should I learn to knit or crochet?

[Adasmommy]

disclaimer that I don't know if I have the time or skill for either BUT

I am lusting after some newborn longies for my baby coming in December. Which do you recommend a TOTAL beginner beginning with?

Is one easier than the other?

Is one faster?

Is one better for wool longies/shorties than the other?

Is one cheaper (materials) than the other?

Any advice? Am I crazy to think I can just learn to make my own this year?

[DeerMother]

I'd suggest looking at pattern books of both and decide what looks the best to you.

I have heard (and believe) that crochet takes more yarn than knitting. I did crochet first. My struggles w/ it were that a) most people know how to knit so finding real life help was more difficult b) many of your big box yarns are designed for knitting so look wonky when crocheted c) some of the patterns are a bit old fashioned for my taste. I learned how to crochet 10ish years ago and didn't go far. I learned how to knit in March and have taken to it like a fish in water. i am wild for knitting! The amount of patterns and people who are wise in the field is amazing. You will be more likely to find a knitting class than a crochet class.

So. . . my choice for you is knitting. Not saying that beautiful things can't happen w/ crochet, bc they can and do! Once you get into it, you will find time for it!

[Angelorum]

I'm bi-craftual . I would say if you want to make longies, learn to knit. Knitted fabric has a lot more stretch and bounce back then typical crocheted fabric. Knitting also takes less yarn, as the finished fabric isn't as thick. Thick isn't necessarily bad for longies, but it's also the reason why crocheting can be stiff.

Supply-wise, knitting takes less yarn than crocheting like I said, but it seems to me there are more tools/types of needles to purchase for knitting. Though if you stick to one longie pattern you really like than you just have to have the needles specific to that pattern. You'd be using the same kind of yarn no matter which craft you pick.

As far as which one is easier...I think they're about the same, people that know one and are trying to learn the other are going to be frustrated at the differences at first, but the reality is that it's going to feel awkward at first no matter which you pick.

And I think you could totally learn to make longies this year, I would start with some simpler projects first, but once you can knit and purl comfortably, the rest doesn't have as steep a learning curve.

[notjustmamie]

I really hate to say it, but If you're trying to decide between the two, you should probably go with knitting. Personally, I'm a crocheter who just barely knits. I much prefer crochet as a craft and the only ONLY reason I want to get better at knitting is because of the clothing patterns. There are really cool crocheted clothing patterns out there, but they are significantly harder to come by.

What I like better about crochet (just to give you the other side) is that it tends to be much faster, mistakes are easier to fix, and there's usually not as much sewing required to complete pieces. There are a lot more stitches to learn, however, even for basic patterns, and it can be difficult for a beginner to really get the hang of where exactly to put stitches into the fabric.

[rabbitmum]

I'm bicraftual too! I learned to knit when I was five and to crochet three weeks ago. Both are easy to learn. I do agree with the previos posters that knitting is a more practical craft with fewer types of stitches, if you must choose only one.

I'm making this dress now, only in slightly different colours - that's why I wanted to learn to crochet. It's fun!

[cristeen]

If expense is your motivator, I'd probably go with crochet. Start up costs for crochet might run you $10 for a full set of hooks, but a full set of knitting needles can add up fast (straights, DPNs, cable, different sizes, different lengths) although you don't need to buy them all at once, over time it really adds up.

Crochet does use more yarn than knitting, and it returns a thicker fabric, which can be good for diaper covers. It also goes faster once you know how to do it, and it's easier to fix mistakes. But, I've noticed that knitting is easier on my hands. After crocheting for a while my hands cramp up, but unless I'm using really large needles, I don't have that problem with knitting.

Personally, I'm at the point where I prefer knitting most of my projects - which is in part because there are more knitting patterns for the things I want to make. But it's also easier to set knitting down and walk away than it is with crochet. I have some crochet projects that I've walked away from and now have to face picking them back up and figuring out where I was in the pattern... that's a lot easier to do with knitting.

BUT, aside from all of that... many people have found that they learn one of them easily but just can't learn the other. So if you try one and find it just doesn't work for you, don't give up on the other. For many people it seems that one just does not make sense.

[Adasmommy]

I just found out my mother in law crochets so . . . contrary to all your very kind advice--I'm going the crochet route for now!

MIL is a good friend, lives very nearby, and is enthusiastic about us crocheting longies together. Can't pass that up!

Thanks for all the advice, and for those bi-craftuals, please see the thread I'm about to start about crocheting longies. I'm not (quite) done asking for advice!

[MeepyCat]

Those are really compelling reasons to crochet.

Me, I knit, but if I was learning and had that situation... I'd crochet too.

