What’s the difference between crocheting and knitting?

I know knitting has 2 needles, but I am just learning to crochet, are the similar enough where I could easily pick up knitting?
also, if I found a knitting pattern I like, could I “convert” it to a crochet pattern?

6 Comments

anonymous November 4th, 2009 at 9:58 am

no. crocheting and knitting are very different in style. you won’t be able to knit just because you can crochet. think of it as a completely new language. just because you can speak english doesn’t mean you can speak french. crocheting and knitting are different in style. in chocheting, the patterns are very open so its like lace. but with knitting, the weaves are close together. crocheting is also like twisting and knotting the yarn together, where as knitting is tying it in a way. it makes a more solid product than crocheting. you can take knitting patterns and transfer them into crocheting patterns however just by looking at the structure of what you would be making. but you might wan’t to hold off on that until you learn to crochet a little better.

hope this helps

tamara m November 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am

there is a very different technique to holding the needles and while some people can manage both styles of threadcraft others find it impossible to do one after learning the other. I learnt both- my mother taught all her children how to crochet but I was the only one to learn how to knit. After learning to knit I find crochet very difficult, even though technically it is far easier. I don’t crochet anymore- the hooks are far too expensive for me to keep doing what I do to them. actually it is rather comical when I show men why I don’t crochet- I bent a 4mm hook at right angles and those things are really hard to bend!

if you want to learn both make sure you master crochet before you even attempt knitting- if you learn to knit to soon after learning to crochet it can completely ruin your technique for both.

You can’t convert patterns between the two- a knit pattern is worked a complete row at a time whereas crochet is worked each individual stitch at a time.

Twisted Yarns and Knotty Needles November 4th, 2009 at 11:15 am

As a knitter who is learning to crochet I have to tell you its not an automatic thing but they’re rather similar. The way you hold the yarn in crocheting can carry over to knitting very easily as well as remembering to hold your tension and keep an even tension across your work. Converting the patterns doesn’t usually work though you can mix knitting and crochet together. Knowing how to work with yarns, as in controlling them and handling them as well as knowing one from the other, is learned in one and comes in handy with the other.

Both knitting and crocheting make solid products, depending on how you structure the pattern. They can both also produce lacy delicate items as well, it all depends on the stitch you are using. There are more stitches and terms in knitting but they aren’t hard to remember.

If you want a community that is structured to answer these questions specifically check out http://www.ravelry.com it is a great site specifically for knitters and crocheters.

And if you’re picking up knitting check out http://www.knittinghelp.com. They have videos and forums on every stitch knitting employs. I’ve never had a stitch that they couldn’t explain. It is the holy grail of knitting help as far as I am concerned. Welcome to the woolly world of knitting!

Dolly O November 4th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Knitting and crocheting are not similar. However, you could learn knitting if you have a friend or watch videos on the computer. Knitting patterns can be converted to crochet by making samples or swatches and counting the stitches and rows. In order to convert you would have to get the same number of stitches and rows. They would not be identical, but it is all in the beholder. If you like what you see, you can convert.

Eva November 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

knit and crochet are different in they way you hold needles and make stitches

I have crocheted for many years. knitted for about a year. I find that the dexterity in my hands achieved by doing crochet, the way I hold my yarn and control the tension in crochet can also be used in

vnelson85 November 4th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

it really varies from person to person. people like me who can both knit and crochet say that knitting is easier but crochet is faster.

you really cant convert a knitting pattern to a crochet pattern. if you really want to, you will have to experiment with different stitches.

here is what knitting looks like
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_th5ZtKyEYBKoWjzbkF/SIG=12ir9oci3/EXP=1251817185/**http%3A//www.knitknack.co.uk/picture/stocking_stitch_stripes.jpg

here is what crochet looks like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/practical_artist/3343520128/