It was only a matter of time…

There’s no question that I’m a hardcore crocheter. I love my hooks and all the versatility one simple tool and a ball of yarn allows me. But when I received a free sample of a high quality set of knitting needles, I took it upon myself to try them out. I couldn’t see giving them away or just stashing them someplace I’d never see them again. (Actually, I received two sets; one is a circular set and one is just pointy sticks.)

I first hit YouTube for videos on how to knit. Then I remembered hearing about KnitHelp.com, which has some great videos and information. Lucky for me, I already had a nice stash of yarn to choose from to play with.

In less than 24 hours, I have taught myself to cast on, knit, and purl. It’s still too early to create much of anything, but I can do the stitches. My preferred method is English. I first tried continental style since I’ve heard people say that’s how they learned and how easy it is, but it’s just awkward for me. That probably sounds odd coming from a right-handed crocheter; I’ve just found it easier to hold the yarn in my right hand and wrap it around the needle rather than from my left hand. I can do that much more smoothly, and my stitches are more conformed.  For me, so far, this seems fairly easy. Guess we’ll see as time goes by.

No, I didn’t buckle down to any pressure from those who wave their pointy sticks and think that knitting is the only way to fiber self-satisfaction and worth. The snobbery that comes from the knitting world in general (not all knitters are snobs, so don’t take it wrong) is actually one of the main things that kept me from even wanting to learn. Receiving a nice bamboo set of needles was a big influence for me; that, and admittedly, I have ulterior creative motives. It was time.

Just for the record: I’ll always be a crocheter first. But knowing how to knit is not a bad thing in my book. A crocheter who knits, yes, that will be me someday. Perhaps. We’ll see where this yarny path takes me.

Truly, there is so much yarn and oh, so very little time.

Cheap Crochet?

“Each crocheter spends twice as much time and does twice as many projects as a knitter, but spends less money per project. They donate more than one-third of what they make, and give away more than one-third as gifts. Crocheters more often shop at craft chain stores than specialty needlearts shops.”

The above information comes from a study conducted for The National NeedleArts Association for 2007. The fact that crocheters spend less money per project and most often get their yarn at craft chain stores may attribute to the ideology that “crocheters are cheap”. However, it’s a fact that crocheters use more yarn, and if we do more projects, we must spend a good chunk of money as well, even if it’s not all at once.

Additionally, this study points out that crocheters are givers. Two-thirds of what we create is given away either as charitable contributions or as gifts. Perhaps that is another reason crocheters as a whole shop more often at craft stores; it’s difficult to justify spending money on expensive wool yarn that is going to be made into a project for charity. Many people have no clue how to take care of wool items–or other natural fibers for that matter. Even the “thought that counts” would be washed away the first time the item was thrown into the washing machine, right along with the time and money that was spent on the item. Let’s face it: There are times when acrylic or less expensive yarns are just more practical and economical to use; yet, they still maintain their purpose. Many of the items made with less expensive yarns find themselves in shelters, homes, and hospitals, spreading warmth and love to those who receive them.

In my own observations, I’ve noticed various differences in the local crochet guild and knitting group in my area. The crocheters are more than excited to help make things to donate to charity. We get together once a month to do just that. We’ve tried to include some of the area knitters in our efforts, only to be turned down each time. Does this mean they aren’t as charitable? It’s not for me to say; I know many a knitter who makes items for others. Even in our local crochet guild, there are a few members who knit as well, and they alternate between each skill in the items they donate.

One other thing I’ve noticed is that when the crocheters get together it’s usually with a purpose in mind, while the knitting group is more of a stitch ‘n bitch gathering. There are other differences in our two groups as well, but these differences do not make one more “right” than the other. We have too many things in common to say that being different on some level is a bad thing. We share a love of yarn, of creating with our hands, and an enjoyment of sharing what we do with others who do the same thing.

To say that crocheters are cheap is a sad attempt at saying that we are less than those who yield the needles over the hook. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. It would be sad to see either knitting or crocheting become a dying art just because one was looked upon more highly while the other was snobbed upon, especially if it’s a yarn issue. “My yarn stash can beat up your yarn stash, neener neener.” Statements like that are a little immature, don’t you think? It’s more important that the two groups live in harmony rather than knit-pick over the insignificant things that in the end really don’t mean a whole lot.

Do what you love; love what you do. No matter if it takes one hook or two needles to do it…and regardless of the type of yarn, fiber, or other material that you use to do it!