What is the difference between knitting and crochet?

Question

Everyone talks about knitting and I see it in TV shows and movies all of the time, but I also see crocheting. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Basic answer: knitting requires two needles, crochet requires one hook

Knitting has been around since early Egyptian times; in fact, paintings exist in the Metropolitan Museum of the Madonna knitting for the baby Jesus.

Two needles are used to make an article using a variety of fibers, the most common being wool. One needle is held in each hand. The yarn and a needle are held in one hand while the other hand places it over the other needle, draws it through, making a loop. Knitting goes back and forth, that is, when you get to the end of a row, you turn the project around and work the other side.

Crochet uses one hook instead of two needles to make a loop, so the process is very different. The yarn is held in one hand and worked with a hook in the other. At the end of a row, it is turned and worked on the other side.

Crochet goes faster than knitting and requires less finishing when done. Because crochet uses 1/3 or more yards of yarn than knitting does, most crocheters opt for a less expensive yarn.

Crocheters like finishing a project and moving on to another. Knitters enjoy the process and the feel of knitting as much as the end result.

The look of each is distinctly different. Crochet creates a denser fabric with less drape, which makes it good for afghans. Knitting creates a product that can drape or be stiff, depending on the type of yarn and size of needle, giving many more pattern options. Crocheters don't as many clothes as knitters do. Knitters will use specialty yarns such as hand-dyed fibers than crocheters because of the cost.

My opinion is that you should try both and choose what feels best to you, both while doing it and in your heart, for your work always reflects you. I myself prefer knitting. I live in the south where crochet has more followers. When I lived in the northeast, knitting was preferred.

Answer 2

The easiest way to tell which is which is to see what is being used.

Two straight needles (sometimes more) are used for knitting, which create loops that stay on the needles as you make your project.

Crochet is one short needle that has a blunt hook on the end. This makes more of a knot, and you only have one one the hook at a time, which generally makes the project easer to manage.

There is also a long hooked needle for a special form of crochet called Tunisian or tapestry crochet, which acts like both, using one hooked needle, but keeping all loops of the project on the needle as you go.