The short answer: Most people say crochet is easier than knitting for beginners, because you hold one hook and only one loop is live at a time. I learned both from my mom, and to me knitting felt easier at the start, because every stitch sits on the needle where you can count it and the edges stay straight.
So which one is easier for you? It depends on your hands, your goal and what you want to make. Below I show you the real difference, side by side, and how I would choose if I were starting today.
Crochet vs Knitting: The Difference You Can See
Crochet uses one hook. You work one stitch at a time, and only one loop stays on your hook. The fabric looks like little knots and posts, and it is a bit thicker.
Knitting uses two needles. All the stitches of the row sit on one needle, and you move them to the other one, stitch by stitch. The basic knit fabric looks like neat rows of small Vs, and it is smooth and flat.
Is Crochet Easier Than Knitting?
For many people, yes. Crochet has fewer moving parts. If you drop your hook, you lose one loop, not a whole row. People also tell me crochet fabric grows faster, so you see your work come to life sooner.
But here is my honest answer, from my own hands: knitting felt easier to me. In knitting, every stitch sits on the needle. You always know how many stitches you have. You just take them from one needle onto the other, and the edges come out straight.
The tricky part of crochet: the edge
When you are new to crochet, the edge is the hard part. You never quite know which stitch is the last one in the row. You start with 15 stitches and somehow end up with 23, and your piece starts to lean and grow. That little thing is why knitting felt easier for me. It was much easier to count and much easier to manage.
The good news? It gets easy once you learn where the last stitch sits. Our 12 crochet stitches every beginner should know show each stitch with photos.
Otherwise? Truly, it is no big deal with either one. Both are just loops of yarn. It is all a personal choice in the end.
How I Learned: Watching My Mom and My Aunt
I think crochet came first for me. My mom crocheted, and she taught me both. I learned mostly by watching her and my aunt. They always carried a ball of thin cotton yarn and made long crochet chains.
Then they did something I still love. They drew a pattern by hand on a square of cloth, covered it with a clear nylon sheet, and sewed the chain on top, following the drawing. After a few finishing steps, they took the cloth and the nylon away, and the lace doily kept the shape of the drawing. It is the old Romanian way of making point lace, and it all started with a simple chain.
Should You Learn Crochet or Knitting First?
Every person is different, so go with your instinct. Here is how I would choose:
- Try both. Make about 4 inches (10 centimeters) of each. Then you will feel which one is right for you.
- Look at your goal. What do you want to make? A blanket, a scarf, a sweater? If you saw a piece you love, first ask: is this knitted or crocheted? Then learn that one.
- Think about why you want it. If you just want something for your hands while you watch a movie, pick whatever feels good. If you want to make one special pattern, learn the craft that pattern uses.
Some people love one and never switch. Once you get used to knitting, your mind has to change a bit to crochet. Other people, like me, love switching between the two.
Ready to try crochet? Start with our step-by-step guide on how to crochet for beginners, then pick one of the 11 crochet patterns for your first projects. If you want everything in one box, these crochet kits for beginners come with a hook, yarn and a first pattern. Curious about knitting too? Here are knitting kits for beginners.
Crochet vs Knitting Questions
Is crochet or knitting faster?
Crochet fabric usually grows faster, because crochet stitches are taller than knit stitches. Knitting takes more rows to make the same size piece.
How long does it take to learn crochet or knitting?
You can learn the basics and make something real quite quickly. How fast you get better depends on how much time you put in. Honestly, I am still a student myself. Every day there is a new pattern to learn.
Can you tell crochet from knitting by looking?
Yes. Crochet looks like little knots and posts. Basic knitting looks like neat rows of small Vs. Look at the close-up photos above to see both.
Should I learn crochet or knitting first?
Go with your instinct and your goal. Try a small piece of each, then learn the one used in the project you dream of making.
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