Interweave Knits' WebWatch

Okay, I've started hearing this from more than one source and I just can't stay silent any longer.

Crochet is not the new knitting.

That's not to say that crochet isn't starting to enjoy the resurgence of interest that knitting has in the last few years. I expect we'll see a lot more crocheted items in shops and more crocheters CIPping [knitters KIP -- Knit In Public -- see?]. But I don't think one craft will take over the other.

Aside: Let's keep in mind as you read the rest of this that I'm a knitter. I've taken one learn-to-crochet lesson and found the process addictive but the result less than pleasing. I've also looked at a lot of crochet patterns. I've crocheted provisional cast ons and edge trims and think they're quite useful.

But I am no expert on either craft and I don't want to ruffle feathers. Just to get people thinking.

Reason one why crochet is not the new knitting:
They feel totally different.

Crochet takes a different hand motion than knitting. For some people, crochet can contribute to or aggravate their carpal tunnel syndrome [I'd be one of the latter]. There's a heck of a lot of torquing going on in one short axis. On the other hand, some find their tendonitis is aggravated by knitting. Different muscles, different motions.


Reason two:
They produce totally different fabrics.

Crocheted fabric can be like those stick-together building blocks with the trademark L-name. You can go in any direction and create the shape you want without losing the integrity of the construction. This is a serious bonus, and allows you to create structural wonders. But it's not suitable for every project. It can also be mesh-like or lacy, and if done well is really pretty. I think a crocheted bikini would be sturdier than a knit one, because that extra structure is quite helpful when there's so little fabric. Crocheted hats seem to hold their shape better and I quite loved the crocheted baskets in the recent "Hip to Crochet" book that Interweave published.

Knitting can be smooth and appear seamless. The fabric can flow. It's potentially less architectural, more sensual. In order to get the structured results you'd get with crochet, you often need to felt something, like a hat or a bag. Or knit with wire. Knitted lace is often more delicate than crocheted lace, but that's not a rule. I'd wear a knitted sweater, but not a crocheted one. And I really want to see flowy fabric when I knit a scarf, so I prefer knitting.

Reason three:
People often like the way one looks over the other.

There's no defending this. If you like the look of crochet, then that's what you like, period. I personally don't like to wear garments that are crocheted cause I feel they add bulk to my not-unbulky frame. You might think knitted things are too clingy for you. And we can hold hands and live together in this great world, knowing we're both right. Can you hear the choirs of angels singing?

But crochet and knitting are not the same. They don't look the same and they don't DO the same thing.

So I ask you: Why does the success of one have to mean the death of the other? I say it doesn't. I say that knitting is knitting and crochet is crochet, and as long as both crafts flourish, we'll continue to have sexy yarn to work with, whatever tool is in our hand.

Oh, wait. This blog is about the internet. Okay, then: two online magazines you might want to visit on the subject.

For crochet: Crochet Me
For knitting: Knitty [okay, so I'm biased.]

Posted 10:35 AM PST