What do you prefer, knitting or crochet?

[Mustardy]

Or rather, what projects do you prefer using knitting or crochet for?

Just asking, because I'm a crochet addict but just thinking about giving knitting a chance

Been crocheting for about 2-3 years now and love love love it!

Started off making very dodgy granny squares and this xmas did a christmas wreath attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2015/03/winter-wreath-ta-dah-1.html , snowflake garlands using thread (which I pinned and stiffened) and I'm designing my own toys now. Really love crocheting using thread, its so delicate and challenging and you can make such TEENY things!

But I wanted to try knitting as I wanted to make tops for myself as I found crocheting cardigans/ jumpers came up too bulky for me (not a good look on a tubby lass!) and really liked and lusted after the look of fair isle knitting. (humping reindeer anyone?) So Mr BC got me some cheap and cheerful circular knitting needles for crimbo so I could practice.

Now knitting.... blood and sands, hated the "throw over" English knitting method (what the actual f*?!) couldn't do it for love nor money.

Then I found continental knitting (you hold the yarn in your left hand like we do in crochet! HUZZAH!) but found the way they hold the yarn really uncomfy and made my hands hurt and stiffen up.

After searching YouTube I discovered Norwegian knitting (like continental style but they hold the yarn more like I would when I crochet). HOLY BLOODY HELLS SPELLS!!! PRAISE THE YARN!! I am actually knitting an actual block colour scarf! I'M KNITTING!

I do agree that crochet has a lot more style choices when it comes to what you can create. circles! very delicate beautiful lace designs! complicated toy designs!! beautiful broomstick lace scarfs!! (and yes we can crochet cable, I made up a cable design for a hat/ scarf/ mitten combo for a xmas present for a friend)

I may try Tunisian crochet next, just need to get some hooks.

I'm rather glad I found crocheting first as I've found a big chunk of the knitting community (especially on YouTube and most knitting blogs) have this weird yarn snobbery (only artisan hand dyed, hand spun wool yarn must be used!) and view those that crochet or use acrylic yarn as being lesser beings and unworthy of yarn craft. I was actually put off knitting for a long time because of this but I'm a confident crochet lass now and they can't bring me down!

next on my crochet to do list is crochet delicate lovely socks... I will succeed!

As a complete beginner, what is the best type of crochet hook to use please? (as I've seen bamboo, metal and metal with handles).

I really want to be successful this time, is there one that is more preferable?
Also thread/yarn wise is it easier to use cotton/wool or doesn't it matter.
May be silly questions but I'm so keen to get into crochet and want to give myself the best chance is success (so I don't give up for the forth time ;).
Thanks in advance.

I do all sorts of craft but have never managed to get the hang of crochet. I'm not sure if it's because I'm left handed. Knitting all the way,

Currently making a large, striped blanket to rid my house of those little bits and pieces of DK yarn which have been cluttering up the place for years.

I like both.

I get bored knitting long rows, eg across a blanket or an adult jumper, so only knit things with relatively short rows, such as socks, blanket squares, scarves, baby clothes etc. Though I love entrelac and am contemplating doing a bigger project in entrelac as there are no long rows.

Lace comes out really well in crochet, and feels more robust than knitted lace.

Crocheted fabric is bulkier and coarser than knitted, and takes up more yarn. So that would also influence my choice of craft for a project.

I love patterned yarn, but it doesn't always work well with crochet. Either solid colours or long, slow colour-change or a simple moiré or heathered yarn for crochet IMO.

Hmmm...this thread has got me thinking...I've made blankets out of knitted squares and out of crocheted squares - would a blanket made by alternating knitted and crocheted squares work?

mummyeme, avoid plastic hooks. I've only used metal (and plastic!) hooks, so no experience of bamboo hooks, but knitting with wooden needles is very pleasant, so they may be lovely to use, too.

I learned to crochet on thin metal hooks, and preferred them for years as I like to roll the hook between thumb and fingers rather than grip and twist. (It'll make sense when you do it.) But, as I've got older and gained various aches, I find that the handled hooks are easier to grip overall, so I've had to modify my technique.

More important IMO than the handle, is the hook itself. Touch before you buy. Sometimes the point of the hook is sharp or rough. You want a smooth, rounded point, especially as a beginner.

But TBH single hooks are relatively cheap so you can try several different styles until you settle on what you like.

@mummyeme I use bamboo hooks now and prefer them to all other types. Like JellySlice I learned with metal hooks but switched to bamboo due to achy hands. I've got a beautiful rosewood one that I can't get used to and I've tried various ergonomic ones that just don't seem to have the same 'slip' as bamboo.

As for yarn I would initially buy decent quality acrylic double knitting yarn like Stylecraft Special DK. A couple of balls of that and a hook would cost under £10. Once you are confident in your abilities then the yarn world is your oyster.

@JellySlice Woolly Hugs make blankets using a combination of knitted and crocheted squares. I can't see how alternating squares would be any different apart from the work involved joining them would give me the heebie jeebies - I'm a lazy trout and much prefer the join-as-you-go method for crochet squares.

Thank you!

@mummyeme I prefer bamboo hooks these days, they are really light and warm to hold. I got my first set off amazon for some stupid cheap price for a set that went from 3mm to 10mm for about £2 (provided you can wait a couple of weeks) so I could see if I liked them.

For lace crochet work you need teeny weeny hooks in metal that you can get in cheap sets. Mine are from first set of cheapo metal crochet hooks I got to practice with and are perfect.

Yarn I love using is Paintbox DK and it's now my go to yarn as comes in a rainbow of colours and is so easy to work with (normally £2 a ball but on sale at 1.49 at the mo on lovecrochet/ loveknitting sites.

Have a look also at remainder boxes in yarn shops. I love working in natural fibres, or mixed fibres (I avoid pure synthetics) and find odd balls at excellent prices. Perfect for small projects or trying out things without major investment. Often there are several balls of the same yarn in different colourways - even better.

Interesting about the bamboo hooks, I've only got one and it is awful, sticks far worse than plastic. Pony ergonomic hooks are my favourites.

@hendal do you have the pattern for the pineapple hat?

I love crochet and find it really versatile, and you don't need about 36935 implements like you need for knitting (unless you are my MIL and sensibly only ever use one size of yarn). I am a much better crocheter than knitter.
BUT:
I crocheted so much I gave myself an RSI and have had to do six months of physio, so, alas, I knit. Knitting also has the benefit of using far less yarn for the size of item, I find. Love wooden or bamboo needles if good quality.

@vinegarqueen I used a pattern I bought on Etsy for the stitch (pineapple baby hat by LunaticKnitter) and I used an adult beanie pattern for the cast on stitches and shaping.

It turned out pretty well

Thanks, I'll look for those bamboo hooks :)

@hendal I love it! One day, when my crochet elbow is totally better, I will make one.

Oh, and as for crochet projects, I much preferred making socks that way. No messing about with dpns or magic loop. Simply Crochet magazine always has great ideas.

Knitting wise, I'm currently making a Gansey sweater.