my creative space - to knit or to crochet?
Are you a yarny type? Or keen to be but haven't taken the plunge. Perhaps knitting is your thing? Or you just can't get enough of the hook? Or you want to give one of them a go but don't know which one?
I started knitting when I was about 10. I learnt the "throwing" method, where you work the yarn around the needle with the right hand if your right-handed. For a LONG time I had no idea there was another way. I knitted up a few baby sweaters and forgot about the needles. When I had my first baby though, I decided to knit a blanket. But knitting took too long! When I was expecting my fourth baby, I thought I'd give it another go and knit him a blanket too.
A couple of years down the line, I thought I'd never knit again until someone, somewhere mentioned something about the continental method of knitting. I looked it up and it appealed to the crocheter in me. It is also known as the "picking" method, where you hold the yarn in your left hand and move the needle in your right to around the yarn. It is definitely worth checking out the videos if you like knitting.
I've also got my favourite yarns to work with and my favourite hooks and needles. This makes a huge difference as to how much I love working on a project. I love the circular needles in bamboo for knit projects!
Why I like to crochet
Projects work up quicker
I'm more familiar with the different stitches
I think there is more versatility in that you can crochet a huge thick blanket or the finest of doilies and of course many in between
Why I like to knit
You tend to get a smoother, more dense finish with garments
Sometimes the flow of work is smoother, especially with dpns!
So lately, I have been alternating between the two (and the laundry ... and the mopping ... and the tidying up ...)
Here's a round up of most of my crochet projects of 2011. Not as many as other years. Perhaps, 2012 will have a few knit projects thrown in, in sha Allah.
What's your craft of choice?
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ETA: I appreciate all of your comments.
I am enjoying knitting the Shalom Cardi, yes, that's what it is enim sou, inspired by JenMuna. But, crochet is a little bit in the lead for me because, for some reason, mistakes are easier to correct. And I think I'm a neater crocheter. There are no live stitches generally, that are sitting on the hook, so no stitches get lost. I tend to lose stitches somewhere when I knit. Any tips on dealing with this?
And Joyce made a good point there. If you're working rows, crocheted projects tend to look the same on both sides.
I started knitting when I was about 10. I learnt the "throwing" method, where you work the yarn around the needle with the right hand if your right-handed. For a LONG time I had no idea there was another way. I knitted up a few baby sweaters and forgot about the needles. When I had my first baby though, I decided to knit a blanket. But knitting took too long! When I was expecting my fourth baby, I thought I'd give it another go and knit him a blanket too.
By then I'd seen some crochet projects and started using nursing time, to Google it up and get started. Yes, I learnt from crochet sites like this and youtube videos aplenty! My first crochet projects were awful, but that's how we start, right? And practice makes perfect!
A couple of years down the line, I thought I'd never knit again until someone, somewhere mentioned something about the continental method of knitting. I looked it up and it appealed to the crocheter in me. It is also known as the "picking" method, where you hold the yarn in your left hand and move the needle in your right to around the yarn. It is definitely worth checking out the videos if you like knitting.
I've also got my favourite yarns to work with and my favourite hooks and needles. This makes a huge difference as to how much I love working on a project. I love the circular needles in bamboo for knit projects!
Why I like to crochet
Projects work up quicker
I'm more familiar with the different stitches
I think there is more versatility in that you can crochet a huge thick blanket or the finest of doilies and of course many in between
Why I like to knit
You tend to get a smoother, more dense finish with garments
Sometimes the flow of work is smoother, especially with dpns!
So lately, I have been alternating between the two (and the laundry ... and the mopping ... and the tidying up ...)
Here's a round up of most of my crochet projects of 2011. Not as many as other years. Perhaps, 2012 will have a few knit projects thrown in, in sha Allah.
What's your craft of choice?
***********************
ETA: I appreciate all of your comments.
I am enjoying knitting the Shalom Cardi, yes, that's what it is enim sou, inspired by JenMuna. But, crochet is a little bit in the lead for me because, for some reason, mistakes are easier to correct. And I think I'm a neater crocheter. There are no live stitches generally, that are sitting on the hook, so no stitches get lost. I tend to lose stitches somewhere when I knit. Any tips on dealing with this?
And Joyce made a good point there. If you're working rows, crocheted projects tend to look the same on both sides.
8 comments:
I love your reasons for knitting and crochet, I would have to agree with you on each of them. Another positive for crochet is that most of the time the front looks like the back and the back looks like the front, which is perfect, for scarves and blankets.
I started off crocheting and when I wanted to learn to knit I was told to do it the continental method. I love this method so much! I prefer knitting now, especially garments, but when it comes to afghans I am definitely more of a crocheter.
LeeAnn
I love crochet for those reasons too. Love that bolero and the changes you made to it.
So true Joyce. Good point. I hadn't thought of that.
LeeAnn,I'm starting to like knitting garments. But I'll have to build up my needle collection I think!
Thank you very much, Trudi!
I tried to learn knitting but just couldn't get the hang of it. I do love crocheting and learned from my cousin when I was 20. Sadly, after all these years, I still consider myself a novice. Some patterns just don't make sense to me. My brain can't figure out tricky stitch patterns. But I keep plugging away and enjoy the process and celebrate when I do figure it out. You are very creative and talented. Love seeing all your pretty projects. Hope you are having a great day. Tammy
Assalaamu Alaikum!
Masha Allaah, just love all of your projects. I do not know any of the two!!! But love to learn and teach my little one Insha Allaah! Lets see where we end up! Jazzakillaah khayr for the links and inspiration!
Is this the shalom you are knitting inspired by JenMuna? It looks already beautiful, mashaALLAH.
I love crocheting and knitting but I´m used to crochet because it needs not so much concentration :)
Assalamu alaikum, enim sou
mash'Allah you have been a busy bee..as you know i'm loving quilting at the moment but next on the list is crochet...I saw this lovely throw in a warm yellowy browny colour and I want one...insh'Allah I might turn to you for advice when i move on to crochet....
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