looking and very handmade. It’s our job to make it not look so much like a cheap product and accurately show all the time we put into making our items. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Kat
February 19, 2013I’d go with crochet over knitting every time. It takes me so long to finish a knitted project that I basically lose interest/momentum, whereas I can crochet a long scarf during a week’s worth of riding the bus to work (it is a short bus ride, too!)
Another reason is that I actually prefer the “rustic/handmade” look of my crocheted projects. I’m doing this as a hobby, and if I wanted something that didn’t look handmade, I’d buy it in a store for cheaper than wool plus the time I put in!
Rita
March 27, 2013I love the almost instant gratification that comes with crochet! I don’t have hours to spend working on things and crocheting allows me to work up beautiful projects in hardly any time at all. Thus, I am able to get more projects done which is great since the list of things I want to make is endless.
Cathy
June 1, 2013Ok, you convinced me to take up crocheting. I don’t know how to do either but I am going to try my hand at crocheting. Wish me luck 🙂
Adriana
October 6, 2013Thank you friend! You helpme a lot with your blog and your words to explain my friends my point of view about my passion: crocheting ! xoxo
Weinie
October 18, 2013I can do both, but I personally prefer crochet. For one, you cannot replicate the crochet stitch with machine. Knitting can be machine knitted, crochet, because of the complicated stitches, has to be done with human hand and it is something you call ‘handmade with love’. I also love the fact that crochet works up real fast and in my opinion, it’s much easier than knitting. Then again, it all boils down to preference :). I love being a ‘hooker’ though.
Ali
December 9, 2013Thank you for this! I tried knitting about a year ago and threw my hands up in frustration. I’d love to learn both knitting and crochet! It sounds like crochet might be the place to start for me. 🙂
Yana
January 3, 2014My problem with crochet has been figuring out how to read the patterns with all the language codes. Please help!
Victoria
January 5, 2014I just bought a cool book on crocheting and can’t wait to get started! Great thing to do this winter! Bring on the hats and shawls!
JJCrochet
January 9, 2014Crocheting is a great thing to do when it’s cold out and I find myself wanting to crochet more during the winter. I’m working on an afghan now and it’s part over my legs, part in my hands – best of both worlds. Best of luck with your crocheting!
Jennifer
January 10, 2014I’ve been wanting to crochet for awhile now..do you know of any sites that are good for beginners to teach? I tried getting a magazine but that doesn’t help very much 🙁
Karie
January 10, 2014Hi! I spent about two weeks trying to figure out which is better before I started crocheting. I just used YouTube videos and searched crochet for beginners. I wish I could do an blanket in 5 1/2 hours, but I’m super slow right now. But I’m so proud of myself for doing it at all. I choose the YouTube route because I am not good at reading diagrams, and I could just follow along. Of course, I have to pause a lot since those crafters are so much faster than me, but I can’t wait for the day when I speed up. I’m also not the most coordinated of people and knitting seemed harder to learn the coordination.
Bridgette
February 13, 2014I love this answer to the crochet vs knit question. I taught myself to crochet 2 years ago with a teach yourself book. I picked it up surprisingly easy. I was doing experienced afghans within 6 months of teaching myself. I love making dolls and stuffed animals. I’m into instant gratification so they are much quicker to do. I am making a slightly difficult afghan right now for my son and his new wife. I was toying with the idea of learning knitting but I think I will stick to my crocheting right now. I always have to be busy and my boyfriend basically forced me to learn to crochet because I was driving him crazy during the winter. Bottom line, I love crocheting.
Glenda
March 1, 2014Love this post! I started kntting when my mother taught me at 5 years old and for many years made all of my sweaters etc. Hung up my needles when life became too busy and have recently taken up the hook (I did learn when I was younger too but never really got into crochet) and am hooked! I am crocheting beanies to sell, creating my own designs and having a blast. I did try knitting recently, but found it too heavy for my arms (I have fibromyalgia), but crochet is so easy for me!
Jacob
March 3, 2014To be honest, I wish I could crochet. It might just be because I have been knitting for a few years now, but knitting is a far more comfortable motion for me. I can knit for several hours with very little strain or aches, While just 30 minutes of crochet causes some pain. Also I feel like knitting is easier to learn, at least at the beginner level, perhaps because there is less “freedom” as to what you can do at any one time.
julie
March 7, 2014From a knitter who hasn’t picked up her needles in a while, you are winning me over to learn how to crochet! My mother knitted her projects in a flash! I’ll always love knitting. It was my first LOVE! Peace to all.
Kay
March 23, 2014I can knit and crochet both. I started with crochet when I was 10, taught by my grandmother. I kept my cousins’ dolls, both Barbie and baby, in clothes, just made them up as I went along. Didn’t even know there was such a thing as a pattern! Nowadays I can only knit, because crocheting makes my hand hurt too much and also messes with my carpal tunnel. Bummer.
Carol
April 7, 2014My mom taught me how to knit first at the age of 10, then crochet a year later. Didn’t do either through my 20’s and then picked both up again at 30 for a friend’s new baby. I have always preferred crochet over knitting and almost 20 yrs later, I always have some crochet project while the knitting needles lay sleeping in the closet. For some reason I have always been able to crochet waaay faster than knitting.
BTW, the assumption that crochet uses 30% more yarn is completely dependent in the stitch type. Simple stitches from both use almost the same amount of yarn. Some crochet patterns can actually use less yarn than a comparable knit pattern.
