Is Crochet Prettier than Knitting?

Written by Jordan Lemley

When it comes to art, in any form, something I always try to remember is that art is never “good” or “Bad”, or “ugly” or “Pretty” ; you are simply putting something out into the world that has never existed before. We are our own critics, and as a fiber artist I often wonder if something I made is “good enough” for others to see. I have frogged many projects because they didn’t meet my high expectations, I’m sure many other fiber artists can relate. 

When posed with the question “Is Crochet prettier than Knitting?”, I am unsure how to answer that. Crochet and Knitting are often confused for being the same thing, if you so much as look at a ball of yarn, people will think you’re knitting. Yes, both activities involve making creations by knotting yarn, but the tools, techniques, and end result are very different. Just because someone may know how to knit, does not necessarily mean they also know how to crochet, and vice versa.

Knitting involves the use of two or more needles, which work simultaneously together to create tight stitches and pretty garments, blankets, home décor, and many other unique items. Knitting allows the fiber artist to manipulate the yarn with pretty knitting stitches that can create seamless designs, whereas Crochet often has more rigid and pixelated designs (very much like textures on Minecraft).

Variegated yarns, and thinner sized yarns such as lace weight, fingerling, or sport weight yarns translate extremely well to knitted garments. Those smaller yarn sizes work up slowly in crochet and often lose their texture and natural yarn designs. Knitting uses less yarn per row than crocheting, so the color changes on variegated yarns have a more profound effect.

Crochet involves the use of a hook that goes in and out of each stitch, pulling the yarn through each individual loop. Where you can use a knitting machine to make basic knitted garments, crochet cannot be made by a machine. Although Knitting machines do allow for quick knits, more intricate stitches cannot be achieved.

Crochet allows the fiber artist to create more freely, with each stitch getting a little more exciting as the project progresses. Crochet allows for the fiber artist to create accents and accessories with ease. There are so many different stitches and textures that can be brought out in crochet vs. knitting. Freeform crochet has become more and more popular, and allows the artist to create spontaneously with all different stitches and shapes to come up with one of a kind designs.

Crocheted projects work up much faster than knitted projects, and the craft can be an easier concept for people to learn. It is easier to stop and restart a project because you only ever have one live stitch. Due to the ability to work with so many different gauged hooks and yarn weights crochet projects can be anywhere from thick and chunky to thin and drapey.

Is crochet prettier than Knitting? The short answer is no. Both Knitting and Crochet have their pros and cons, but each craft involves a labor of love, precision, and attention to detail. What are your thoughts, are there other details that distinguish one yarn craft from the other?

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