It’s one of the most common questions we get asked at the Woolshed, and it’s a genuinely good one. You want to learn a yarn craft. You’ve seen beautiful things made by both knitters and crocheters. But which do you actually start with?
The honest answer is: it depends on you. But there’s a lot more to say than that, and we think it’s worth understanding the real differences before you decide. Here’s our guide.
First: what’s the actual difference?
Both knitting and crochet use yarn and a tool to create fabric. Beyond that, they’re quite different crafts.
Knitting uses two needles and creates fabric by working loops of yarn through each other. You hold multiple live stitches on the needles at once - typically between 40 and 200 at any given time.
Crochet uses a single hook and creates fabric by working one stitch at a time. You only ever have one live stitch on the hook at once.
This fundamental difference shapes almost everything about how each craft feels to learn and to practice.
The case for learning crochet first
It’s often easier to pick up
Many people find crochet easier to learn as an absolute beginner. Because you only have one stitch on the hook at a time, there’s much less anxiety about dropping stitches or losing your place. If something goes wrong, it’s generally easier to see and fix.
The basic crochet stitch - a chain and a single crochet - can be learned in an afternoon, and a simple dishcloth or granny square is within reach in your first session.
It’s faster for many projects
Crochet stitches are generally taller than knitting stitches, which means projects can grow more quickly. A crocheted blanket often works up faster than a knitted one of the same size.
It’s brilliant for 3D projects
Amigurumi (crocheted stuffed toys), baskets, bags, and any project with three-dimensional shaping is generally much easier in crochet than knitting. If you want to make toys, home accessories, or bags, crochet is your craft.
One tool
You only need one hook to get started. This makes the initial investment simpler and cheaper.
The case for learning knitting first
A wider garment pattern library
If your goal is ultimately to knit jumpers, cardigans, and wearable garments, the knitting pattern library is vast and the garment tradition is deep. There are thousands of beautiful garment patterns available for knitters at every level, from absolute beginner to advanced.
Beautiful fabric
Knitted fabric has a particular drape, elasticity, and softness that is difficult to replicate in crochet. For fitted garments and anything worn close to the body, knitted fabric generally performs better.
Meditative rhythm
Many people find knitting deeply meditative in a way that crochet isn’t quite. Once you have the basic knit stitch under your fingers, it becomes almost automatic - your hands work while your mind rests. This is one of the reasons knitting is so often associated with stress reduction and mindfulness.
Socks
If you dream of knitting socks - and many knitters do, because handknitted socks are genuinely one of life’s great luxuries - knitting is the way to go. Crochet socks exist, but they are much less common and the fabric is typically denser or thicker.
What’s harder about each one?
What’s harder about knitting
- Managing multiple live stitches on needles can feel precarious at first. Dropped stitches are a source of real anxiety for many beginners.
- Purling - the second fundamental stitch - feels awkward to many people initially, and understanding the relationship between knit and purl takes a little time.
- Reading patterns and understanding construction can have a steeper early learning curve.
What’s harder about crochet
- Maintaining consistent tension is genuinely tricky in crochet and can take longer to master than in knitting.
- Counting stitches is more critical in crochet, and it’s easy to accidentally add or lose stitches, particularly at the ends of rows.
- Fitted garments can be harder to get right, and the garment pattern library, while growing, is smaller than for knitting.
The tools you’ll need
To start knitting you need:
- A pair of knitting needles - we recommend 4.5mm or 5mm straight or circular needles for beginners.
- Some 8ply or 10ply yarn - smooth, light-coloured, and forgiving.
- A tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
To start crocheting you need:
- A crochet hook - a 5mm hook is a good all-round starting size.
- Some 8ply or 10ply yarn - same guidance as for knitting.
- A tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
In both cases, the investment to get started is minimal. We’ll help you choose everything you need at the Woolshed.
Our honest recommendation
If you genuinely don’t have a preference and just want to know what to do: come into the Woolshed and pick up both a pair of needles and a hook. Try a few rows of each with a member of our team guiding you. Most people find very quickly that one of them feels more natural - and that feeling is the right answer.
If you know you want to make garments and jumpers: start with knitting.
If you want to make toys, bags, or home accessories: start with crochet.
If you’re not sure and just want to make something: start with crochet - the lower initial frustration means most people experience their first success more quickly.
And if you get started with one and find yourself curious about the other? Most makers end up learning both eventually. There’s room for all of it.
Learn with us
At the Woolshed we offer beginner classes in both knitting and crochet throughout the year. Small group sessions and one-to-one lessons are available - get in touch or pop into the store to find out what’s coming up.
Address: Shop 2B, Manuka Court, 11-17 Bougainville Street, Griffith ACT 2603
Phone: (02) 6295 0061
Email: shop@woolshed.com.au
Hours: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm | Saturday 10am–4pm