Glad I found your blog. Been looking for some new projects and your blog has given me some ideas. 🙂
Brad
June 3, 2014I find that people who are proficient in both needle arts tend to prefer crocheting to knitting – regardless of which they learned first. Knitters turned crocheters all have the same reaction – “you mean I can do whatever I want, and I can even make MISTAKES?” Similarly crocheters turned knitters all have the same reaction – “I can’t seem to reconcile spending $40 in yarn and 3 weeks to make something I can buy online for $12.99.” That’s the truly sad part of knitting to me. If there is a pattern out there, there is a machine that can mass produce it in better quality than even the most advanced knitter.
char all day
June 12, 2014I am toyong with learning to knit but I learned how to crochet about eight months ago. I love it. The only thing I would love is a easy beanie pattern for all sizes, as it is frustrating to read the patterns as I go along. It’s hard for me to remember. I know how to crochet them flat and then wrap around but sometimes I like to Crochet in the round at the top.
Meza
June 20, 2014Way I see it, crocheting is for mathematicians; lot of counting involved, while the basics of knitting are pretty repetitive.
Maybe that is why I am so absolutely drawn to crotchet patterns; they look complex, sophisticated and exclusive. While I find knitting common.
I am now only starting to really learn how to crotchet properly. I did a hat once, more by accident than design, and that’s always been my downfall when it comes to crocheting, the whole project tends to have a mind of its own. Now that I am coping from videos by experienced teachers, and not fumbling through on my own, I know i will enjoy crocheting. Well at-least, once I get over the fear of counting, that seem to be the main requirement for crocheters.
Fran
July 3, 2014Crochet rules!
And I have to say, the knitting needles can be very dangerous. With a crochet hook, you can´t hurt anybody.
I agree about of math, I really enjoy making amigurumi and it’s pure math and geometry.
Tabi
August 11, 2014This is to the beginners/in my opinion anyway! I have been crocheting for about 30 years. once I knew what I was doing, I could do it without looking. I would glance down every couple of minutes. my first couple of blankets weren’t like that. I was 17 when I taught myself to crochet( was always into crafty things ever since I was a little girl). I wanted something to do on those cold winter nights. I picked up a book on learning to crochet. I honestly believe that the books are much easier to follow than the internet. they have the abbr. what they mean and how to do them. After I did my 1st blanket in single crochet squares and put them together, realized mistakes I made and made a second one exactly the same thing but the right way, that’s when I started understanding it more and the abbr. started to become easier to understand. In 3 years, I was designing my own patterns. My mom loved owls, so that third year I designed her an owl blanket. I did one large piece in the afghan stitch (4ft x 5.5ft) and surrounded in 3 to 4 colored lace stitch. I drew an owl sitting on a branch in the center of the blanket and then latch hooked it the same colors of the lace. I took a piece of sturdy cardboard and made it about 1in. high and wrapped the yarn around it and cut it at the top. I then had 2in. pieces that matched the lacy boarder to latch hook with. After I latch hooked a row, I would sew it in with needle and thread to make sure they didn’t come undone, being that it was a blanket, and need to be washed. That was the most time consuming blanket. The afghan stitch is also good for embroidering pictures or designs with yarn. Good luck to you beginners. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll love it. Like I said Look for a book for teaching yourself to crochet. I also tried knitting and went right back to crocheting.
Laraine
August 23, 2014I can do both. I started knitting when I was 8 and crocheting scince I was thirteen-like you, but reversed, ha. I like knitting better, it’s softer and the stitches just look… better. And every one saying that knitting is the hardest thing in the world, all the stitches are variations of sticking a needle through a loop, wrapping the yarn and pulling it back out, if one finds that difficult maybe then fiber crafts aren’t really right for you. And crochet is only faster if you do double/treble crochets instead of single. single crochets are a total pain.
The only things I crochet are lace shawls, socks and dog sweaters. Everything else are knitted!
There’s a reason knitting is more popular.
Dawn
December 25, 2014I’ve recently learned to knit. I’ve been crocheting now for years (primarily blankets) and the one thing I’ve learned is this: I like crocheting much better. I learned to crochet on one hook from my ex MIL. My mother taught me using the tunsion (?) hook. The people that are teaching the knitting are former crocheters and claim that they like knitting better. Fine, they haven’t convinced me. As long as I have the basic stitches, that’s what I was going for. Crochet for me. Though I have recently found a book on how to translate knit stitches to crochet stitches. 🙂
JUSTINURHEAD
January 5, 2015well im a guy, i just started to learn how to knit a week ago… so would u suggest i switch to crocheting. Whatever is easier im all for it… plus i would like to make lots of hats and headwear. thanks for the blog.
Ana s
January 17, 2015Yeah crocheting Rocks!
Emma
January 23, 2015I do both, so why not use them interchangeably?
Dee Jakes
January 23, 2015I would love love love to crochet as well as knit, but I just cannot get the tension and holding the yarn right. All fingers and thumbs and fumbles. 🙁 Still makes me sad that I can’t get it right.
Jenny
January 24, 2015I vote for knitting. It’s easier than crocheting. Why do you people think crocheting is better? Some of the reasons on your post are in favor of knitting, like there are more knitting patterns so of course it’s more interesting. But still I like crocheting it is interesting just as knitting you don’t have to fight for that.