Can you knit or crochet? If you’re here, it might very well be both! Multicraftual making is the heartbeat of the School of SweetGeorgia; along with weaving, spinning, and dyeing, oh my! For almost a decade, I thought of myself as exclusively a knitter, even though I learned to crochet around the same time I learned to knit. In more recent years, I’ve come to identify as a crocheter, as well, by incorporating crochet more intentionally into my multicraftual cycle.
From Knit to Crochet
The original issue that motivated me to crochet more was ergonomics. Like many School of SweetGeorgia members, I don’t feel like myself without yarn in my hands. Unfortunately, my hands are small and holding up a project or doing repetitive motions can cause pain over time. After several repeated strain injuries from knitting (despite adjusting my knitting style and posture over the years to be more ergonomic), my physical therapist suggested mixing up my yarn craft activities to give my hands a break.
I knit with the yarn held in my right hand, but I crochet with yarn in my left. Not only that, but the differences in the way I hold the project itself, the position of my wrist while creating the stitches, and the movement of my fingers are significant enough that I can crochet comfortably even when my muscles and tendons are tired from knitting.
Appreciating Crochet for What It Is
As I explored adding more crochet into my schedule, I also found myself looking at crochet in new ways. When crochet was my “secondary” craft, I subconsciously searched for patterns that had similar detailing and construction to the knit patterns I was used to. However, crochet isn’t a knitting substitute—it’s a unique art form with its own quirks and strengths.
Crocheting more has pushed me to try construction techniques that are more suitable for crochet than knitting, play with the structural possibilities of crochet stitches, and pay closer attention to the way colour interacts within crochet fabric. At first, some of these differences were frustrating, since I wanted to produce the same effects that I could create in my sleep with a pair of knitting needles.
Crochet colorwork is often less crisp and defined than knit colorwork; trying to replicate the effect of Fair Isle knitting offers mixed results, but that lack of definition can create a gorgeous watercolour look when used deliberately. Tapestry crochet is also better suited to long floats than stranded knitting, perfect for delicate organic motifs. I’ve had a blast playing with the possibilities of tapestry crochet using SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock / Party of Five mini-skein yarn set, shown below.
Knit or Crochet? Better at Both
Ironically, crocheting more has not only made me a better crocheter but a better knitter as well. Being forced out of my preconceived notions of “how things are done” has taught me things about colour, texture, and shape that I would never have learned otherwise. Adapting shawl-shaping formulas or striping sequences, for example, to my crochet projects has given me a deeper understanding of those methods that I had originally learned from knitting.
Yarn can behave quite differently in crochet vs. knitting; properties such as twist, ply, and fibre content bloom in exciting and surprising ways. Crochet is quicker (yay for taller row gauge!) and easier to rip out without the risk of dropping a stitch, making the whole experience more spontaneous and less stressful. I’ve found myself bringing that same playfulness and willingness to experiment into my knitting too.
Appreciate the Value of Each
Moving out of the “knit or crochet” mindset and appreciating each craft for itself has opened up a world of potential. In knitting, strong increase and decrease lines guide the eye through the fabric. But what about crochet increases and decreases, which recede into the background? The lack of leading lines keeps decorative stitch patterns at center stage. If you’re interested in trying out some crochet increases and decreases yourself, be sure to check out Charlotte Lee’s new School of SweetGeorgia course, Crochet Increases and Decreases.
Right now, I knit approximately 75 percent of the time and crochet the other 25 percent. While I am always learning, no matter the craft, that 25 percent of my time is possibly the most educational and relaxing. It’s helped me realize that even though I’ll most likely always be better at knitting, being intentional with my crochet practice makes me a crocheter too. So, knit or crochet? Us multicraftuals know better. It’s always both and with intention.
Interested in learning more about knitting, crochet, and all of the fibre arts? Come and visit the School of SweetGeorgia! Explore Felicia Lo’s free Multicraftual Maker workshop which helps lay out some strategies in how to look at your time, money, space, energy, and focus, and how we can best distribute those resources to reach the deep satisfaction that all of these many crafts can bring.
Explore our online courses and community of fibre arts makers at the School of SweetGeorgia! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
Original post publication: November 11, 2022. Refreshed post: June 10, 2024
Well said! I couldn’t agree more. I have been a multi crafter all my life, and I couldn’t relinquish any one of my fiber or fabric arts any more than I could give up one of my children! I love them all, and the doing of each feeds my soul, as well as providing the variety that keeps my river flowing.
Absolutely! Doing all the crafts feeds the soul… that’s a lovely way to put it! Thanks for sharing!