Knitting or crochet

[FairfaxAikman]

I'm wanting to learn a new skill that will allow me to create things but also keep my hands and mind occupied ( I'm trying g to lose weight and am a classic comfort/boredom eater).

Which is better - knitting or crochet?

I quite like the idea that knitting can result in cute jumpers etc for DC, but the basics of crochet seem easier to pick up and there seems to be loads of people making cute non-clothing things out of it. It also seems a bit less old-ladyish (prepared to be flamed for that)

Personally I prefer crochet. It grows so much quicker than a knitted piece. I've recently started again after not doing much since I learnt as a teenager.
There are lots of brilliant YouTube tutorials and I've learnt so many new stitches and patterns.
I'm now addicted to buying wool, but it's kept me sane throughout lockdown.

Knitting is fab and you're right, you can make baby things and small things like hats and socks; i would say crochet is harder to pick up, but if you're up for making amigurumi (wee toys) it's really simple - basically just one stitch to learn. So if you want something quick with not much outlay I'd say crochet. But it really depends on what you'd fancy making. Have a look at www.ravelry.com - so many patterns and photos of peoples' work.

Yes I'd agree. Crochet is so much easier than knitting in my opinion. And easy to fix/fudge if things go wrong.

Crochet is much quicker. I would try both though because people tend to pick up one more easily than the other, I am a very slow knitter despite hours of practice but lots of people struggle with crochet and are great at knitting.

Yes I'd go for crochet as well. It's easy to learn and I always find knitting a bit too slow. Definitely check Ravelry as PP said.

I love crocheting, I'm not brilliant at it, but its really enjoyable, calming and productive!

I learnt by watching Bella Coco tutorials on YouTube.

I do both - I also agree that crochet is easier to pick up, particularly when you're not learning from someone in person. Crochet is great for blankets, scarves, hats, animal figures and more. I prefer knitted jumpers to crochet jumpers but it's a preference - I've crocheted a jumper, most of the way through a crocheted cardigan and have my eye on another jumper pattern!

Ravelry is great. Start with something straight so you don't have to worry about shaping - scarves are the best starter piece I find. Don't go thinner than DK wool whilst you're learning and I'd recommend Aran wool. Ravelry with explain those terms too! Come ask if you have more questions!

Oh I am also a boredom water - as is the sibling who taught me to crochet - as is my mother who taught me to knit. It's an excellent method of keeping hands busy in the evenings!!

*eater!

I can do both and am new to crochet but much prefer it.

Agree with the the Bella Coco videos and then when got the hang of it a bit Attic 24 is great.

Also Ebay have lots of crochet and knitting patterns (double check they are original patterns and not photo copys)...from toys, dolls and dolls clothes and things like tea cosies to adults and children's clothes delivered straight to your door, I bought a lovely Knitting pattern for christmas tree toys and baubles which my daughter and I are making for out Christmas tree.

Really depends what you want to make... if you want toys, blankets accessories then crochet is quick, easy and there are millions of free patterns on ravelry.. but if you want garments,including socks.. then learn to knit..

I do both in phases. I learnt to knit first but crochet is definitely easier to learn and fix mistakes in. That said I tried to learn to crochet before I knew how to knit and couldn’t click with it. Once I was knitting crochet made more sense.

I’m another Bella Coco fan for crochet tutorials and for knitting would recommend KnittingHelp.com

Crochet is less mentally demanding so excellent eating/drinking distraction.., recommend attic 24 as well

I think crochet is much easier for beginners as there's only one "live" stitch on the hook (whereas there can be dozens in knitting) so it's much easier to fix mistakes or undo.

I tied to learn knitting so many times and failed.
I learnt crochet in the end from some great online tutorials. Once I had made a few things (mainly blankets, started of with granny squares as they are constructed individually so it doesn't screw the whole piece up if you make a mistake) I found it easier to follow patterns and experiment with other stitches.
Then I attempted knitting again and it made a lot more sense.
The first think I knitted were socks which I never thought I would ever be able to do!

I guess my name will be a giveaway . Learning to knit is on my to do list.

You can definitely crochet cute clothes and socks though. I've made blankets, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, toys and cardigans!

Hmm, I find crochet much harder. I can't keep track of my stitches and can't spot my mistakes, but I can see them in knitting right away.

I can now crochet in straight lines well enough (another recommendation for Attic 24) but all the cute amigurumi animals and all, I can't seem to count up my stitches properly and get all muddled with different US and UK terminology.

You should try both, I bet you'll find one comes to you much more easily than the other, then you'll know which to stick with.

And then there's Tunisian crochet which is a bizarre mixture of both, one row you have all your stitches on the needle, the next row just the one.

My friend says her granny could do both very well but she reckoned most people take to one or the other! I can’t knit to save my life! Tried many times but failed. Then I tried crochet and took to it really quickly!

The lovely thing about crochet is that it grows quickly. I started off with Jayda Institches granny square, I found her the easiest to follow. I did a blanket of squares. Then I learned some other techniques from Bella Coco. I’ve now been crocheting for a few years, I’ve done blankets, hats, toys and I’m now working on shawls.

One piece of advice I would give is get a set of crochet hooks - in fact I’d suggest one set of chrome hooks and one bamboo Crochet Hooks Set Aluminium 14pcs Needles with Pouch Case 2mm 2.5mm 3mm 3.5mm 4mm 4.5mm 5mm 5.5mm 6mm 6.5mm 7mm 8mm 9mm 10mm [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TQS7PDP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_voyWEbZJT5QBR?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 this sort of thing]] to see what suits you better. You’re best off with a double knit, I really love Patons Dk Smoothie range because it’s so soft and lovely to work with. You’ll find really cheap wool harder to work with and also if you have to frog (undo) your work cheap wool starts to split and becomes horrible!

Have fun! Either is a lovely hobby.

I mainly crochet but can knit too. I find crochet easier to fix but I think most people have a preference for one over the other.

I'd get a 5mm crochet hook, 5mm knitting needles and a ball of Aran weight yarn and try both. [wink

I prefer to knit...but that maybe because if I attempt to crochet anything more complex than a chain, all I end up with is a giant knot!

Crochet could never get the hang of knitting left handed but have finally learnt to crochet and love it. I prefer the look of crochet to knitting and there seem to be more modern crochet patterns.

Can anyone recommend a good knitting tutorial for a beginner? I can just about do k1,p1 but everything is always so tight!!

@blueskys72 - take a look here:

sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/

New knitters often pull the stitches too tight; it can be worth playing with some practice squares where it doesn't matter if you drop a stitch and have to chase it - or even if you have to pull your work back and try again - so you get used to the feel and start to relax. As you relax and gain confidence in what your hands are doing, it will be easier to reduce the tension of your yarn.

Place marking!