knitting vs. crocheting

On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 18:19:23 GMT, Qintes spewed forth :

They both serve a purpose. Knitting is better suited to clothing because of its flexibility. Crochet is better suited to utilitarian items that need to hold their shape without deforming.

The books of that sort I've looked at seem to be of the "since you don't know how to knit you can convert that knitting pattern (which you can't read because you don't know how to knit) into a crochet pattern.

Which sort of defeats the purpose, if the knitting is supposed to be flexible and drapey.

Jm2c.

Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET. This practice has cut my spam by more than 95%. Of course, I did have to abandon a perfectly good email account...

I am just learning to crochet but do agree that it is easier to get your squares to measure 6X6 when you are crocheting out from the center. With knitting I have to play around a while as the gauge changes with different yarn and pattern and needle. I knit more often but I think it depends on what you are trying to make

- some things are better knit and some seem better crocheted.

I learned to crochet many years before I learned to knit. By combining the two, things that you make with either can be truly unique. Adding a crochet edge to knitted garments or combining the two for afghans, shawls, etc makes things far more interesting than just doing one or the other. DA

I also learned to crochet long before learning to knit. That was because people seemed more reluctant to show me how to knit. Looking back, I didn't know very many people who crocheted and even fewer who knit. My great aunt taught me to crochet and she only crocheted ripple afghans, but that was enough to get me going. My MIL (then future MIL) was happy to show me how to knit after I met her.

Most of the time, I prefer the look of knit items, but I still prefer to crochet some things.

BB

Hi Pam,

I've seen the website that you convert knitting into crocheting, but I've never tried it. I too can't get my knit squares to come out 6x6 so gave up and they are always crocheted, even those are sometimes a little small, but it's better to have them small as the owner can then add a border to make them turn out to be 6x6. I have to agree with Wooly and the others, knitting makes lovely sweaters while crocheting is for other things, like afghans.

Hugs,

Nora who didn't get that much snow today.

I tend to work without a pattern. That seems to lend itself to crochet rather than knit. If I want to make a hat, scarf or afghan I just find yarn that attracts me and grab a crochet hook. I have knitted mittens, scarves and two sweaters but found that I got frustrated having to keep one eye on a pattern. I have a book of knitted scarf and wrap patterns and I intend to try one soon.

My mother knew how to single crochet and I learned that from her very young. Together we made a 9x10 rag rug. I learned the other crochet stitches from a magazine. I learned to knit in 4-H. I taught knitting in 4-H as well.

Shana

X-No-Archive:yes

My mother taught me to knit and crochet at a very early age. I can do either, but think that crocheting is easier on the hands, wrists and arms. Right now, I make a matching knitted hat for each crocheted afghan I send to PL - afghan is a ripple that I've done for years and hat is just done from memory - no pattern/instructions. Hugs Joan Blizzard central here

Qintes wrote: (snipped)

I had a hard time getting my knitted

About the only things knit and crochet have in common is that they both use yarn or thread and they both make fabric!!

Normally, crochet goes faster but uses about one-third more yarn or thread and has a crisper finish. Knitting goes more slowly, uses less yarn and has a much softer drape. I tend to knit sweaters and blankets (yes, you can get 6" x 6" squares, check your gauge first then block the finished product) and crochet lace edgings for pillowcases and such. Also, when openwork lacy vests are in fashion, they are normally better crocheted. Shawls are a judgment call - some are better knit and some are better crocheted. Likewise, some outdoor jackets are better crocheted to give a firmer shape and more draft resistance, others are better knitted to give that "cuddly" feeling. Additionally, some knitted items are improved with a crochet edging - particularly afghan squares.

Neither skill is superior to the other, they are different techniques for different results.

As to popularity, it goes in cycles. I remember around twenty years ago, crochet was THE craze - everyone was doing it, although many people never got beyond granny squares. Right now, knitting seems to be the craze, although, again, many people will never get beyond scarves and dishcloths.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

"Joan" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

With me it is the opposite! When I crochet too much, I get "bad" hands and arms. I think I hold the needle too tight, or the work "too high" , I do not relaxe in my shoulder properly.

That can be learned! I had bad shoulders from knitting for many years. After one sweather I had to stop for months! Then I started to hold the work differently, was always aware to be relaxed. It was VERY strange, I felt I had to knit "in a different way", and I knitted much slower in the beginning. But my shoulders were happy!!! Now I feel I have knitted like this way for ever, and can knit as much as I like. I try to work with my crochet now, because I do much crocheting too, and often combine the tecniques. AUD ;-)

They are different. My nephew, does elaborate art pieces in crochet that would be very cumbersome to knit, and I do knit patterns that are not practical to crochet. So, learn both, visulize the effect that you want, and use the technology that is most effective.

Thanks, Wooly, I hadn't thought of it that way but it does make sense. I didn't know that crochet made a stiffer fabric. That's shocking to me. I figured it would be the same as knitting except the stitches would look a little different. Neat. Pam

That's so cool, DA! That's the main reason I wanted to learn both. Because I've heard that when you mix the two you can get amazing results. I'll be excited to try it out when I'm able. I just hope it doesn't confuse me too much! :) Pam

That's some natural talent you have! I think that's amazing that you can do that. Pam

I've already noticed that crocheting makes me more achey than knitting but maybe it's because I'm just learning. I have to learn to relax like you. :) Pam