Crochet vs Knitting: Differences and Which to Learn First

Crochet and knitting both turn yarn into fabric, and from a distance the results can look alike. Up close they are different crafts with different tools, different stitches and different strengths. This guide explains the difference between crochet and knitting, answers the common question of whether crochet is easier than knitting, and helps you decide which to learn first based on what you want to make.

The tools: one hook or two needles

Crochet uses a single hook with a small notch at the tip. You catch the yarn with the hook and pull it through loops that are already on it. Knitting uses two needles, or a long circular needle with a cord between two tips, and you move loops from one needle to the other. Crochet hooks are sized by the diameter of the shaft, and our crochet hook sizes chart shows the common sizes.

How the fabric is formed

This is the biggest difference. In crochet you work with one live loop at a time. Only the loop on your hook is open, and every stitch is finished before you start the next one. In knitting you keep a whole row of loops on the needle at once, often dozens or hundreds, and each one stays open until you work it.

Because only one loop is live, crochet is not tied to a row of stitches the way knitting is. You can work in a straight line, in a spiral, in a circle from a magic ring, or build a single motif and join it to others. Knitting is very good at producing long, even rows of small, uniform stitches.

Look and feel of the fabric

These are general tendencies, not rules, and the yarn and hook or needle size change the result a lot. Crochet fabric is usually thicker and denser, with more body and less stretch. That makes it sturdy and good at holding a shape. Knitted fabric is usually thinner and stretchier, with a smooth drape, because the interlocking loops can give in several directions.

Side by side

Speed and yarn use

Speed depends far more on the person and the project than on the craft. Crochet stitches are often taller, so a fabric can grow quickly, especially with larger hooks and thicker yarn. Knitters who work with small needles in fine yarn can also be very fast. Do not choose a craft because someone says it is quicker.

Crochet generally uses more yarn than knitting for the same area of fabric, because the stitches are thicker and the yarn loops back on itself. The difference varies with the stitch pattern, so it is worth buying a little extra yarn for a crochet garment. For small toys the difference matters little.

Fixing mistakes

Crochet is generally easier to undo. Because only one loop is live, you can pull the yarn and unravel stitches back to the error, then put the hook back into the last loop. In knitting a dropped stitch can run down several rows if it is not caught, and fixing it takes a crochet hook or a little practice. That is one reason many knitters keep a hook nearby. Our guide on how to fix mistakes in crochet covers frogging and repairs.

Best uses of each craft

• Crochet suits amigurumi, because the dense fabric hides stuffing and shapes are easy to build in the round. See what amigurumi is and our amigurumi patterns.
• Crochet suits motifs such as granny squares, flowers and appliques, which are worked one piece at a time and joined later.
• Knitting often suits fitted, stretchy garments, such as socks, sweaters and hats, where the elastic fabric follows the body.
• Both can make blankets, scarves and bags. The choice there comes down to the texture you like.

Learning curve: which is easier

Many people find crochet easier at the start. You handle one loop and one tool, so a mistake affects only the stitch in front of you, and you can see the result of each stitch right away. Knitting asks you to manage many loops and two needles, but its core moves are limited to two stitches, knit and purl. Neither is hard once the hand movements become automatic. Comfort with the tools matters more than the craft.

Which to learn first

Start with what you want to make. If you picture a stuffed toy, a flower or a small bag, learn crochet first. If you dream of a fitted sweater or socks, knitting may be the better first step. If you are not sure, crochet is a friendly place to begin, and the first project, a crochet pattern for beginners, needs only a hook, yarn and scissors.

Try both and keep what you enjoy

Both crafts are worth learning, and many makers do both, picking the one that suits each project. If you decide to start with crochet, our beginner crochet guide walks through the first steps, and the free crochet patterns give you low-cost projects to practice on. Give yourself a few weeks of regular practice before deciding, since the first days with any new tool feel awkward.