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Beginners

Crochet or knitting?

Both turn yarn into fabric. Crochet uses one hook and works one loop at a time. Knitting uses two needles and holds a whole row of loops.

Crochet

  • One hook. Only one loop sits on the hook at a time, so a dropped stitch is easy to fix.
  • The fabric is thicker and holds its shape: great for toys (amigurumi), bags, baskets and blankets.
  • Easy to work in circles, so round things like hats and balls are simple.
  • Uses a little more yarn than knitting for the same size.

Knitting

  • Two needles. A whole row of loops sits on the needles.
  • The fabric is thinner, stretchier and drapes well: great for sweaters, socks and scarves.
  • A dropped stitch can run down the rows, so it takes more care at first.

Which to start with?

Most people find crochet faster to learn: one tool, one loop, and you can make something useful in an evening. If you dream of soft sweaters, knitting is worth the extra practice. You can always learn both.

Good to knowOn Crochet to Size, most designs are crochet, and the stitch library covers both crafts.
Crochet: 1 hook, 1 loopKnitting: 2 needles, a row of loops