Differences Between Knit and Crochet

 What are the differences between knitting and crocheting?

People may think of knitting or crocheting as being interchangeable words and hobbies for grandmas, but that is definitely not true.  It is a crafting form that can be enjoyed by all and there are several distinct differences between knit and crochet.  An example of a fabric made from knit is on the left and made from crochet on the right.

I have organized the differences between knit and crochet into three categories with the number of working loops, how each is worked up, and the materials required for each activity.

Number of Working Loops

    Knitting uses 2 or more long needles with many working loops at a time.  The number of loops is determined by the row length of the project.  The wider the project or the thinner the yarn the more loops will be on the needles at a time.  As each stitch is completed each loop is then transferred from one needle to the next.  Working with a singular hook crochet has only 1 working loop at a time.  For each stitch loops are added to the hook, but before moving on to the next stitch the number of loops on the hook returns to 1.  Due to the difference in the number of loops this means that it is easier for a singular stitch to slip off of a hook by accident while knitting.  This is similar to problems arising from a needle slipping out of all of the loops at once which can happen quickly and by accident.  Both of these problems are ones that can be fixed, but can be very frustrating and more difficult for beginners to fix.  Whereas if the hook was to slip out of your crochet piece it is just one loop that is much easier to pick up than a needle full of loops.

How They Are Worked Up

    Knit is something that can be replicated on a machine or a loom whereas crochet pieces are something that can only be hand produced.  This is why you do not see crochet sweaters in stores everywhere. :)  Part of the reason that machines can make knit items is because those pieces are worked on row by row instead of singular interlocking loop by interlocking loop in crochet.  Each stitch in crochet is more like a knot made of loops which is why it is more difficult for crochet to unravel.  This also means that each stitch is added directly to the piece of crocheted fabric.

Materials

    Besides the difference of needles for knitting and a hook for crochet there are other deviations between the materials required for each.  First, let's look at some materials that are the same for both: scissors, for cutting off any yarn that is leftover and any yarn left after it is tucked into the work; yarn, as the medium for the project; stitch markers, to know where specific stitches are, to indicate where the beginning of a round is, a place for a row to end, or a decrease or increase to take place; a yarn needle, to tuck in the ends after a project is finished; and a row counter, to keep track of what row you are working on during a project.

    Some tools that are specific to knitting include: straight knitting needles, double pointed knitting needles, circular needles in different lengths, and stitch holders (for making cables).  Each type of needle (straight, double pointed, and circular) all come in different sizes (or thicknesses).  While to get started all you would need is some straight knitting needles and some yarn as you become more advanced the materials that you would need to continue progressing your knitting projects would become more.  Although not required, many of these additional knitting specific tools are helpful in continuing to advance your abilities.

    For basic crochet you would just need a set of standard hooks in various sizes.  There are some offshoots of basic crochet that use more than a standard crochet hook.  Such as Tunisian crochet that a Tunisian crochet hook can be used for which is longer than a standard crochet hook.  Although different from knitting, something like Tunisian crochet is not necessary to progress your crochet skills.  As a beginner you would just need yarn and a basic crochet hook in a size that works well with your chosen yarn.  So, a crocheter could get by with only a few crochet hooks while progressing in their craft, whereas knitters would need to purchase more supplies as they progress.