Knit vs. Crochet

I began my yarn crafting career as a crocheter. Now that I've learned to knit, it seems I do that almost exclusively. If I were to start my career over, I wouldn't change a thing. Learning to crochet in the beginning trained me to hold the yarn in my left hand (I'm right handed). I've since learned that this is a more efficient way to hold the yarn for knitting (aka, continental). Here's an excellent video that explains it: Since I am both a knitter and crocheter, I've complied my own personal list of reasons why I would choose a project in one method or the other. Knit, Pros:

• Seems to take less yarn for the same projects.
• Seems to be a little quicker.
• Many garments (clothing) look better when knit.
• Two basic stitches: knit and purl. Sure, there are varieties, but once you know how to do those two, the rest is pretty simple.

Knit, Cons:

• Learning to hold a needle in each hand AND the yarn.
• Cost. You really must budget more for knitting than crochet. In the beginning it seems every project has a different type of needle (straight, circular, double point); and then, there are stitch markers, cable stitch holders, storage cases for needles, etc. Then, different types of needles (bamboo, wood, metal) work better with different types of yarn (cotton, wool, silk, acrylic, etc.) I wish someone had told me to buy circular needles when I was starting out. They are so much more practical. They hold your project on the cable and you don't lose a needle when you set it down amongst your other projects.

Crochet, Pros:

• Hook in one hand, yarn in the other.
• Once you have a set of hooks, there's nothing else to purchase (besides yarn). My grandmother started me out on Susan Bates and I've not found any others that please me as much.
• Usually looks very "homey" and warm... like you want to wrap up in it and sit by the fire. I've been making baby blankets in large granny squares lately. I don't use it for much else now, except blankets.
• Like knitting, is making a comeback (even for garments) =).

Crochet, Cons:

• Takes more yarn for similar items.
• Slower.

I know that this list is very personal. I wouldn't expect anyone else to have the same reasons for knitting or crocheting, but sometimes it's fun to learn others' reasons.

Cast On

Inspired by Debora, I'd like to begin tracking the projects I knit. Perhaps I'll begin my next post with pictures of all my UFOs... that could possibly be depressing. My favorite things to knit are baby booties. They're quick and easy. I don't usually like to knit with more than one color, as in intarsia or fair isle knitting. That would take too much thought on my part. Thus, my love of color changing yarns. I do knit baby blankets when I'm pregnant. It gives me time to be quiet and pray for the coming little one. Currently on my needles is a pink and white striped blanket in stockinette, courtesy of Bernat Baby Coordinates.