A Yarn Store Divided ...

Ok, so what had happened was, my bestie in the westie told me about another blog (which I will not link - you don't need to read it) that had 8 reasons crochet is better than knitting. And I was furious.

Furious because it's another divide, specifically among women. Furious that this woman, who owns a crochet company, couldn't get her history right. Furious that she perpetuated untruths as fact. Furious that she used her platform to say that people who crochet are smarter, better, freer than people who knit. That's where the line gets drawn - the "I'm better than them" line and it's so foolish. She then tried to say her post was satirical; I believe that if you have to explain a joke, it's not funny to begin with.

So here's a little knitting/crochet FAQ for everyone who wanted to know, didn't know they wanted to know, or wanted to learn but were afraid to ask me, because I'm quite intimidating.

I want to learn to knit/crochet - which is easier? Neither. Both. Either. Who cares? Did you know that learning things doesn't actually push other things out of your brain? I tell everyone who asks to try doing both. Do what feels right. In my experience (and I know a lot of crafty folks) people usually know within 2 attempts which they prefer. It also won't kill you to know a little of the other as well. Especially if you prefer knitting. Learn some crochet as well for quick details, accessories, and edges.

Which one takes longer to do? If you're me, it will take you approximately 24541 times longer to crochet something than to knit because knitting is what I do. Most of us do agree that because of the structure of the stitch in most patterns, crochet is inherently faster. And a good deal of crochet stitches in crochet are made large quickly (treble treble comes to mind) and can be made with a big hook so it's a big, open, lacy thingamabob. Knitters use larger needles and yarn overs for the same effect. Big, open, lacy thingamabob. So it's about what you like. If you stink at crochet (like me), knitting the same thing is faster. If you prefer crochet, knitting can be slow and cumbersome. You have to compare against yourself, not your neighbour. Even two knitters knitting the same thing will finish at different times. For overall speed, I give the edge to crochet.

Doesn't knitting/crocheting use more yarn? No, who told you that?  This girl knows what I'm talking about. Take 4 square inches of stockinette stitch (knit) and single crochet on comparable sized needles/hooks and you're going to make the same amount of fabric and use about the same yarn. It's the pattern, not the craft. If a pattern has big stitches and/or a big hook there will be more air, less yarn. Same with knitting, except with needles.

Mathematically, isn't holding one hook easier than two needles? I don't know anything about math, don't ask me that question! For me, it's the way it's all held. When I held fabric in one hand and a hook in the other my hands hated it. Rebelled, even. But there was a weird symmetry with holding two needles that just happened to be more comfortable. More comfort meant more time spent, more time spent meant more speed. Please try both and just see what you like.

What if you lose/slip your needle? Isn't that worse than losing a hook? Hell yes it is. A row of "live stitches" compared to only one stitch? Yes, much more suck.  Crochet is extremely versatile! That's one of it's great qualities (each craft has a lot! ) and is something to consider. 

Are there things that are better to knit/crochet than crochet/knit? Again, it depends on you. And that's the overarching theme (I hope I wasn't too subtle with it); what's better for you is what's better for you. I have both knit and crocheted blankets and I can say that while I love the squishy, drapiness of my knitted blanket it was just as easy to crochet one and faster. In fact, most crochet blanket patterns will have you flying through them, and I prefer that route. So the following list is based SOLELY on my experience and is anecdotal, not fact:

Better to Knit:
Socks
Sweaters/clothing
Lacy wraps
Hats (in my opinion because the stitches are closer/tighter)
Anything that needs to stretch without having gaps
Things with intricate patterns in the stitches

Better to Crochet
Scarves
Blankets
Shawls
Headbands
Amigurumi
Accessories like flowers (oh how I love crochet flowers!)
Things that need bulk
Things that are open and airy

And those are only my preference. I have crocheted hats, knitted blankets, and just made what I liked. That's why I encourage you to learn both, love one, appreciate the usefulness of the other. 

Christmastime is ... Finally Over!

Wow, the last blog I posted was just around Thanksgiving. That tells you just how busy I've been knitting for Christmas. I was able to finish and mail everything off (even though my mom's second slipper made it there AFTER Christmas!) but I felt really overwhelmed. 


In case you are interested I am still working on making a knitting pattern, but since Christmas was over I finally knit a few things for myself! 

This is a lovely cowl, nice and warm (even though it hasn't been terribly cold, has it?) and it took me a couple afternoons and I was done! If you want to make something quick before a cold snap, you can find the pattern here for free. Then, when I was wandering around Michael's yesterday during a great yarn sale, I found some delicious Angora Bamboo by Patons in "Urban Grey" and KNEW I had to make something - anything!


Well, one of the amazing things about ravelry (just one - are you signed up yet?! Go!) is that you can look up the yarn you have and then search through projects that other people have used that yarn to make. Turns out some people have used this yarn to make a great slouchy beret and that's what I've been wanting for myself. Even better is that the cowl pattern I made is based off of this hat! What luck! I don't usually look very good in hats, so finding a good pattern has taken me a long time. But I have to say I look pretty cute in this one!

Not only that, but a darling woman friend of mine, one Jaime Patterson, also loves this hat. Well, when someone who is that amazing likes something I've made I must make her one too! Hers will be purple, and if she is so kind (with her being a photographer) she'll take some pictures of herself in it! I never say "no" to commission work! With a baby on the way it's nice to make a little money by sitting on my end and doing something that I love. Now I just need to get so good that people hire me to do it 8 hours a day and then I never have to work again. That's what photographers do right?? They get to do something they love and get to call it "work"! 

Now that I'd finished my last "Poppy" hat (see previous post) I wasn't sure what to make. That's why I'm glad Jaime wanted this slouchy beret, Brandon wanted a new hat for his birthday, and Scott wanted a hat that was "urban sheik" - which is apparently a real thing. That keeps time passing a little more quickly for me, and all I'm looking towards is the birth of this giant baby who loves to sit on my right hip - every moment of every single day. 

And mostly, thanks to you all who read this as though I have something interesting to say, and encouraging me to try more things and get better at something I enjoy. This blog is mostly to remind me that I DO like knitting, and to not ever ever ever stop even when something gets frustrating. I hope you don't stop doing something you love when it gets frustrating, or time consuming, or tedious. It's worth it.