Learn to Knit vs Learn to Crochet?

[oftenlurkingrarelyposting]

Please can you give me your thoughts - my DD (5) and I want to learn and I was wondering which one might be easier or more rewarding? Have looked at YouTube and both seem daunting!

I think it just depends on your preference. I find knitting harder because of the potential to lose a lot of stitches, but it's probably more useful for actually making things, particularly clothes, and you can get really beautiful complicated patterns if you get into it.

I prefer crochet, smaller hook to carry with you, you can work on small bits at a time etc., but you can't really make clothes out of it as the fabric it produces uses more yarn (I think a third more than knitting, but don't quote me on it). But it's less commitment in a way because you only have to keep track of one loop, and if it all goes wrong you just unravel it all and you'll still find the one loop to start again from. I've crocheted a couple of baby blankets which I was really pleased with.

Maybe try both and see which you prefer? Or find some patterns and see what you fancy making?

I find crochet far harder than knitting.

Sorry - realised I didn't explain about using more yarn - the fabric that you produce with crochet can be very heavy for clothes, not always very practical.

Yes - that's what I mean about preference. I just can't get my head round how knitting works, although I am trying to. Somehow crochet just makes more sense to me. But I know lots of people feel the opposite!

Thanks - will go and study the you tube tutorials and see what a mess I can get into!

I'm teaching my DC to knit, the youngest is 4. You can't get into more of a mess than she does...

I think for a 5 year old crochet is easier to learn, I have been teaching my dd1 (she is 4.8) and because it is only one needle she finds it easier to co-ordinate her hands round it, she can't handle the 2 needls plus yarn for knitting yet.

I learnt to knit ages ago and am still quite slow although competent, I picked up crochet in a weekend with this childrens book and some you tube videos and do it all the time.
There is also the bonus of crochet being a lot faster for small things, a long chain can be a bracelet or necklace, add another row and it can be a headband, 20 short rows of 15 double crochet stitches can be folded to make a purse, so it's a lot more fun for a small child and you

Thanks all - Book ordered. For my DD of course

Just to add my bit... I prefer knitting but I think crochet is easier. I often choose to crochet blankets/hats rather than knot but would definitely knit jumpers/cardi's in prefeence to crochet. Crochet is certaiy easier to unpick when you make a mistake.

Allegedly crochet is easier, but DS (6) has just got the hang of knitting after a few sessions practising. But I could knit already. Have fun

Ok - I have knitted and attempted crochet and am officially poor at both! Please reassure me that it gets easier!

Definitely helps to find a human being to teach you - any possibility of finding a class or friendly local knitting shop?

practise, practise.