I’m lucky to live in a town with a fabulous local yarn store owned by two very dear sisters who happen to be designers as well as purveyors. The store is a cacophony of awesomeness. Ok-that was a little over the top, but it really is chock full of merchandise. Incredible yarns, patterns galore with examples hanging near the yarn or thread of choice. Anyway, early on in my crochet venture, I went on a visit to this yarn mecca hoping to have onsite tech support for what would be my first serious attempt at something other than a scarf. I spent hours, literally, looking at all the patterns and options available in that store. Then I realized I had an embarrassing problem. If an item wasn’t labeled, I frequently had no idea if it was crochet or knit. And what was worse, when I did find out, I found myself liking the knit stuff better.
Now don’t laugh. If you’re an experienced crocheter or knitter, you may find this ridiculous. But please recall, I had just started the crochet path with no real preamble. It’s not like I saw something crocheted and thought, oh I want to do that! Nope. I just decided to do it. And here’s what I know. I know I’m not alone. I know there have been other people who had the very same problem. The thing is, what if it was an extraordinary garment that led you to the decision to try crochet. You better make darn sure you know what crochet looks like, right? So here’s the difference a la pictorial. First, Knitting…
Knitting essentially creates a woven fabric. Many sweaters, hats, scarves, etc, look very much like the example above. It consists of two stitches-knit and purl. But boy, the things those knitters manage to do with two stitches! Like this one…
And this one…
Regardless of the pattern, cabling or dimension, the essence of the weave creating fabric is there.
Now crochet…I may have started out fascinated with knitting, but today, I find myself preferring the textured goodness that is crochet!
Experts, put your fingers in your ears…. OK- to me, crochet is essentially the tying of intricate little interwoven knots. (Not to be confused with macrame or any craft that really is about knots.) But essentially, you use your crochet hook to weave the yarn into intricate knotting. Experts can remove their fingers from their ears now. The outcome creates a fabric that is usually (not always) much more textured than knitting. Like this…
and this…
and this…
Too cool.
So if you’re just starting to explore the fiber arts world, and you happen to be an untutored rube like myself, fear not. You got this! Google Images is your friend. Just look, learn and move forward into your crafting.
Such the Like... 
I started out with knitting for my first 2.5 years crafting as well. In that time I learned scarves and hats. but then I changed to crochet and in under a year I have learned to create hats, scarves, purses, slippers, bookbags, amigurumi, and so much more! Knitting is much more intricate and lacks a certain versatility that can be acquired through crochet. You can do many of the same things in knitting, but the texture is usually similar in most things, and Lordy isnt it so complex…. !
I am much happier in crochet, personally. but thats just my personal preference.
Kim, I totally agree with you and I haven’t even tried it-LOL. I watch my friends as they knit and it takes them twice the time to finish a similar garment! I’ve stuck with crochet because I just don’t know that I have the attention span for knitting. Although, I did break down and purchase the needles. I just haven’t made the plunge.
Well best of luck to you at both!
“rube” !!!!!!! hysterical 🙂
I liked your explanation between the two techniques. I had no idea about the differences between knitting and crocheting. I create jewelry myself, but I always admire a fellow craftsperson and the beauty that can be created. Good luck and keep up the good work, your examples look beautiful.
Although I do have a few friends who both knit and crochet, most are drawn to one form or the other. I’m a crocheter for life, having been taught by my grandmother when granny vests were all the rage! I’ve tried to knit many times – mainly because of the knit lace that just can’t be created with a crochet hook – but I just can’t do it. The tightness of holding two needles together seems wrong to me, whereas crochet just flows. The downsides of crochet are that it takes 50% – 75% more yarn than knitting for the approximate same pattern and size, and that there are far more patterns for knitters than crocheters. But back to my yarn and hook….
I just picked up knitting needles this week for the first time, and I am so awkward! I may be a “crochet” girl as well. Thanks for stopping by!