[Angelorum]

a friendly, enthusiastic teacher is great! And I much prefer crocheting for making baby blankets, so keep in mind, knitting isn't always better

[herent]

I only know how to crochet and my mother only knits. I have longies made from both and I much prefer the knit ones. Crochet isn't as stretchy or soft for longies and shorties, but my crochet longies work just as good though, no leaks.

[flapjack]

OK. Two people have talked about it being easier to fix mistakes in crochet. Do you mean frogging back, or ??? When I'm knitting, I can fix almost everything with a bit of surgery and a crochet hook (for instance, last week I had to decrease four stitches two rows down because I couldn't be bothered to frog. No biggie, just four minutes work- if that. I have NO idea how to do stuff like that in crochet.
Are there any resources? Tech crochet?

[rabbitmum]

Originally Posted by flapjack

last week I had to decrease four stitches two rows down because I couldn't be bothered to frog.

How did you do that? That sounds very handy!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by flapjack

OK. Two people have talked about it being easier to fix mistakes in crochet. Do you mean frogging back, or ??? When I'm knitting, I can fix almost everything with a bit of surgery and a crochet hook (for instance, last week I had to decrease four stitches two rows down because I couldn't be bothered to frog. No biggie, just four minutes work- if that. I have NO idea how to do stuff like that in crochet.
Are there any resources? Tech crochet?

Yes - frogging in crochet is MUCH easier than in knitting. Because you only ever have one live stitch, you don't have to worry about making sure they're all picked back up, oriented the right way, etc.

But, there's no way to really "fix" crochet other than frogging. I can run a ladder down in my knitting pretty easily now to fix mistakes, which is something that cannot be done in crochet.

[notjustmamie]

I am one who mentioned fixing mistakes is easier in crochet. Yes, I meant frogging. The idea of leaving a mistake and simply working around it gives me the shivers, but I've got a nasty perfectionist streak that makes crafting somewhat of a struggle sometimes.

[alysiaanne]

My advice is to go with what you're good at and can pick up easily. I've never finished a knit project, and I find it boring (no offense to all the knitters out there, my sis is HUGE into knitting, so I have respect for all of you). For me crochet is easier. The projects go a little quicker and look really cute.

But as I said, try them both if you're willing and run with what works for you.

[rootzdawta]

Chiming in late . . .

I'm bi-craftual too (I love that word). I have crocheted and knit longies and I actually prefer knitting for that. I prefer knitting for most clothing/worn items. But I will crochet a hat just as readily as I will knit one. Crochet gives a thicker fabric (and thus uses more yarn) which is nice for pair of longies or a soaker but it can also be really heavy which I don't like.

Crochet in general is a cheaper craft to start up with because all you need is hooks and you can do everything--round things, flat things, etc . . . you need much more implements for knitting but knitting has an advantage in that the finished product has more give.

I also find crochet to be much faster than knitting and if I want a quick project, I always go to crochet. If I want a more relaxing motion though, I will definitely go to knitting.

[BeanyMama]

I've just learned how to crochet, and have been knitting for a few years, I'm really glad I learned knitting first! Crochet is much simpler and requires less stuff, knitting is trickier but I more useful, imho. I think if I learned to crochet first, knitting would have seemed way harder and more frustrating in comparison.

Like learning to drive a stick shift car first...

I'm thrilled to know how to do both though. They're really apples and oranges. They compliment each other so well!

[MamaWolfe]

I think knitting patterns are much easier to understand, that's huge for me. Also, in knitting you only need to know two things: knit, purl. I would research using a lifeline because you will need to frog, and you can use magic loop to save yourself from needing to buy a ton of needles.

[Epona]

Both. And then we'll teach you to spin too. It'll be fun. Come over to the dark side.

[K-Mom3]

I prefer knitting

For really nice looking clothes, I have to say that knitting wins. I learned to knit a few years ago and had a blast doing some small projects. I strongly prefer to knit in the round. I have taught a few people to knit and I say, learn to cast on, knit and purl, then do something square (like a pot holder or maybe a bib) and then start on your project for your baby. Baby clothes are perfect because they are small. Plan on that first project taking several weeks and be patient with it--you'll be much faster by the end of the project. I really like www.knittinghelp.com for learning new knitting skills. I got a lot of stuff from the library, too, both for learning skills and for new patterns.

Someone mentioned cost of supplies--could you borrow to start out? When I first learned I had a couple friends with full sets of needles and it was great to just borrow--once I decided I was going to keep the hobby I started buying needles.

Crocheting is faster which is very compelling--I think if I ever did a blanket or rug I would crochet rather than knit. But for now I just do little projects. Hats, mittens, baby booties, little sweaters, socks, etc. Anything bigger than that and I don't think I'd finish it! Lol. Good luck!