question for knitters and crocheters

[babylisa4]

I am not much of a craft person but love handmade gifts so I thought I would learn a skill. My probable future daughter in law has invited me to take a class with her. She is doing both crochet and knitting. I only want to do one. Which one is the most useful in terms of making something that could be used for gifts? I have only sons so might like something handmade I could give to them that they could keep. (you get the idea- I can't picture them using a sweater I would make for them but maybe could a scarf.)
Defend your skill - help me out- what can you do with your knitting skill or crochet skill? Thanks

 

[TifffanyD]

I am not much of a craft person but love handmade gifts so I thought I would learn a skill. My probable future daughter in law has invited me to take a class with her. She is doing both crochet and knitting. I only want to do one. Which one is the most useful in terms of making something that could be used for gifts? I have only sons so might like something handmade I could give to them that they could keep. (you get the idea- I can't picture them using a sweater I would make for them but maybe could a scarf.)
Defend your skill - help me out- what can you do with your knitting skill or crochet skill? Thanks

I do both. I like crochet better for a sturdier/denser fabric for things like stuffed animals, slippers, pillows, etc.

I like knit for a looser fabric for garments.

Scarves, afghans, and lace can go either way (altho I like crochet better for lace).

I learned crochet first so I feel more freedom in going without a pattern with crochet. Altho I can do this with knitting somewhat. One thing about crochet is that you have only one "live" stitch at a time, so if you drop if you may unravel some but it is easy to pick it back up. In knitting you have a lot of stitches and if it unravels you will have to pick up lots of stitches.

 

[runskyhy]

I learned how to knit 2 years ago - I am still in the beginner stages though in trying to perfect my yarn tension still - but I really like it. I make simple things - hats, washclothes, scarves, dolls, ornaments, tote bags, kozies, wine bottle bags, blankets, etc. to give as gifts. It is fun.

I would like to learn crocheting too because I've been told that it takes less time to make something that way than it does to knit. Maybe someone here could confirm or deny this...?

 

[ddavis860]

Can I chime in on this one? My personal preference is crochet. I have all boys too, and I crochet afghans for them. I've also done scarves and hats. I do knit, so it's not that I don't know how to do it, but crocheting seems faster and easier, IMHO.

As a matter of fact, my DS17 got an egg baby for this psych project, and I crocheted him an egg baby carrier in like 1 hr. If I was going to knit that, it would have taken me much longer...

I also made DS21's way too cute DGF a wrap last Christmas, and it was so soft and beautiful crocheted with Lionbrand Homespun and a big hook. (She almost didn't get it )

Crochet is like knotting each stitch, and each stitch stands alone. If you mess up, you can rip out easily, and get back to just one loop again, and start your stitch all over again. Knitting, if you mess up, you have loops and loops to pick up again on your needle. Also, all the stitches are connected to eachother...drop a stitch, and it can make a ladder of dropped stitches all the way to the beginning...

 

[YoYoAurora]

Learn crochet first.

I do both. I crochet hats, scarves, doilies, coffee cup coozies and many other things. Most people pick up crochet faster than knitting. It seems to go faster on most projects. And it's easier to do small projects, like a doily.

Enjoy and don't forget to post some pictures of your work. I forget to do that!

-- Susan

 

[ddavis860]

I agree, please post a pic of your projects!

 

[nat1234]

I can knit and crochet. I love the look of knitted things. Crochet is more of a lacey effect. If I'm making a gift for someone, especially for a new baby, if I have to have it sooner, I'll crochet because I can do it faster. But if I have enough time I'll knit it because I love the look of a knitted sweater. Blankets I usually crochet because I love that look too.

 

[piglet50]

i can do both but crochet was easier for me to work with. i make hats, scarves, afghans, comfort shawls, and children's blankets. i donate most of what i make to various charities. you can be creative for your kids and if you want to help others, you can do that too.

 

[iheartdolewhips]

I just found this portion of the board! Can't believe I've never seen it before!

I've been knitting for about 3 years now and have tried pretty much everything with it at least once. I've tried to crochet off and on several times, but haven't been able to devote enough time to it to really make anything yet - hopefully soon! I think it's great to learn both, but probably best to stick with one and learn it before moving to the other. Also, don't be afraid to try new things! I remember when I was learning how to knit, I picked up quickly because I wasn't scared of learning new skills - I did things at a few months that people at a few years were still scared of. For me, knitting is easier because your stitches are right there on the needle for you - don't have to find them like in crochet. http://www.knittinghelp.com/ is the best website for learning how to knit.